Schools

Tallulah had a few problems at school when we left the UK, she was quite anti-teachers, disrespectful and couldn't be bothered. When she started school in Oz, she started off in the same vein but all that has now dissappeared !!

Her new teacher is lovely, really clued up on kids and well aware that Tallulah used her 'cuteness' to get away with things. In the last 5 months her behaviour has totally turned around and she came home grinning on Friday because she had completed her challenges. She was given 16 stretch targets about attitude, behaviour and work and she achieved all 16 - I was a very proud mum. So I gave her a treat of her choice and she chose a day out shopping with her friend, so Saturday saw me up at Garden City with Tallulah and her friend Tenielle - we were there for over 5 hours and they loved it. We are now all shopped out for a while but she loves school and is doing brilliantly. Mr Bell is so pleased with her too and says she has high potential - even more pressure on to find the right high school !!

Today Deb and I went up to Burswood Dome to see the Grumpy Old Women. It was funny, I was crying with laughter a lot of the time and it was nice to see Debbie laughing too. Paul was a star and had 5 kids for the day - still, gave him an excuse to get out of the gardening !! Bank holiday tomorrow so he won't have any excuse then. We'll be back at the Burswood Dome for Christina Aguillera in July and I quite fancy a visit to the hotel and casino sometime soon !!

09:53 - Sun 3 June 2007 - comments {0}

More boring housework

This week Debbie and I went up to Fremantle for the day whilst the kids were at school. We wandered around the shops and finally found Myer quite by accident (we've looked for it every time we've been there before but never found it). They had a sale on so Nakita gained some new clothes (Tallulah is still too picky) and then we had a nose around the perfumes before getting told off by a hoity toity sales assistant. We then had dinner at the Little Creatures Brewery (wierd menu but we found something we liked) and I picked up a crate of stubbies (pils). Good day out.

The socket situation, especially in the kitchen, has really got me down. We only have two useable sockets so, if the breadmaker is on, we're down to one for 4 hours !! For some reason most Ozzie houses only have one double socket in each room and it's awful, extension leads trail everywhere ! The final straw this week was when the slow cooker and breadmaker were both on and Paul had to plug the kettle in on top of the fridge freezer - really dangerous. So today he's having lots more extra sockets put in - about time too.

In the fruit garden the trees are all finally planted. We just need to mulch the soil and put the wires up for the cherry and it's a job that can be ticked off. I'll then take a pic so you can see "before" and "after". Hopefully you'll see a difference. It will take a good few years before we can pick the fruit, but I look forward to it and a reduction in our food bill !

We've been checking out home opens this weekend too, just for ideas about what we can do with our house, today we saw one with a nice fireplace so now I'm undecided about whether to go for a gas fire or woodburner. Paul is still stuck on a woodburner so we'll have to have a nose around the shops and see. The shops are only open Monday to Friday office hours (when Paul's at work) and a Saturday morning so we'll have to get out early on Saturday. The shop hours do annoy me - if you work full time you have no real chance of wandering around the shops in winter, hopefully WA will pull themselves out of the dark ages soon. They're the only state that have these laws.

One thing the homes opens have shown though, is that we are now priced out of the UK housing market. I checked out a real estate website in the UK (for fun) and found a house identical to the one we had up for 286,000 - that's $715k here - I could get an absolutely massive, stunning house for that, could even build our own. If we sold what we have here and returned and had the same mortgage as we had originally in the UK we'd be lucky to get a 2 bed tiny house. Luckily we have no intention of ever returning, it does amaze me how the kids growing up are ever going to afford UK property, it'll probably go back to the dark ages when only the rich people had houses and everyone else rented !

05:31 - Sun 27 May 2007 - comments {0}

Finally....

... the garden is starting to take shape. Paul has finished  making a path to the side gate and it looks brilliant. I've planted strawberries, carrots, broccoli, beetroot, leeks, rhubarb and garlic so I'm hoping to live off the land soon, hehehe, don't think that will ever happen !!

This week we need to start removing sand from the garden (yes, our garden is pure sand !) ready to order some soil. Today we trotted off to Bunnings for some fruit trees so we now have an apricot, cherry, pear, necterine, orange, lemon and granny smith and pink lady apple trees to plant, it's amazing being able to grow some of these. Nakita can't work out why we can't grow bananas and doesn't understand that we're only "temperate" and not "tropical". I'm sure she'll end up living in Cairns with her own mini rainforest !!

The days here are still fairly warm (20 degrees) but some nights have become quite chilly. Some friends have woodburners and the smell and comfort these give are awesome. Paul and I are actually in agreement about getting one of these so we just need to save the $2000 to install one, then we'll, later on, get some ducted reverse cycle air con so we'll be able to have heat and air con coming from the ceiling in each room. The fact that it's turned colder is making us all Christmassy which is wierd - I can see now why there are a number of people who celebrate it in July. There is a big hype for Christmas here in July as most people buy all their presents then on "layby". This is where they put everything they want into a trolley and take it up to a desk. It's all scanned and you pay 10% with fornightly or weekly payments thereafter - once you've paid for your goodies, you can take them home.  We decided not to do this last year as I felt you'd end up spending more but, what we didn't realise, is that everyone else does this and stocks aren't refilled so, come November - nothing is left !! An advantage of this, of course, is that you don't need to find hiding places for all the presents as the shop itself has this headache (but then they don't have little children nosing around either !)

