Shad - thanks for sharing that information on Groote Eylandt. I don't know if I could live on a island like that for too long. I think I could handle a year, knowing the pay was good, but that's probably it. I guess you could really save some money. So is your job over, or are you headed back?
Hal - I did watch the Derby. Great race. Did you make it over to the Derby breakfast? I think It would be a hoot to watch all the spectators in their pretty hats. I can't believe that intern? I definitely would not want to be put that situation again. I'm glad Rocky likes his new groomer.
Nita - I will definitely keep you in my prayers. Do you think one of your kids could fly down and help you with the drive back? If not, just take your time in getting back home. Like you said "make it an adventure". I'm sure the stresses of trying to find a new home is overwheleming. Keep up your bowling and your exercise.
Cat - I was going to give it another week before I make a call to the allergist. But i'm finally starting to feel better.
I'm finally starting to feel better. I did take it easy pretty much this weekend. I'm planning on getting a patio cover and got some estimates this weekend. Now to decide what I want.
Nita - thats quite some drive. I think you need to plan the route and decide where you want to stop over. I personally would make it a holiday and take two or three weeks to get back. The alternative would be to fly and have the car shipped by train or road transporter, which will probably take several weeks to happen anyway. Costs are obviously important so weigh up carefully how much it would cost to drive - petrol, overnight stops, food etc. and then make enquiries about flight costs, transporter costs, or rail costs. Also check your insurance as see whether they will let you transport or rail the car.
If driving makes economic sense, then plan for a long drive over a longer period of time rather than a shorter period of time. You have to think about yourself and rest stops and how Gene will travel. Or maybe you could pay for a family member to fly down to you and share the driving on the way home. It's not impossible. Just needs plenty of thought. Don't rush it. Take this advice from one who travels frequently. Do you have animals??? Are they going too? Have you sold the Arizona house??
I'm still working for the same company. I am back at Wollongong this week. I'll be here for the next couple of weeks and then go back to Groote for a week.
Thanks for all your excellent advice. No, we have not sold our home in AZ. We decided it would be best if we found a place in PA first. It may be that we might not be able to make the move. However, I am still thinking positive and if we do decide on the new carriage homes right across the street from my daughter, we will have to stay here another several months because Mike didn't think it would be ready to move into until near the holidays. This way I will have a lot more time to get rid of a lot of junk I have been saving for years. It is possible I could have someone come out and help me drive.
You ladies are truly remarkable and I love all of you!
By the way is anybody watching American Idol. I am hooked again this year and vote religiously for two hours each Tuesday evening while I am watching House and Boston Legal. The person I am pulling for is Kathy McVee.
There were some terrible storms here last night. Tornados touched down about 40 miles away. We got alot of wind, and of course Blackie could sense the storms so he was barking quite a bit. Decided on getting part of my patio covered, so I could go out and enjoy it in the summer. Planted 3 tomato plants and still have a few herbs I need to replant.
Nita - I think Shad had quite a bit of good advice. Lots of things I didn't even think of. We'll that's kind of good about getting some extra time to take care of your things there. I agree, have a big garage sale and make some money off the things you have not used in a long time. No need paying to have it moved and then just sit there in PA.
Shad - Did you ever decide where you next vacation is going to be? I know you had mentioned coming to the US.
Hello all,
I'm back on Groote Eylandt and communication is sparse so this will be short. If you don't hear from me regularly it's because of where I am, not because I am ignoring you all.
I'm still planning on coming to the US around Sept/ Oct. I've not sorted anything yet. That may be my nighttime occupation for the next week or so because I won't have much else to do. That is if I can get an internet connection.
I'm sitting here taking care of a few odds and thinking one more day this week, a 4 day week next week (local election day we are off) and only a few more weeks of this school year. It is amazing how time passes. I had an ominious thought today as I worked, prodded, non-stop attemting to accomplish just a tad of my must do list as I attempted to teach my 6 classes, do 30 minutes of before school duty, 2 hours after school detention, special meeting for student with special needs meeting during my 50 minute plan period day. On a positive note, I did get 25 minutes for lunch. I ran out of the building in pouring rain with 30 mile an hour wind gusts and rain just to - get a second I could call my own. So, as I am attempting to eat a few bites with the 11 or 12 minutes left of my lunch I am thinking, thinking, thinking... the old saying about how time passes more quickly as we get older. I ask myself, "Is it possible I am that slow, that time seems to fly because it takes me longer to accomplish anything?" I hope not, but trust me - it could be!
