Winter's Here? Already?

Okay, it's been almost 2 weeks and the temperature is chilly as chilly can get, right?  Yeah... it is.  The moment my folks go on holidays somewhere the weather changes.  Where they are, it's nice, warm, sunny and beautiful! When they phoned up and asked how it was here, I told them the truth that we were freezing our butts off here in Brissie... Mum didn't believe me!  But I have one question, if it's cold now, what is Winter going to be like when it really does arrive next month?

Yeah, I've been wondering that too...

And the best thing about the cold weather is that I'm enjoying getting into the stodgy foods.  I love cooking the warmer meals as I'm a Winter loving person.  I love cooking up thick soups, making cannelloni and using the slow cooker for those wonderful stews that I mix with pasta or rice and eat with a couple slices of bread and then end up sipping some nice, hot tea afterwards.  Nothing like it!

Okay, Winter has its downside - like the cold and flu season.  But then, I don't mind that as I don't get sick all that often during Winter, it's always afterwards or before the season I get sick with something.  Anyway, I'm looking at keeping myself well this year.  I don't get the flu and intend to keep it that way.  It's just a matter of taking good care of yourself and knowing when to get your butt to bed and eating the right foods.  So, what do you do to keep the colds and flus away?  

Winter is another time of year where I love to read too.  Seeing it usually gets pretty cold, and I don't get outside in the garden much (as it doesn't grow as much as it does in Summer), I'm usually indoors reading, writing or tidying up the house.  This year, I'll be tidying up and reading.
You see, in a few weeks, I'll be going into the Wesley Hospital for an operation where I'll be off my feet for about a week, and I'll need a family member to look after me.  My Mum will be caring for me while I'm here at home; and so she'll be staying here at my place with me for that time.  The operation is to get a cyst taken off one of my ovaries as it's been giving me problems lately.  And then, while I'm under, I'll have and IUD put in as contraception... seeing the Pill didn't do me any favours.  I'll be back on my feet in no time flat; but otherwise, I'm not allowed to do any heavy lifting (like the laundry, washing up, putting out the rubbish or the rubbish bin or cooking anything) for about week; so that's why Mum's going to be there.  

Anyway, I hope to all organised by the time this operation comes around.  I'll be getting my house and bedroom cleaned up, things put away, the bedroom vacuumed and dusted and tidied up and the lounge room in such a condition where Mum and use it as a bedroom at night and during the day, it looks like a lounge room and it can be easily cleaned up and used by anyone - including me if I don't want to be in bed all the time during the week.  It's just a matter of cleaning up, putting stuff away that's not currently being used and making sure things are readily accessible for Mum.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember I'm always here.      

Busy Old Weekend

This weekend has been one of me doing a lot after a week of not having any time to myself.  I have felt as though I haven't been able to sit down and do anything for myself; and I really want to.

But this weekend has been a time for me to catch up with everything that has been going on.  I mowed my lawn, washed up, did my laundry - all of my laundry - and then put the rubbish, put the cure-all stuff in the fish tank (which turned the water green!) and then, I took the laundry off the clothes horse and put the latter object away, too the clothes upstairs and began to pack yet again to come here to my folks' house while they're away on holidays.  

This time around, it didn't take long to pack as I already have the bags sitting out for me to use.  So, I was halfway there.  Anyway, I unpacked a few things I didn't use last time and looked around for the spray-on varnish I was sure I brought home last week, but couldn't find it anywhere.   So I didn't think about it; thinking it might have be left here (I mean, where else could I have left it?).  Well, I arrived here and found I had left the varnish here, right on the speaker next to my shopping trolley... I had forgotten to pack the silly thing!
I unpacked everything, opened the house up and checked my mail then thought to head off to the shops to get my medication at the chemist.  I wasn't gone an hour when I returned and found Mum and Dad had tried to call.  So, I called them back and Mum and I had a lovely chat about everything.  Where they're holidaying is nice and hot, but when I told her it was freezing old here at night and only just getting over 20 degrees here, she was amazed.  She said it didn't sound like Brisbane weather at all, but she was enjoying herself.

