Two Grandbabies...

How cute are these grandbabies?! Braylon is almost 4 and Mickaela is 5 months... they are both adorable! It's become a tradition that Nanna takes photos with Braylon and now there's Mickaela. Say cheese!

So Touched...

Four more sleeps and I'm off to New Mexico! Yippee! Can't wait to be there.
Yesterday at work (which was my last day until I return at the end of January) one of our patients came in JUST to say goodbye! How sweet was that?! I was so touched by his kindness. I will send you a postcard dear DR!

DoughBuoys treats includes: Doughnuts, Muffins, Cold Drinks, Hot Drinks, and Ice-Cream.
And remember, when you see our ‘freshly baking now’ sign flashing, you know doughnuts and muffins are hot from our bakery and ready to eat!

I picked up a skinny latte at the drive-thru today and the coffee is not bad... and it smells of donuts!

A Wonderful Saturday Afternoon

http://www.aurorasparetreat.com/
Have a visit... it was GREAT!

More Odd Spots

Odd Spot #160
On average, a movie makes about five times more from its video sales than ticket takings.

Odd Spot #174
A cucumber is 96% water.

Odd Spot #40
Each King in a deck of cards represents a great leader from history:
Spades - Kind David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs - Alexander the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

Odd Spot #119
The term Karaoke means "empty orchestra".

Odd Spot #169
In most advertisements, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10.

Take a deep breath...

I feel overwhelmed and a bit stressed with all on my plate at the moment. I know that I'll get thru it...one day at a time one project at a time... and then I'll be on that flight to New Mexico with a good book to read! 19 more sleeps.

Hhhmmmmm....

My Horospcope Today:

You really need some rest, dear Virgo. Even though you have a list of tasks and errands a mile long, see if you can leave some of them for later. All signs indicate that you should not stray too far from home today if you can possibly help it. You are easily distracted, making you prone to accidents. Behind the wheel of a car is not the place for you to be right now. Stay home, and tackle all those little chores you've been meaning to.

Think I'll go take a nap now...

Some things are just meant to be...

Months ago, probably in March my dear friend Charlie in Albuquerque emailed me and said Andre' Rieu is coming to Melbourne in November and we must go see him...

Today I received a call from dear friend Pippa saying she has tickets... do I want to go? duh...yes! We will be a group of five tonight... going to Telstra Dome to see what is supposed to be a spectacular event! Can't wait! Thanks Charlie, for suggesting it, thanks Pippa for making it happen!

American Candy

I met Kaz at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre before a night of cropping. She took me into this lollie shop that has American lollies...YUM! I was in heaven... found PJ's favourite 100 Grand bar (I call it his million dollar bar) and also found RED VINES!!!! YUM... love RED VINES... got to the crop and what was there for me? RED VINES... special delivery by NJL from DH! Thanks DH! I love you!

Election 2008

I am VERY happy with the US Election results!!! Time for change.

Silly Hats for Halloween

Halloween

If you are "in the know" then you know I LOVE Halloween... this year my Halloween started at my Creative Memories Workshop... and went on from there until Halloween night.

Spring Scents

First bloom on our rose bushes.

A new perfume (love gift for my birthday from N & Kaz)...lovely light fresh scent.

Wildflowers

We loved our time in Perth!

The Pinnacles

Beautiful flowers...

On the train...

Odd Spots continued...

Odd Spot #55
214 crates were used to transport the Statue of Liberty from France to New Your in 1885.

Odd Spot #362
The only thing that can destroy a diamond is intense heat.

Odd Spot #261
On average, women dream more than men.

Odd Spot #317
There are 34 bathrooms in the White House.

Check it out...

You have got to check out my niece's blog, http://www.thelifeofablogoholic.blogspot.com/... read her titled "Her Closet Was Our Wonderland". Some things are just meant to be!

Today's three good things...

1. I inspired dear, dear friend NJL to de-clutter... clean up and clean out her home office. My inspration to her has inspired me to clean up and clean out my home office!

2. My absentee ballot arrived today and I voted!!!

3. PJ cooked a yummy dinner... and it was my night to cook!

Good and Bad

Great movie... worth seeing! I actually saw it twice, first with dear friend B. It was sooo good I wanted PJ to see it too. We saw it over the weekend.
"The Vistor" - Vale is a dull widower and professor at a Connecticut university whose life is transformed for the better after he discovers Syrian squatters Tarek (a percussion artist) and his girlfriend Zainab (a jewellery maker), living in his New York apartment. When Tarek is taken into a corporate-run alien detention centre, Vale becomes his only conduit to the outside world and helps Tarek's mother Mouna with her efforts to free her son.

