[Shad]

Afternoon all,
Came down to try and get my boarding pass for the plane tomorrow. The system tells me I can book in upto 24 hours before the flight departs, but guess what for some reason or another it is not yet open. I guess 24 hours doesn't actually mean literally 24 hours, just sometime about 24 hours before the flight. I'll give it another half hour or so and then let them know about the 24 hour non service service (if you get what I mean)

Yesterday I went to a place called Yanchep National Park - well I went to a couple of beaches as well - no cliffs, I forgot that the Western Australian Coastal strip is really just a giant sand dune. Anyway I wandered about, saw some Koala asleep in their trees (one conveniently moved himself to where a sprinkler hose was spraying and slept solidly through his shower. It was bloody hot and far too hot to walk too much so a bit of a wasted day. However I did enjoy most of it. Went down another cave, but nothing exciting there really. A bit of a boring cave really.

Ruth - so good to have you home and back posting with it. Having seen a knee operation on reality tv, I'm not surprised you are hurting and no doubt the entire leg is black and blue as well. Just rest up and take it easy. You can think about repaying the friends and family later. Do not feel guilty for accepting help. After all you give out enough of it.

Madcat - it is raining in Brisbane - really and truly raining and has been for some time. Queensland has been hit by FLOODS - yep a couple of weeks ago 3/4 of the State was under drought relief and no 2/3 of the State is under flood relief. Crazy country.
Here in Perth it has not rained through the entire month of January and most of December before that. They are complaining about the lack of water now. The meteorologists can't get it right to save themselves and we are promised a storm tonight - we were last night as well but it just got hotter. 37 today (around 104). I went out to breakfast at Cottesloe Beach (where the beautiful people go) I thought I would get in early but the place was packed at 8.30am on a Sunday for heavens sake.

Mel, we can chat next week, whenever you want except for Monday. I'll be doing a full shop the day after I get home. Got no idea where I will put it yet but will find some place out of the rain!
Melting Brie cheese what a waste of good chomping cheese - goes well with a rice cracker and a pinot gris or a pinot grigio or a sauvignon semillon blanc or a verdelho or a coombard - well just about any wine really!

Hiya Rennie - have fun with the kids on a snowed in day.

Check in is still not available. I might have to come back tonight when i start looking for dinner. Drat!!!!

Not be back here until I get home Monday night. Yeehaa




Welcome Upswife - nice to have some new faces around.

[MELODY525]

LOOKS LIKE HOLLY AND ELLEN ARE SNOWED IN AT THE MOMENT. 10 " STAY WARM GALS. AND GOOD LUCK HOLLY WITH THE NEW VENTURE. I COULD USE A NEW LIFESTYLE AND A NEW "DO"


RUTH RIGHT BACH TO YOU!

WHERE IS M ISS HAPPY? CARLA? MADCAT? PAINTER? CEEJAY IS IN PARAGOULD, PATTY? NAE? SHAKER IS BEATING UP HER MIL OVER THE TICKET PRICES
AND ALL OUR OTHER WORLDLY CHICKS ARE MISSING. MEADOW? ARE ALL OF YOU JUST LURKING?

SHAD~ JEN HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM CHECKING IN WITH THE CRUISE. WHAT PART OF 24 HOURS DON'T THESE COMPANIES UNDERSTAND?? WE CAN FORGET THE PHONE TILL AFTER THIS COMING WEEKEND. I AM A BIT BOOKED UP THIS WEEK. WE HAVE AUDITORS COMING IN MARCH AND THE ACCTS NEED TO BE HERE THIS MONTH.
BUT WE'LL WORK IT IN THERE SOMEWHERE. BESIDES...IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO SETTLE DOWN. SHOP. AND MAKE CONTACT WITH BOTH BOY AND CAT IF I WAS TO EXPLORE A CAVE I'S BE HAPPY IT WAS BORING AND HELD NO SURPRISES....ESPECIALLY THE CREEPING CRAWLING KIND SAFE TRIP HOME