This time around, I took out some books, put in my external drive and added in more clothes to wear as I didn't have enough last time.  And the good thing is that I have enough food here - unlike last time. Well, tonight, I hope it doesn't get too cold.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm, and remember, I'm always here.     

Bussin' It!

Today, I felt as thought I spent most of my day sitting on a bus, waiting for a bus, or running for a bus!  Phew!  How exhausting that is for all of those things.  But I spent a lot of time around buses and it was to visit two furniture stores in my area to look at and get quotes on a new bedroom suite.  Now, I'm hoping to get something really nice before I go into hospital mid-next month and have it installed by that time too.  
But it's the running around, shopping for the right prices that I really hate.  It's not a lot of fun to do.  And when you do go running around for the prices, you have to be flexible enough to upgrade from you expectations of what you want to what you might have to get.  

I want to replace my double bed with a new double bed.  However at Super A-Mart Furniture Store at Woodridge, I found that if I went for a double bed suite, there were only two styles to pick from.  But if I upgraded to a Queen Bedroom suite, I could pick from the rest of the range at a cheaper price.  Really weird don't you think?  Anyway, I got myself the quotes I wanted from the place and left... not really happy with the prices I got, but I still had one other place to look at before long.  

Then, I was off to Suncorp for some money (just in case I had to catch a cab home and couldn't wait for a bus or had missed it and it was late or too early; you never can tell what happens with the bus service these days).  On the way there, I went to Woodys'  and found they had a huge array of movies for $5.00 each.  So, I looked around and picked out three I loved and bought them, then I was off to the bank and back to the bus stop where I caught the bus to the Underwood Marketplace to price bedroom suites there at Fantastic Furniture.

That place was good.  But if I wanted to add something that wasn't part of the package it became overly expensive and not really worth my while.  So, I walked out of there wondering if I'd be better off building my own bedroom suite than buying one - would it be cheaper and better-made seeing I'd know what would go into it?  Probably, seeing what my Facebook friends are saying about Super A-Mart and Fantastic Furniture... and none of it is good.

So, I've been to two place people have told me aren't good to get furniture from today.  I'm tired, sore and exhausted.  Friends have suggested to head off to the rabbit warren, better known as IKEA, and see how I go there.  But I really hate that place as I always feel as though I'm a 6-year-old again and I'm lost at the Exhibition and can't find my way out.  Everything's too bright and I've been lost there before... not fun... and all we wanted to do was buy a large picture frame there and it took us hours to get out.

I'm hoping to have the bedroom suite bought, installed and my bedroom fixed up by the time my operation comes around.  Oh, what's happening with me getting an operation?  Well, I'm getting an ovarian cyst removed and an IUD put in at the Wesley Hospital on 18th, June.  Not a comfortable procedure, but it will help me with the problems of my cycle and assist me through menopause when it arrives.  I just want to get a new bedroom suite so I can be comfortable for when I come home as I'll need bedrest; and there's nothing worse than not being able to be comfortable when you need to sleep.

So, that was my Friday for ya... and you know what's going on in my life in around a months' time.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.     

Busy Week So Far... And It's Not Over!