Today is our wedding anniversary and Paul bought me a lovely card and some gorgeous earrings. I think this is our first one ever that he's really bothered ! He is certainly quite a different person from the UK one, much happier, more laid back and not so wound up. We were planning on going out for a meal but Nakita was sick yesterday so we felt better not to chance it. Instead we're getting a take away, so far we are yet to find a good one. We were recommended a chinese but they gave us a completely wrong order so won't be back. There's plenty around - if you like burgers and chicken ! So if anyone knows of any good ones around here - please let me know !

06:53 - Sun 20 May 2007 - comments {0}

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day and so far so good !! I was brought breakfast in bed, given a gorgeous pair of pjs and some chocolates and had some lovely cards. At church I was given a flower and the girls made a flower arrangement each for me, then we had a women only tea with sarnies, sausage rolls and cake. It was all lovely. Paul is now doing homework with the girls but promises me a lovely cooked tea !!

This week has been incredibly busy. On Monday I spent the day in Hocking visiting a friend and her new house. I was a little apprehensive about visiting as, initially, it was an area I wanted to live in before Paul persuaded me to move (much further) south. However, whilst the house was lovely (and very big) I did realise that I take it for granted that the beach is just at the end of our road and roos live in the area in between. The shops are better NOR but I just need to be patient and wait until someone realises that it makes good business sense to build a shopping centre here.

On Tuesday and Friday Debbie and I ventured to the gym - it has been a year or two since I last went but it was good to see that I could run for a bit without collapsing. I am no where near as fit as I was but not as unfit as I thought I could be !! I also ended up walking the dog both in the morning and evening on Tuesday and it was good to see that I was able to get out of bed quite easily on Wednesday !!

Mutley has been scratching a lot since we've had him which I thought was fleas but he has been defleaed so, at his final vaccination, I asked the vet and she confirmed that there are no fleas but that he may be allergic to his food !! I had just bought a whole new bag but looks like I need to go and get another type to see if his scratching stops ! He was star of attraction at the school on Friday when both girls took him in for "news", he absolutely loved the attention and kissed everyone and didn't embarrass himself or me at all !!

I worked in the canteen again all day Thursday and Friday too. It was only meant to be the one day but it's been hectic and they couldn't cope so I was called in as an emergency. It may be that I end up in there more often - shame really that all the other non working mums don't help. I thought parent participation in the UK school was rubbish but, here, it's non existent. Shame on them !!

02:57 - Sun 13 May 2007 - comments {0}

dance and stuff

Not much happened this week, busy getting back to normal really.

Since we've been here I've been looking for a dance group for Tallulah to join as she loves her dancing. It's really difficult to find out anything about groups here, they don't seem to advertise and they don't advertise around the school, so basically I had to do a google and yellow pages search and then ring every number I could to find out any details. We visited one a few weeks back which was a disaster - they came recommended but the pupils turned up late (15 mins of a one hour lesson so missing all warm ups) and the teacher only managed to turn up for the last 15 mins and, as it was their open day, I was less than impressed about imparting my money there. On Tuesday we ended up at Dancezone and it was really good - weekly fees and no joining fee and, after one hour, Tallulah had already learnt a sequence. She loved it and wants to go back so we're chuffed about that. Dancing is a strength of Tallulah's and it does help to build up her confidence as well as giving her exercise so thumbs up all round.

Another thing I've been looking for since being here is a good beautician and hairdresser - I found the hairdresser last week and have had my eyebrows waxed in so many places it's a nightmare. On Friday I tried a shop in Port Kennedy, it was very busy which is usually a good sign but, what a nightmare, my eyebrows have been over waxed She didn't ask me what colour I wanted my lashes tinted and has managed to die part of my upper and lower eyelid. The facial in itself was good but she didn't tell me what she was doing or using, I didn't like the smell and she left me for too long due to computer problems and so had difficulty taking the mask off of my nose. I came away with some 'stuff' stuck in my hair that was tacky (she had no idea what it was - I think wax) and still bits of mask stuck on my nose.   No, I won't be going back so the search continues.

02:16 - Sun 6 May 2007 - comments {0}

Birthday week

This week was Mum and Mikes last week, it was also both girls' birthdays so was pretty hectic on all scores. The girls were back at school on Monday and it was Mutleys first school walk which went pretty well. On Tuesday it was Nakita's birthday - 9 already !! Her main present was a trip swimming with wild dolphins with her dad. She has always wanted to do this since we went to Florida and we didn't do the 'swim' there but promised her for Oz, she seemed pretty pleased but then she was bouncing off the walls anyway because it was her birthday. She picked a roast for her tea so, unfortunately, Paul got to cook as I had an extraction at the dentist ($126) so wasn't feeling too great. I did manage to eat some though !!

