Unsure

Now im meant to be heading for the city tomorrow in a temperature of 38 man i must be a complete nutter. Beatter wear some coolish clothes.If i have any (sigh) new yeasrs eve is supposed to be 42. Absolutely insane weather to be out in, so i better pack my sunscreen etc.

The past few days i have stayed indoors. catching some sleep. I have been getting up and 4am and reading for a bit then heading back to bed.

Ugly Betty

I spent the day watching ugly better.. i only got through tot he end of the second disc.. so it means i have about 19 episodes to go. Im looking forward to watching them. I like it cause its a bit of fluff and easy to watch

What else... i just didnt feel like going out for dinner.I went to mid valley though no luck finding clothes there either. A few of the stores that i like had grany wear in them so i skipped them. Anyhow. I bought colheo,s new book. Cause i love his way of writing.

\
well thats it today...

im hot and cant be bothered tap tap tapping away here

christmas day

Chirstmas day went well..the morning passed so quickly. I feel a bit ill at the moment probably all the chocolates i ate. Tsk Tsk ! We had a roast of different meats with mums famous roast potatoes, pumpkin and honey carrots/ peas and beans.

Just 7 of us/ uncle henry, bradley,louise and allen. Just mum dad and I. It was quiet, the bon bons i bought were terrific, nail kit make up brushes a;ll that jazz. I wanted them as they matched the table and the silver flowers looked great.

We ate and feasted and at some more.. The fridge is brimming with food... overload. Even today which is boxing day i am still feasting.. it will take me a life time to get my weight down within the past two days!

I have had the house to myself today which has been nice... I have been relaxing and watching 3 episodes of ugly betty (got the box set for chrsitmas)

Christmas Eve

Its another day. Christmas eve. I made the cake.. decorated it with some powdered icing sugar..It looks great with some fake holly on top. We found the george jenson angels in the cupboard, each angel stands for different things that they guard over. Its very beautiful. To read it as you put them up. It feels a like christmas here, a little anyhow.

I guess its just that my family is spread wide across the world. Its nice that louise is coming home tomorrow morning. Look forward to her arrival. I hope one year we can be together for christmas all of us. At the moment I have got the telly on the carols and am here in the loungeroom. Mum is busy in teh kitchen whipping up icecream and cream to make a chocolate ripple cake. Tammy makes good ones of this aswell.

I bought mum this AMAZING bunch of flowers.. they are just beautiful. Stunning lilac roses with pink gerbras and pink roses too. They have put ferns withit and some babies breath and some pine in it. They sit near the fireplace. I bought these great silver crackers to go with the table... I think they will look lovely. Dressing the table tomorrow.

The elephants look great with their glitter feet shining. The mobile looks good too. I will take some photos tomorrrow and post them. Have to get up at 5am to watch nicola roman and tronds family open their presents via skype.

Early bird

I was such an early bird today. Got up at the crack of bleeding dawn. Wrapped a few presents up for people. I wish i could wrap presents up full time. Would be fun. Wonder how you get a job like that. I would flourish at it i think. I had breakfast just juice only this mornings combination of raspberry, banana and oj didnt go down a treat.. curdle and made me queezy . Oooh yucky.

So I was an earlybird down the street,,, got some beautiful stunning christmas crackers... a presents and all that jazz. Got cards for everyone. Even for Jess.

Got to make another blueberry sour cream cake now...

in a while crocadile

Gltter Bug

Last night we dipped the elephants feet in glitter and hung them around the house.. we made a mobile that hangs off the fan. I was so looking forward to the city,,, na ah when i have to travel atleast 3hrs there and three hours back. Casue of the stupid bloody train only traveling to packenham. and then i would have had to travel by connex train all the way to teh city adding at least a good hour onto to travel. Then getting to catherines house. Total nightmare.

So I apologized to catherine. I was looking forward to it too. I feel sorry for all those who have to commute from city home. As it looks like its going to last for a little while.

Anyhow Ill stop being annoyed... and go to bed!

Raining

Man it rained nearly all night, thunder, lightening all that jazz. Its only 16 today. I am having a quiet day at home... due to it being such crappy weather. I like rain though. Nice for the catchment areas too.

Went out for a coffee, it was quite strong and mums was near scalding. Dad of course stuck to his usual english breakfast tea. Since when did he fancy a change? Perhaps when i put bi carb in his cup! lol. Now that was funny sure did clean him out.

I have not seen so much rain in absolute ages. Its nice in the house at the moment. Scooter is sitting beside me. She is great company, a bit shy around new people but after that her bark is worse than her bite. She likes to sit on my lap at around 4pmish until mum gets home.. almost like a daily ritual. No matter what i am doing i can always stop what im doing. She also loves to jump on dads back when he is gardening. Now i think that is one for dr harry myself!

Spoke to nicola last night...she is well. Roman isnt though.( poor little thing.)
Trond wants to buy roman some skis.I laughed. She sounds more relaxed and at home at the abelseths house. Scott is very homesick, thinking about moving back here. Not holding my breath on either two moving home! Just yet.

What else is news? Not a lot really, slave to the dog going in and out like a bloody yo yo..

welpers write more later alligator.

Cookies

I baked enough cookies today to run my own bloody stall. So im giving them to everyone, some for aunty anna, uncle henry, mum and dad, kevin and some for catherine. I made two types... cranberry and white chocolate and peanut butter choc chip. (They taste like snickers bar)and are very mourish. I am heading to the big smoke for the weekend.

I leave tomorrow morning on the 11:05 am train. I am looking forward to traveling. I will read lots of my book and perhaps buy one of those trashy magazines to read on the train.

Well its almost 9:30 and I am quite tired. I will be going to bed shortly. All tuckered out.


nighty night.

Rain

It is such a lovely day today, not hot but not cold and there have been light showers.. o good for the washing though. Im very tired... thinking i need a nap already and its only 10ish.

I am reliving in my head split second decisions over and over in my head today. I am listening to crowded house, reliving moments that i could have changed. Stupid idiot i have been. All the long lost days, i think ill take today out to mull over it. think though that those moments are over and i should pave myself a new path. *Sighs*

I really should have gone away with mish... cleared my head a little bit. Instead I made this beautiful silver card with a pretty leaf on the front which im posting to her today. I hold a lot of regrets.. as EVonne says "learning curves".

You know what i fany going for a swim, hmm might be a bit tricky that. *sighs* Welpers... im not sure what the weekend will hold for me.. i was going to go up and meetup with kevin. Also Id like to go to catherines do that she is having at her place on sunday.

Perhaps i will make those chcolate peanut cookies after all.

Blueberry Sour Cream Cake.

It is quite early but i'm baking a cake for dad to take to his appointment tomorrow. It smells heavenly. I baked it early as its supposed to reach a top of 31 (even though its a bit grey here) Im quite tired, even though I had solid sleep. I will go to kamrt and get the pot for my new plant. They had this beautiful cherry red pot (matches the colour of the leaves) however it had no holes in the bottom. They are asking $16. I don't have that much!

Oh well. I made some beautiful pos cards last night.. they are so pretty, Silver paper, silver card and some silver leaves that i had floating around in my art supplies. I just had a lovely cup of black english breakfast tea. I have that much tea..and to think my supplies were so low a few months ago. It means mum and I drank a heap. We have it every night about an hour after dinner. Its a nice thing to do. Mum's fav is apple berry, orange and hurro purro (raspberry leaf).

I don't think i'll be running out of tea for a while. I have a feeling that i'm going to be taking a nap soon! Welpers got a cake to rescue from the oven, the timer is going bananas.

Soup.

I made tomato soup for dinner tonight.. this one is roasted and light and summery. Its out of donna hay cook book. I have had mine.. dad who always loses time has not come in yet. Just got a phone call from nicola brief as a simple thank you from Roman. How cute.

I hope the parcel i have sent get to people on time. I will send a few more once i find the right gifts for some of my friends. I guess its a challenge, what do you buy people who have everything? Has to be nice though.

There is going to be a free market stall in the local plaza. However I think i shall leave it. Went to the gym. Walked to kmart got a few things there. Went to coles they don't sell the smoked cheese. *sighs*

I better be off.

have a few cards to make.

Alice

I have just started looking at Alice pictures on the net... bamboozled by the amount that there seems to be. I guess its because the net in itself is that giant rabbit hole that seems endless. I think I will bite the bullet and watch the movie tomorrow. I am going to take photos of each frame. I have kept them all in order (Shock shock horror horror) I hope to finish it and take it to get them all framed at the shop Uncle Ron goes to. If i exhibit these images they will be all together in one room.

I hope to finish it before christmas.. but that might be asking a lot. I am go0ing to paint for the first time in months tomorrow. I have a few ideas here and there floating around. I got some silver ink that I have been experimenting with. I have oils and acrylic. I went through my material box and gathered a few bits and pieces... put them into colour order (of course)

I best get a move on now...

ciao

op shop

Went for a walk down the road... not going to the gym as i walked home and that is half an hour. I bought this great skirt for myself from the op shop... its black (sheesh theres a change of shade for my wardrobe)(he he) it has a lovely pattern on it. Its got a great texture to the material too.

