Briefly

I have finished "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and really loved it.  It took a lot to get into it but enjoyed it so much that I'm buying the next book on Friday.  I'm still not really comfortable with the translation ... or maybe it's the editing ... as it does tend to jar at times, but the plot?  Brilliant!  And the characters are beautifully written.

I'm about to start The Lovely Bones and wish I'd read it when it first came out not now that it's A Major Motion Picture!

I had an interview this afternoon.  I think I made a good impression and I think I like the job.  It will be a huuuuuuge step out of my comfort zone but that can only be good.  Right?  I'm hoping to be called back for a second interview in a couple of weeks.

On Saturday I have a tentative interview for a position I'm not really sure about.

And I'm still waiting to hear back from a third organisation to arrange an interview.

We had a lovely barbecue at Two and GGFs place yesterday with her parents, One, Ebs, Fireman Sam and Chippy (a mate of One's).

Weight Watching?  Suffice to say it hasn't been a good week.  Expecting another small gain.  I really need to address the head issues.

And on that note I'm off to start The Lovely Bones.

Blink and you miss it!

Where has the week gone?

I guess cos I'm not working the days just sort of blend into each other.

I caught up with the Mermaid.

The boys and girls came over for dinner on Wednesday to say goodbye to Three.

Three left for Bali today *sniff* and I'm waiting for the phone call/text message to say he has arrived safely.  Which I will probably get on Tuesday when he remembers!

Mrs Other came down from Canberra and we caught up today.  She came with GGF and me to WW and we all had good losses.  I have made the 10% mark and bought a charm for my Pandora bracelet to celebrate.  An elephant.  It's really gorgeous and I love elephants.

I have applied for a couple of jobs.  Waiting to hear back re interviews.

It's been hot.

It's been cool.

I went for a bike ride on Wednesday and loved every minute of it.  I wish it wasn't quite so windy down this way cos it does make riding a bit of a challenge sometimes.

The house is clean and tidy and is staying that way.  A bonus of not working.  Three's areas will also be clean and sparkling by the time he gets back.

Book club was great.  I enjoyed it far more than I expected to and am looking forward to the next one.  We have to read the Lovely Bones and GGF has lent me her copy.  I shall have to take notes as I will read it very quickly and by the time the next meeting comes around I will have read a dozen other books.

And it's Friday again and all is good (apart from Three being in another country - look, he's my youngest so I'm allowed to fret!)

Fabulous Friday!

WW = 400g gain.  I wasn't surprise or disappointed but had a chat with my leader about my self sabotage tendencies and am back in my zone.

GGF joined with me - she had expressed an interest and was quite excited about it.  She doesn't have much to lose but wants to learn healthy eating habits and cooking techniques so she doesn't gain any more and also that Two eats well.  Gotta love that :)

I've been rather blah this week.  I think the heat got to me and, although I love having the kids stay over, having One and Ebs for 4 nights did put my routine out of whack.

I have been job searching and have come across a couple that I know I could do but it would require some selling on my part to convince them I could do the job and I don't know if I have that level of confidence.  I'll think about it over the weekend and maybe send my application in with the mindset that if I don't get an interview I haven't failed.  Both positions are full time which is a downside but if the job was great I suppose I could manage.  Alternatively I could wait until we win tattslotto!

I am really getting back into the PT sessions and he commented on strong I'm becoming.  Always a good thing.

Out for dinner with the usual suspects.  Vietnamese tonight.  yum.

Have a great weekend.  I intend to.  If the weather stays pleasant I might do some gardening.

Half an hour turned into 3 DAYS!

We took the macbook into Apple on Sunday.  We had been told that the part would only take half an hour to install, it would be treated as a priority and a couple of hours would be the max we'd have to wait.

Dropped it off at about 11.30.  At 2.30 we went back to see how things were going.  There is only so much you can do at Chadstone after all!  It wouldn't be finished until late TUESDAY!!!!!  I was really pissed off.  The fix time was still half an hour (just exchanging a part).  Himself rang them today and they said it might be finished at close of business today.  He said he needed to know asap cos it meant a trip out of his way to pick it up.  They said they'd ring when it was ready.  He said he'd be on his way home.  They said they understood ... and would ring him when it was ready.  Anyway, they rang him back 10 minutes later and it was ready to be picked up.  Which is great but leaves me wondering how long it actually took to exchange the part and whether they just sat on the thing all this time when it would have taken a blink of an eye.  Also, it's warranty and from a previous life I know that warranty jobs often go to the end of the queue cos there's no or little money in them.

