For Non-Facebook followers...

I just wanted to update those people who only follow this blog and not Facebook in reference to an earlier post. You know that I recently took a new job. You also know that the job is the job from hell. Well, I really need to change part of that last sentence to, the job was the job from hell. I left the job shortly after the rant I posted earlier. I actually became so distressed that at one point I was more depressed at the job than I was the whole time I was looking for a job, and believe me I was really depressed before I got that job. I mean I literally almost burst into tears the afternoon before I quit. I came back from lunch sat down at my desk, if you could call it a desk and just sat there trying not to cry and wondering what the hell was I doing. Why was I there? I barely did any work the rest of the afternoon and I could have cared less.

I came home that night and called hubby, as he was in Fiji for a friends wedding, which in hindsight I wish I had gone. It would have saved me the heartache of taking that job. So, I called him and ended up talking to him for about two hours and finally allowed myself to cry, which of course really upset hubby because he was stuck there and I here. All he said is that he would support me in what ever decision I made but based on the conversation if I would do what he wanted then he wanted me to quit the next day. In the end I did just that.

Anyway, it's done and over and I'm very happy now. I called hubby that night and as I said he was and still is very supportive. I am so very lucky to have that person in my life that person that I so proudly call my husband. He has always been there for me and always supported and encouraged me with every decision I have ever made. I know some of you might say, that's what a partner should do. I agree but sometimes they don't and in this case I just want to acknowledge that my husband is one of those that does. So, it's onward and upward from here and I'll keep you updated as to what comes along on the job front. Until then it's almost time for 12 of 12 so I'll see you then. Take care...

Hectic is as hectic does...

As the title implies things around my world are just plain hectic as all get out. We are into full swing with our moving plans. The moving people will be here on Friday to give us a quote for the move. We have set a date and we will officially be moving back to the mainland the last weekend in January which will make the house ready for rent as of 1 February. We still have to get the rental agents out here to also give us a quote as to how much rent they think we can get for the house. We would like to get at least $400.00 a week but we will wait to see what they have to say.

There is a whole list of things that need to be done, like getting painters in and buying a new dishwasher, which I'm bitter about as I have been hand washing our dishes for months and now as we are leaving we are going to get the new one for the tenants. It's not fair but that's life. We also need to have some light fixtures in the hall replaced. All of these thing will make the place more appealing and at the same time when the time comes to retire and if we are still going ahead with the current plans the house will be all ready for us to return.

The main reason we are leaving is because we can not get adequate work here. Hubby has finished his Masters in Education and wants to change fields unfortunately that won't happen on the island as there are limited opportunities. I have had no lucky finding work for over year now. So we will head to the mainland and there will be ample choices for new employment. It will also give us a change of pace in our life. We haven't decided rather or not to buy another house or not. If we do the payments will have to be the same as the rental we are getting from the house or possibly a little more as we also get the rental from our apartment in Sydney and could add that to a repayment for the new house. I know a lot of you would say why not move back to your apartment and the reason we don't want to is that it would feel as if we had somehow failed in out venture down here to the island. We also don't want to be right in the middle of the hustle an bustle of Sydney, which unfortunately is where our apartment is located. I hate to think we will have a new mortgage since it's been over three years since we became mortgage free. We will just have to wait and see what come our way.

Well, that's what is going on in my neck of the woods and it's my excuse for not posting as much. I will try harder and as usual I will always do my 12 of 12. As a matter of interesting facts it will be fives years ago to the day 1 Dec that we moved to this island. Funny how things change. Well until next time take care, stay safe and enjoy...

A change is in the wind....

Hello one and all, I seem to be only writing about one post every seven days, but I suppose that's better than none at all. So what's been happening since my last post? Well, we continue to heal which is a major priority. Hubby is also trying to finish his last paper and once it is submitted and when he receives his final assessment/grade, he will have finished his Masters degree in Education. He has been working so hard over the past few years. I am very proud of him, which I am anyway but even more so because he has worked so hard and done so well especially in the face of adversity. Once he has his degree he will finally be able to start applying for lecturing positions. He likes his current work in the field of medicine, specifically in the Emergency Department but after over 20 years of taking care of people and also unfortunately watching some pass away it has all taken a toll on hubby. So it's time to move on to something new and exciting.

However that is not the change I refer to in the title of this blog. No, my loyal reader (yes just the one of you and well maybe some poor fool who stumbles on to the site unawares) there is still another change that is in the works in our world. What may you ask is that change, well it is a change we are not taking lightly I will say that much. We have discussed this change over and over and have come to the conclusion that it will be the right thing. As I'm sure you've guessed by now that the change I'm referring to is one of moving.