I feel ok today. Just a bit tired at the moment.. nothng a good coffee won't cure.. or more fruit.

write more later in the afternoon.

Talk About Cheap

Didn't realise how cheap aldi actually is. One has opened here, the bananas were 59c a kilo. Amazing. cONSIDERING Last year they were at a whopping $10 a kilo. Mangoes were about 60c each too. However stayed away from the cakes etc. Although went and had a latte after that. The bill came to less than $100.

I have done little today,watched a movie I(a thriller)(mums choice). Spoke to elizabeth today and tammy last night. I have been invited to go to china to spend a few weeks traveling.. lack of funds prevent me from going though. Although i'd prefer to go there than to vegas. *sighs* Cant have everything can ya?

I would love to go. Im sure i've lost A smidge of weight, positive i have. I get weighed this week also have to pay the gym this week. I ordered take away last night... i had my fried rice craving so now that is settled, i feel better.

I have just three more presents to get. I might wait til i go to the city next saturday (im a loon the trains gonna be packed) It took mum to 30minutes to get a car park at mid valley! That is crazy.

delicious secrets

i really like the sound of delicious secrets. Should write a book with that title. I read it an article in the age today where this lady said "full of delicious secrets." Welp thats about it from me today.. Fresh out of talk.

Twlight Market.

Dusty Dusty DUsty. So dusty I had t clean my pictures nearly every half hour with some windex and paper towel. I dont think I have tapped into the right market. I didnt sell anything last night, oh well. Dad sold a fair bit.. lots of records, dvds and videos. We are putting the money into an account that i cant touch... so that we can save a little bit for a trip away or something.

Id like to do other markets (if possible) I had a delicious slice of fruit chutney slice.. love their cakes at old gippstown they are all home made and delicious. I know im not supposed to eat it oh well. One little "sin" can't hurt. Well it can i guess. Too late GONE! OOps.

I got this cute elephant sun catcher thing for eliezabeth. I hope she will like it. I also bought this beautiful plant t go with the other ones out the front. just got to buy a nice pot for it tomorrow. Its stunning and tall. Just beautiful.

I just made myself a nice tea. Just sitting here thinking what i can make for lunch. Hmm I wonder. Any how i should get a move on, do some drawing/painting. write more later gator

Blessing

I went to the gym and the post office... talk about queues, i was lucky to fit in the door. Everyone sending parcels that take a while to weigh. Oh man. Glad I don't work there. Any how, after that I went to the paper store...and you know got a bit distrcted.. i went to pay and lost my wallet.I retraced my steps back to mums work..not there. Went back to the post office... and there is sat on the chair that I used as a table.. no one had taken any notice of it and everything was still in tact. Thank goodness. As this time of year it would be impossible near enough to be able to replace the cards before christmas. I am surprised. The last time i lost my purse i didnt even know I had lost it til the police station called me. LOL.

Well I reckon that was really lucky specially around this time of year. Well i got home and checked out my shadow boxes to make sure they are ok... and yeps they are. I will have to clean some of them when i get there. So ive packed the aerogard hat and other bits and pieces.. even my books are ready to go. So Im typing this as dad is watching his beloved cricket and pricing his records... Im not sure how long we have to be there.. probably pack up when the carols start.

Im not looking forward to sitting out in the 32 degree heat. Something my white skin doesnt take too easily to. Oh well. I bought some clothes today just a top and pants as the store had 70% off the second item. So i spent a little bit...

I am craving ice tea. I better get going now

ciao

Elephant Day

This is a photo of some of the elephants I cut out. (thanks for the idea trond) we are going to string them around the house. I spent the last few hours cutting them out. The look cool. Elephants at christmas? Well who said that cant be? They look good scattered on the cake board!

Im going to string them with fishing line and scatter them about the house.. or make 3 mobiles. Need more silver paper. I walked down the road and caught the bus back due to a bit of a panic attack, i couldnt stay down the road long. Aldi has opened here now... must go take a a squiz tomorrow. At the moment I have two shadow boxes to do that will fill the rest of the day up i would say. I have some beautiful paper.. just not sure what will match it all.

In search of the right hat at the moment.. i found one but did not buy it, i doubt it will be there anymore. I need one for tomorrow , otherwise im gonna get sunburned. I just know, like last time i came away with red cheeks.
more later alligator.

christmas tree

This is our tree this year it is all silver and white decorations. Its pretty and easy on the eye.

Im tired from the gym, just relaxing at home. Tomorrow i have a few things i have to do, shadow boxes... hopefully they are still there. Or else I'll have to shop elsewhere. I have in mind what i want to do. I just have to put it all together. I have the jewellery and tiles etc.

Gonna play some scrabble.

card

This is one cute card I did. I really like it. Not sure who to send it to yet.

Well I got one thing done today and that was heading to the gym no one else was there so i got corrected as i went. Think I shall go tomorrow morning. We have to finish the tree tonight. its only half dressed really. I found all these silver balls to hang. And these beautiful white ones too. Hiding in the attic.

Well Im STARVING mum is getting pasta from mias for dinner. I hope something tomato based.

Cards

I made some beautiful cards today. They are so lovely. Specailly the cat one, and the green flower one. I will send them off tomorrow. I slept in til 10am today... as i was up from 3-5am for some reason i couldnt sleep... I feel a bit tired still but im going to the gym a bit later. Going to force myself to go. I must invest in a hat. walking is eventful the flys just need a lift they are too lazy to fly. lol.

Well must get cracking

write more later


luv

albell

Spotlight

Sheesh I went to Morwell on the train yesterday... just to go to spotlight grab some silver paper, silver ink , diaries and a few other bits and pieces. I ended up spending more than I thought I would. OOOOOPPPS. I got some cool jewellery one of which i have wrapped up for a friend. Spotlight is like a bunnings for women.

Oh we set up the christmas tree mum got.. its a mother. 6foot tall platicish pine looking tree.. it takes about am hour to assemble the thing. lol oh well its up now.. i have to go out and buy some decorations for it todya.. white and silver the theme we have this year. A bit of pink thrown in too.. we are going to cut out some elephants out of pink and silver and white paper.

I still cant believe how big the bloody tree is.

That aside. I have some silver ink which i will muck around with now...


catch ya later alligator

Big Smoke

Went to the city on saturday afternoon..went straight to justynas house. Arrived early then walked to the bottle shop..I got myself a brown brothers wine and justyna a good bottle for a christmas present. I put on makeup and got dressed in my new skirt and top thinking it was going to be a dressy thing...WRONG... everyone rocked up in jeans.. so i changed into mine. The skirt is so lovely though... need to go out somewhere specal to wear it though.

Putting on makeup is tricky, im no that good at it though. I realized the black under my eyes... i need to invest in a concealer and perhaps some stuff that prevents red cheeks from showing too. Specially now its summer. Anyhow... at the party i felt a little out.. as though i couldnt break into her group of friends that were inside sitting in a circle... so I sat outside with paul, lucy, jamie and jo and a few of justynas other friends. Now the talk was driving me a little nuts.. they were talking mainly about having children. Man... *sighs* in some way I know i never will.. even if Billy says "wait til u meet the right partner" Im like hmm still NO.

Not that I have put myself out there to find a man . Oh well I lost out there. Im starting with me , changing myself first. Im sure i'll b more confident once I lose weight. Its not gonna be easy. I am aware of that. Specially with the silly season having arrived promptly on the door step. Im amazed i stayed up til about 1. Justyna had made some yummy food. Specially the fruit dipped in chocolate, then the chocolate brownies. I also tried some smoked cheese... think i found what i will buy instead of Jalsberg. It is so delectable.

The next day I went for a spot of shopping at lincraft and got a few things , then i finally bought some of that kimono off cut material... gee its beautiful. So lovely I covered some diaries with it. So many lovely colours which i love. No silky stuff..

I met up with Evonne.. who is not in the best of physical states,,, but she still met up with me... man now that is amazing.. really had I of known i would have traveled out to her place. I hope she is on the mend. We sat in gloria jeans just chatting for a an hour or so... then we went to the tea shop... they have some christmas teas out at the moment. Evonne bought a canvas which is good, painting is therapy. Then we just walked to the train station.. said our goodbyes and I went on my merry way home.

Lucky Cats

Yesterday got a card from Keoko his lady friend from the shipping days. Her last name is Murakami, now i wonder if she is in any way related to Haruki or married to him! That would be AMAZING. However every year she sends us a christmas card I look forward to hers (plus the stamps are beautiful).. this year she sent us some lucky waving cats. Id love to go to japan..it would be lovely.

I received a beautiful card from my german pen pal.Ive written most of my cards out, wrapped all the presents and have almost packed my bag for the city.. just need a few more things. So today I am heading for the city again.. for a do at Justynas house. Im not leaving here until 3pm.. that way i go straight to her house and not worry about going in and out of the train station. So i need a few good bottles of wine.