Anyway,  I have my baby back again and am happy.  And the Apple people we spoke with were very helpful and cooperative.  I think it's probably the 'back room boys' that were dictating whether or not my machine got done.

The past few days have been horrible from a weather perspective.  One and Ebs stayed with us until today.  The cool change came through late afternoon with some rain.  The last couple of days have seen temperatures over 40C and tomorrow it will be low to mid 20s!!  Gotta love Melbourne weather.

As a result of the weather I have done nothing over the past few days.  Himself and I walked around Chadstone a couple of times on Sunday so that would count for some exercise but other than that - zilch. As a result I feel really sluggish, the eating has started to go off the rails a bit and the wine consumption has increased.  Also I am soooo close to my first major goal (10%) I think there's a bit of old sabotage thinking happening.  If I set myself up for failure and then fail I can't be disappointed as opposed to doing everything right and still failing.  I never said I wasn't crazy!

I went to PT tonight and he worked me really hard and it was great.  I am having an omelette for dinner and have bought my fave low alcohol wine (I'd run out and was drinking full strength stuff which certainly didn't help).

Tomorrow I have a facial booked and will then go and catch up with my mates from the old job.  On that front ... I check daily to see if there is any thing out there that grabs me.  At the moment the answer is a resounding NO.  I think I will quietly research some courses to see if there is anything else I could do.  Massage therapy has always appealed but could be expensive to train in and there's no guarantee of work.  Also, not sure if the old bones and muscles would stand up to work like that although my PT said that I'd be good at it because I'm so strong.  Which was nice to hear!

OK ... off to cook dinner for me (Himself has made himself a pizza) and settle in for the evening.  We have the house back to ourselves (Three will be home later with the latest - not sure about her, yet.)  Tomorrow evening One and Ebs have invited us over for a bbq at there place with Two, Three, Chippy (an old mate of One's) and Ebs' parents.

Tomorrow will be good.

Saturday Scorcher

It's soooo hot and is going to get worse.  We bought Two and GGF a portable airconditioner that they will pay off and Himself rigged up a blind so that the sun doesn't hit their big window directly in the late afternoon.  He needs to do one for the office/study as well as Two cannot work in there when it's really hot.

I weighed in at Big W yesterday and lost another 400 gms.  So close to my 10% mark.

After WI I had a massage which was OK.  A lot of money for just an OK massage.  I don't think I'll go back there again.  I also bought a couple of charms for the pandora bracelet Himself gave me for Christmas.  A gorgeous little pig to commemorate starting WW (again!) and a blue morano glass with hearts for the first 5 kgs.  I shall buy one every 5 kgs and a special one when I get to lifetime.  Which I am determined to do this time.

We went to the club for dinner last night and the meal was really nice which is always a pleasant surprise although to be fair I think the chef has found his groove and the food has improved.

One and Ebs stayed at our place last night as their airconditioner has packed up and won't be looked at til Monday.  So we will have them until then I reckon unless the cool change forecast for Tuesday arrives early.  Here's hoping our place stays cool!  We have evaporative cooling which is normally great but does struggle when the temperature soars.

Cold meat and salad for dinner tonight.  I refuse to turn the oven on.  We will bbq tomorrow (for 'we' read 'Himself'!) as the boys and girls will all be over.

I have had a lovely bludgy day.  Too hot to do anything although I would have loved to go for a bike ride.  I might have to get up early tomorrow and go out before it gets too hot.  I have read the paper and done the puzzles, dozed on Two's couch while they put up the screen and am about to settle down with some magazines I nabbed on ebay.

A very pleasant Saturday.

I could get used to this!

My house is clean and tidy and is STAYING that way!  The carpets could do with a vacuum and if it's not too hot this afternoon I'll run them over.  Mind you, I did them on Monday and sometimes they'd go a whole 2 weeks without a vac.  EEW!