Yes, unfortunately as much as we love our home here in Tasmania. Our lovely old home with it's 115 year old history. All of the fresh air, great wines, brilliant produce, dairy and baked goods along with amazingly talented local artisans. This is truly a wonderful place to live. However, It is not a place to make a living. Finding work down here is near impossible and with hubby changing his field of work in the next few months we will need to be open to relocating. As it stands we have made no firm commitment as to exactly where we will be moving to but all I know is that we will at least be moving back to the mainland as the islanders say. We are looking to having a new job and location sometime around February in the new year. We will keep this house and rent it out because in the end when we are ready to retire it will be a fantastic place to do just that.

So, that's all the excitement I have going on around this end of the world. We have out of town guests arriving at the end of the week. We haven't seen this friend for some time and we are very much looking forward to her arrival. So in saying that I need to get back to my housecleaning checklist. I've got a lot to do over the next 3 days. I'll check back after the visit and share all the tawdry details of her visit after all she has been known to be a bit of a party girl. I hope I remember how to do the same, party that is, not being a girl. I tried that once and not a good look trust me. Until next time take care and as always enjoy...

In between job searches...

I figured that in between job searches I might as well have some fun. So, as you can see we have new layout and a new header. The new banner photo of course reflects the fact that we are into the autumn months here in the land down under. We just flipped back out of Daylight Savings Time so it is darker at the house by 5-5:30 but at least the morning is a bit brighter by 6-6:30.

The layout isn't all that different but I've added a few things like the little news reader at the bottom and a quote if the day on the side as well a a novelty of recipes from Oz. I'm not sure how Australian the recipes will be. I'll have to watch it for a few days and if seem to be a bit daggy then I'll get rid of it. Other than that same ol' same ol'. Keeps your eyes opened as I may be adding a few more bibs and bobs. Until then Enjoy...

Thanks for the help...

This won't be a long post but I just wanted to take this moment to thank those of you that took the time to respond to the last post. The dilemma that faces James and I us not insurmountable but I suppose it's always nice when you can share it with others and then have those people be kind enough to actually give you feedback. We won't be making an hasty decisions and as I believe I stated before we are at least afforded the luxury of being able to pick and choose as to when and where what may or may not happen. With that all said eventually something will happen and when it does I'm sure that whatever decisions we make we will have thought them through and along with the help from friends both near, far and cyber we will move forward and continue to allow our life to evolve and grow into whatever it may become. All with just a little help from our friends...

(Update: I changed the title of this post only because another blogger used the same title and I'm not sure who came up with their title first but to forgo any I did it first issues I thought changing would be easier. Sometimes it can so difficult being a day a head of the world when it comes to the blogs I read which are mainly US based. Anyway new title same content Enjoy...)

A great weekend...

I know that the weekend was a few days ago but it is what it is and besides I'm lousy at posting on time. Anyway, we had a great weekend. As you may or may not know we went to Sydney for the weekend. We went up specifically to see Billy Elliot the Musical. The play was brilliant. They did justice to the movie. the music was outstanding, but then why wouldn't it have been seeing that it was written by Elton John. If the play comes to anywhere close to you I suggest you find a way to see this show. My understanding is that it will begin it's tenure on Broadway in 2008.

One thing that was not so great about the weekend was that James' AF (artial fibrillation) acted up and we spent all of Saturday morning at the emergency room. He is fine but it's never a good thing and I hate it when it happens even though James tells me it's not a big deal. I think anytime you end up in the emergency room it might be a big deal. I could be wrong.

The rest of the weekend was full of good food and visiting James family which was nice. I got to see James aunt who is visiting from England. I have not seen her in six years and she was as nice as she was the first day I met her. She is one of those exceptions in so that she has a very strong religious side but she also is extremely accepting and has never judged James or myself or our relationship. she's one of the good ones.

Oh and to start the weekend off just right we bought this, and not only is it pretty but it works better than any windows based PC I've ever had and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in switching to a Mac.

...and we're back

We actually got back Wednesday night, but I've been lazy with posting as usual. Anyway, we had a very nice time visiting an old friend. The weather was on our side until we got to Brisbane for the last night and it started to rain. We won't complain because that area of the country, along with a lot of Australia needs rain desperately. As mentioned in previous post we did stay at the Conrad Treasury hotel & Casino. The room was gorgeous. As for the casino we didn't do so well, but we always go into the casino with the understanding that we will probably loose and if we do win that's just extra. We don't go out a lot any more, preferring to be homebodies so we like to go to the casinos every so often for a bit of bells, lights colour and movement. Those of you that have played the machines will know what I mean.

