normality

normality....what's that?? currently it's getting up at 5.30am with Simba :(( It's like having the kids all over again, well at least Ceri, she being and still is the early riser! So on the bight side it should get better as he gets older. I mean, 5.30 am here this morning and its now still dark !!! and I won't say cold as that would be UK speak, but its definitely cooler, even went to get my slippers out of a box to find the plastic on the bottom had all cracked and gone brittle...M&S... you let me down!!!

Anyway, its now 6.30 am and the sun is up and looking like another gorgeous day ahead. It was 28 degrees+ yesterday, not bad for 2/3 way through autumn.

So today is the day that hopefully we should get the spa fixed and working properly... if you cast your minds back to our sorry saga you will remember we were waiting for the bent perspex to be replaced, so although we've still be able to use it, when we switched it on the heat pump was trying to heat up all of it, not just the one side, so needless to say it remained cold as was taking too long to heat up. Once the two ends are separate it should be much better. Mark wrote some lovely polite email to head office and now finally some action. The downside is that the outside looks like its been under a rain cloud as we've had to empty about 2/3 of it. So roll on 9 am and lets see if the guy turns up to fix it....

So although we were back to normal this week with no visitors, we still had Thursday off as it was Anzac day... so there we were again with our church family giving out bottles of water at the lake service....it was strange I guess as I realised that we are now starting to repeat Annual events and that we have been here quite a while now, and memories here are increasing and not every experience is new. Josh was parading with school as all the prefects had to, while the state school did the band... they swap alternate years. However while that was going on, Rebecca had gone out with her friend from school, been having a God conversation and prayed with her and she asked Christ into her life... woohoo :)))) So please continue to pray for Kim, as far as we are aware, her Mum is Buddhist (they are vietnamese) and her Dad has had some links with the church / catholics in the past...still all a bit hazy. Anyway she is coming to night church tonight and the girls D Team (discipleship group for over 14yr olds) this afternoon. Needless to say Rebecca is so excited.

So back to a week ago.. last Sunday we had gone in the afternoon to look at another wedding venue with Ceri and Matt... and that was them sold, the function suite is lovely, the grounds for photos were good and the price excellent, so Monday it was booked... 6th Sept 2014 my little girl gets married. Its nice to have it sorted as they now have a date to work to.  They also went to look at a house yesterday.. ruled it out as it needed too much work doing to it but its starting to give them a benchmark of what they can afford.. no real hurry so they can look around for a while yet. The markets not moving much anyway, so better they take their time and get it right. Anyway, don't need to do much more wedding stuff at present, got ages to go.

So we finally had some gravel and bark arrive this week, so Mark has been shovelling it up onto the front garden and its starting to look really nice, Thursday afternoon we also went plant shopping which was much more fun, we found a plant factory outlet that had so many plants in but at the same time felt a bit disorganised, but after a good wander and rummage we got about 19 plants at a good price, so hopefully one part of the garden is starting to come together. Just loads more to do still... feels a bit never ending, but hey ho.. one day.....

well I had my shoulder injected on Wednesday and at last it now feels better, and being able to lie on that side at night makes a huge difference, also got a cancellation and had the CT of my sinuses done too... and unfortunately one is completely blocked, so have been summoned to see the GP this week, but at least the pain has gone in it over the last week. After 2 months, am finally starting to feel more normal again... no sarky comments please :)

well its now Sunday night and we've had a good day and yes the spa got fixed woohoo :))) can't refill it for a few days which is a shame as the weather is fantastic at the moment but at least hopefully the saga has come to an end. 

well Ceri and Matt helped Mark shovel bark and gravel this afternoon which was good, while Josh and Rebecca were at rehearsals and I was ironing :(  Only 12 weeks till the musical and then they'll have their Sundays back :) Kim did come to church tonight which was great and enjoyed it although found it quite different to anything she's experienced before. Church was just great today and our pastor Mark is such an amazing preacher.. we are very blessed. 

So another week over and more events planned for next.

two weeks news.

No you didn't miss last weeks, it just never got written as the previous week had been so busy and I was just so tired and this week has been equally hectic. I keep waiting for a quiet week but they are very few and far between.