On Wednesday it was Anzac day so a bank holiday here. Nakita had some friends to the cinema to see 'Meet the Robinsons' which was a great film and then they came back to ours for a play and some cake. It's nice to see she's made some friends and settled well. There are two that she has problems with, on/off friendships, but, at least when they're 'off', she has other friends to play with. Mutley was in his element - he loves attention of any kind !! Her cake was a beehive one from the Cheesecake shop - lovely cakes, good value and everyone stuffs their face so nothing left !!

Thursday I was back helping out in the canteen. The original two ladies who ran the canteen have now left to set up in business on their own so there was a new lady and she was on her own !! It really is a three person job as we were flat out and still the lunches were late as we weren't ready. Apparently it was like that all week, bless her, I wish more parents would help, they could quite easily. Let's hope more come forward.

On Friday it was Tallulah's birthday and she got her much wanted mobile and hair straighteners. She did want GHD straighteners, but they were a tad on the expensive side so she got a cheaper pair. In two days she used up all her credit so today we had to get her a new SIM on a new plan which was better (Paul bought the phone, no research was done - say no more). Her tea was mashed potato and beans, easy peasy.

On Saturday it was Nakitas swim and she absolutely loved it !! The boat went out into the ocean and they swam with lots of wild dolphins - including some babies, both Paul and Nakita haven't stopped talking about it. They said you could even hear their high pitched chatting. It was an awesome day, really warm and no wind so the ocean was like a millpond, apparently the organisers said that it was the best day that they had ever had.Paul said that Nakita was a natural at snorkelling so it looks like diving could be her hobby, we need to get her some lessons in surfing first though as she's after that - she really is a water baby - body boarding, surfing, snorkelling and diving, she wouldn't have been doing any of that in the UK. Tallulah now wishes she'd gone too so that maybe a Christmas present for her, unless something else takes her fancy !!

Mum and Mike left today - Paul took them back to the airport to save any tears - so that's our visits over for the year. So now we really need to crack on with sorting out the garden for the pool and the new plantings, sort out the guttering as, when it rains, it floods and start getting some curtains up and heating in ready for the winter. Today is a horrible day - lots of rain and wind and definitely a taste of what's to come. Yuck

10:28 - Sun 29 April 2007 - comments {1}

Pink gig, Margaret River and more !!

It 's both girls birthdays next week so Talluah had her party this week (as Mum and Mike were away touring the south). Luckily for Paul's wallet she wanted a sleepover so had 3 friends, loads of pizza, crisps, lollies (sweets), garlic bread and a birthday cake ! They all behaved pretty well, I have no idea how much (or little!) sleep they actually got as their bedroom is at the opposite end of the house to ours so we slept soundly !! I bought the pizza at the supermarket and found out afterwards that I could have got takeaway pizza cheaper on a Tuesday - how wierd is that !!

For part of their present, we all went to see Pink in concert and they were able to take a friend each. It was an awesome concert and Pink was unbelievably good. I have seen many, many concerts in my time and hers was the best - it even beat Robbie cos she had to work at it whereas he lets his popularity reduce his effort (when was the last time he sang most of Angels ?!) Fit girl too - great acrobatics in the air. We all enjoyed it, even Paul who originally didn't want to go. So, in the 8 months we've been here we've been to 3 concerts. Christina Aguilera is here in July too so I'm hoping to buy tickets for that gig too.

This weekend Mum and Mike were back so Paul and I left them with the pup and the girls and we headed down to Margaret River and the surrounding area. It was beautiful, we loved the area and I 'm glad we didn't go there on our reckie as I think I would have been hard pushed to get Paul to look anywhere else and, at 3.5 hours from Perth, is just a little too far for me. Good surf though, lovely shops (different ones!) and the retreat we stayed at was spot on, I could not fault it at all (www.forestrise.com.au). Back to earth with a bump now though. School is back next week (where did that school holiday go ?!) Mutley has a wonderful habit of stopping for a sit down on his walks and he's soooooo nosy so I think it will be a while before he gets to walk the girls to school !! On Tuesday it's Nakita's birthday and, unfortunately, a trip back to the dentist for me. I cracked a filling last week and, unfortunately it can't be mended, nor can I have a crown as there is decay inbetween the root canel so I have to have the extraction done Tuesday and then save the $3,000 to $10,000 for a bridge or an implant as soon as possible. Not something I'm looking forward to, where's the NHS when you need them ?!

On Wednesday it's a bank holiday (Anzac Day) so it's Nakita's cinema party - eight 9 year olds off to see Meet The Robinsons, what fun ! Thursday I'm back in the canteen and Friday I need to recover from the week and prepare myself for the weekend. Mum and Mike go back on Sunday so there's bound to be tears, I may send Paul up to the airport with them, save the upset. I think Mutley will miss them big time though !!