YESTERDAY I WAS GENTLY REMINDED OF THE AUDITOR THING. I HAD FORGOTTEN. WITH ALL THAT IS GOING ON, THE MEN HAVE REFUSED TO TAKE THE KEY NOW. I CANNOT BLAME THEM. TOO MANY SHADY THINGS GOING ON. NUFF SAID. SO.......
THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK AROUND MY DENTIST/DOCTOR SCHEDULE AND THAT'S FINE WITH THEM. I KNOW A WEEK IN ADVANCE WHERE AND WHEN I WILL BE GOING. IT ALL WORKS OUT. ELECTION WEEK SO IT WILL BE BUSY WITH THAT ALSO. SPACING MY "JOBS" AND CUT DOWN MY TIMES TOO.
NOTHING NEW. RESTING. FEELING MORE "NORMAL".
BOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING WRONG THERE FOR AWHILE BUT IT SEEMS TO BE FADING. I AM THINKING OF SHOOTING PHIL THE GROUNDHOG. WHO IS HE TO TELL ME THE WINTER IS GOING TO BE LONGER ANYWAY I REFUSE TO LISTEN.
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY AND HOME SHADDIE!

[MELODY525]

RECIPE #14

SPREAD A FLOUR TORTILLA WITH SOME THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING.
TOP WITH SLICED HAM, SLICED CORNED BEEF, SLICED SWISS CHEESE AND DELI COLESLAW.
ROLL UP, PLACE ON A PLATE AND MICROWAVE 1 MINUTE TO MELT THE CHEESE.

[Ruthxxx]

Sunday - still crabby and sore. I did spend last night without a "sitter" but Claire will be back here fussing in a few minutes. Hanging in!

[happy2bme]

We seem to have FINALLY found some flooring for the front hall. We were trapsing through the showroom yesterday - back and forth, forth and back when DH called me to see a pattern on the floor and walking back I saw a sample board with this gorgeous white tile with brown veins running through it. Mostly white, just enough brown to pick up the wood in the stairs and the dining room. What is that I say? Oh it just came in - it's marble. Marble, oh I say anticipating way too much money. Actually the price with labor (of a nice Irish installer as meticulous as DH) was less than we were quoted by the other store for ceramic tile. So we brought the sample home and DH said we could get it

Just in case it didn't work out I brought home 3 other samples of ceramic tile. The browns don't work - too dark, the beiges don't work - too washed out and the terra cotta tones look good in the store but don't seem to look right either. We can't do hardwood because we have 2 different colors of wood already - one color in the parquet floors in adjacent rooms and another color on the stairway leading upstairs. Carpeting does not make sense either and even if we did it, we'd have to change out the carpet in the parlor/office next to the hall which DH said ain't happening because 1) it's the best carpet in the house and 2) our parlor is our office where we have regular cherry wood office furniture, complete with overhead cabinets and DH said it's too much of a hassle to take apart and rebuilt (tho it will have to get moved around to paint one day SOON I hope).

So yesterday I looked up how to care for marble floors before I make this big committment. (I ain't no fool ) So you can't use harsh or abrasive cleaners. Ok, simply a consideration in chosing a darker grout color. You have to be careful not to spill acidic stuff on the floor - don't plan on carrying lemon juice or vinegar across the hall. Because it's stone - the floor is cool in the summer - cat might like that and downright frigid in the winter. Actually we have thick tile in there now and DH said the floor is cold now. Tracked in grit and dirt will eventually scratch the floor. Well DH loves to vacumn and he has been on a campaign to get me to take off my outside shoes when I come in from the back so as to minimize the amount of yard schmutz I track in all the time so that he doesn't have to vacumn so often Guess I could do that. They advise running a dry mop over the floors on a regular basis. No problem as I actually have one of those wooly things I find fun to use. The only thing I don't like so far is that after you wash the floor, they advise you to dry it so it doesn't look streaky. It's extra work but I guess I could do that, they have those mops with the microfiber cloth for dusting and the area we are putting the floor into is not that big at all.