So the previous week Marks parents were still here and although I was back at work Mark took them out to Mount Glorious and Mount Nebo and did some rain forest walking which they enjoyed one day and the other day when Mark was working they walked up to Forest Lake . They then left us on the Wednesday morning for 3 days stop in Sydney where they had a good time before flying back. At least they got back in one piece with a fairly untroubled flight which was good. 

Wednesday we then had 15 cubic metres of top soil delivered, which Josh and his friend shifted for a small fee. Rebecca and her friend did a bit as well, but wow, I've never seen so much soil in a pile, they did a great job but they were so tired after.

Then on the Thursday my very lovely Irish friend, Jayne, who I've known for 21 years came to visit. She was over in Melbourne for work and came to pay a visit. So we had a lovely two days although it rained almost all the time, however it didn't spoil our fun. Friday we went and explored Forest Lake and the went to Mount Cootha in the afternoon, then Saturday we went up to South bank where for the first time ever there was no queue to get in Max Brenners :) the best chocolate shop in the world (I spoke to someone yesterday who queued 1 1/2 hours to get in!!!), some advantages of it raining. Anyway by the time we came out the rain had stopped and we had a lovely walk up the river and then got the ferry back down again. Rebecca came too and kept us entertained !! Sunday, we did church in the morning then managed to pin all the kids down together for lunch and went out which was fun. But then it was off to the airport again... becoming a familiar place, Josh took us, to get some hours up but then we got lost round north Brisbane coming back. I guess I should have put the sat nav on really but what's the fun in that.. he got to drive in unfamiliar territory and get more hours and we got back eventually in time for night church. However by the time we got home from there I was ready for dropping.

So this week has also been quite hectic, I waited an hour in the docs on Monday and came out with 3 prescriptions and 2 request forms. I have had 7 weeks of sinusitis with constant headaches and am so over it... so on a 3rd course of antibiotics, with steroids and another decongestant  nasal spray, if that doesn't work I've to go have a CT scan of my sinus's. I've also got a sub deltoid bursitis in my right shoulder which has been giving me bother since I fell off my bike, so have to have steroid injection  under ultrasound this week.... so hopefully that one will be solved. Am fed up of not feeling 100%.... actually so's Mark, I am so rubbish when not feeling great.... actually think its a case of milking it as happens so rarely  (hee hee). 

Anyway Life group started again on Monday which was so lovely to get back too as we have a really good group with some great times. 

Tuesday evening Matt's parents came over for tea to discuss the wedding, which was really useful and we had a good time. Wednesday was free for me but Mark had church leaders meeting, and then Thursday Ceri and Matt had a mortgage advisor over to see how much they can borrow. Friday was cleaning night for me and Mark and the kids all went to youth group. So that was all the evenings used up. 

So yesterday was an early start as Rebecca had to be at her hockey match at 6.45 am in Ipswich, so we left at 6.15 am :( however then won 14-0 and she got player of the match so she was really happy. I also met some mums of both her and Josh's friends which was good too. Mark then took Josh to his rugby match at a more civilised time of 9.30 which his team won as well.... so a good sports day was had for both of them. 

So that was followed by visiting 2 wedding venues and a house with Ceri, Matt and his parents, so lots of driving about and decisions to be made. They decided the house wasn't for them but it's started the process of working out what they do want. The plan being to get it now while prices are low, rent it for 12 months then redecorate before they move in after the wedding. 

The wedding venues were lovely in different ways, and with very different costs... so one still a possibility, the other ruled out, so seeing another one today and 2 more next Saturday, then hopefully a decision will be made. Still, the kids have the budget and its their decisions to make so its a good process for them to go through working out what's important to them and where they want to spend the money. However Ceri is finding it a bit overwhelming at times, but Matt's very good and letting her cool down and going back to it when she's ready. I'm still finding it very surreal at times that my baby is looking at weddings and houses.