10:34 - Sun 22 April 2007 - comments {0}

Change in the weather

Where has the sun gone ? It's now pretty nippy and we've had rain - the UK has better weather than us this Easter weekend !! Still we've been working on the garden all weekend so the rain is good news for the roses which have been moved.

Mum and Mike have been in Kargoorlie this week and had a great time visiting the superpit, museum etc. We had a busy week with Mutley, the new pup, and have decided that he's going to be an outdoor dog. He loves being outside as long as it doesn't rain and doesn't like the dark so he comes in at night. He's been busy digging and chasing the cats and catches Casper who he nips and licks but Casper doesn't fight back which is a bit worrying. Honey, on the other hand, swipes Mutley quite frequently and draws blood when she feels like it so Mut doesn't get too close to her now !!

The girls have now finished at school for the Easter holidays and their reports were both fantastic so we were all really pleased. They also still love school which is brilliant and have many friends, they have settled so easily and it is a great worry lifted. Kids happy, hubby happy, what more could you ask ?!

On the down side I cracked a tooth so have booked into the dentist next week. It is so expensive here so I'm not looking forward to the bill as I'll probably need another crown and Mutley needs his 2nd jab next week and we have the girls birthday presents to buy so we'll be hitting the credit card big time. Oh dear. Parties, presents and cakes to organise !!

Mike has now moved all of my roses and cleared the bed ready for fruit trees and he and Paul spent yesterday securing the garden for the dog so he can be left outside. Today we went to church and I had a little tear - we sang a song I first sang at Spring Harvest so it made me remember my friends who are all off to Spring Harvest next week without me. If I won the lotto I'd join them, I am really going to miss that this year. After church we had a bbq lunch followed by an easter egg hunt (with clues devised by Paul so they were a little strange) and the we lifted the pavers in the back yard ready for the new lawn. I am trying to persuade Paul to leave it as a sand pit because it's for the trampoline and the dog and would be easier to clean but he's having none of it !

Tomorrow we're off on a boat trip around Mandurah then a trip to Bunnings to checkout the lawns. So many different types of grass to choose from, who'd have thought it !

07:21 - Sun 8 April 2007 - comments {0}

Another new addition

The highlight of the week was a puppy as a new additon to our family. He's a 10 week old Beagle called Mutley and is stunningly gorgeous. No problems with him at night, no chewing (yet !) and the kitten gets on well with him and the cat wallops him every now and again and he has the battlescars to prove it. It's just the toilet training we need to sort out. He doesn't go on newspaper but anywhere that takes his fancy and shows no sign of needing to go beforehand so we spend most of our time out in the back yard walking him around ! Luckily mum and mike are here so there are four of us to share it around. Unfortunately mum and mike are off to Kargoolie tomorrow for a week and Paul is back at work so it'll just be me. I'm not looking forward to it at all, I hope he learns fast !!

Other than that a pretty quiet week. Mike has helped out a lot in the garden and the three big trees have been removed along with another two large shrubs - most of these had been planted in their pots so it was a miracle that they survived at all. Today I found another buried pot so that plant must have died - makes me wonder how many other pots are buried around the garden. I planted all the bulbs today and removed a load of ferns - we found three golf balls, some lego, a bird skull and a juggling ball too !! This is an exciting back yard.

We haven't yet had the plans drawn up for the swimming pool. We need to get more detailed plans from the council which is proving a nightmare. You have to order them and they take 3 - 5 days to be found (if they have them) but Paul keeps forgetting to order them. At this rate winter will be upon us and we'll have missed the boat.

The girls break up from school on Wednesday and I was looking forward to a lie in but no chance with Mutley. I was up at 6.30 on Saturday and 5.30 on Sunday morning so am now completely exhausted and have a nice set of black bags under my eyes ready for Wednesdays Body Shop party. Oh well, short term pain, long term gain (so they tell me).

10:44 - Sun 1 April 2007 - comments {0}

Dolphin finally seen !

Another fab week held here in the sun !! My friend Debs headed back to the UK on Thursday for the memorial service so I dropped her and her family off at the airport and then picked up my mum and stepdad. The girls were really excited to see nanny and grandad and had tidied their bedrooms especially - it hasn't lasted though but at least the thought was there !!

Another normal week filled with the school canteen and coffee mornings but on Saturday we headed up to Scarborough beach for the Aussie 2007 Surf Life Saving Championships. It was a fantastic day, nice and hot too. Loads of fit blokes strolling around with six packs and budgie smugglers (trunks) for me and lots of 'totties' (according to OH) in tiny weeny bikinis for Paul. The fitness of all the participants was unbelievable and watching them paddle a board on a long circuit, then run on the beach, then swim a long circuit followed by another run on the beach then paddling a boat on the same long circuit before a final run was awesome to watch - I did feel sorry for the guy who paddled really hard only to overtaken by a guy sat back but taken in on a wave !! We also watched the races in the arena and all of us - even the girls - loved it.