A little voice says don't do the marble but we have been looking for so long and have made more than a simple effort to find something which at this point is starting to really bug me. I just want to get it decided and move on.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Now wasn't it better when I wasn't saying that much?

Enjoy your Sunday chicks.

[Hollyhock]

Happy, that sounds really nice! You reasoning is quite sound!

Ruthie- happy to see you my dear!! Pain meds a Claire would be quite the trip! LOL!!

UPS- I am not so certain it is my attitude that is more positive.Has a lot more to do with hubby being present and involved and mostly pleasant.LOL!

Home from church. Winding up for out pancake supper on Tuesday evening.
Much cleaning to do. Going skating at 2pm. Need some groceries for lunches.

HUGS!!!!!

[MELODY525]

HAPPY~ SO WHOSE WINNING? THE DEVIL OR ANGEL ???? YOUR NEW AVATAR REMINDS ME OF THAT OLD SONG. ALSO WHAT 100 DAY THING? DID I MISS SOMETHING.....OR MORE LIKELY FORGET SOMETHING????? SAL THE PAINTER PUTS IN MARBLE FLOORS AND LOVES THEM. BUT HE'S ITALIAN AND LOVES ALL THINGS MARBLE!

[upswife]

HI all, Just a quick one before everyone comes over for the big game! Everything is up and running, and the food smells soo o good... been in the slow cooker since before church this morning! I almost wish for warmer weather, but then I'd be in Shad's shoes!

Holly~attitude was not the right word, but I couldn't think of it....I believe I meant outlook...you seem to be much cheerier now with some problems taken care of...Enjoy the snow....I am hoping it melts soon!

[Madcat]

I’ve been lurking the last couple of days, catching up on stuff I had on the PVR, doing some work, and cleaning the apartment. You know, cleaning the oven is the grossest job on the planet (especially when it hadn’t been done for a while) not to mention that there really is no way to get in there with any level of back or knee comfort. It looks good now, but it was a messy, painful job. Grr. What I wouldn’t do for a self-cleaning oven – or a maid! I think my shoulders and arms are going to let me know about this tomorrow.

Happy~ I am with Mel’s painter friend and I say, go Marble!! It always looks so luxurious and stylish. You could always get an area rug or other covering for the high traffic areas to give it a bit of protection. And just think – you won’t have to look for flooring any more!!

Holly~ You write one great business profile.! Good work!

Ruth~ Good to see you here and hanging in there. Feel free to be crabby. Crabby burns calories.

Mel~ I’m here. I’m here. You just couldn’t see me because I’m short. Sounds as if you are going to be busy but that you also have your ringmaster hat on and are making all the lions line up properly and do their tricks. That’s good to hear.

Shad~ I had no idea that the beautiful people ever got up before noon. It sounds as if you are at least enjoying your last couple of days before you head home. Aus is a lot like Canada in that there are these huge differences in weather from one coast or one areas to the other. You can’t really talk about typical Aus weather, can you? Still 104 might be kinda nice for a few days. Though is it humid? I don’t like humid.

Upswife~ I don’t think I’m said welcome to you yet, so hey, welcome aboard. Stay dry in the snow and enjoy the game.

Rennie~ Howdy nice lady!

Hi to all those missing or not on this page!

I’m going to go and make some turkey chilli for dinner. It’s the easiest recipe in the world, and it makes enough for two meals for us this week. Tonight we’ll have it with some Naan bread I picked up and then later this week we’ll have it either in oven Coney Fries or poured over a baked potato. Quick and easy meals. Gosh guys, it makes me feel all virtuous to cook ahead of time. I am such a Domestic Goddess today. Maybe I should go lie down until the feeling passes!

[shaker]

Morning ladies, another lovely Monday here, we did have a spot of rain yesterday but we needed it so back to being better today.