Yesterday flew by.. I didnt go anywhere... just stayed home and did house work
(boring)For once louise didnt bring shit food home.. which is great. We are all going to a new cafe in morwell for brunch. I hope its good food with mum being the food critic that she is.

What else is news? Oh not alot really... cept im going to buy a book to read on the train... or maybe a trashy magazine. Well i should go and make myself a coffee as im bloody tired.

catchya later alligator

Big Sigh

Its just about midnight i cant sleep. So im up here just thinking about today... i did little other than go to the gym,,, and a few odd bits of house work. JUst had a midnight snack a little bit of a bread roll. Naughty and I shouldnt have it... but oh well...Bread is bad though nigknow., Its my weakness.

So funny i saw the dog with something in her mouth.. i went up to her thinking ah yeah oilet roll.. but oh no it was half a block of chocolate..that she had found in dads room somewhere. Soher christmas present came early.


well anyhow i must go to bed now. nighty night

Petunia

These are of petinuas on the porch they look beautiful in the sun. I love them. Petunias are terrific. Discovered them when I was living in northcote. I like them very much.

Well today i got my arse to the gym. Good work out. Then went and had a coffee with mum. Went around the opshops found nothing bar a tshirt with a beautiful print on it that i bought to cover a diary with. Its silver with birds on it. Got to buy a nice little diary and cover it.

anyhow

on with the show

another one

This is of my plant that has gone ballaistic on the front porch. I have to take the other two out and repot them

Snap Happy.

This is just one dads garden. Pretty delicate ha?

slackarse

Boy I had a slackarse day today. I was sooooooooo tired. I got up at 5am went to sleep again at about 7 woke up at 10am then went and rested again at 4pm for an hour. Hmm not t hat I'm complaining. I felt sluggish and not that crash hot. Im just having a spot of orange tea and a cookie... that helps.

So i still have a few christmas presents to get. Not sure what to get must send them this week. I will go look at the shops tomorrow get a feel whats around. *Sighs* I blught this beautiful black lace looking skirt with this lace looking top to go with it, I have a chami top to go with it all. I am going to wear it next weekend.

What else? Oh got a letter from satu and got a letter from angela. I am going op shop shopping tomorrow... and the gym. Going to be a bit more active so then ill feel a bit less sluggish. I want to take up swimming again when i lose a little weight.

Anyhow. Take care out there.

ze weekend

Ze weekend went well. Saturday hung out in the city with catherine. Just looked at shops and then went to a chocolate place that has changed hands. Its all belgian and delicious, but still lacks a certain atmosphere. Im not sure what it is about that arcade. *sighs* Oh well. .

After sitting and resting...we went to the free Nick Cave exhibtion... i love it. I didn't get time to take it all in so I'm gonna go back and have another look next weekend. I love the bad seeds music. I missed him when he came out this year oh well hopefully he'll be out next year and I can go then. I guess i just love music alot of it doesn't date.

I then went to the bbq, just sat round feasting on about 10 different salads and lots of different meats. Man they are going to be living on meats for ages. Everyone bought some! Funny that. The ginger cookies lucy made were the best too. I liked them muchly. I stayed up til about midnight then i was so bloody tired... i had to go to bed as id been up since about 6am that morning. It was lovely to see everyone though and enjoyed myself muchly.

Sunday rocks around and I left pretty early to meet up with Kylie. That was lovely wondering around the shops... sitting..,.chatting.. then heading breifly to the design market that is on at fed square car park. Its really cool to see all the stalls. Then grapped some lunch and i headed home.

Yesterday mum dad and i went christmas shopping at fountain gate. I got nearly everyones accept 2 peoples but i havent seen anything for them yet. I will keep looking. until something jumps out at me and says "buy me" It shall be interesting i hope everyone likes what i got them. Im, not doing the movie tickets this year i opted out buying gifts. I probably over spent i'd say, as per usual.

I wrapped the gifts up in plan brown paper... with some amazing beautiful and stunning hand made paper... of gold pattern in three colours..blue..white and green... i used gold ribbon too... to jazz it up a bit. They look really beautiful...and you don't want to open them. lol I went overboard buying brown paper so ill be wrapping all my birthday presents for the next year with that too!

So today tuesday and im so tired... i guess i got up at 5am and went back to bed at about 7am woke up at 10am again. lol.. oh well you get that sometimes dont ya?

Hmm well on with the show...

Not Happy Jan!

I am soooo not happy about the nuts failing me! I guess I tried to make it with walnuts.. the walnut itself is far too strong in taste to be coated with the sugar. So im keeping them here and only taking the the cranberry and white chocolate cookies with me. It means taking a bottle of frozen water with me to keep cookies ok.

I have enough for anne, aunty anna, me, and mums work. Ive only keep four in the cookie jar. Little enough to be sampled. I'm a bit tired at the moment think its just the warm muggy weather.

So im not happy, Jan! So the nuts are a write off. I think ill kill some time and play some scrabble.

Not Happy Jan!

Sweet and Spicy

This is the recipe for sweet and sour nuts.. its out of the essential vegetarian cook book.

SWEET AND SPICY NUTS

250 g blanched almonds
250g pecans
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 a teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon of curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1. Prehaet oven to moderate 180. Place almonds and pecans o a large baking tray.Bake for 5-10minutes or untilthe nuts are crisp and golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

2 Combine the sugar, salt pepper and spices in a small bowl. Mix well.

3 Heat large frying pan. Add the almonds and pecans. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the nut,. Cook the nuts, stirring over medium heat for 5minutes or until the turn golden brown and the sugar has melted and coated the nuts. Shake the frying pan often to ensure even cooking. Of nuts stick together, separate with a wooden spoon. When nuts are cooked remove from heat.Spread on a lightly oiled baking tray to cool.



And thats it.. its very simple and the last time i made them for a picnic they went down a treat. I haven't used this recipe in over a year now. I know you cn drink beer and easily eat these. Im in the process of cooking the white chocolate and cranberry cookies. I will take them to mums work this afternoon.

I dont think im going to the gym today. I know i know. No excuses.... well i might go to the 2pm session when its quiet. U know you only do two rounds and the rest ou do cool down exersizes. Wellp i can hear the buzzer going... better check on the cookies..

Big Chop

I got my hair cut today gave it the big chop.. got half off with plum streaks through it. Looks nice.. they straightend it for me. Im still getting used to it. Oh well.. guess its gonna take a while.

I went to the gym too. Tomorrow im going to make the sweet and sour nuts and white chocolate and cranberry cookies too. Not for me but for the bbq. Although i will probably sample a few. I amm making double some for mums work and some to take with me.

I got a trashy magazine that kept me occupied whilst sitting at the hair dressers. Getting my gossip fix. Well i didnt do any work today... i spent it walking up and down the street. No wonder i can feel it in my legs...!

Im going to try and accessorise in red so it will match my cute reds shoes that i bought the other day. I love them . I cat walk in them too far. But they will be nice to wear out once in a while..certainly not for dancing in.

I was up at 4am til 6am then i went back to bed. Odd times to be awake from oh well *Sighs* Im amazed at how much energy exersize can give you.

anyhow...

im off to play some scrabble.

Gym

Gym is great I love circut. I went even though my toe is killing me right now. I got this band-aid that has a cushioning padding stuff in it. You know i went through my reports from when i was a little kid right throughout high school... some of them wrote "allison is far above her peers" Its funny cause i didnt see it back then at all. I wasnt too bad at english though one of my teachers commented.. "she has an invetnive vocab" I was a bad speller then and still am today! *sighs*


I am giong to go to the gym every day even if i just walk there and catch the bus back. I can feel it in my thighs. I am baking some cookies on Friday to take with me to the bbq... im also making sweet and sour nuts. (they taste amazing)

well lunch time for me now... write more in a bitty...

Mellow Yellow

Im a bit mellow today. Not my finest hours. I have a blister on my toe from walking so much and it hurts so damned much.. not happy Jan. Im going to go to the gym during quiet time and see what i can do.

Played a game of scrabble with evonne.. and did some more of alice. Tomorrow im sitting down to watch the dvd and add some scenes to my work. Just need a new sketch pad. I am listening to Bernard Fanning Tea and Sympathy gee its a great cd.

Scooter keeps howling as mum has gone out to visit uncle henry. Such a sookylala.
I found a book under my bed that i had forgotten about. Its another travel journal this time its this ladies journey through India. Its a great book and I am enjoying reading it.

Mellow Yellow though. I think today would be a gray day. Wild winds lashing all the plants. Im quite tired... might be polly and put the kettle on !