Today we went to church and came home to Paul having cooked a brunch on the bbq. We then headed for Falcon Art in the Sand festival. This was another free kids festival on a beach where the girls got to make sand bottles, sand pictures, kites, jewellry, wooden toys, cards, clay figures, paint pictures and loads of other stuff. We settled ourselves down on the beach by the live band and the girls were able to come and go as they wanted - the first few hours were spent swimming before they took advantage of the free crafts. We spent a good 4 hours there gradually meeting up with other friends who we didn't know were going and then, to top an already fab day, 2 dolphins came in to see what all the fuss was about - so finally Nakita got to see dolphins in the wild. She also saw a large, wild roo the night before when it crossed Paul's path in the ute so she's now happy and we can stop having to take her out all the time trying to find one !

With temps back in the 30's I have now renewed my tan. Looking forward to next week !

10:23 - Sun 25 March 2007 - comments {1}

Mandurah spectacular

Another busy week consisting of helping out in the school canteen, catching up with all the emails I missed, a couple of coffee mornings and a Body Shop party - if I'm ever to make money out of this I must stop buying the products !

Mum arrives on Thursday so Paul has spent the day blitzing the house, I was supposed to be helping but he does a much better job than I do so best leave him to it. It is supposed to be my job but I'm busy all next week again with the canteen and coffee mornings - such a hard life !

I have made a start on the garden and have cut off and pulled up loads of plants. Whoever lived here before loved spikey, thorny plants so I'm trying to make them more child/animal/me friendly. Have spotted lots of wildlife in the garden (is it a snake/legless lizard/worm ? who knows, I've been searching the internet for hours but can't find any good websites with pics to help me identify the creatures) and the cats have now been allowed out to their absolute delight - it is very hot for them though, quite muggy so they sleep in the ferns a lot during the day but at least they dont' keep us awake at night now as they're usually too tired ! They haven't gone too far from home which is comforting.

We're no further on with a puppy. I can't seem to find (or at least get replies from) any reputable breeders but we have the dog basket,toys etc - just nothing to go in it ! Oh well, will keep looking. May have to end up at a pet shop in the end which I didn't really want to do.

It's been the crab fest in Mandurah this weekend and, obviously St Patricks day as well so the teenagers have descended yet again. I don't mind them so much as the mess they leave behind. They have the mentality that if you're going to leave a bottle as rubbish you have to smash it first. It's always such a mess on a Monday when I walk the kids to school, the police should force the kids and parents to clear it up, it's really dangerous. Other than residents no one else clears it up which is awful. This weekend did take the biscuit though as some of the teenagers parked their caravan opposite our house and camped there. I was awake until 3am with them. They weren't majorly noisy, not enough to complain about, but I am a very light sleeper and the windows aren't double glazed so I ended up sleeping on the sofa. I was looking forward to beeping my car horn at them really early this morning but they were gone before I got up so they couldn't have got much sleep themselves.

Back to the crabfest, this is held over a Saturday and Sunday every year and is well worth a visit - there was loads to do. There was a cooking pavillion with live cooking demonstrations, a crab, seafood and wine pavillion where you can buy food and drink and watch the WA show ski team, jet boat demo or listen to live music. There was also lots of entertainment and a fun fair (bit pricey I thought though - $7 for a ride) and stalls. Show bags are on sale too. At 5pm there was a parade along Mandurah terrace which is closed to traffic for the whole weekend and at 9pm a firework spectacular - and I mean spectatcular - it was awesome with fireworks going off from two sites simultaneously as well as fireworks on the esturay. I've never seen fireworks go off in the shape of hearts before, ahh.

There was also on the saturday a youth zone complete with skate and BMX demos and comps, a climbing wall, pony rides, fly wall etc. On the sunday there was a family chill out zone and from 5pm live music, bouncy castles and tonight an outdoor cinema - no idea what the film is but, hey, I only live here, perhaps they haven't made their minds up yet !!

It still feels wierd having all this on our doorstep but great to be watching a fab firework display in shorts and a tshirt with an esky, mates and a cold beer !

06:30 - Sun 18 March 2007 - comments {0}

Prison sentence

I have just had to go 8 days without an internet connection due to an Optus bulls up - AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE ! Last Sunday the pc was fine - I went out to church and came back to find it had gone down. I rang optus, and was given a 3 day timescale but Monday was labour day and, hence, a bank holiday (it was a fab warm day though so was spent at the beach ) so it should have been back on by Thursday at the latest. No show though, so I rang on Thursday again to find that the complaint hadn't been logged properly and I'd have another three days which I respectfully declined requesting an engineer on Friday. Friday was another no show so this time Optus got an abusive call !! Here nothing happens on a weekend so I had to wait until Monday. I was due to visit my friend for the day but instead had to wait in for a technician. At 2pm the Telstra technician rang to say it had all been sorted - the Optus exchange in this area had gone down and 49 people had been without internet !!!!!!