I think I missed saying hello to:
Nita: It sounds as you are doing a great job of planning a positive move. Guess what? Just as I was getting ready to re-join WW for another 3 months another road block. I have been planning to return to school - University of Kentucky to finish my Ed.S degree (30 hours above the masters). Anyway, I made an inquiry Monday after school and found out that IF I plan to attend first summer session classes - my first class was THIS Tuesday at 5P. This is a 45 minute drive from my school, so I have to leave immediately after school to get there on time. Yes, I went. I got home at 10P Tuesday night. My class is School Finance and Support Services. I did not realize it has been 2 years (this summer) since I have taken classes! Just another small example of how quickly time passes as we get older! I've been eating well. I have been having a whole grain cereal for both breakfast and dinner for the last few weeks and I can see a difference. It is honestly mostly due to time, but seems to be a healthy way to eat and diet also. Who would have thought? Something so simple. Anyway, take it day by day - don't forget to enjoy each one in the process - and check double check each decision you make as you plan this next move. It's all good. OH, why the WW block? That is the only evening WW meets here that I can meet during the school year. So, I'll have to wait a few more weeks before re-joining. It is a good thing, because I spend a small fortune on books for this new class.
MOOZ: I know this Mother's day will be a difficult one for you. I will keep you and your family in my thougths and prayers. Write to us when you can.
SHAD: Your life is so interesting. Once again, thanks for taking us with you! Keeneland horse racing takes place twice a year (3 weeks in April and 3 weeks in October). There are generally lots of arts and crafts and fall festivals all over the place that time of the year most anywhere. I think you have picked a very nice and temperate time to visit the US.
Hello to OneDay and Cat... thanks for keeping the thread rolling. I really enjoy reading how you guys are doing.
Well girls, I am going to take out the trash and get ready for bed and the last day of the week. It's a good think I love what I do, huh? LOL.... I'll write again this weekend.
Shad - We'll I guess being on the island and not much to do will give you time to plan your trip. Hope you able to get on the internet.
Hal - I don't see how you put all those hours in, and not get paid for it. Teachers are so underpaid for what they do. I'm glad you do love what you do.
As for me, not much going on. Still have some congestion, trying to take it easy and get rid of this crud. Planning on taking my mom out for a early dinner tomorrow night. I have several plants I need to repot, so i hope to get that done sometime this weekend.
Afternoon everyone,
I've found an internet connection in the communal lounge just down the path from my new pad.!!!!~ Yippee. You will get to hear from me more often now.
My new pad is great - it's a whole house. Three bedrooms. I have to share with another trainer for the week - he's coming up tomorrow night. I've snaffled the room with the en-suite and he can use the big bathroom and house loo. I have my own. I've bought in some goodies from the shops this morning so I can now have some healthy snacks. Morning and afternoon teas for training purposes can not be called healthy! Sugar laden muffins and scones with jam and cream!!!
There was a Mothers Day market on the island this morning, some native stuff, a lot of handmade necklaces and earrings etc and a fair amount of junk as well. I bought myself a jigsaw puzzle ( it looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting) to do on my nights and days off and a soft green bead necklace and earrings. Don't know whether I will keep them for me or give them away yet. Also got some Mothers day orchids which are gracing the dining room table as we speak. I've spoken to a great many different people here now. Some love being here. There are actually quite a number of New Zealanders who have made their home here. Then there are those who can't wait to get off. There can be quite a lot of tension between the indigenous population and the incomers. Mostly it seems to be that the indigenous bellieve that the police treat the whites better than them. Truth is that when the locals get drunk or drugged they are a real problem. Because of the alcohol laws there is little drunkeness, but what there is becomes quite obvious and it doesn't matter which race they belong to.
I went shopping today too. The grocery store is well stocked - although there was little meat today since the barge did not bring all it was supposed to. The veges were mostly root vege as they last longer. I bought some avocado, dragon fruit, danish sausage, biscuits and a bit of cheese, (along with some insect repellent. I'm being eaten alive.) I thought that I could use these for snacks - sort of antipasto stuff. I hope it will take away the craving for ice cream that I have. I also bought some sandals. I'm having a bit of trouble with feet. They get hot and sweaty and I do not want the tinea developing again after all the trouble I had to get rid of it last time. They have become quite painful with the wearing of the heavy boots as well. The stores may not be many round here, but they have an awful lot of stock in them. The prices are not as bad as one might think either.
Well I best go answer another couple of emails and get out of here. I'll be back tomorrow if possible.
Nita--praying that all will go smoothly. I was also thinking--there is a service here that helps older people with moves. I think they expect to cover much of the cost by what they're able to salvage or sell. So there might be something like that to help, too.
My kids took me out for Mothers Day last night. Went to a Thai place, and then ice cream but I got yummy frozen yogurt. Very special because not so long ago my daughter was really avoiding us. Feel very blest.
Hal--doesn't sound to me like you're slow--just overwhelmed. I'm amazed you get it done at all.
Storytelling today, and massage, LCPJ tomorrow. Very busy!