Walk

Walking is great.. walking up the hill really makes me puffed out but im sure that as i keep walking... ill lose the weight and be less breathy. ANyhow. I piked on going to the gym and opted out for walking home. Ive been do0ing puzzles in a magazine all afternoon. Keeping my mind active atleast.
must go put the water on now

having pasta for tea

Carol King

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That is one of my shadow boxes of two love birds together (I really like it) The flash is just spot on in this picture. I'm listening to carol king.. gosh i like her voice. I know I know I'm such a dag. Oh well.Its on with the show tomorrow must go and paint again.

Back to the gym tomorrow, had a great weekend. Read the paper...all about kevin ruds win. I think its about time too. I also think that costello is chicken and is abandoning ship at the time that liberal needs a strong leader. Oh well thats my opinion anyhow.

Well kath and kim is on... i love it,


better than the other crap thats on.

To market to market

Market went well. Sold three pieces.I have to figure out why 2 pieces started to condensate. All that money will be put back in to creating a few more pieces. Dad and I sat there for most of it just chatting. He wAS in his element. I looked at this bag i so wanted it but will have to leave it til next time if its there it was meant to be, i not then oh well *shrugs shoulders* Its harmony day there tomorrow. I may walk there and have a look round, if its not too hot.

I didnt have anything fatty other than one soft drink. Im going to take some books, bags and a few other things next month. My feet are sore from walking about 6kms yesterday. I cant believe i did that like a mad woman in the heat. Remind me to wear bug repellent next time. Also sunscreen. Dad is going to bring books and more records. I am quite tired. Dad is sleeping in his chair as i tap tap away.
I feel like a beer in a beer garden this afternoon. Sort of wish i lived in the city now. *sighs*

I bought this pretty little christmas card that this lady had cut out... its very cute. Anyhow. I might go for a nana nap now.

wrute more later..

love albell.

On the move

Haxd my first gym session last night. Today i have to wal a fair few ks. As I have to take the form to old gippstown then walk down the street. So ill fit my exersize in that way. Im listening to JJJ hottest one hundred from this year gee its a bloody good cd. I have to get everything wrapped up and put in the suitcase for the market firs of all i have to go and and get some bubble wrap etc, tapeskech pad and money exchanged. I will take a book and ask what tim e we have to be there by. I have a sneaky feeling its 7:30am.

My god how uncordinated am I on the gym machines.. itll take me a few goes before i get it down pat. Im not surprised everyone was laughing at me. lol oh well I cant help it. Ive always been a bit unco. I made a banana cake for dad. Went down a treat. I have to clean the house a bit too. So i have a bloody busy day. Im waiting for the washing to finish before i head out. As its bedding and needs to dry before louise and alan get here this evening.

Hve to buy another book to read too. Im going to sell some of my books tomorrow too. I was up at 3:00 am i hink its cause i am anxious about the market.Anyhow... must get choo chooing along,



ciao

Walking.

Been walking a lot lately. Getting ready for the market. I bought a heap of shadow bokes yesterday...I have been a slack arse not filling this in for the past few days. Monday I just bought a few more supplies...i went to spotlight yestderday.. got a heap more items i can use.
Wlaked home up the dreaded hill slowly in 36 degree heat. I wont be doing that again any time soon. Today Im just staying at home working on my art work and cooking a cake for dad to take to mr redman tomorrow. Banana cake since we have over ripe bananas here.
I joined a circut gym last night.. starting from thursday gonna go onc every second day i think. U cant go twice in a day though I think im going to like it very much. Atleast its on a month to month basis and not locked into a contract.
well i should go and get some work done.. write more in a bitty

Heat

Sheesh talk about warm days ahead. Tomorrow its gonna be 33... im heading out early. Going to go to spotlight to grab some beads and look at their picture frames... and look at some of the other shops and opshops that are there.

Today was another nothing day. Did little went andhad a coffee.. been reading the paper. Found a nick cave exhibition that is on. Will go to it. I have made a list of all the things i need to do for the market stall. First up is get a form so I can jolly well apply to be a holder there with dad.


Lately I have enetered all these competitions but have won absolutely nothing. Oh well just means i'll keep going. U never know when your luck might turn round. It has to sometime or another. I have started to impliment change, positive change. For the better (i think).

I think imay sell some of my books and perhaps start my collection again. Im not sure. We had bruchetta for dinner tonight. That was just lovely. Have decided to get my hair cut (in a few weeks) and have the red strips trough it again. Perhaps about 7inches off. Im not sure yet.

I am going to make the blueberry sour cream cake for mr redman. I am glad dad has taken up writing his poems and his life story. He will do a great job. I always tell him "juist a page a day".

Heat wave

Th past few days have been scorchers. Tomorrow will be no different with a whopping 37 on tuesday... the scary thing is its not yet even summer. I can only imagine 40 degree days. *sighs*

Today went and just did grocery shopping and thats about it. Came home and just watched die hard 4.0 i must say szome of the one liners in it were great. I havent walked today nor yesterday.. i ought to tomorrow... mayb to maccas for a latte or somehing like that. Leave here at 8am.

I have got to get my shit together in the next few days. I need more frames, more beads and perhaps a trip to spotlight is the order of the day. I haved been drawing today... i think to the market next week I am going to take my book and my roll up pencils that i love (scott they are the ones u got me) and a whole new sketch pad. I did this lovely abstract today... green and blue. SOrt of like a city with windmills around it.

I better get going there is a pillow and a bottle of dream awaiting me.

Art Work

This is some of what i have been working on as of late. I put the butterflies on a bit wrong, but this one i got the frame for nothing so ill just add on the cost of the beads earings and lemon background so about $8 I think. If i can fix it in i'll charge a bit more.The bloody thing wont load the photos onto here. Oh welll *sighS*

I am having a bowl of cerial for lunch. Nothing much in the house. Thought about pasta but oh no. There is pasta but i better not. I think cerial will fill me up. I have not been for a walk yet today.

WRITE more tonight

Out and About.

Went to warragul today. Mainly to get tickets for Priscilla for mum and the girls. I am saving my pennies. Im not sure how much the gym is going to set me back... it will make a dint in my account probably.. just means i have to curb my spending a bit. I bought some more jewellery and have assembled one more shadow box. I will take some photos of them tomorrow.. so im sort of documenting my work.

I forgot that on the day of the market is the day of the election.. i can vote afterwoulds though. I am going to buy some bubblewrap and look at some nice bags that will fit my art work in them. Dad is going to sell is records... once a month will be great i think. It will alow me to work and sell some of my work.

Im not sure about selling some of my framed pieces. I think they are a little on the expensive side. Well ididnt even stop for a coffee htis morning. I I havent had one all day... but i guess a glass of coke is the equivalen to the sugar intake and a caffine hit for the day.

I didnt even go to the opshop there.... just got the tickets and came home. Tomorrow its going to be a lovely hot 30. Im sure ill amuse myself infront of the airconditioner. I;ll hae to see what glue i can use to put beads down on with. I some tinsy incy wincy beads and i dont want glue marks.

Anyhow.Better scoot. got a few things i want to start.

to market to market?

I am thinking about selling some of my art work at the local market. If i work my arse off for the next few weeks I might just be able to set up a small stall and sell my shadow boxes. That would be a great idea i think. Its only $10 for a stall holder. Which is great. I might make some cards too. I may only sell one thing but its still a start. All it will take is time sitting there and talking to customers.
I will give the local market a call.

I have been walking down (My new thigng.. is to collect the mail from the pobox every day) its a good 15 minute walk down and a good 25 minute walk home. Hopefully i will be able to join the gym for three months. I think that that is doable.

Well i better move now.

Sleepypie

I cant nod off.I read for a good hour... and now im up.. thinking of having some milk or something.See if that will work. Anyhow... i think im going to play some online scrabble now. Love to go to the craft market this weekend at lardner park. Its always massive and is only on for one day. Sunday.


Its amazing some ideas people have. What they create etc. I tthink i might go back to bed and sleep now.


nighty niight.

Honey

I thought mum was crazy for buying $35 jar of manuka honey. However dads rashes have cleared up remarkably well. Im amazed. It has all these healing properties. So mums reading of helathfood books paid for themselves. I had pasta for lunch today. I have started walking... I go down and check the mail... from now on that will be my 15 minute a day walk. I know its only little but im better off starting small than jumping in.

I have a meeting with the lady at the new gym curves thats opened up here. A ladies gym..thats better for me... plus its only for a half hour circut. Combine that with my 15 minute walk. I could go every day but i think i'll start out with atleast two sessions a week. Im sure ill start seeing a change, there is no shit food in the house, just fruit vegetables etc. I eat a few dates for my sugar cravings and a few nuts for snacks.

I will benefit from this im sure. Its a long road but im up for the trip.

Today i created this really pretty piece.. with a beautiful flower and some beads around it. Thinking of giving it away to some one for xmas. I am not sure whom yet. I sent the housewarming gifts to ang and catherine yesterday. I hope they like them. Its just little.

