601. The time we spend of an evening sitting outside cuddling Jack
602. Deciding to try out the train and discovering 30 extra minutes of time in the morning!
603. Meeting a friendly, familiar face on the train
604. More news of friends getting engaged!
605. Fast internet at home!
606. Finding out one of my favourite people is going to be in town for my birthday!
607. Biting into a market fresh apple and vowing never to buy supermarket fruit again!
608. Stunning ocean views and sunsets from the train
609. Jack being super good at dog school (well, mostly - more 'Jack not being the naughtiest/silliest in the class!)
610. Coming home to delicious pizza made by Andy
611. Andy finishing the roof on our pergola! He's so handy!
612. Running into my Dad-in-Law at the train station in the morning because I got there in time for the early train, just like old times on the Belair line!
613. Andy's weekends off
614. Having Mum & Dad over for dinner
615. Our super social weekend - lots of visitors!
616. Celebrating Brad & Vanessa's engagement at a beautiful venue
617. Going for long weekend walks with friends and Jack
618. Sunday lunch under the pergola
619. Berry tea-time bun from Bakers Delight, courtesy of Craig & Anne
620. Delicious Indian take-away from our new local curry house
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Gunna List Update
Ok, so I managed to tick off most things!
- Knocked off a little later than 12:00 due to a last minute phone enquiry that went on and on! I spent a lovely afternoon with Angus and Ollie playing bocce, jumping on the trampoline and going for a walk to the park.
- Went out to Cha-Chi's with some friends (who had given us the voucher as a housewarming gift!)
- Took Jack to the markets on Saturday morning and got some yummy fruit. Had to laugh at Jack when he chewed through the seatbelt - because otherwise I would have cried!
- Didn't bake apple and cinnamon muffins, but I did make an apple crumble to take to my in-laws for tea and it was a good 'un!
- Didn't buy new beans for the beanbags, but I did go to Ikea and buy a new coffee table and a couple of chairs that have all made the place look more homely!
- Didn't get fresh flowers - maybe Andy will get me some!
- Got my house looking beautiful!!!
- I didn't make pancakes because I discovered that Andy hops straight into bed after night shift!
- Got my brother in law to fill in for me at Church and spent a lovely couple of hours drinking cups of tea with Sarah
- While I didn't sit and drink a cuppa and read a mag for an hour, I count the above time with Sarah as time well spent with a cuppa and I had a glass of wine while I baked!
Next weekend, Andy will be awake for the weekend! Can't wait!
- Knocked off a little later than 12:00 due to a last minute phone enquiry that went on and on! I spent a lovely afternoon with Angus and Ollie playing bocce, jumping on the trampoline and going for a walk to the park.
- Went out to Cha-Chi's with some friends (who had given us the voucher as a housewarming gift!)
- Took Jack to the markets on Saturday morning and got some yummy fruit. Had to laugh at Jack when he chewed through the seatbelt - because otherwise I would have cried!
- Didn't bake apple and cinnamon muffins, but I did make an apple crumble to take to my in-laws for tea and it was a good 'un!
- Didn't buy new beans for the beanbags, but I did go to Ikea and buy a new coffee table and a couple of chairs that have all made the place look more homely!
- Didn't get fresh flowers - maybe Andy will get me some!
- Got my house looking beautiful!!!
- I didn't make pancakes because I discovered that Andy hops straight into bed after night shift!
- Got my brother in law to fill in for me at Church and spent a lovely couple of hours drinking cups of tea with Sarah
- While I didn't sit and drink a cuppa and read a mag for an hour, I count the above time with Sarah as time well spent with a cuppa and I had a glass of wine while I baked!
Next weekend, Andy will be awake for the weekend! Can't wait!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Gunna
I've felt flat again this week. So what am I gunna do about it? Here's what. I'm gunna have a beautiful weekend. I am compulsive list writer, so I am gunna write a 'Gunna List'. Here goes!
- I'm gunna knock off at 12 tomorrow and go and see if I can offer any assistance to my brother and sister-in-law who've just had baby number 3.
- I'm gunna have Mexican with some friends for tea tomorrow night
- I'm gunna get up early on Saturday, take Jack (in his fancy new harness) and my new trolley down to Willunga Markets and get some yummy stuff. And if Jack plays up, I'm just gunna laugh.
- I'm gunna find a new recipe for apple and cinnamon muffins and bake them in my kitchen.