Bad movie... don't waste your time and money. Saw this with girlfriends last night. OK, we did laugh at some of the funny lines... but really, you can wait until it's on your cable channel.
"My Best Friend's Girl" When guys get dumped, they hire Tank to take their ex-girlfriends out on the worst date of their lives – an experience so horrible it sends them running gratefully back to their beaus. So when Tank's best friend, Dustin, is dumped by his new girlfriend, Tank naturally offers to help out... and ends up meeting the challenge of a lifetime. Smart, beautiful and headstrong, Alexis is the first girl who knows how to call his bluff, and Tank soon finds himself torn between his loyalty to Dustin and his love for his best friend's girl.

I'll be back in two minutes then...

uuggghhh.... I HATE the sound of the vacuum cleaner. I really hate the the sound of the vacuum cleaner... did I mention I hate the sound of the vacuum cleaner?!

PJ took the vacuum cleaner out to get rid of the cobwebs in those corners of the ceiling on the landing of the staircase... the place that I certainly don't reach, not even with the vacuum cleaner.

"It'll take just two minutes" he says... "ok" I replied..."I'll be back in two minutes then."

I went for a walk around the block!

Good and Simple

It was such a busy work day... and PJ was the last appointment tonight for JF so we got to come home together. I'm still the driver for another week (most of you will know what that means). Thursday night is PJ's night to cook and because we came home together, he made scrambled eggs on toast for me. It's good, it's simple, it's yum and most of all it's easy...for PJ! With a nice glass of red, it's a great night for comfort food! Thanks honey!

Books & Girlfriends

Another Year
Another Celebration!
Join me for my
Birthday Book Exchange
Morning Tea!

Friday, Sept. 19th
10am @ Borders
Chadstone

Here’s what you do:
Bring a wrapped book
either new or used.
If it’s new, don’t spend heaps,
if it’s used, please have one in
good condition.

Call me if you
Have any questions.
RSVP by 18/9/08
See you there!
Matilda

No Insurance Available

I'm a little behind on my quilt making projects but hopefully KD received this for her birthday. She is the sweetest 6 year old granddaughter ever and I just want her to be warm! I mailed it in plenty of time for arrival for her birthday but I wasn't able to insure it as no insurance to Mexico is available. Fingers crossed it was received! I love you to the moon KD!

A Box in a Box in a Box

I picked this box up at the post office several days ago. It was addressed to me and PJ but I couldn't wait for him to come home, I had to open it up first! What a VERY special gift we received from M&M. It's SO beautiful. Thank you so much.

I'm going to have a cup of tea now...

Travel

About three days ago my Horoscope on my Optusnet Home Page said I should go on a vacation. Good thing I'm having a few days in Perth with Betty! She said she organised it that way on purpose... so that our trip matched my horoscope!



We are really looking forward to our trip away!

I was simply curious...

Last week I text PJ and asked "what did you iron and when?". Soon he called and asked if it was an inquisition. I couldn't stop laughing. I don't know if he believes I was simply curious be we both had a good laugh. PJ is pretty self sufficient so I was not surprised that he actually ironed... I just couldn't figure out what and when. How did I know he'd ironed? The cord was wrapped around different to how I do it and the big end of the ironing board was facing up and I always put the big end down. It was pretty simple really. Oh... and it was new shirt he ironed!

More Random Information

Odd Spot #218
Camel's milk does not curdle.

Odd Spot #334
Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp.

Odd Spot #391
Slugs have four noses.

Odd Spot # 223
Animals that lay eggs don't have belly buttons.

A Bit of Craft

A handmade gift for a special friend. One was made for me and I made two...one for NL and one for KT (I've yet to get a photo). Handmade gifts are wonderful.

This is who he is...

He is a marshmallow lovin', strawberry eating, helpin' daddy build things, helpin mamma bake things, hangin' out with his sister, all around great boy! I love when Damon comes over! He's such a boy! It's fun to watch him grow up.

Going, going, gone... I will miss them

They are the best Starbucks staff ever... and I will miss them. They gave me flowers when my girlfriend's husband died suddenly, they knew how devasted I was of the news. They sent a coffee home with PJ when I was unwell with the flu. They made my 48th birthday extra special and even put a singing candle on the muffin they gave me! They have gone out of their way to make me feel special. I will miss them.

Starbucks at Forest Hill will be no more after tonight. I will miss them! Best wishes to all the staff at FH Starbucks.