Yesterday morning I went for an hour's bike ride and it felt fantastic.  I then cleaned out the fridge and was going to do the pantry but decided to leave it until after next garbage collection day, if you get my drift!  I also did a water change in the fish tank.  The filter needs changing/cleaning but I'll have to get Himself to show me cos a) I'm not tall enough to get to it easily and b) when we bought the thing he took over and set it up and I wanted to take my time over it so I would know what to do in the future.  The instructions ... well, they aren't!

Last night I took a sleeping pill.  The first time in years (it was probably past its expiry date but what the hell!).  I haven't been sleeping well lately and neither has Himself which means if I do get to sleep he wakes me up when he gets to bed and then I'm tossing and turning all night.  I slept very well but did wake up feeling slightly groggy.  Hopefully I will have a good night's sleep tonight without help and all will be right.

This morning I woke up later than usual (see 'sleeping pill') and went for just a half hour bike ride.  I found it easier than yesterday which was so encouraging as it means I'm getting fitter quickly.  There was a bit of a stiff breeze which made riding home a bit of a challenge but I went off the bike track and through the back streets so that, whilst the wind was still there, the roads were a bit smoother to ride on.  And I got to see some of the neighbourhood.

I'm having lunch with Sooz so better get a wriggle on and get showered and dressed.

Work thoughts and other bits

I would love to not work.  Himself speaks the words "if that's what you want to do then go for it" but then he makes comments about contacting the union about the circumstances of my leaving (don't want to go over it all again and can't see it making a difference) and telling me about jobs he's found on the net (just looking!!) and saying that I don't have to worry about January as my holiday pay will cover that and so on.

I'm sure he doesn't mean to pressure me but I really feel that he wants me to work.  If I could trim the household budget significantly (and that shouldn't be too hard!) I might feel better.

I had lunch with the Mermaid today and we were talking about this and I realised that I don't want to work in a hospital again.  I guess that's one good thing.  How easy it will be for me to find a job as a nurse out of the hospital system remains to be seen.  

I cleaned Three's bathroom today.  My hands still smell of bleach!

Tomorrow I was going to see the parents but Mum is having an ultrasound and they will want a nap when they get home and I don't want to sit in the waiting room with them cos she always complains about the length of time they have to wait.  If they stopped turning up 45 minutes before their appointments they might find the wait is less!  I am taking her to the surgeon on 3rd Feb which is different as they will be talking surgery and she hears what she wants to hear and Dad doesn't hear much at all!

I was going to catch up with ex-colleagues after seeing the parents but might take a rain check and go next week.  It's a long way to drive for a 15 minute cup of coffee.

WW weigh in on Friday.  I am so hoping that the damage of last week will not be too great.  But at least I'm back on track and enjoying it.

I am still struggling with the whole not working and needing to feel productive (hence cleaning upstairs yesterday and downstairs today) and as I'm not seeing the folks tomorrow I need to decide how to spend the day.  I'm thinking: change the fish tank water and clean out the pantry and fridge.  Then I can either go for a bike ride or walk in the afternoon if the weather's reasonable.  Or sit on the balcony and read a book.  Or do a jigsaw puzzle.  Or some sewing.  Mornings for housework stuff and afternoons for me.  Sounds like a plan.

Mini Monday

Mini as in a small post!

The peppermint chocolate meringues were deeeelicious.  Everyone liked them.  So a definite do again.

I went to the physio this morning and she massaged my neck and shoulders (and did some other really painful stuff!) and has given me some stretches to do to try and keep that area supple.  It seems as if the neck is the cause of aaaaaaaalllll my back problems!

I cleaned upstairs (the living area) and it looks lovely.  Tomorrow - downstairs (scary) unless I catch up with the Mermaid for lunch.

Fireman Sam and his housemate dropped by for coffee.  It was lovely to see them and they were off to the beach.  She has not long got her motorbike licence so he takes her out for rides.  An army girl - really sweet.  In fact I think he'd be better of with her than his current girlfriend but none of my business!

Himself got my bike down from the hooks in the garage and pumped up the tires for me so this afternoon I went for a lovely ride.  I was initially only going for half an hour but it turned into an hour.  I'll feel it tomorrow, I'm sure.