So in between all that, Josh and Rebecca were back to school on Tuesday and back to full on activities and musical rehearsals  Mark has had a bit more work the last 2 weeks but the after school care want him to organise some training in his own time, with the attitude, if you don't want to do it, we'll just use somebody else....so not great, but at least he's getting a bit more work from them.He's also been finishing off the top soil and putting the mapex down in the front garden, so hopefully that will be done before too long. Ceri has been working through her course work and seems to be doing well with that and will hopefully finish it about 2 months ahead of schedule. Work for me is just waiting for the result of reviews which will lead to more reviews and take months to be implemented. Senior staff meeting just keep giving us lots of unknowns as nobody really knows how the new structure fits together yet... so I just keep going to work...and at least I keep my job which is good. Got very cross with AHPRA this week though as they have finally and adamantly said that they will not accept my NP qualification and I need to get the magic 3 letters MSC, despite all my modules being at M level.... not happy, but it's not financially viable to do the upgrade ..so I guess unless I find a job where someone will pay for it, that's it over. 

Well, Simba is settling a bit although still gets us up ridiculously early, hence writing my blog at 6.30 am on a Sunday morning. He didn't like my lovely flowers that my gorgeous husband got me this week, decided to tip them all over and get water everywhere. He's loving digging holes in the garden too, especially with all the top soil there now, but he's still pretty good for a puppy and we're loving having him.

So today, the plan is Mark and I are going to play hookey from church this morning as we need to get gravel for the front garden, Josh and Rebecca have rehearsal this afternoon, then another wedding venue this afternoon and night church tonight, with the usual uniform ironing and dog walking in somewhere. So life still whizzes past on into another week.

holiday...woohoo!!

So I've had this week off work with Mark parents being here which has been lovely. Its been added to as we had Good Friday too so seems like a long week which is great, trying not to think about the morning though :(

Well most of the week has been out doing day trips. Monday we started with Mount Tambourine and wandered around the town, then went for lunch at Cedar creek with the aim of walking up to the falls, but unfortunately we couldn't get parked so ended up coming home which was just as well as the heavens opened not long after we returned. Ceri and Matt came too which was nice.

Tuesday we spent around here as I had numerous jobs to do and Marks parents got the train into Brisbane and explored a bit more. Josh had a rugby clinic at school all day too from which he was completely shattered when he got back. Wednesday, Mark suddenly had to go to work, so Josh drove us up to Moorochydore where we had a lovely wander round and some lunch, then Josh had a rugby match at a school up there so after dropping him there we went into Mooloolaba until we had to collect him. He was one happy boy as although they were expected to lose they won with a try in the last 13 seconds. He then got a lift up the following day for yet another match in the same place and again they won that too so they were a very positive team that finished the week which is a good start for the coming terms matches. Anyway we had a lovely day exploring places I've not been to either. 

Thursday I went to a meeting at work, followed by shopping and came home to a lovely clean house and garden, so the afternoon was spent packing for Fridays trip away and decorating the house ready for Ceri and Matt's engagement party last night. So Friday we rose early as we were off to Morton Island to Tangalooma, (sounds like a Swallows and Amazon adventure). We caught the 10 am ferry so fairly civilised really, and it took a hour and a half to get there. Well... we had a lovely time although both the accommodation and main resort felt 'tired' and could really do with a refurb we felt. However after dodging the showers and having some lunch, Tony and Di went for a long walk up the beach, Josh and Rebecca hired a kyack for a hour, although I think Rebecca just went for the ride and some steering (she says), as Josh was exhausted when he got back. I then braved the sea with them and went for a swim, but really sitting down reading a book was just great. We had tea on our way up for the highlight of the trip...feeding the wild dolphins. Its a wild dolphin marine conservation project but the dolphins come up to the beach nightly for feeding. So there were about 8 dolphins with 2 babies that arrived that night...its a well organised event as all guests on the island can take part, but a memorable experience. Saturday morning Tony and Di went on a boat cruise to visit the wrecks and see the fish, and Josh, Rebecca and I went quad biking. Unfortunately Rebecca got a bum deal, being under 16yrs she had to do on the kids ride which was very tame, whereas Josh and I had a fab time up on the sand dunes doing all sorts of exciting tracks and going through very narrow tracks in the woods and down onto the beach, would so love to do it again. 