Ruth am glad you are back safe and sound, my uncle had a knee op, was a replacement knee he had and he was running up mountains and said he felt like a kid again, so I hope it all works out for the best!!!

Had a busy w/end with the kids, driving around to various things, had a bit of couch time but not as much as I would've liked I was over the shin splints by Friday night but have been too scared to go walking again and think I will wait for my to come back.. the very good news is that DH rang the guy back after dropping it off to check on warranty as I had forgotten that bit and the guy said there will be no charge !!.. so that is enough to make me happy I just need it back now.

We have Wed off is Waitangi day - think it should be renamed to NZ Day but never mind, I'll take a day off work no matter what it is called!

Whoops I am back, miss me.. ha ha.. someone came in so I had to quickly get rid of that on the screen.

Happy the marble sounds right posh if you ask me.. I have just got the normal tiles, very unforgiving if you drop somthing that's for sure.. post piccys when they are done !!!

Well that was all anyway Shad you sound so busy when are you having to go back to work? the kids started school today so excited they were, DS has a new school they call it intermediate here, is the one between primary and college.. they still split them here although new primary schools that get built seem to incorporate those 2 years into them which is better, saves buying a whole new uniform for just 2years. They advised no hair gel DS is not happy about that, said he will say he has no gel just product in his hair.. ha ha bye all.

[ceejay52]

Just lost a post. So I'll just say hello.

UPSWIFe

[Shad]

Morning all,
Well here I am, at the airport. Geez you lot get the lowdown on all my doings. I'm early but it took a huge amount of time to get rid of the house keys and the rental car keys and get ALL my luggage to the check in desk. I should have arms like a Russian weightlifter shortly! Didn't look at the scales. Too much like hard work just lifting the darn things on to it. So I am finally on my way. Better text the DS2 to let him know when to pick me up.

Happy - the tiles sound great. Don't look on it as work for yourself - treat it as a asset upgrade. It will make the value of the house better. I guess the next thing is the door. And a thick woolly rug will make all the difference in the winter for the tootsies. Found an Irish Tiler???? Please check on him frequently and ensure he has the white side up!!! Have you checked his references and ensured he is a good tiler???? Does he work for the tile place? Ask if you can see some of his work. If you are just having the one tile, then it shouldn't take too long and shouldn't have too much cutting - worst bar none aspect of tiling. Will have to see this for myself!!! Hmmmm.

Mel - not too many moving objects in caves these days. If the cave has water there are maybe some yabbie/ prawn type swimmers. There are a couple of cave dwelling spiders as well and the odd bat. However they all hear you coming down the stairs and get out of the way. They don't like the lights anyway. Just let me know when you want to chat. I'm not free (but I'm always reasonable) I'll be available during the weeks as well for a while. Although I need to visit the gym at 6.00am in the morning - weekdays - so we may have to think about a different time. I couldn't even checkin this morning - the machine could not access my details????? I am going, I've gotta go, let me outa here -

Ruth - of course you are crabby and sore - has it been a week yet??? Give it a chance. Too much pressure and you won't get the results, not enough same story so it's a fine line you are treading. I had a friend who had a hip replacement. Geez he looked so good six weeks later. It seemed all the pain lines had gone from his face and he looked years younger.

Holly - the business profile looked good - however - are you supposed to advertise on here??? Just thought I would ask. I thought you did it very well.

Ellen - hope you enjoy the game and it works out as you want it to. Who were you barracking for??? Hope it isn't in opposition to Happy's DH!!!! Oh dear, trouble coming in the thread!

Madcat - have to agree about the grossest job on the planet - particularly if it isn't your dirt!!! like the oven in the flat wasn't. In NZ I had an oven that you could actually take the door off and it was much easier to clean. You didn't have to lean to oneside and reach and then stick your head in and the light stayed on to let you see what was happening. Horrid job.
If you are the 'Domestic Goddess' then I saw you on tv last night. Tasting and sampling and checking etc. You really shouldn't have had that strawberry mousse you know!!!! But you are looking good on it!
Perthites think it is humid here. But I got news for them. No it ain't. It's actually quite nice because if you can get out of the sun, then it cooler and pleasant. Can't do that when the humidity is way up there!!! No sirree. Better share the Turkey recipe - or is it the one LindaT does??