- I'm gunna buy new beans for our beanbags - they're getting a little flat
- I'm gunna buy myself some fresh flowers and put them in the lounge room
- I'm gunna clean the house so it shines
- I'm gunna make pancakes for when Andy gets home from work on Sunday morning
- I'm gunna find someone to fill my roster spot at Church on Sunday and spend some time with creation instead
- I'm gunna sit with a magazine and a cup of tea for at least an hour
- I'm gunna knock off at 12 tomorrow and go and see if I can offer any assistance to my brother and sister-in-law who've just had baby number 3.
- I'm gunna have Mexican with some friends for tea tomorrow night
- I'm gunna get up early on Saturday, take Jack (in his fancy new harness) and my new trolley down to Willunga Markets and get some yummy stuff. And if Jack plays up, I'm just gunna laugh.
- I'm gunna find a new recipe for apple and cinnamon muffins and bake them in my kitchen.
- I'm gunna buy new beans for our beanbags - they're getting a little flat
- I'm gunna buy myself some fresh flowers and put them in the lounge room
- I'm gunna clean the house so it shines
- I'm gunna make pancakes for when Andy gets home from work on Sunday morning
- I'm gunna find someone to fill my roster spot at Church on Sunday and spend some time with creation instead
- I'm gunna sit with a magazine and a cup of tea for at least an hour
Monday, July 18, 2011
581 - 600
581. New friendship sprung from unusual places (our former landlord)
582. Monday lunch at the Hilton with Monty (and his Mum & Dad)
583. Having a live plant delivered to my office accompanied by a lovely, heartfelt note that made me tear up a little, from Emma
584. Tuesday lunch with Amy and another surprise gift!
585. Sunny Friday afternoon playing with Angus & Oliver
586. Andy's handyman skills
587. Dinner at Cha-Chi's with Emma, Chow, Josh and Claire
588. My own bravery, getting braver about staying home alone at night in the new house
589. Being home when Andy arrives home and being able to have a quick chat before he drops off to sleep
590. Willunga Farmers market - 20 minutes away!
591. Ikea trips where I get a car load of stuff for under $100!
592. The instant lift that new furniture brings to our home
593. Pottering round home and discovering objects that remind me of people who love me
594. Sunday morning cuppa and gas-bag with Sarah
595. Walking somewhere new with Jack
596. Jack slowly becoming more obedient
597. Clothes still warm from the dryer
598. A mild morning - nice to not be shivering at the bus stop
599. The friendly lady at the bus stop this morning
600. When the rain stops in time for me to walk from the bus stop to my office
582. Monday lunch at the Hilton with Monty (and his Mum & Dad)
583. Having a live plant delivered to my office accompanied by a lovely, heartfelt note that made me tear up a little, from Emma
584. Tuesday lunch with Amy and another surprise gift!
585. Sunny Friday afternoon playing with Angus & Oliver
586. Andy's handyman skills
587. Dinner at Cha-Chi's with Emma, Chow, Josh and Claire
588. My own bravery, getting braver about staying home alone at night in the new house
589. Being home when Andy arrives home and being able to have a quick chat before he drops off to sleep
590. Willunga Farmers market - 20 minutes away!
591. Ikea trips where I get a car load of stuff for under $100!
592. The instant lift that new furniture brings to our home
593. Pottering round home and discovering objects that remind me of people who love me
594. Sunday morning cuppa and gas-bag with Sarah
595. Walking somewhere new with Jack
596. Jack slowly becoming more obedient
597. Clothes still warm from the dryer
598. A mild morning - nice to not be shivering at the bus stop
599. The friendly lady at the bus stop this morning
600. When the rain stops in time for me to walk from the bus stop to my office
Monday, July 11, 2011
561 - 580
561. Andy on day shift, meaning we can have dinner together every night for a week!
562. Extra daylight inching into each evening
563. A thermos of coffee and a seat to myself on the bus
564. My MP3 player pumping out the perfect combination of songs to start my day
565. Finishing the blanket for baby Pettitt and exploding with pride at the end result - Andy laughed at me, carrying it around the house and smiling!