The rest of the morning was very leisurely until we got the 2 pm ferry back.

So having made it back we had the final decorations to put up for the party, and a friend turned up with his coffee machine complete with caramel syrup and hot chocolate :) 6.30 arrived along with about 60 guests. We had a great evening, Ceri and Matt enjoyed themselves, so mission accomplished, and they got some amazing gifts so were very lucky. Mark even practised doing a speech. So now we just need to get the date confirmed and venue booked and then can sit back for a few months. 

Simba behaved himself all evening too between being locked up with a bone and kept on a lead as he still gets very jumpy and excitable with people about. However he now seems to be completely house trained which is great, although just need to get him to sleep beyond 5.30 am now!!

Today was Marks mum's birthday so after church we went to the Botanic Gardens for ,lunch although rather a long wait....note to self ...don't attempt sunday lunch there again, 20 minute queue to order food and another 4 minutes for it to come

So back to work for me tomorrow to see what changes have happened while I've been off... the review of chronic disease was due to be completed on Friday. I should hopefully hear back from AHPRA too this week... am still arguing with them over my Nurse Practitioner qualification. Marks got a fairly full week with work too which is good and the kids get another weeks holiday, lucky them. 

So I've added a few piccys of the party for your perusal too.

 

sight seeing.

So it's not that you've all been blocked and can't access the blog... it's a day late really.

Well. Mark's had a busy week taking his parents around to see the sights, they did 2 days in Brisbane visiting South Bank, and doing the ferry ride up the river. Ceri was off on Tuesday so she went too having not done the ferry ride before. Wednesday they went to Wivenhoe dam and Thursday they went to Springfield Lakes to see the Investment plot (as there's no house yet) and then up to the Botanical Gardens. Friday being Good Friday Ceri and I went off to the service at church while Mark and his Dad started digging the front garden.... but that's going to be a very long job :( and then a few tonne of top soil will be needed to cover it and fill the raised beds, but at least the gardener finally finished. Anyway, we then had a relatively lazy day, we took the dog to the dog park which was the first time he'd really been off the lead. You can only take them to certain park areas which are fenced off, but usually have water bowls and some agility equipment but as far as Simba was concerned..lots of lovely smells. he didn't really get the running bit just wanted to smell everything :) Anyway we then went and walked around the lake instead.

Saturday we had a lovely day out going up to the Glasshouse Mountains lookout, had coffee watching the kanga's and one had a baby roo that kept jumping out of mums pouch..very cute it was. However unfortunately it was rather cloudy so the view wasn't as good as it could have been. We then went on up to Monteville, wandered round the shops and had lunch. As Tony pointed out, some of the scenery is very much like Devon, maybe that's why I like it so much :)

Sunday was Easter Service and wow it was awesome, we are so fortunate to belong to such an amazing church that loves to worship our risen Christ. However I was playing keyboard, and at one point I had a sax in one ear and a trumpet in the other, both improvising and couldn't hear a thing I was playing, it was almost funny but God so helped me out coz I was told afterwards that I still sounded OK. Anyway we then went up to Redcliffe for a picnic, which we managed before it started raining... so home we came. 

So as for everything else, Josh and Rebecca finally finished school on Thursday having had the swimming competition and the cross country events, Josh doing ok in his events and Rebecca's made the cross country team for next term, as if she didn't have enough going on already! Josh went to see Legally Blonde with school getting one up from our trip as they got to spend 15 minutes meeting the cast. They both then went off to Easterfest (a Christian music festival) for the weekend with the youth from church and seem to be having a good time albeit rather wet which I guess is par for the course with music festivals. 

Ceri and Matt spent Saturday with their friends, who happen to be their respective bridesmaids and grooms-men  so I think there was a bit of wedding talk going on :)

I've now got this week off which is rather nice.. just wish it would stop raining, although at least its still 23 degrees and not snowing :) 

Still working out how to privatise this blog.. I think I have to do it using email addresses, so if you can let me have email addresses if you don't access it via facebook, that would be good. facebook is ok still as that's friends only. thanks readers, xxx