So, back at home and we have already been busy. I had my second set of acupuncture and this time it did not hurt half as bad as last time. I still don't know if it is actually helping but will give it a few more weeks and then decide. on that same note I have a neurologist appointment at the end of November to review the neuropathy situation in my feet especially because I think it's spread which is not uncommon. I'm just afraid that at some point I'm going to have to start walking with a cane. Not that walking with a cane is a bad thing, apologies to those that do. I just know that if I have to start using a cane it will me that the neuropathy is getting the best of me.

We have also had two landscapers out to give us a quote on fixing up our back yard. We have a third one coming out on Monday and from there we will decide if it is doable. On the same note we have a builder in looking at removing some old doors and windows at the back of our house and replacing them as well as rearranging our kitchen area a bit and replacing the old deck with a new one. So it's all happening around here. That's what Spring will do for you. And yes I said Spring as the official start of Spring was the first of September here in the land down under. Also, since it's Spring and all of this remodelling is occurring I guess I'll change the feel of the blog to reflect a more colourful mood. So look forward to that coming soon

New banner and colour...

Oh, and I've put up a new banner and changed the colour a bit to match the fact that it's winter here in the land down under. Enjoy...

Boy, how time flies...

I saw this meme over here and it has been sitting on my desktop for a while. Since I have not written anything in a few days I figured this was better than nothing. What I find form this list is that I'm pretty consistent and at the same time if you could see in between those years you would never believe what I have done to get where I am today. Not all of it good but not all of it bad either. Anyway, have a read and let your imagination run wild.

20 years ago

1.) How old were you? 29
2.) Where did you go to school? I had not been to school in over 10 years
3.) Where did you work? A large retail department store
4.) Where did you live? Dallas
5.) Where did you hang out? Oaklawn (aka Boystown)
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who was your best friend? I hate limiting myself because it make it seem like one friend is better than another.
8.) How many tattoos did you have? None
9.) How many piercings did you have? None
10.) What car did you drive? Ford Fiero
11.) Had you been to a real party? One to many times
12.) Had your heart broken? Yes
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced: Taken

10 years ago

1.) How old were you? 39
2.) Where did you go to school? Still not in school and not planning on going back
3.) Where did you work? I had taken early retirement
4.) Where did you live? Dallas
5.) Where did you hang out? Oaklawn (aka Boystown)
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who was your best friend? Gene
8.) How many tattoos did you have? None
9.) How many piercings did you have? One
10.) What car did you drive? Mazda Miata
11.) Had you been to a real party? Still one to many and going strong
12.) Had your heart broken? Yes
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced: Taken

5 years ago

1.) How old were you? 44
2.) Where did you go to school? NO, I told you already
3.) Where did you work? Still retired
4.) Where did you live? Sydney, Australia
5.) Where did you hang out? The botanical gardens and the harbour
6.) Did you wear glasses? Yes
7.) Who were your best friends? Once again don't want to limit myself but if I had to pick Moys, Cin and Hop
8.) Who was your crush? Didn't have one, I was very much in love
9.) How many tattoos did you have? One on my right shoulder
10.) How many piercings did you have? Two
11) What car did you drive? I did not own a car
12.) Had you had your heart broken? Yes
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Very much taken
14.) Any kids? One, a beautiful daughter

Present

1.) How old are you? 49
2.) Where do you go to school? Look,at this age the closest I will come to going to school will be an adult education cooking course, but still haven't gone. Although I signed up but the class was full. Maybe next time?
3.) Where do you work? Still retired
4.) Where do you live? Hobart Tasmania
5.) Where do you hang out? My backyard
6.) Do you wear glasses? Yes
7.) Who are your best friends? Wayne and Lee
8.) Who is your crush? I don't have one unless you count my husband
9.) Do you talk to your old friends? Yes at least once a month on the phone as they all live overseas
10.) How many tattoo's do have? Still just the one
11.) How many piercings do you have? Just one, as I lost the other one of the after having to remove them before a surgery and then afterwards I couldn't be bothered putting them both back in so I now only have the one
12.) What kind of car do you have? I don't drive a lot due to my pain medications but we own a Volkswagen Golf
13.) Has your heart been broken? Yes, but it has mended well
14.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Still very taken and very happy
15.) Any kids? Still just the one, but with a grandchild

Before and after...

Once again time is my enemy so until that is no longer the case which I will talk about in a few days. I wanted to share some before and after pictures of our lounge (living) room since we got our new furniture and had the room painted. No I know the furniture looks a bit old fashioned but you must remember we live in a house that is over 115 years old so having some new sleek modern design just would have looked way out of place and to be honest modern is not me. Anyway, here are a couple before and after pictures mainly in association with the room colour.

Before:

After:



Before:



After:

I know this is as boring as watching paint dry but I needed to write something until I can find time to be a bit more creative. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the pictures and I look forward to being able to write more in the next few days/weeks.