566. Having a bottle of wine, with a picture of our house on it delivered from our mortgage broker.
567. Lunch time handbag shopping success: $69.95 down to $19.95 down to $13.95.
568. Mid week lunch date with Mum
569. My favourite bus driver waiting patiently for me to cross South road
570. Watching the amazing pink sunrise from the bus window
571. Friday arvo's during school holidays - all mine
572. The ability to laugh at things that should make me cry, or scream!
573. Long chatty walks with Mum
574. Monty Gillen Pettitt - my new nephew
575. Trying out a new dog walking harness on Jack and discovering a well kept secret!
576. Catching up with Jane from work of old!
577. Watching Janes cajun band while crocheting
578. Chatting about new home-ownership with a friend and discovering that I am not the only person who felt totally freaked out and out of my depth at the concept
579. Days that start out miserable and wet and end sunny and perfect
580. Enjoying exercise once again!
562. Extra daylight inching into each evening
563. A thermos of coffee and a seat to myself on the bus
564. My MP3 player pumping out the perfect combination of songs to start my day
565. Finishing the blanket for baby Pettitt and exploding with pride at the end result - Andy laughed at me, carrying it around the house and smiling!
566. Having a bottle of wine, with a picture of our house on it delivered from our mortgage broker.
567. Lunch time handbag shopping success: $69.95 down to $19.95 down to $13.95.
568. Mid week lunch date with Mum
569. My favourite bus driver waiting patiently for me to cross South road
570. Watching the amazing pink sunrise from the bus window
571. Friday arvo's during school holidays - all mine
572. The ability to laugh at things that should make me cry, or scream!
573. Long chatty walks with Mum
574. Monty Gillen Pettitt - my new nephew
575. Trying out a new dog walking harness on Jack and discovering a well kept secret!
576. Catching up with Jane from work of old!
577. Watching Janes cajun band while crocheting
578. Chatting about new home-ownership with a friend and discovering that I am not the only person who felt totally freaked out and out of my depth at the concept
579. Days that start out miserable and wet and end sunny and perfect
580. Enjoying exercise once again!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Settling
In the last 12 years, counting my move to from Darwin to Adelaide, I have moved 6 times. Interestingly, this most recent move, the move from renting to owning, has been my most stressful and difficult. It’s a complex combination of things that has made me feel unsettled this time around, partly due to a number of things going on in our lives – Andy’s new job means he works odd hours, we have some days where I am asleep when he gets home and he is asleep when I leave – this accounts for entire weeks when we really don’t have a chance to really talk to each other about mundane, household stuff, let alone interesting deep and meaningful chats.
We’ve had 2 family deaths. Andy’s uncle passed away after a brave yet heartbreaking battle with Mesothelioma, followed not 3 weeks later by his Grandmother, who had been battling ill health for some time. While both of these deaths were expected, death is never an easy road to travel for those left behind.
Within a week of moving into our new home, I was off to Sydney for just under a week to have my first ever gig as a wedding photographer. While this was exciting, it was also very stressful. Being away from home, from Andy and from Jack so soon after moving in, was really hard and it was the first time I have ever been away on such a short break and really longed for the end.
People have assumed that I will instantly feel at home in our new house, because we are buying it rather than renting it. I have felt a certain pressure to feel a particular way about it, but the honest truth is, I hadn’t felt any of the things about the new house that I am supposed to have felt, and that has made settling very difficult.
After finally finding a weekend to just be, with Andy and Jack, I am starting to feel settled. We went to the farmers markets at Willunga, we walked on the beach, letting Jack run free to chase birds, play in the shallows and hunt for shark eggs, we had a Northern Exposure marathon, I made lasagne. Despite a small matter of a fairly noisy dispute between our neighbours and the police occurring on our front lawn on our otherwise peaceful Sunday night (this gave Jack an opportunity to showcase his skills as a guard dog, and what a guard dog he is!), I am feeling more relaxed and at home.
Roll on Spring, so I can get out and play in my garden!
At least someone feels settled here!
(Gratuitous photo of Jack, I'll take any opportunity!)
We’ve had 2 family deaths. Andy’s uncle passed away after a brave yet heartbreaking battle with Mesothelioma, followed not 3 weeks later by his Grandmother, who had been battling ill health for some time. While both of these deaths were expected, death is never an easy road to travel for those left behind.
Within a week of moving into our new home, I was off to Sydney for just under a week to have my first ever gig as a wedding photographer. While this was exciting, it was also very stressful. Being away from home, from Andy and from Jack so soon after moving in, was really hard and it was the first time I have ever been away on such a short break and really longed for the end.
People have assumed that I will instantly feel at home in our new house, because we are buying it rather than renting it. I have felt a certain pressure to feel a particular way about it, but the honest truth is, I hadn’t felt any of the things about the new house that I am supposed to have felt, and that has made settling very difficult.