I can only remember one thing from my dream last night, that was the owner of the tea shop was saying something... i couldnt hear what though. I don't remember. First dream ive had in a few weeks now. I look around the lounge room.. the house is becoming a bit of a gallery. I got to book in a spaced for late next year yet. I am not sure where to go though. '

Aww nicola would love this bit of news.. the realesed a stack of sea horses today. How lovely.

I am drinking more water. I drink enough tea to sink a small battleship. I better scoot... got to put the pasta on.

Sunny Sunday

Sunny sunday, went to yarragon for lunch. Looked at a few things. Bought nothing. Just ended up having lunch and then home. Only got the paper.. I like reading the paper on the weekend.. there is a nick cave exhibition of some of the objecs he has collected over his vast career. Cant wait to see that.

I have got some cards to make over the next few days, i will send the housewarming gifts tomorrow. I hope they will like them. Im not sure *Sighs* I just had a lovely cup of english breakfast tea, out of an old diana and charles commemrative tin we had. The tea is probably a few years old but still it tastes darn good. better than tea bag stuff.

I almost bought some Byron Bay tea yesterday at warragul. They had unusual teas there. I may just go back to the health food shop and get some for presents for christmas. That is an amazing healthfood store and it was very busy. Mum and I sat in the cafe most of the time and shared a slice of coffee cheesecake. It wasnt that great definately and industrial type of cake, not baked either. *sighs* I think for a bbq coming up in a few weeks I am going to make that blueberry sour cream cake, some sweet and salty nuts, and im not sure what else.

I am playing scrabble at the moment. I have lost about 50 games and won about 30. Its a bit tricky sometime specially when you a rack full of crap letters.eeeeppp.
you should generally have a balanced one. Its not easy.. especially when you have a bingo to put down but then the person as if reading your mind puts their word in your spot. *grumbles*

Im not very good at chess though. Hopeless. I think chess requires more thinking or something. I miss living in the city, sometimes i wish i was there.. i miss thursday evenings with my little sister, just hanging out, having dinner and mayb a spot of shoppping. Its my fault that Ive isolated myself. I don't know how to go about making friends though! Sounds funny doesnt it? *sighs*

I havent been remembering my dreams lately which is odd. Just been deep in nothingness. Wake up blank as if the bfg has kept the dreams in his bottles and won't let me to the flip side of things.

Today has just gone like that *clicks heels together* Went to warragul had morning tea. Went to look at seats for Prisilla. I am not going. I might just go to the city for the weekend with them though.

I stuffed up the sound on this laptop amongst other simple things that i am sure someone computer savvy will know how to fix. Its a warmish day and the sun is out its rather beautiful.

I realised today a few things. As per usual. I am reading Heavens Net is Wide.. its an amazing tale. I love it. I have just read under half. Its a massive novel. The words just fly off the pages. I would be quite content on a long traintrip where i could just read and read. Id love to experience the ghan or travel to the Bungle Bungles. Im determined to get there ive seen them on the tv documentires they look amazing.Same with wave rock.

Watched an absolutely crap film today called RV. It was supposidly a comedy.. it had a few moments. Ended predictably. I am going to watch pretty in pink or some other movie tonight. Something worth watching and not something that im going to regret losing my 2hours!

back later alligator

Sleepy Head

I have been sleeping in til 11 lately, so tired not sure what from. I guess perhaps its the weather or something. I fancy banana pancakes for lunch today.. i better not make them. I went out yesterday... bloody cat food as gone p 10cents in one of the stores, thats a heap more expensve. Oh well whinge whinge.

I havent written in a few days. No reason. I just felt a bit down. Im getting back up there tough. I will take some more photos of the garden later. Anyhow for now ciao

Purple Moon

Today I bet on purple moon it came in second so i will get about 5 smackers back i imagine. Im not a gambler really.. just like the odd flutter now and again.
Efficiant won the melbourne cup.

Today has just flewn by I dont know where to... the hours have gotten gobbled up. I have had nightmares the past few nights... it makes me want to sit up and not sleep anymore.

I found these stunning cards that i thought i had lost buried in the bookshelf when i was cleaning it out. I have so m any books. I have atleast one large box in the garage plus a few shelves in the house. Perhaps I should donate them to the library or hock them on ebay. Im not sure *Shrugs shoulders*


I Slept in todya til 8am. Thats a sleep in? It is in my books. I am a bit tired... i two lattes... they were both very very very weak. Not great at all. If im up late tonight... i'll know why.

I hope my penfriend in holland liked the journal i made for him. Mum bought me this absolutley stunning sheet of paper back from denmark with her. Its pretty AMAZING gold flowers on a pail blue background. I shall use it sparingly for the inside of journals etc.

I better go now..looks like rain.

Silly Billy

Im such a silly billy. There is no more junk food in the house. I was craving some today.
*sighs*

I ate some dates to kill the sweet craving. There is no more coke to drink either, which is good..I love tea anyhow. Lets see now tomrrow i am going to bet a few dollars on the horse Purple Moon.. just like the title. Dont know if it will win. I;ll get a few mystery bets too. Its about the only time I gamble. I never forget I went to bet on one horse the other year and ended up betting on the whole field... accidently. Lucky and outsider won.. and i got my money back! Silly billy!

I did up a pretty shadow box using some beads and some large birds with a silver earing for the moon. Im colf and havet been able to get warm i have a feeling im coming down with something. I dont know *Sighs*

write more tomorrow.

Firework

It was lovely to see the fireworks could see them from the front lawn. It was cold but not raining. The rain has not eased, nearly all day.. we havent had a day like this in months. Its so lovely.

Bonfire

It bonfire night. i feel sorry for the people at this event.. its a wash out.Unless it stops raining. It might you know. It would be nice if it were sunny etc. I am supposed to go out tonight and tomorrow. Though i dont feel like doing either of these things. I will force myself to. Im not sure about tomorrow, lunch in the city sounds nice.. is it worth me going to the city for about 3 hours on a sunday? Hmm lots of poeple over crowd trains. More of me burying my head in a book!

Now what else? Louise git her hair cut. Im thinking about getting half of mine chopped. I think it needs it in order for it to be healthy looking instead of ragged. One last harra today and tomorrow food wise. I have decided to do something about my weight. Its out of hand. I think i get depressed so i take it out with food.

I love to cook, im just gonna have to avoid food like that and cook healthy. We shall see. Im sure i can do this. Positive. Im just gonna have to join a gym either that or walk every day. I used to walk everywhere all the time.

Instead i take the bus. Sometimes takes me a while to get motivated. I hate to say this but if our pm can walk every morning... im sure as hell i can.

bla bla bla

Cookies

Today I made some choc chip cookies. They actually turned out right. Feel a bit better. Had been down a few days there. I had a muddle up with one of my friends... oops.. oh well so instead of meeting up with her I went on a bit of a shopping spree. Bought some more art supplies. beads and things. I also got (What is turning out to be) a really good book with short stories about one ladies travels in India. I love to read other peoples travel journey. makes my mind wander.I met up with evonne we had lunch and sat and played scrabble. Caught the train home.

I helped dad a little bit. Thats all that is done of his room is a little bit. Man its amazing what you can fit into one space. Thousands of records, books, etc.

I get emailed bar secrets which is good other wise i wouldnt have a clue where to go anymore. Now it looks like rain and i better go get the washing off the line..


eeeeeppp...

bungle

bungle of the times. Well I dont really feel like writing today nor yesterday. I had an good time in the city. Write more late alligator,

Pickle

Thinkig about abandoning picnic idea and maybe evern going to the city all together. I have voices at the moment and I cant seem to shake them. I will see how i feel in the morning. Im pretty sure that I can not cope.

Im a little bit tired. Maybe that is what it is. Its 5 and dinner is ready. I mucked the dip up by sticking it in the blender so its like soup.. so im gonna do a prawn and pasta dish with it on thursday. Just for myself. Dad can have something from the freezer with some veggies.

Im quite tired and feel i need to sleep. I guess i will just have to stay up til nine or else I won't sleep right through. If i do go to the city I will buy most of lunch from djones food court. That is a better option. Since the only thing that worked is the potato salad.

signing out

The wee hours,

Tis the wee hours of 1am and I cant sleep for some reason. I have been having solid sleep these past few weeks... however tonight is an exception. I am just stitting up tap tap tapping away. Listening to the radio. Havent had broken sleep in a long time.
I just have t have a cat make say a round ten am. Or after i get the scripts filled.


I made cranberry and white chocolate cookies yesterday... the are so delicious. I will have to balance them out with a little more cranberries though. just used what there was in the pantry.

Its funny how as you get older how many friends drift here there... to return back to melbs. I hope to create a new piece for yet another new house! I want to do some special thins for them i have to find to pieces. I have these two beautful leave clip on earings they look old... i like them mum hates them So i may find a use for them.


I made a scroll thing for michel bday. Im not sure she will like it so i am oing to do another one today..... im still awake blah im playing scrabble..


la la

Lull

Its a bit of a lull, made banana pancakes for breakfast this morning. They were so yum. Its a one off sort of thing. I shall have to make them for mum one day.. they are fluffy and only have one tablespoon of sugar in batter. The sweetness is from the banana.