Where does the time go? Got my patio put in over the weekend and i'm really enjoying it. Trying to decide if I want to keep the tree that's right beside it. I know in the future I will definitely cut the tree down for for now just can't decide. I need to go ahead and get another tree started further back in the yard.
Shad - That's great that you got a 3 bedroom house. Hope you get a good roomate. If your able to take any pictures, share them.
Cat - I thought about you with the medical insurance deadline. I figured you were having to work OT to cover the calls.
Hope everyone is doing ok? Hope to hear from you all soon.
Very busy with training and explaining the joys of SAP to the miners. Most of them are great. However there are a lot of foreigners here, many of whom have English as their second language. It is hard to keep the tone even and the voice pitched to the right levels when you are explaining something for the third or fourth time. Still most of them are really nice.
I'm having a challenge with the ladies on the other thread to not eat refined sugar, to exercise by a really fast walk for at least 20 minutes and to do a series of pilates exercises 20 x 10 every morning. It's going okay.
Coming up to the weekend here. Don't quite know what I will do yet, but I am working on it.
Good to hear for you all. Wish Mooz would pop in once in a while.
Didn't have to work OT--they didn't require but sure encouraged it. Still, it was pretty stressful. Most of the callers already had other coverage--they just panicked.
Today I am having a serious case of "What WAS I thinking!" It's not all that bad, but adding a university class during the last month of the academic school year is just never anything I ever imagined I would do. I am, and so far so good. Other than losing sleep, it is enjoyable. Have I mentioned how much I really LOVE my 8 hours of toes up time? LOL
SHAD: Don't forget to sent a few camera shots of your travels as you have time. What about the food, what are you eating as you travel? Are the food choices different or limited in any way? Your exercise challenge sounds good. What are you doing for pilates?
OneDay: Nothing like a nice place to enjoy the outdoors. I have a really nice enclosed patio deck that is about 500 sq ft. I just snagged a new umbrella for my table, and 40 pounds of potting soil to refresh all my containers. I think this year I am going to get all the containers ready first and then purchase the plants. That way setting them in will be a one or two day event. Rocky really enjoys the deck and runs back and forth and all around it. He got a hair cut this week, and it is shorter than normal. I think he really likes it, he is such a nut - lots of personality. Have you seen the movie Beauty Shop? There is a brief shot of a Yorkie in that movie that I would like to see his hair cut like. Anyway...
Cat: You know I think nearly all of my friends have massages here and there. This is something I have just never done. I'll go for a pedicure and a manicure, but have never done that. My friends swear by it. What kind of stories are at your storytelling activities these days?
Mooz: Car 54 where are you? Post when you can!
Nita: I bet you are busy. I hope you have a great weekend.
So girls, have you heard Paul McCartney is soon to be single? Oh yeah... Just joking, I have always been a fan. I always thought Linda was his true love, and wondered about the Mills chick and her harsh attitude. That's it for the gossip this beautiful Sa-sa-Saturday...!!
Got my new air conditioner unit put in this week. My old one was 17 years old and I was starting to have problems. You just can't go without a/c here. Today's high was 95 and we already had 2 - 100 days in april. Where the old one was at going to make it into a linen closet. I hired a friend to do that.
Shad - I'm sure it has to be frustrating having to explaine something over and over, but with keeping your voice at the same pitch I'm sure they don't realize it. I think I need a challenge too. I have not been exercising like I should. In fact I haven't at all.
Hal - No I haven't seen the movie, but some friends told me it was a funny one to see. I 'll have to rent it one weekend. I have really been enjoying the patio. Last year I got some outdoor furniture on sale, really good sale and stored it in the garage. It was a "coversation piece" a small loveseat, and 2 chair and a table. It looks like wicker but it's made for outdoor. I still have work to do, but it takes time and money. Blackie is enjoying it too, he seems to be laying outside under the covered patio more.
Cat - I'm sure it was stressful having to talk to alot of eldery people who are having to make decisions on things they really don't understand. I was confused reading my parents material.
Went over to tell stories at the KC Museum--supposed to be bi-lingual, but there was only one little boy and his mother. I got paid, but it was a little far to drive for that. (I did my old faithful dragon story and the two on skunks."
I've been eating well. I have been having a whole grain cereal for both breakfast and dinner for the last few weeks and I can see a difference. It is honestly mostly due to time, but seems to be a healthy way to eat and diet also. Who would have thought? Something so simple. Anyway, take it day by day - don't forget to enjoy each one in the process - and check double check each decision you make as you plan this next move. It's all good. OH, why the WW block? That is the only evening WW meets here that I can meet during the school year. So, I'll have to wait a few more weeks before re-joining. It is a good thing, because I spend a small fortune on books for this new class. 
Oh yeah...