After finally finding a weekend to just be, with Andy and Jack, I am starting to feel settled. We went to the farmers markets at Willunga, we walked on the beach, letting Jack run free to chase birds, play in the shallows and hunt for shark eggs, we had a Northern Exposure marathon, I made lasagne. Despite a small matter of a fairly noisy dispute between our neighbours and the police occurring on our front lawn on our otherwise peaceful Sunday night (this gave Jack an opportunity to showcase his skills as a guard dog, and what a guard dog he is!), I am feeling more relaxed and at home.
Roll on Spring, so I can get out and play in my garden!
At least someone feels settled here!
(Gratuitous photo of Jack, I'll take any opportunity!)
541 - 560
541. A fitting celebration of Nanny's life
542. A day with time to take Jack on 2 big long walks
543. Family get-togethers
544. Impromptu Thursday night dinner guest
545. Talking to friendly people at a friends birthday drinks
546. Water cooler conversations that blow me away (never assume anything about the softly spoken office girl - everyone has a past!)
547. Willunga Farmers Markets with Jack & Andy
548. Andy turning down an opportunity for overtime on account of 'family time' with me
549. A long stretch of deserted beach
550. Watching Jack running free along the beach with a big grin on his face
551. Those weekends where you could swear you were miles from home on holiday
552. Being a short drive from beautiful beaches, quaint little towns and wineries
553. Discovering Jack's fine abilities as a guard dog
554. The friendly police men who attended to the melee that happened in our street last night
555. Having a Sunday night Northern Exposure marathon
556. Inadvertently discovering my talents as a lasagna chef!
557. Finally getting stuck into the 'middle bedroom'
558. Building excitement about the imminent arrival of my new niece or nephew
559. Teaching myself how to do a scalloped edge on the baby blanket I am making
560. Free ride to work on the bus!
542. A day with time to take Jack on 2 big long walks
543. Family get-togethers
544. Impromptu Thursday night dinner guest
545. Talking to friendly people at a friends birthday drinks
546. Water cooler conversations that blow me away (never assume anything about the softly spoken office girl - everyone has a past!)
547. Willunga Farmers Markets with Jack & Andy
548. Andy turning down an opportunity for overtime on account of 'family time' with me
549. A long stretch of deserted beach
550. Watching Jack running free along the beach with a big grin on his face
551. Those weekends where you could swear you were miles from home on holiday
552. Being a short drive from beautiful beaches, quaint little towns and wineries
553. Discovering Jack's fine abilities as a guard dog
554. The friendly police men who attended to the melee that happened in our street last night
555. Having a Sunday night Northern Exposure marathon
556. Inadvertently discovering my talents as a lasagna chef!
557. Finally getting stuck into the 'middle bedroom'
558. Building excitement about the imminent arrival of my new niece or nephew
559. Teaching myself how to do a scalloped edge on the baby blanket I am making
560. Free ride to work on the bus!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
521 - 540
521. Slowly establishing a routine
522. Looking over old photos of Nanny and Poppy in their hey-day
523. Dinner at our 'old local' with the elders
524. Sunshine & shiraz in the back yard
525. Flying through the park on my bike
526. Seeing Jack running and grinning as he runs alongside the bike
527. Celebrating Kat's 40th
528. Being mistaken for a professional photographer!
529. Being tucked up in bed before 10 on a Saturday night!
530. Stuffed zucchini flowers
531. My friends being understanding about me needing some time out
532. Uplifting church service
533. Jack being a no excuse exercise buddy
534. Friendly people in the park
535. Random chats with 4 year olds on tri-cycles about going to the playground
536. Jack getting excited about new toys - he really is a 7 year old boy!
537. Baking in my new kitchen (my macarons really need work though!)
538. Doing mundane weekend jobs that slowly make me feel at home
539. Foot massages
540. Dancing in the backyard
522. Looking over old photos of Nanny and Poppy in their hey-day
523. Dinner at our 'old local' with the elders
524. Sunshine & shiraz in the back yard
525. Flying through the park on my bike
526. Seeing Jack running and grinning as he runs alongside the bike
527. Celebrating Kat's 40th
528. Being mistaken for a professional photographer!
529. Being tucked up in bed before 10 on a Saturday night!
530. Stuffed zucchini flowers
531. My friends being understanding about me needing some time out
532. Uplifting church service
533. Jack being a no excuse exercise buddy
534. Friendly people in the park
535. Random chats with 4 year olds on tri-cycles about going to the playground
536. Jack getting excited about new toys - he really is a 7 year old boy!
537. Baking in my new kitchen (my macarons really need work though!)
538. Doing mundane weekend jobs that slowly make me feel at home
539. Foot massages
540. Dancing in the backyard
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