I wrote some letters this morning...at last. I also made a journal. At 6am this morning. Which turned out to be 7am as i lost an hours sleep. I took the cat out.. he loves to roll around in the morning sun. Well its quite warm today. I hope its nice weather wednesday.. gonna pack a picnic for Evonne and I. Got to djs food court and choose some food. I may make some cookies to go with me perhaps some gingernuts.

I have not done any twine , i shall do that tonight. I cant watch that bingo show, its far too painful. Its like splitting hair, boring. Dad and I are off to aunty annas for dinner tonight. Roast. Now that is something I have never attempted to cook. I food poisoned myself with chicken b4 im no good at meat.

I av kate miller hidke music on. I love her songs. Cute little ditties. Must move now. Going to start on a mammoth task (dad's room). Im not making desert dad told me not to. Damn I wanted to make a blueberry sour cream cake.

signing off

Wind Up

Winding twine around the frame is quite tiring I started out at about 1pm today. the coton reel ways a bloody tonne. I have been winding up for hours.. i just stopped now o take a break. I know a medium frame takes about 4 hours this one is going to take at least a few more hours or so. As Kath would say "i can feel it in my waters" . It has to be tight and i have 3 contrasting shades 1 tree brown 2 copper and 3 this brown shiny twine.H

I made a journal yesterday blue colours some material hat got me, for my pen friend in Holland. I have drawn swirls onto the material. I didnt go out anywhere today. Tomorrow i think I may grab some subway for lunch. I had a productive day surprise, surpise.

I don't l know what to cook for dinner. Something simple. I think ill have the pasta and dad can have some sort of frozen meat thingy with some steamed vegetables. It looks like rain though dad is out mowing the lawns. Silly person.

Dad and I struggled through some of those puzzles in the mag. Sheesh talk about taking a while to do.. This wednesday I am looking forward to .. i am meeting up with evonne and luiza.. i have a cafe i want to try . Might have a picnic lunch with evonne go to the dj food court and grab some food sit somewhere and play scrabble. Oh i must pick up some more blueberry tea the other tin spilled onto the floor *sniff sniff*

take care out there

Sure E nough

Sure enough only crap mail no real letters. *sighs* Ive got to go through my clothes and see what needs to be thrown and what can stay.. so I shall do that. I have been a bit teary today. I burst into tears a few times.


Tonight Im making just a usual friday night meal, a fry up of eggs, tomato, mushrooms etc. easy peasy japanesey. No effort required. I got stamps again, I've decided to do a mail out this weekend. Long over due. I found some old letters yesterday, gosh only knows what is in them.. i posted them today. If i kept rough copies of my letters i would be shocked I think. I dare not even think what i spend in a year on postage.

Louise called. She requested I make some choc chip cookies for her next weekend. That is fine with me. I will let her take them round to our cousins place. I feel like Precious Ramotswe from Alexander McCallSmith book as im sipping honey bush tea and mulling over things... just as she did in his no1 ladies detective series. Im not a detective though.


I cant wait, I think they are making a film about the books. It will be good. Its due out in 2008. Nearly all my friends have borrowed and read the whole lot. I cant wait.
I have been reading the novel Charmed Life. Its a good novel too.

Dad is being a bit of a garden gnome lately. Then he always is. Perhpas a garden fairy. Ive still got those wings. They will just sit up in the cupboard. There was a dead bird in the garden..i know it wasn't our two pets.. Must of been some other cat.

Glum

What a grey day, rainy, not too cold. Its 4pm and I wonder where the hell is dad. He is not home yet and is not picking up his phone. I worry sometimes. He just takes off like a rocket at times.. or as mum would say "when he has a hidden agenda." Other times he mulls things over. I want to make mushroom pasta, i need cream, im in my work clothes and just don't feel like going anywhere.

I got cleaning. Its amazing all the art materials I have got. I will shock myself when I calculate the amount i've spent. Its at least $30 a week. I have a few things to do down the street tomorrow.

Dad is such a great story teller, he should write them all down. I wish he would start his book. It would be a ripping yarn, specially when he gets up to all his funny things. Dad probably hasn't had lunch either so he is probably hungry. I am making a mushroom cream sauce with pasta tonight I found the recipe on another site. Im adapting it a little to suit dad mainly.:


1 clove garlic
400g mushrooms
300ml cream (i will put a little less)
2 tbls of thyme
salt and pepper

pretty simple to assemble it all.


Well dad missed his train from morwell and will be home on the next bus which its now 4pm here. Gonna watch this kids show im addicted to.

garden

Its hilarous i read my blog yesterday i think i managed to put aboout 8 todays in the lines. LOL The dog is driving me bananas. Dad and I put the flowers in in various shaded areas around the garden. The will look great when they are fully grown and flowering.

The pot that sits on the front porch is my favouite... the petunias have all come out and they look snug. Its inviting to have them there looking pretty. Trying to put them in the Scooter kept jumping into my lap instead of dads back. She is a funny ol girl. Got to love her.

I replied to letters this morning, now i have a pot of relaxing tea (Siesta) and am sitting here tap tap tapping away. I am going to make pear cake for tomorrow. I will see what i can find on zaaar. Tonight I have no idea what i am going to cook for dinner. Perhaps a few vegetables with some fish/ dad can have something simple as well.

'I ended up making a blueberry and lemon cake for dad to take to his appointment tomorrow.It is packed full of bueberries, I followed the recipe to the letter, it crumbles a little bit.. I made a small one for dad and I but dad can take the bigger cake with him.

I feel a little down still today. I didn'tgo anywhere due to that factor. Mum is off to lego land for the day out. Dad watering the garden. I am just inside. Didnt touch my art work either.

Anyhow... ciao

Tired

I am so tired today, I felt like crawling into bed but have resisted. I didnt cook all that much today. Mum called, she is well which is good. I have been working a bit today. Mainly on letter writing. Since starting this blog i have been keeping this up to date instead.

Oliver wasn't impressed with me this morning a/ i wasnt up at 6 b/ i didnt let him stay out that long on the lead. I am once again addicted to scrabble and have several games going with friends and strangers.

Went out and ended up buying a few more frames for my work. I have some beautfiul silver paper that i would like to use. I havent got the right frame for it yet. Im looking and looking around. I found a great gold frame thinking of buying. Just wait til i get a little more money together.


I am going to hunt round the stores see what i can find for evonnes 30th birthday. I already have in mind what i want to get her, I have some material for Kylie and a few other bits and bobs.

I even resisted going to spotlight een though they had 20% off all day yesterday. I thought that i better give it a miss theyll have another day like that b4 xmas i am sure.

I wrote some letters, to my pen friends one in germany and the other in holland. I am thinking seriously about making the pear bread recipe i found on the net a week back. I will make it for dad to take to mr redman on thursday. Mum got eggs off her friend at work, ive never seen such yellow eggs and they are massive.

I finished off micheles b'day present today. It looks really lovely. I like it anyhow. I bought a replacement from as the other frame as that had a nick in it. I have a good feeling about my latest lot of work. as they say on Kath and Kim "i can feel it in my waters"

Wonder if nicola is making mum watch the episodes of it. Bloody hilarious.

for now its gonna be
nighty night night.

soldier signing out.

Pumpkin Soup

Tonight for dinner i am making pumpkin soup. Dad cut the vegetables for me. He explains to me what he is doing, i would have sliced my fingers off had i of cut pumpkin up. So that is good. It is all ready to go now. Just have to put it all together. Hopefully it will taste delicious. Im not using evaporated milk just some moo milk will do. Im also adding some potatoes to thicken it up a bit.

] am very tired tonight just feel like curling up in bed shortly, The soup turned out a bit thin. with a little bit much garlic and i put a bit of milk in too. I have put the rest in the freezer for another night next week. Tomorrow perhaps baked potato is on the menu, not sure yet. I fancy boiled potatoes i think.

Well anyhow its coming round to 8pm almost sleepy pie time.


night night

up up and away

Mum left yesterday morning. Had breakfast with her (the usual fruit smoothie) she arrives in denmark about 4pm our time I think. Im sure i will get a text from Nicola to say she has arrived safely.Last night didnt feel like cooking anything at all so we had spinach and feta rolls. Just heated up in the oven. As it was a rather warm day at 31 who wants to cook? Not me! It was warm in the house.

I had solid sleep last night which is wonderful. My natural waking time has become around 6am. Up with the birds, outside taking the cat on his lead for a walk around the garden. I am have decided to lets scott and jess have my purple abstract painting. I hope they will like it. Im not happy with the red one. I keep touching it up and i feel i cant fix it in time.

So i will have to get some bubble wrap and some trusty brown paper around it. Post it peraps this week sometime. I have to check the mail too. The ladies at the post office know me. Im usually in there sending lots of things.