Himself is on his way home so will go and hang out washing and do domestic stuff.

Chris suggested I become a kept woman ... I would love to but would feel guilty that I wasn't contributing to the household coffers.  She is bringing up grandkids so her existence is justified!!

Sunday dot points

• Himself turned 60 last year ... you'd think I'd remember to put THAT in my wrap up!
• One, Two and I played 9 holes of golf this afternoon.  It was a good time.
• Himself is cooking roast beef for dinner.  THEY will have spuds cooked in a bucket of olive oil.  I will have spuds sprayed with a smidge of oil.
• I am making peppermint chocolate meringues from a WW cookbook.
• I have found the WW recipes are much improved on past years.  They are more satisfying and taste better.
• I am dreading the coming week - Himself is back at work and I no longer have all the Christmas rushing around to justify my existence.  I shall clean the house, tidy cupboards (a big job), catch up with a couple of friends, see my parents and go to WW on Friday.  I might also treat myself to either a manicure or a massage on Friday.  I have books to read and DVDs to watch.  And walks to take and a bike to ride.
• I should be OK.
• I shall start to peruse the employment sites.
• At least I'm not in a state of panic and distress about going to work tomorrow!!!  And THAT is a huge improvement.

Reflections on a year

2009 (in no particular order)

• I started sewing again
• I quit my job
• I persevered with my personal trainer
• Two and One moved closer to us
• Three turned 21
• We went to FNQ and had a stressful time with The Aunt but a glorious time in Port Douglas
• I made some new friends - on line and in the flesh
• My golf game has stagnated 
• I rejoined Weight Watchers and lost 8.5kgs and then regained a couple over Christmas
• I have hardly told anyone that I rejoined WW (or Big W as Himself keeps calling it!)
• The Mermaid had a terrible year but it all seems to be sorted by the end of it.
• My parents have become very frail
• My brother's marriage ended but he has found someone new who seems lovely and makes him happy
• Himself got an awesome tattoo.  He had it coloured just before Christmas and I'll post a photo when I upload my latest batch.

I love my new macbook.  It's slightly different from the old one (which Two will take and get fixed) and has a new trackpad which I thought I was being dumb about.  Himself booked a session with a Genius at Apple and it turns out the trackpad is faulty.  I bought a Mighty Mouse (the older version) and am finding it is actually easier to use.  The pad will be replaced soon under warranty.

New Year's Eve was full of people.  One went to watch Ebs dance but Two, GGF, Three and His Latest were here as were some neighbours, Dr. Teacher, his new girlfriend and his and her kids.  We watched the storm come across the bay and then the fireworks at midnight.  All in all it was a great evening.

Since then Himself and I have done very little.  We have entertained 6 out of 9 days and are knackered.  He is cleaning the oven as I write this.  Good man.  I HATE that job.  Actually he has cleaned the oven since I was pregnant with One and he didn't want me breathing the fumes.  

As I mentioned above I rejoined WW last year and lost 8.5 kgs in 8 weeks.  And then put a couple back on over Christmas but am back on the straight and narrow.  I have found a leader who is brilliant and that really does make a difference.  I also haven't told too many people which also seems to help.  I know some people like to tell everyone but I find the fewer who know the easier it is for me.  

Himself and I went for a walk down to the beach and back this afternoon.  I can't get over how cold and windy it is after the stinker of a day we had on Thursday.  Melbourne for you!

A neighbour has started a book club and invited me to join.  Our inaugural meeting is in a fortnight and the book is The Time Traveller's Wife.  I bought the book last week and read it over 2 days finishing this afternoon.  I loved it.  I have no idea what happens in a book club but at least I've read the book!  Not sure if I want to see the movie, though.  I find that books I enjoy don't translate well to screen because the bits I like seem to get left out or the writing style is lost.

Time to go and make the salad.  Eye fillet steak, salad and corn on the cob.  Yummo!

Happy New Year, everyone and thanks for the comments.  Two has transferred some of my files across but I think I'm going to have to find all my old favourite journals the long way.  I apologise if I haven't left comments where I used to ... if I've lost you I'll find you again and life really has been horribly busy of late.