As part of our Easter weekend we did a practice run of Earth Hour - turning off all electrical items at the wall except for the fridge for one whole hour between 8pm-9pm last Saturday. We showed Jack what life was like before electricity with just candles, he said it looked boring.
Jim and I on the other hand had a lovely conversation without distractions of the TV or skype or emails or kettles or anything going buzz or beep. So we plan to do the same thing on the official Earth Hour on 29 March knowing we are symbolically saving the planet and saving some off leccy bill too.
We also had an Easter egg hunt, picnic and ripping up of floorboards and our old kitchen so a busy weekend by all accounts. But we are not killing ourselves on this house, doing it bit by bit and once the new kitchen is in, it could be quite a long bit before we do anything further to it.
Oh and the best of all we have a lovely new leather sofa. Hurrah!!!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy NOT St Patricks Day
I knew the Pope had decided that St Patricks Day was going to be 15 March this year and thank you for some people for correcting me when I sent out a text today. And I am glad the Pope has taken his valuable time to make such an important decision and when he decides that Christmas will be on 23 December instead I will still celebrate it on 25 December.
A date is still a date and Jack and I have just come in and opened up a parcel from my Mum with a green bell hat, two rosettes and a t-shirt saying The Leprechaun made me do it! and I have put the Corrs on (ok that won't last long, they are already annoying me) but when Jack finishes his homework I shall be teaching him some bad Irish dancing.
So the parades were on Saturday, the day was the 15 (according to the Pope) but today is still the 17 March and so I am celebrating St Patricks Day. So may the pot of gold be close to your heart from the traditionalist part of me. Aud
A date is still a date and Jack and I have just come in and opened up a parcel from my Mum with a green bell hat, two rosettes and a t-shirt saying The Leprechaun made me do it! and I have put the Corrs on (ok that won't last long, they are already annoying me) but when Jack finishes his homework I shall be teaching him some bad Irish dancing.
So the parades were on Saturday, the day was the 15 (according to the Pope) but today is still the 17 March and so I am celebrating St Patricks Day. So may the pot of gold be close to your heart from the traditionalist part of me. Aud
Ahhh!!!!! Happy St Patricks Day!!!!!
Happy St Paddys Day to you all.
I am at work early today, not dressed in anything remotely green, which is my usual custom on St Paddys Day all due to train work on Saturday....
Saturday started well enough - we drove into the city to pick up a real deal on an oven and hob and dropped it home with the intention of coming back into the city. But instead of driving back we thought we would be environmentally conscious and catch the train, mistake number 1 - there was works happening on the track so we had to go a little bit by train and then catch a bus the rest of the way. So by the time we got in, we felt sick and were running late, we missed the parade that was happening in the city, we only had time to get Jacks Passport photos done (more on this later) and I was meant to pop into work and forward on a file but we had to get back for Jack to attend a birthday party. So back on the train and the stupid bus, a rollercoaster ride later and 35 minutes late for the party.
Then Sunday, we had to go to Ikea and pick up our kitchen, we had ordered some worktops that had now come in. The main carcasses were out of stock, the payment because of a daily limit on cards we didnt know about ended up making it very stressful and Jack didn't get to play in the play area as it was full. Most of the day gone and then they over charged us so back and forth - we were grateful for the end of the day.
But then because of not being able to pop into work and forward on the file required for a 8.30am meeting today (Monday) I had to get up at 5.30 and catch a bus into work. So getting dressed in the dark and not being awake anyway I completely forgot my tradition of wearing green to celebrate the fellas day. But I made it on time to send the file but it got lost in cyberspace and so didnt arrive with the coach in time, so now I still have to send the file directly to the client instead anyway.
So fingers crossed at 7.53am on 17 March that my day can only get better.
But back to Jacks passport photo - we need to renew his passport - this will be a 10 year one so we tried to make him look as old as possible. Check our flicker photos later, we will put the photo on there - its amazing he looks about 8-9.
I am at work early today, not dressed in anything remotely green, which is my usual custom on St Paddys Day all due to train work on Saturday....