I am tryingt o cut back on my coffee intake at the moment. I usually have two a day. I am trying to limit myself to one good one a day. Which is not happening at the moment. I have had one instant one... i will make a good one at about 4pm.

You know it was "national bingo night" on 7. I think it was quite boring.I guess thats cause i was playing at home by myself. I totally missed idol last night too. I am reading a book by the lady that wrote Howls Moving Castle its quite good. I am enjoying it. I love it when words just dance of the page into your head. Its great.

better groove now.

Oddities

Odd but I have the birds talking to me today. Words not just their usual banter. I have been trying to stop them. I cant stop nature though can i? Now I have the weeping bird near me. I have names for some of the birds i hear i'm not sure.

I wish the birds were in my favour but i can say they are not. They are just there. The weeping bird is all i hear and its making me cry. Not much i can do. Listening to it makes me sad inside.

What else? Today went op shop shopping (yes nicola we found a skirt for you)
dad was happy. However he bought nothing much. Went a bit overboard buying a few more things for mum to take. I somehow feel she is not going to have many clothes to take with her. LOl just her thermals and underwear!

I love jalsberg cheese it is on the sandwhich for afternoon tea. I had a pot of blueberry tea just before. So delicious. The quiche i made with feta and egg and dill and sundried tomatoes.

Anyhow I shall get a move on . WIll post the recipe later

Mellow Yellow

What a mellow yellow day. Just flittered away like that *clicks fingers* I am making a quiche today/ feta and semi sundry tomatoes. I bought the pie cases (cheating a bit. Lats night we didnt end up having what i thought we would. We had pizza instead. Oh well one night if junkfood is ok. I am just a little bit tired today.

I got another letter today which is nice. From my pen friend in holland. Seems nice enough. I will reply later. For the moment I am just super tired. Think i need a nana nap either that or a very strong coffee.

something to kick start me.


The quieche tastes amazing will write it up here tomorrow

Overboard

Went a little overboard buying things in the sale thats on in town. Got myself a new emily strange bag.. just need to sew a mobile phone pocket onto it. With some red felt/black felt.I got these wicked red shoes for $15 that i can only wesar out for dinner not for dancing. They would hurt farrrrrrr toooo muccchh. So why did i buy them then? Cause i could! lol

I am not going to tai chi today. I feel unmotivated but i will phone them up and let them know. I had better do the dishes and everything before dad comes home. I know its hard for him to understand sometimes. I guess he just wants what is best for me. ALways has, always will.


I found this quote today

I really love the randomness in my life. I think its nice.


Well I better shake a tail feather!

Beads and Bobs

Using beads and all that super glue, I still haven't finished, i propped the birds up on tiles so they look like they are flying over., I have to buy more beads due to me using up the others. Just about. I need to see what i can get tomorrow and start again. I just feel i can't fix this one thats all. *sighs*

I am making califlower soup for dinner tonight. Curried one. I like it dad will hate it .. thats ok he can have some of my lentil loaf that ive still got plenty of. Thats not curried or spicy. Mayb he will eat the soup, i don't know. *throws hands up*


I didnt put the flowers in today either, perhaps tomorrow.. though tomorrow seems to drag out, they will have to go in soon or else the will flower where they are under shelter.I start tai chi again every thursday at 1pm. I am looking forward to it.

I just tried the soup it is delicious. I dont think i put too much curry powder in. It is a little bit salty im glad i didnt add that much stock to it. If I will post the recipe up here later. It is such a nice day, I am hoping to go to the city on saturday. Perhaps. I am unsure yet, Ill have to decide soon though.

I bet nicola is counting down the days now. Not long til mum leaves now. As much as i'd like to go to the races tomorrow I am trying to save some dosh so i can a? next exhibtion b/more materials. I need another frame as i got super glue on the other one. *Sighs*

Scott sugguested I got for a trip to NZ and visit Angie, I would like that. Perhaps i have to see how I go next year. New place, new culture. I haven't started on teh ones i got yesterday yet. I will after this Archer novel.

write more late alligator

Lost

It is raining today. Just after I watered the flowers and veggies patch. I still haven't put the flowers in. I should have done that yesterday, *sigh* Oh well. I have finished one picture. Using beads , tiles and metal snowflakes. It looks good. I have to go over the other piece i think and perhaps start again. I have enough stock to start again. I get the feeling that the big butterflies will look better than the birds. The birds look a little lost on amongst the beads to be honest.So I will start again. You can now see what it looks like.

Its so windy outside i don't fancy putting in the flowers all the potting mix will blow into my face. Its just been raining a bit to. I spoke to Scott and Jess via skype today.That was nice. Its good to catch up with family.

I this time next week mum will be in Denmark. I hope to go to the city this friday and catch up with a few people. You know on the train the other day this man had a loose button on his jacket and asked one of the grey brigade if they had a sewing needle to fix it up with. Sure enough this lady carried one and popped the button back on.

It gets me thinking as to how much we carry around. Most of probably have the lot. I know i try to make sure i have tissues on me, lip gloss, perfume etc. Sometimes on my nana days i have the lot. Anyhow on with the show...

working day

Today just flew by. I dont know where the time went. I worked on my art work mostly. I used some beading tools to place the beads and tile down. I found using super glue rather than the tiger grip I bought. PLacing each piece in place making it look as my brother scott would say "spiffy".

A few other bits and pieces i did today, nothing too exciting or riveting stuff. I will tomorrow. I hope. Now I need more glass beads etc, more money on more materials. I cant complain though my work is coming along nicely and I am happy with it all.

The paper i bought acts as a great backdrop for most of my work. I like the texture and look of it. I better go now. Am quite tired and need some sleep.

windy windy

It was so windy I think the washing dried within a matter of minutes. Mum and I went and did a little shopping today. That is about it. Have been around the house otherwise. I started on a piece today. Using tiles in a circular round way. With some pink beads and silver birds passing into the sun. It looks really great.

Its Tammys thirtieth bday. today. Phoned her up to wish her a good day. Aside from that I have done little else.

Crowded Tents and Silly Queues

On our way to the docklands mum had a fall, she has hurt her arm, I said it better not be broken... she is dealing with the pain at the moment..waiting til tomorrow to get it xrayed. She fell in the middle of the road thank god the lights didnt change til she was up and safely on the footpath. Walking to meet louise these people stopped us and gave us their wrist bands so we got in for nothing. Saved me $18

Went to the paper expo yesterday, It was sardine city. Everyone squished,, stalls hard to get into, lady showing us some wicked stamping, the tent was waaayyyyyy over crowded. No wonder they are expanding it to caufield racecourse next year. It will be much better. It was so hard to get to any of the stalls... so we walked around and around. Got some cute fridge magnets, not as much paper as i would have liked but enough for the moment.

I got this beautiful textured paper. Its got a floral pattern on it.I will be using that this week no doubt. The queues to buy things were crazy. It was sooooo packed.

Then Louise had enough and decided to take us to airport west to the spotlight there, due to it having more of what i needed rather than fighting to pay for things.
Man i have never seen a bigger spotlight in my life. Full of craft things and thomas the tank engine napkins, cake topping thing and some party blowers. Hehe its gonna be one NOISY PARTY! Thanks to two crazy aunsties. I was gonna get some whistles but I dont think nicola would have liked that! LOL

I got some supples of beads and things for a piece im going to make for my cousin for her 40th birhday. I already have in my mind what i am going to make. Its all in my head at the moment just have to acutalisze it and see what eventuates.

What else. Well we just hung out in starbucks for an hour then walked around for the rest of the day. Not doing much else. I could have spent an absolute fortune at that craft show but i resisted. I thought no. Im saving my pennies. It was sardine city o n the train as well. What looked like a whole group of school teenagers caught the train and hopped off at moe . Loads of them and they all knew one another.'

Its early sunday morning and I am just relaxing. Im up early as per usual. Today I am making dads surprise garden for dad. Got alot of shade loving plants to put in. Anyhow im going to go make myself a coffee.

Sleepyhead

Today I got up early as usual but i couldnt sleep until about 1this morning. So I went down the street early, got more plants and all that jazz. So they will be ready to go in on sunday when i get back. Its a bit too rainy today.

I cant find in between shoes anywhere. Im not prepared to use my boots either tomorrowas ill be walking and i get super hot in them. I stayed home today and am about to start work (i just had a 3hr cat nap)I was sooooo tireeeddd.

Im still a bit groggy.I think that i better have a coffee now rather than at four like yesterday, that is what kept me up, i am certain of it. As its strong. Write more later alligator

Plans

I have stocked up on some plants today.. shade loving ones. To go under the study garden. Its going to be great i bought some lovely hypoetstes and some double impatents apricot ones to go with the coloured leaves of the other. TOmorrow I shall buy some morE and put them in with some potting mix. Perhaps some other potted colour. I know dad grows most of his from seed. Nuturing them with love and care.

Its funny not having dad around, im so used to the tv blaring at night.. he needs to get his hearing tested i think. Anyhow he has gone for some rest and respite at polotti college. Which will serve him well and good. Mum is out at her friends house, having a spot of tea. I am here just thinking thoughts.