Shaker - I thought about Waitangi day yesterday. Might see if I can get some bods over for a barbeque, but then since it is not a holiday over here and it is raining hard in Brisbane, it may have to wait for a while. We might need to dry out somewhat.
Good going on the warranty for the treadie. Hope it comes home soon.

Poor Ceejay. I hate it when that happens.

Okay. Time to move on to other things. I need to check the bank. Rental place doesn't seem to think I paid my last two weeks rent. Gotta go. See ya.

[Shy Moment]

If I never see whipped potatoes again it will be to soon. Spent 12 hours this weekend scooping out whipped potatoes at the soup kitchen. It was very hard to see so many out of work and needing help. Lifted my sprites to see all the folks there to help those people. Rather it was a free meal, a kind word or a hand me down coat for some of them. A lot of people cared and gave all they could. Funny, seemed to be the poor folk that were there helping and giving all they could. Guess the rich folk where to busy sitting at home resting from their busy week.

[MELODY525]

GO GIANTS GO
WOW WHAT AN UPSET!!! I TOLD MY DAUGHTER THE GIANTS WOULD WIN. THEY'RE ON A WINNING STREAK. EVERYONE LAUGHED AT ME. WELL THEY GOT TO THE SUPER BOWL AND MANNING MARCHED THEM RIGHT DOWN TO THE FINAL GOAL LINE!!!
I AM NOT A SPORTS FAN AT ALL BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I WAS THRILLED AND EVEN SHED A TEAR. WE NEEDED A BOOST OF MORALE IN THIS NECK OF THE WOODS. THANK YOU GIANTS!
I MAY BE MISSING ON AND OFF THIS WEEK. TODAY BEGINS PREP FOR THE ELECTION TOMORROW. SUPER BOWL AND NOW SUPER TUESDAY. FOOD SHOPPING MIGHT BE WEDS AND DENTIST IS THURS.
HANG IN THERE AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!!!
SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS JUST IN CASE ANY ONE NEEDS THEM AND I DON'T GET BACK. CANVASSING THE BUILDING STARTS IN A FEW MINUTES WITH THE EARLY BIRDS.
HAPPU MONDAY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK

SHAD~ GLAD YOU GOT THE APARTMENT SQUARED AWAY AND HAD TIME FOR A POST. HOPE THEY FINALLY LET YOU BOARD AND YOU ARE SAFE AND SOUND AT HOME. GOOD YOU GO TO THE GYM AS MY AFTERNOONS ARE THE PITS RIGHT NOW THIS WEEK. I HAD FORGOTTEN A LOT. BUT THIS TOO SHALL PASS. LOL HAVE A GOOD WEEK IN YOUR OWN HOME

MADCAT~ GO AHEAD AND LURK AWAY. WE'RE JUST CHECKING ON YOU AND TAKING A PULSE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION!! YOU ARE RIGHT AND I AM ALREADY CRACKING THE WHIP! CAN'T AFFORED TO LET THIS WEEK GET AWAY FROM ME. WHILE I AM GONE YOU CAN LURK TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT. YOU AND THE FAMILY/FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS

SHAKER....THAT'S GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE FREE REPAIR. TAKE CARE OF THOSE SHINS!!!

SAYING HELLO BACK TO YOU CEEJAY!!

DANG....THE DOORBELL.................
SEE YA DURING THE WEEK SOMETIME. THE OTHER WOMAN IS READY AND SOME PEOPLE AWAIT US IN THE COMM. ROOM. TTFN

[Ruthxxx]

Hi. Have message in for the doc to renew or change pain meds which aren't doing a darn thing! It's ten days since the operation - I really think I need a bit or a break from this crap!