Saturday started well enough - we drove into the city to pick up a real deal on an oven and hob and dropped it home with the intention of coming back into the city. But instead of driving back we thought we would be environmentally conscious and catch the train, mistake number 1 - there was works happening on the track so we had to go a little bit by train and then catch a bus the rest of the way. So by the time we got in, we felt sick and were running late, we missed the parade that was happening in the city, we only had time to get Jacks Passport photos done (more on this later) and I was meant to pop into work and forward on a file but we had to get back for Jack to attend a birthday party. So back on the train and the stupid bus, a rollercoaster ride later and 35 minutes late for the party.
Then Sunday, we had to go to Ikea and pick up our kitchen, we had ordered some worktops that had now come in. The main carcasses were out of stock, the payment because of a daily limit on cards we didnt know about ended up making it very stressful and Jack didn't get to play in the play area as it was full. Most of the day gone and then they over charged us so back and forth - we were grateful for the end of the day.
But then because of not being able to pop into work and forward on the file required for a 8.30am meeting today (Monday) I had to get up at 5.30 and catch a bus into work. So getting dressed in the dark and not being awake anyway I completely forgot my tradition of wearing green to celebrate the fellas day. But I made it on time to send the file but it got lost in cyberspace and so didnt arrive with the coach in time, so now I still have to send the file directly to the client instead anyway.
So fingers crossed at 7.53am on 17 March that my day can only get better.
But back to Jacks passport photo - we need to renew his passport - this will be a 10 year one so we tried to make him look as old as possible. Check our flicker photos later, we will put the photo on there - its amazing he looks about 8-9.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Who needs celebrities to be with it.....
The news is coming quick and fast at the moment.
Gosia came to spend the weekend, it was just like old times and she had some wonderful news - G&P are going to be parents. She is currently 14 weeks pregnant and was taking it all in her stride. So we wish Gosia and Paul all our best wishes and we look forward to seeing Gosia good and fat when we stay with with them in July.
And Del and Jo are expecting Carr No 2 in the summer so its not just the celebrities who seem to be all pregnant - so well done to you all.
Gosia came to spend the weekend, it was just like old times and she had some wonderful news - G&P are going to be parents. She is currently 14 weeks pregnant and was taking it all in her stride. So we wish Gosia and Paul all our best wishes and we look forward to seeing Gosia good and fat when we stay with with them in July.
And Del and Jo are expecting Carr No 2 in the summer so its not just the celebrities who seem to be all pregnant - so well done to you all.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friends that come and go
Our good friends Mart & Daz are now back in England after a two week stint with us. Now they openly admit that they don't read our blog so I could say anything I like here but I must admit that they were great house guests and we can't wait for them to come back again for the babysitting, washing, counselling, tarot and entertainment services both with and without alcohol - we had a great time and we were so sorry to see them leave and I think they were sorry to go too but for different reasons.
But Gosia arrives tonight after working hard in Melbourne for the last few days, so we plan lots of sun, sea and relaxation for the weekend.
Friends are great. And we are lucky to have them. Have a great weekend everyone, we plan too.
But Gosia arrives tonight after working hard in Melbourne for the last few days, so we plan lots of sun, sea and relaxation for the weekend.
Friends are great. And we are lucky to have them. Have a great weekend everyone, we plan too.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
One year in Australia so Jacks first blog
I like the animals and my school.
I liked visiting Melbourne because it's really fun.
I like the beach.
I like going on the climbing frame in Manly.
I like it that the geckos are catching all the flies, moths and bugs to keep us safe from bites.
I don't like that the trees are going on fire and that the birds could get killed.
I don't like the big bump when you go into Manly train station because it makes me go up.
Love Jack
I liked visiting Melbourne because it's really fun.
I like the beach.
I like going on the climbing frame in Manly.
I like it that the geckos are catching all the flies, moths and bugs to keep us safe from bites.
I don't like that the trees are going on fire and that the birds could get killed.
I don't like the big bump when you go into Manly train station because it makes me go up.
Love Jack
Monday, March 3, 2008
We finally found the secret island everyone knows about
At the weekend we visited North Stradbrooke island just off the coast of Cleveland (so pretty close) to find an amazing series of quiet beaches, stunning cliff top walks and white sand. Now everyone knows about this place and it is a favourite camping site but it has taken us a year to get there.....but now that we have found it, we will certainly not take as long to get there so when you come to visit, dont forget Straddie Island for surf, sea and relaxation. It made our weekend into a holiday and when we eventually wash all the sand out of clothes and hair we will post some photos on our flickr page.
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