My question is - were they all ringing to complain and, if so, why didn't anyone notice a pattern ? Mind you, it wouldn't suprise me if the Ozzies didn't complain, they don't seem to here and just accept the bad service that's chucked at them so now I have shed loads of emails to catch up on. Luckily I didn't have a Body Shop party that week or I would have been stuffed.

The weather here has been a bit up and down, one day hot, then windy and a few days rain. You can tell we've hit autumn, it's like summer just not so predictable.

This week we've been trying to get some jobs done around the house. We will be getting a puppy so have added gates and door frames ready. The pool will also commence this winter so I need to start getting the garden sorted and some trees need felling - loads of work to do but, the days that I have the time it's too hot ! Mum and Mike arrive a week Thursday so time is now slipping away so will have to crack on ................more soon !

03:33 - Tue 13 March 2007 - comments {1}

A bit of luxury at last !

Well, we've just got back from a very tiring but luxurious weekend in Perth and Fremantle ! We stayed in the Esplanade hotel which was lovely despite me drawing the short straw and having to share a bed and room with the kids and Paul and dad having their own !

We visited loads of places - Dad and Paul did the night tour of Fremantle prison whilst we hit the hotel pool. Then on Saturday we went to Perth Mint, the Swan Bells, tram tour then a bit of shopping before we went to Kings Park and watched Happy Feet in the open air cinema. It was a sad film and Nakita cried most of the way through and Tallulah didn't like it so, needless to say, that's one dvd we won't be buying.

Today we visited Fremantle markets, the fairy shop and the Esheds before coming home penniless. Suffice it to say that was our annual holiday but we enjoyed it. The girls are now saving up to go back to Fremantle as there are loads of things they want to buy !

As for the rest of last week, Nakita's class put on an assembly in front of the whole school which was good - they were all very confident speakers. I also heard the Oz national anthem for the first time then as they play it every week at school assemblies so now I know the tune - am yet to learn the words. That same day I was a volunteer at the school canteen which consisted of loading up junk lunch orders as requested by the kids - no fruit was on the menu, in fact I couldn't see one healthy thing at all. Luckily the law is changing wef August this year so they'll have no choice but to change. The canteen provides extra funds to the school via the P & C and so, when the rules do change, profits will decrease as there's not a lot of profit in healthy food. I bit my tongue and stayed schtum though as this will mean that they have to fundraise like all the UK schools and, personally, I think it makes for a more community feel school. However, I will be interested to see how/if this works as I've noticed that the Ozzies round here like something for nothing and, unless alcohol is involved, not many put their hands in their pockets.

Helping at the canteen is good though as I get to find out what's going on as the others are all Ozzies who've been here for years and it would appear that you do not put your child in a state senior school unless you want them to become 'feral' !! Good to know on the one hand and, at least private schools here are cheaper at less than $4k a year, on the other hand it's $4k a year you could really do with !

Anyway Dad leaves Wednesday, the month has just flown by, only 3 weeks before my mum and stepdad arrives !!

05:55 - Sun 25 February 2007 - comments {0}

The girls completed another week of swimming lessons in the sea. This week they learnt how to swim in 'dumper' waves as that was what Monday's sea consisted of, the seaweed also made an appearance this week as did a load of dolphins - Nakita managed to miss them but Tallulah and I saw them so only Nakita left to see the wild dolphins now. At the end of the week the girls had an afternoon of games on the beach - how lucky are they ?!! They loved it, dad and I watched when we could but it was a busy week.

The funeral was on Monday which was very emotional as I'm sure you can imagine. Debs was absolutely brilliant although she obviously didn't feel it. The boys are struggling too and they have to go through it all again in a memorial service in the UK, poor things, your heart breaks. Dad used the day to visit Perth on the bus and saw the WACA ground amongst other things so he was happy. It will be much easier when the train line is in and they reckon that will be the end of this year now - I've forgotten when it was due to be completed now - 2005 ? Only a couple of years late. Who knows when the new highway will be finished at that rate.

I had another Body Shop party this week which was a good one, got two more party bookigs form it which was great as I didn't have any before that. I'm still struggling to make my minimum each month - I haven't managed yet, just need more parties, but can't advertise, catch 22.

It was my birthday on Friday and, other than a meal out in the evening, it passed like any other day. Lots of cards from the UK missing but my mates from Bradley Stoke sent cards via my dad and so I was dead chuffed - an old friend rang too which was brilliant. No idea what has happened to the rest, obviously a case of out of sight out of mind.

This weekend has been a frenzy of sightseeing with Hillarys Aquarium, Subiaco markets and Bunbury all getting a battering from us. We also visited some puppies as we are trying to decide what type of puppy to get - we've now decided on a Begalier so just need to puppy proof the house and get a book to read up on what to do and then it will puppy time ! Nakita is majorly excited but I don't think the cats will be keen !