Don't you just hate it...

Don't you just hate it when the check-out person at the grocery store makes a mess of bagging your groceries? She said "just watch that the grapes don't get smashed." Well lady, if you'd done a proper job I wouldn't have to worry would I?

Don't you just hate it when you are trying to return a purchased item and the person at the cash register refuses a refund? Just give me (or SJ in this case) what I want and I'll keep coming to your store to shop. SJ didn't get a refund but did get a store credit for over the amount of her purchased goods... that was the mistake of the person at the cash register, but at least it helped SJ to feel a bit better.

Don't you just hate it when you don't have all the indredients you need for the recipe you are about to make?

Random Information

Odd Spot #404
A camel can shut its nostrils during a desert sandstorm.

Odd Spot #242
Scientists have found chocolate has a chemical that helps counteract depression.

Odd Spot #311
It takes a week to make jelly beans.

Odd Spot # 194
The US bought Florida from Spain.

Odd Spot #76
Candles burn slowly and evenly with little wax drippings if placed in the freezer for an hour before using.

And here she is!

She arrived at 8:14am on the 3rd. Weighing 7lbs.2.6oz. and is 19 3/4 inches long! She is beautiful!

Born on the 3rd of July

I adore this photo. Braylon's sister Mikaela will be born on the 3rd of July. I know she will be as adorable and sweet and special and precious just like her brother!

I love you to the moon Braylon and Mikaela!

I tagged along to protect her!

Young friend LJ is doing work experience in the city and on her first day her mum didn't want her catching the train home on her own. Mum SJ said the building where she is working is not in the nicest part of town so SJ was going to catch the train to pick up LJ. Well, I didn't want SJ on her own either so I tagged along. It was quite an adventure on a cold winter night!

Thank you dear friend LD for letting us park the car at your house which is close to the train station! I do like public transportation i.e. trains and trams, but don't do it very often because I'm sure I'd get lost! I always worry that I'll end up in Sydney!

Today's 3 Good Things

Again, there were more than just three but these are my three for today:

1. I filled in at work for AT this morning (as she is in Ireland) so I got to see patients that I haven't seen for a while.

2. I had a yummy Starbucks coffee!

3. My Creative Memories order arrived this morning.

Footy Fan

If you know PJ you know he is a huge Melbourne Demon fan. This photo made the papers and tv sports news a few years ago. He was not happy.
I'm upstairs at the moment and he is downstairs watching his team play. They aren't doing well this year so far but from his screams and yells I hear, I could tell they are playing well today. The game isn't over yet... I hope he doesn't scream and yell like he did the day of this photo! Maybe today his screams and yells will be happy ones!

Get Off The Phone...

I don't want to hear your conversation on the phone when I am at a doctor's office, coffee shop, dentist's office, on the tram... or anywhere really! Is it just me? Or is there anyone else out there that doesn't want to hear other people's conversations in public?

Three Good Things Today

1. I helped my friend AC with her album project.
2. AC & I met SJ at Starbucks for coffee this afternoon... we were taking a break from AC's album project.
3. I spoke to my dear friend (who is like my sister) KT on the phone today.

There are really more than three good things that happend today... but I'm only listing three.

People, turn your lights on!

We have woken up to three very foggy days in row... it's amazing to me how many people do not drive in the fog with headlights on! Are they just stupid?! This fog has lifted today. It didn't really lift completely yesterday or the day before. I love foggy days!

I Can't Find It!

I am devastated... I cannot find the beautiful card that came with those beautiful roses. I cannot believe I would have thrown it out... if I did, it was certainly accidental. PJ said he will be happy to rewrite the words (in his own handwriting) for me. I think that's what he'll have to do... I just can't find the card anywhere!

I Was the Envy of the Whole World...

OK, not the whole world, but certainly all the female patients that came into work and also AT whom I job share with... these beautiful, long stemmed, pink roses from Roses Only were delivered to my work on Wednesday morning. AT rang me to ask me if I was in the area because a beautiful Roses Only box has been delivered for me... Of course we were both very curious about the sender of these beautiful roses... who could they be from? I asked her to read the card and of course they were from my wonderful husband! Why did he send them? Just because! My honey is such a honey!

Ella's Sport Day

Ella is my young friend, the daughter of my dear friend Natasha. It was a very very cold Wednesday morning last week when I went to watch Ella run! There were several schools particpating in this sport day so there were a lot of kids on the field. Ella did really well in her events. It was quite a lot of fun to be there and cheer her on. I managed to be there for almost two hours and might have stayed longer if I didn't have to go to work... but really, I was glad to get out of the cold!!!! Good job Ella!