I have been a little down but i'll be ok. I had a few nightmares last night. Pure evil in them, im not sure what exactly caused it but i tell ya now.. never want to go back into that land again. It was dark. I am reading jeffery archer again. I cant afford a new book if im going to the paper expo.

Paper expo? Yes it should be wonderful. Will buy up and replenish stock. Look for new wall paper type paper. I will love it. Im a bit worried about sooky scooter and how she is going to be when mum goes. I know olly will be fine. He's a cat. Like the pic? He is staring straight into the camera. Cheeky monkey!

Well must go now. Move over red rover.

Flowering

The garden is well alive with colour and flowers. I found a patch of earth down behind the study that has nothing in it. So whilst dad is out at polotti college (A meditation type place) i'm going to do a bit of gardening. Going to buy a few shade loving plants and pop them there. So maybe i'll get that patch of earth finally.

I was tempted to make lemon shortbread today but resisted. I may make it tomorrow for dad to take on his travels. Since my natural waking time is 6am.. (grrrr)No wonder I am tired in the afternoon. I wonder how people can work 9-5pm and balance a family as well as extra activities. I think I admire all working parents. Must be exhausting.

We are going out for dinner tonight, at the rsl I better go and get dressed I suppose, ive been in my working clothes all day (slacker) (yes i have been a slackarse today) Anyhow on with the show.

cranberry and apple muffins

I made these this morning to take down to my mums work. They taste delicious you should try makingI think next time i will not put as much sugar in, they are a bit on the sweet side of things. I have a feeling a bit too sweet. Mum will tell me. Im positive of that. Next time i will reduce the sugar content. Other wise they are light and fluffy. They look nice, a golden brown colour. Im not sure about taking them down to mum though.

Mum will tell me off.

Im going to have a nana nap now.. so bleeding tired.


later alligator

Happy Catty

I was wrapping up some presents the other day only i completely forgot how much the bleeding cat loves paper so this is the end result of him playing in the wrapping. He LOVES it so much. Christmas is on the horizon im going to have to lock him out of the room.

What i didnt mention yesterday is that we went to yarragon for morning tea. I had a slice of apple rhubarb cake. Home made not these industrious tasting cakes. mum had datescone dad had a scone.

Today i bought some pebbles for the backdrop of one of my pictures., they look really good. Im happy with them I will take a photo once it is all glued down. I am using bits and pieces that i have gathered and some that friends have passed on to me.

I bought some nice looking sandals today i hope they will do for some time. I havent broken them yet due to me might wanting to take them back. I tried on the pair that i really wanted but they made my feet look horrible. The front bit of them as way too small.

It's getting cold now and its only 4pm. Ive been staying up til around 10:30ish lately. I sleep until my natural waking time (6am) Which isn't so bad i guess. Well better go.

take care

Armchair Sport

Latley I have really taken to watching the rugby, I was up late enough to see half the match of australia vs england, Then up early enough to watch France win against new zealand. Just the tale end of the game. I don't mind this game I'm going for fiji tonight. I hope they win I really do, Even if they are the underdog against south africa. We shall see. Im going to take extra measure to ensure im up to see the match, ie coffee after dinner.

Lets see. Im participating in armchair sport really.Cept im not on beer. More like tea. Had a bit of a hiccup today though. Just not as well as i should be. I guess I am a little down. Perhaps it over me staying up so late. Anyhow must fly bye bye.

Reflection

Today mum and I went shopping for Nicola. We found a few things. Which we shall wrap up. This is Scotts painting in oils which is almost dry (give it another week) Its quite beautiful the colour in it is just lovely rich reds and cherry.

The soup went down a treat we ate it. I will certainly use all sweet potato next time. It wasn't all that hot at all just a little mild curry sort of taste to it really.

Had some absoultely old tasting food today it tasted like they had reheated it from the day before... and it wouldn't surprise me if was really. The best thing was the fried rice. Never having a meal from there again. I will take some photos of dads flowers tomorrow. Its an ever changing seasonal garden. The tulips are out at the moment making a nice splash of colour.

I am tired not wired!

Potato and Lentil Soup

5	cups chicken stock or water
1	cup red lentils
3	medium onions
750	g sweet potatoes
5	garlic cloves
2	teaspoons ground cumin
1/2	teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4	teaspoon cayenne
1/2	cup coriander, chopped (or less to your taste)
1	lemon
	salt and black pepper

Not the one? See other Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup Recipes

• Lactose-free Soups
  
• Yam/Sweet Potato Soups
  
• Simple Soups
  
• Fall Soups
  

1. Peel and roughly chop the onions and sweet potatoes - can be chunky.
2. Combine with the stock or water, lentils, garlic, cumin, cayenne and turmeric in a pot.
3. Cover and bring to the boil. Simmer until the potatoes and lentils are cooked - about 20-30 minutes.
4. Puree the soup, adding in the coriander and the juice of the lemon. Add salt and pepper to taste (lots of pepper for me).

This is what i have made for dinner tonight. Instead of the usual friday night special of bakedbeans on toast. I omitted the pepper and put only 3 cloves or garlic in. I had a little less stock and used some normal potatoes aswell. Hopefully with all the spices it will taste nice and not bland. The smell is wafting through the house now.. smells absolutely yum. have yoghurt in the fridge to add to serve it with. Once again I didnt have to go anywhere, just have a well stocked pantry! Which is good. I try to use what we have rather than going to the shops all the time which works out to be so expensive cause you buy more than you need.

I am going to make something nice dad bought me a brown frame which i shall use. with all the gold looking jewellery. I am thinking i will crush up some christmas ornaments and pebbles as a background it needs some (As my little sister would say ) "oomph". I think i can get a small lot of pebbles from kmart. Oh i am buying an IPOD i will test the waters once again. I was thinking about the more expensive one. *sighs*

Well aside from that I have slacked off once again, just not feeling in that a creative mood today. I have slowed down alot this week. Better pick up the pace next week. Anyhow. I better go check on the soup. keep you in the loop!

Banana Cake

Yesterday I felt like baking, just using what there is in the house. I try to do this as much as I can. I made a banana cake i put one extra banana in just for good measure.

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of milk
2 cups flour
1tsp baking soda
1tsp of salt,

1 cream sugar and butter together
2 add egg bananas and milk *mix well*
3add flour (i omitted the salt) , baking powder, stir in mashed banana
3pour into prepared loaf tin bake for 50minutes at 190/200 degrees until toothpick/skewer
coms out clean.

Instead of 2 cups of plain flour i used 1 cup self raising flour and one cup plain flour. I didnt put the salt nor baking soda in either and it still turned out perfectly.. next time im going to make double. It was a really beautiful cake. I recommend it.

What else? Well I need to buy my brace for my hand still.. its quite sore. Today was an increably blustery day.. it couldn't make up its mind weather it wanted to be hot or cold. So i iopted for my jacket and burkies... looking quite erm odd... specailly with a scarf on too. Almost like it were winter. I bought a sandwhich for mum and I to share.

I will post tammy her birthday card tomorrow or else it won't get to her on time. I just found out that another one of my fav authors has another 2 books out. Must get them. The first one was very ennjoyable, so imagine the others will be just as good. i have gone back to Archer out of sheer lack of funds. I want to start reading his prison diaries soon.

Well what more can I think of? Not alot. I didnt work today at all. I took the day off. I had good intentions i put on my work clothes. Well I think I shall go now. Inspector rex is on.

raaaaaa!

drama

Drama.. it's all so dramatic. I watched dancing with the stars last night... with Kath and Kel doing their dances. It was sooo funny. Bloody hilarious. I laughed and laughed too funny. Im telling ya you missed out on a good laugh!

That was a highlight of the night. Otherwise it was a night full of drama.

write more later alligator

Tall Tales Short Memories.

I had a look at this new shop thats opened here. Its not so bad. Lots of clothes and handbags, I was tempted to buy this beautiful pendant to use in my art work but was a bit expensive and i couldn't justify it at all. I would have had to create a new canvas it was purples and aqua strips through it. Beautiful yes, expensive well mid range really.

I got talking to dad about his shipping days yesterday, about the bars and how some people used to water down liquor etc. Talked about being a night cook also. Roman will love these tales that grandpa will tell him. He will lap them up. It will be nice for the little one to grow up knowing his granparents. As nicola, scott, louise and i, didn'T have any of that. So i guess we just adopted Aunty Elaines mum and dad and tammys grandpa and grandma as ours. They treated us like we were one of their own grandchildren. I am blessed to have had that. Roman has that already.

Tall tales indeed.


Gnocchi went well. The tomato topping was ok. I think i should have made the buttery/onion suace on it then it would have been much much better. Oh well,.... next time. I started that at 3pm and finished just after mum got in the door at 5.


Well thats that for the moment. Write more as the day unfolds/ see what eventuates.

lovely lovely.