09:14 - Sun 18 February 2007 - comments {0}

Not all doom and gloom

So Dad has now been here a week and Debs husband has been dead just over a week and I seem to flit between the two without conflict which is good. With the girls being at school I always knew I wouldn't be able to 'entertain' dad during the week - as, by the time I've got them to school, got the house sorted, washing on, shopping in and the dishwasher on it's time to pick them up again. Especially this week and last as they are having their swimming lessons in the sea and want me to watch. It's quite difficult and must be boring for him so will suggest that next time he comes over when they're on holiday that way I won't be clock watching.

Debs hasn't needed anything this week, except my recycling bin which was an easy thing to do, so I've been let off lightly. The funeral is tomorrow which will be tough and then her siblings return home leaving her mum and dad there - it will be quite a while before she's on her own and really needing any of us but I'm always here in case she does. It's always on my mind that it could just as easily have been me in that position and am so grateful it's not. I'm not as strong as Debs and definitely would have collapsed in a heap, she's one amazing woman.

Because we don't take dad out during the week we hit the town all weekend.The weather on Saturday was cool and cloudy (26) so we went to Perth zoo which was a brilliant day out. Tallulah was at a pool party and we luckily were able to drop her off early, but underestimated how big and good the place was so didn't make it back in time to pick her up - in fact we were 2.5 hours late but Sue, bless her, didn't mind so Tallulah had a great day even though she didn't come with us. She did have a few tears later on though, Emma (whose party it was) is returning to the UK and Tallulah is really going to miss her so she was upset at that and missing her other friends in the UK. She has made some good friends here but is feeling a bit like me in that you make the effort to make friends, get some good ones, then they return to the UK. It's tough but that's the migrant life !

Today the weather was much better so went to Penguin Island and Rockingham. We also needed to go shopping to get some bits and pieces and the shops are open Sundays now until 5pm. Howver, we got in at 2.45pm to find a lot shut and the rest shutting - apparently, as it was quiet, they all decided to close ! It was a nightmare - I am struggling with the shops here, I loved the fact that I could pop to Asda any time of the day or night and pick up absolutely anything and don't think I will ever get used to the shops here. I do think the East coast or Melbourne would have suited me better but it wouldn't have suited Paul's work and, without money, I couldn't have shopped anyway so will have to get over it !

I met up with Nakita's teacher this week and was very impressed - she's so on the ball with Nakita's difficulties and has already put strategies in place with others to follow. Nakita will get help with her gross motor skills, handwriting and fitness levels (!) and that will include weekly one on one help. I was chuffed for Nakita especially as she's being paired up with a girl who is gentle and laid back - ideal.

I've also found UK nova this week and so Tallulah and I sit down to Coronation Street most nights - bliss

10:22 - Sun 11 February 2007 - comments {1}

Bad week

Understatement of the decade - my best friend in Oz's husband died. He drowned. Deb was in Singapore at the time seeing a friend who'd just moved there. I haven't caught up with her yet so have no idea how she is, but it's made us all sit up and take stock of the good things we have in our lives. I can only hope that I can be the good, suportive friend I should be.

On the flip side my dad arrived from the UK and it is good to see him. He's our first visitor and I had no idea how I'd feel about someone living with me but so far it's been good. Paul's brilliant with him and dad has already met more of our neighbours than we have !

Yesterday we took him shopping for a hat then went to Abingdon Minature Village (it was a bit hot for that though really) and then we went to Dolphin Quay so was a packed day. Today he had the morning off whilst I went to church and then we went to Marapana Wildlife park which was great - the kangaroos were eating out of our hands - literally ! Just as we were about to leave we lost power due to another bushfire close to our house (although not as close as the last one) but it was only out for aout 4 hours so not bad - the whole of Mandurah was out though - 56,000 homes and all the traffic lights. We managed to get chips for tea though as the chippie had one fryer running on gas !

The girls went back to school this week too and not a moment too soon, they were bored and I was bored of listening to them whinge. Back to normal now. Their sea swimming lessons start on Monday - both of them ! So some days we'll pop down and watch - how lucky are they ?! Just hope they're taught how to swim if caught in a rip - that's how Paul died, it's stuff they have to learn as they're not brought up with it.

Next week is junk collection week. Everyone puts out their unwanted junk on the verge and the council come and pick it up sometime in the week. Thing is, it's open house for anyone else to pick up so we have a constant stream of traffic coming round the cul de sac looking for treasures - our wrecked (cats got it) Ikea dandelion lamp with an english plug was taken - ???

The bushfire smell is quite bad now, hope it's not getting closer, I thought we'd be safe by the sea - apparently not !

09:20 - Sun 4 February 2007 - comments {2}

5 months

We've now been here 5 months and consider it home. The addition of the two cats have helped and a puppy may well be on the horizon too (well we live near a dog walking beach seems a shame not to have one !).