Ouch!

Ouch! I hate when that happens... I was trimming the wick of a candle with the kitchen scissors and cut my finger too!!! I have a proper candle wick trimmer... why didn't I use it?!

More Birthday Photos

Birthday Dinner

Happy Birthday Dear PJ! Dear, dear PJ was not happy with this birthday number... so I tried to make it special. He was instructed to just come home straight from work... which of course he did and soon the guests arrived. We had a house full of lovely friends and ate a delicious and spicy Mexican dinner which I prepared. SJ made the best corn bread muffins and the yummy chocolate mud cake was from Ferguson Plarre just around the corner (they have the best desserts) and the Apple Crumble was specially made by Kaz and they were FRESH apples in that Apple Crumble... not tin... FRESH! We had such a good night... we always do when great friends come over! Happy Birthday Honey, I love you more.

A Very Sad Week - He was my friend

DOTSON — Harold C. Dotson Jr. was born September 2, 1952, lived a good life, and died April 6, 2008. Hal was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman and trusted friend. Born on Long Island, NY to a proud Air Force family, Hal grew up in the countryside of France, the dry air of Tucson, AZ, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the neighborhoods of Riverside, CA. Hal graduated from Riverside's North High School in 1970 (but not before meeting his future wife in 1969) and earned his Associate of Arts degree from Riverside City College in 1972. Always a busy man, Hal married Nancy Reynolds on Dec. 15, 1973, which didn't stop him from receiving his Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Cal Poly Pomona in 1975 (a feat to be capped with a public accountant certification in 1978). Hal and Nancy welcomed their first child, a girl, in 1978, before moving the whole operation to Socorro, NM in 1979. There, while working in the family business, Raychester, Hal produced two strapping sons in 1980 and 1984. Hal divided his time among family, his CPA business, and civic duties. Hal held productive positions on the Socorro City Council, Socorro Consolidated School Board and the New Mexico State Board of Educators. Hal was also very active in Ducks Unlimited from 1980 until his death, serving for a time as state treasurer. In 2002, the family purchased land south of Socorro bordering the Rio Grande. Hal and his sons spent many wonderful hours at "the ranch", taking refuge in the beauty and tranquility of the land. Hal is survived by his parents, Lillian and Harold Dotson Sr.; his wife, Nancy; his daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Kathleen, Mike and Owen Dano; his son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Eliana Dotson; his son, Andrew Dotson; his sister and brother-in-law, Sheila And Ed Berger; his nieces and nephews: Aaron and Liz Berger, Fred and Kathy Berger, Brenda Hesse and Johannes Pohl, Peter and Lindsay Icenogle, Lauren and Carlos Griego, Greg Icenogle, Emma Crawford, Jessica Crawford, and a wide web of extended family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus in Socorro with Rev. John Gregg officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA, 92057 (www.semperfifund.org) or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675-8517 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Cremation arrangements are under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM. 87801

Brookes & Dunn Concert

For Christmas PJ gave me tickets to the Brookes & Dunn Concert in early March. A special surprise from PJ was that I got to meet B&D before the concert. It was a wonderful concert and a great Christmas present!!! Thanks Honey, you're the best!

Blake's Wave Haircut

Our Godson has a new haircut! How handsome is he?!!! I will see him and his sister tomorrow! I love the new haircut - it's called "The Wave".

Braylon Michael

Braylon loved helping Nanna in the kitchen whenever
I was washing dishes or making his breakfast!
Braylon is such a sweetie and very wise for
his three years!!!! I love him to the moon!

Kadance Nicholas

Cute, Cute, Cute, Adorable, Adorable, Adorable!

Lovin' these grandsons!

How cute are these boys with their faces of pasta!? A grandmother can never get enough hugs and kisses from grandchildren especially ones that are as cute as these boys!
I love every minute I spend with them when I am in New Mexico... even when they are naughty! Braylon (3 year old) was sometimes naughty but he was still adorable!
Braylon had a 3rd birthday and Kadance had a 1st birthday in January while I was visiting. I love these boys to the moon!

Lunch with the Girls

One of my favourite places to eat in Socorro is El Sombrero. They have great Mexican food. This particular Tuesday, Luana (on the right) organised lunch with the girls. So not only was the food yummy, the company was great! It was SO good to catch up with girlfriends after so many years. I hope it becomes an annual event!!!!