I've had a very busy week so far and it's only Wednesday.  Over the weekend, it poured rain, but I made it to Mum and Dad's place to stay for a few days.  
On Sunday, I settled in, opened the house up a little, then it became really cold and I jumped online there, found it didn't work as well as it could have.  So, I downloaded Mozilla Firefox and then everything worked.  Before Dad gets back, I'll be uninstalling it off his computer so he doesn't fuss.  
Anyway, I made dinner that night and a shopping list for the next day (as I found there wasn't much in the way of what I normally ate here at home there) and then watched a few hours of 'Angel' and went to bed at around midnight.  However, I didn't get much sleep.  Some Indians from up the cul-de-sac opposite walked to the corner across the road and stood there smoking, talking and making phone calls for half an hour until I called out to move it along that they had woken me up.  I was polite about it and they apologised and didn't do it again.
On Monday, I was out the door early to walk to Woolworths to pick up a few things so I could stay there.  I also picked up a large 900gram tin of chocolates for the Queen Beez Craft Group.  Seeing I couldn't spend Mother's Day with my Mum, I thought to give back to the ladies who I spent my afternoon with that day.  But there were a few showers between the time I left the house and my arrival to the community centre up the road.  And what an afternoon!  We totally enjoyed ourselves chatting and laughing.  A lady sat next to me who's also has Epilepsy, but hers showed up when she went through menopause while I was born with mine.  She was lovely and good with jokes and laughed a lot.  Another two ladies and us talked for the whole time while we did our thing.  And my tin of chocolates went down a right treat too!  Everyone loved them.  I did come home with them though.
When I arrived home, I sat down at the computer and spent the next 3 hours from 3:10pm - 6pm writing.  I had signed up for a Writing Race on Facebook, so did my race at a time that suited me.  It was great fun and I enjoyed it, seeing it got me through chapter 3 of book 4 of Fry Nelson easily.  Then, I spent Monday night at my parents' house and I ate a nice stir-fry I made there.  Then watched 'Supernatural' on their massive television (I've never seen it on a huge television before and it was lots of fun!).  Anyway, after that, I washed up, closed up the house and turned on the computer; as it was still very early, and got back into my writing until almost midnight when I turned off the computer and went to bed.
Tuesday morning was spent running around packing all my stuff away.  I also made the bed, put everything I had brought with me into my backpack, throwing out food that was off in the bin and then checking the mail and paying a few things for Mum.  By the time the cab arrived and I got home, I realised I forgot to take out the rubbish!  Oops!  Well, I'll be back there on Friday afternoon to spend the weekend there until Monday or Tuesday afternoon before coming back home.  But before I left, I grabbed some meat out of the fridge and went out the back door to where I spotted two Magpies strutting around the yard.  They both began to climb the steps as they sang... the next thing I knew, I had seven birds gathered around me all vying for food.  Beeper was there next to me and so was a few others who ate right out of my fingers and one sitting right on my knee!  Before long, I ran out of food and they just stood around looking at me.  I showed my empty hands and stood and went inside, closing the door.  As I did, they all flew away, knowing I'd be back soon enough to feed them again.  
Now, I'm back home, I'm kinda relieved to be here.  I don't like being away from my own things for long as I know where everything is, I like my own kitchen, enjoy my own stereo system and like how I know how my entertainment system works too (which is a lot easier than how my folks' one works).  Anyway, I'm back over there tomorrow or Friday, I've yet to make up my mind.  I've got things to do here.  Until my next post, take care keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.       

Happy Mother's Day!

Today, I'm at my parents' house, but they're on holidays; so I'm here on my own.  Mum and Dad took a few days' break to Far North Queensland... and this break went over Mother's Day.  So, this is our first time where we all will be apart on this day (I think; as I don't remember this happening before). 

Anyway, my week has been really busy before this, and so I haven't had time to write here for the last few days.  Since last Wednesday, I've been doing laundry, washing up, tidying up, finding books as I go and figuring out what to bring here to my folks' house while they're not here.  Yep, I'm house sitting again.  It's not exactly everything I want to do, but I've been able to bring along a few things before I arrived so I don't have to lug a massive suitcase with me today... at least that's something.

But today, the weather just wasn't on my side.  I had planned to be here this morning - before lunch actually - but I really was put off by the rain.  So, there I was with all my laundry done, the washing up all done, the counters all clean, the feeder in the fish tank for the fishies, and I was ready and packed... and I was stuck!  I had packed clothes and my art gear for tomorrow and some books to get my nose into for the next day or so, and some writing material too, and I looked outside to find it absolutely pouring at 10am.  So, I waited it out for 2 hours; and once there was a half hour break in the weather, I got myself packed up and ready to head out, called a cab and rushed out to the front gate, where the cab showed up within a few minutes.  And by the time we arrived here at my folks' house, clouds were coming over... now it's overcast again.  I got here just in time for the cool to settle in and the rain to arrive for tonight.