It was Pauls birthday last week and he only got a few cards from the UK - my mum, my dad, one of my aunts and Paul's mum and that was it. I really did feel for him but, if was bothered, he didn't show it. He worked as usual and then he opened his presents - I got him the alfresco lights which he's wanted since we got here but could never find so I think he was pleased. After tea we then went down to the beach for the sunset and Nakita went in swimming before we headed off to the Dome (cafe) on Mandurah foreshore for a late night coffee/milkshake. It's funny, but in the UK all celebrations seemed to centre around meals, here it doesn't and I like that.

Friday was Australia day and was a bit of a let down in Mandurah - the girls and I and some friends headed down to the foreshore and there were the Mandjar markets and some musicians until 2pm when everything packed up. The fireworks were cancelled too. Probably a good job as the temp went over 41 degrees and it was too hot. We were planning a suprise birthday party for Paul there but ended up heading home (and met Paul there instead) after cold showers and getting the aircon on. We had a cake and some pizza and a lot of clearing up to do but I think Paul enjoyed it. That night ended spectacularly too with a silent lightening storm and a bushfire just up the road.

Saturday was hot again and Paul was working so we lounged around a lot. In the evening we went up to Rockingham for a meal and tried to spot the dolphins (still looking, we're the only ones not to see a wild kangaroo or dolphin yet !). On the way back the bushfire area looked awesome. It was dark and there were loads of bits glowing red and smoke still rising and we had another silent lightening storm - mother nature can create fantatstic sights. Only downside is that it's like living in a bonfire - it stinks !

Yesterday the girls had a birthday party so went to the cinema to see 'Night in a Museum' - wish I'd gone too as the place has great air con and it was over 40 again and muggy. Thank goodness we have air con and fans here, couldn't do without them. People are even saying that their pool temps are over 30 so they're not that refreshing either ! Not that we'd know.

Well this week is another busy one - girls back to school on Wednesday and dad arrives Friday so I'd best get cracking !

11:04 - Mon 29 January 2007 - comments {1}

When do the kids go back ?

This is seriously too long off school. I've had enough and they've had enough. Still only a week to go, if we survive !

The weekend saw us up in Kings Park, Perth at the open air cinema. We drove up slowly along the scenic route and stopped at all the interesting places. We saw loads and loads of kite surfers - it must have been a good weekend for the wind ! When we got to Kings Park we had our picnic and enjoyed the views of Perth - it's amazing how quiet and reflective it is there. It's also amazing how clean the air is - and the pavements, in fact clean all over, fantastic. At the cinema we were given a glass of champagne, packet of crisps and a bean bed in a prime spot and settled down to watch Cars. It got a bit nippy but we had jackets so just need to remember blankets next time. The sky was clear, the stars bright and the film good. Paul enjoyed it, which was good as it was his birthday treat !

Sunday saw us working round the house trying to get things done ready for when dad gets over - it's only a week on Friday - how frightening is that - it's come round fast ! So Paul still hasn't had time to use his snorkel he bought at Christmas !

Other than that I've been very busy with the Body Shop. I had two parties this week and have another 3 booked. I only need two more before Feb 14th and I can get the make up at 75% off !! I have sent flyers out to the street and am handing out business cards like water so we'll see what happens.

Pauls birthday tomorrow and I'm hoping to finally watch the sunset at the beach - you never know !

08:08 - Mon 22 January 2007 - comments {0}

Time flys by ......

....when you're the driver of a train. Was that Chigley or Trumpton ? No idea but so true.

My dad arrives in just under three weeks, mum three weeks after he goes back and we've only been here 4.5 months yet feels like forever.

Christmas and New Year are distant memories although the girls Christmas presents from my mum showed up Friday and we still haven't had Christmas cards from my aunt and Uncle so we do get the odd reminder.

We have gained two cats, well a kitten and a cat (mum and son). The cat is Honey and kitten Casper and we've been having fun every since. The kitten is really daft and cute, does silly things and makes us all laugh. The cat is quite a bit Siamese and loves to chat, especially at night when you're trying to sleep. To say that we're all exhausted is an understatement.

I have now gained another job as a mystery shopper and earnt the grand sum of $33 in December but, like the Body Shop parties, I really enjoy doing it and it gets me out so is all good. Yesterday was an all day conference for the Body Shop which was a tester of the new products coming out and was fantastic. I so love all the products and am in my element selling them. I've only done two parties so far and have two more booked this week but really must try and get 5 more booked up by the end of Feb. I am asking everyone I know but they don't know anyone so it's catch 22. Anyone got any good ideas ? Other than that we've been to the beach both local and Rockingham and working on the house and boy does it need work. We want a pool put in but none of the companies seem to want to know as they're so busy. It's not as if I can book them in for sometime in the future ! Looks like I'll be digging the hole myself at this rate

04:09 - Mon 15 January 2007 - comments {0}