What I'm really looking forward to is getting back to my place where I have a Pumpkin, Walnut and Spinach Cannelloni waiting for me in the fridge on Tuesday or Wednesday night... yummo!  I won't have to cook anything, just bung it into the oven and heat it for 35 minutes with a bit of water.  How delicious is that?  

So, that was today's things... and last weeks'... I've also been out at the Logan Art Gallery yesterday where I was offered up a workshop to attend where it would help me turn my hobby into a business.  There were around 40 people there to listen to accountants, lawyers and other business people who told us the secrets to getting ourselves into the business world... and you know, it's not that hard.  Brian Tucker, an artist who is an accountant by trade, told us that once we want to see a bottom line and begin selling our wares to people and not give them away, that's when we become aware that our hobby is becoming a business.  It was something that struck home with me as I've never given away anything of mine that I've shown to people; I've always sold my artworks.  The first paintings I sold were bought for $15 each.  I don't know where they are now, but the people who bought them loved them.  
The lawyer, John Kenny, was great in letting us know about the legalities of Intillectual Property; who owns our works, and who commissions our works and what happens with copywright and trademarks and how to go about getting them the right ways.  He gave a very interesting speech.  However, he nearly didn't make it to the gallery as he had never been to Logan City; and I gave him directions over the phone to the place.  When he arrived he said they were very specific and he was so happy I was there talking to him through the traffic of Logan as it was very confusing to him; especially the road markings.  John also stuck around and bought something for his wife for Mother's Day as well from the Gallery Store and I gift-wrapped it for him too.  

This brings me to today.  A busy little lot of days where I've ended up somewhere else besides where I normally would be.  But life wouldn't be life without the unexpected happening, would it?  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.   

Mid-Week

It's another Wednesday, another pay day, another shopping day to fill the house with food and groceries.  I was woken from a nice doze at 7am by the rubbish truck this morning and people running out with their bins to line them up (I had put mine out last night).  So, I snuggled under my duvet and went back to sleep as the truck grumbled closer to my house and under my bedroom window... yeah it has to come right up to the front window of my place to collect the ten or so bins.  Not a great wake-up call when it's cold and in the middle of Winter.  But I've lived here for a decade and have sometimes slept through the whole bin collection noises.

But today, I had a lot to do.  I had the pet store to go to pick up some 4-day feeders for the fish and a pump.  This is because the fish tank pump isn't looking great... it seems to be barely moving the water, so last Friday I bought some anti-algae stuff, but it hasn't worked.  And once I pulled apart some of the pump today, when I got home, I thought that it might be a fungus that's bundging it up.  So, I'll see what happens with an anti-fungus stuff; and if that doesn't work?  Well, I'll install the new pump and take out the old one, and remove the lid and put a glass lid on top.  I have just checked on the tank (it's been about 3 hours) and it's starting to move water more, but I'm sure I need the anti-fungal stuff in the water to help it clean better.

Otherwise, today, I got in and did my shopping with my shopping list on my iPod and got everything I needed on it; well, almost.  I didn't get the Nivea soap as Coles didn't have it; and yet they have everything else to do with Nivea.  Strange how that happens.  I got an all-natural shampoo and conditioner.  And while at Coles, the sample lady, Val was away from her post for a bit, and the meatballs she was cooking were beginning to burn.  So, I turned a few of them over and around.  When she came back, she was amazed somebody didn't just let them burn - and even more amazed I turned them as I'm vegetarian.  Smiling I said that I can still cook meat for anyone I have visiting for dinner.  She was so happy I do that for people; and that I know what burning meat smells like.

But today, I got home early with plenty of money in my pocket from my shopping trip.  I managed to keep over $50 spare.  However, I still have to buy fruit and veggies tomorrow morning and then I'll see how much I have left over then; and I'll be able to work with it for the next few weeks.  Then it won't be long before I'm being looked after by Mum for a week and before that I'll be getting my new bedroom suite.  However, I'll fill you guys in on what's happening in about a week or so about Mum staying here.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.