A Kwirkie life

Where has the time gone???

2008-11-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

I do sooooo apologize for the fact that I have not written in over 3 months. Time has a way of getting away from me sometimes but I think most people are in the same boat that I am in. I have been very busy running Sarah to school which takes 2 hours out of my day now that we have moved and silly me did not want to switch schools in the middle of the year. Maybe I should have re-thunk that if had to do it over but the school year is almost over now so I suppose it is petrol under the bridge.

Other things that have been going on is my baby Rose is walking now. That is taking lots of my time too because I have to watch her closer than ever and make sure she is not getting into trouble. She loves going outside with her older sisters and that means that I have to follow her and make sure she does not muck around with bugs like redbacks, which we seem to have all over the yard even with spraying.

We survived the spring with very little problem with hayfever too. Few sniffles but that is normal for spring in our home.

We also went to the Red Bull Air Race this past weekend which was held her in beautiful Perth and what a great show that was. We have been watching it on tv for the past 3 years and always loved seeing the Perth race. I will tell you it is much better in person. We thought we may not be able to make it though after we had looked forward to it for 2 years. Saturday we got up, ate our brekkie, packed up the car. lunch, drinks, kids, got in the car and realized that we had locked the keys in the house. Well, I did. I thought that Rob had the keys and he only had my car keys and not the house key. ***EXPLETIVE Here***. So called a locksmith and found one that was fairly cheap for an after hours call. $110. But decided to scrap the race for Saturday because it was well after 12 when we got in the house.

Then Sunday we got up and Sarah was complaining of a bad tummy ache and had a mild fever. NOOOOOOO!!!! By 10 am though she was running around playing like nobodies business. So retook her temp and back to normal. Decided we should try it at least but thought that there would be no way we would probably find a good place to park. Packed everything up again in half the time after our dry run the day before, got to CBD by noon. found a place to park about 6 blocks away from the river shoreline where the race was, got there, set up our little spot under a tree and watched a wild show. And for those who like the race and have followed it at all, Hannes Arche won the championship by 1 point but came in third at the race. Now Sarah wants to be pilot. I figure she will change her mind many times before she is 25 but that is the fun part of being a kid.

Also, we are quickly approaching our 1 year anniversary here in Perth and I have not regretted being here at all. I have a few blue days where I miss people at home and certain comfort items like Butterfingers and Tacos but all in all, life here is better. And the kids love it. I think that Sarah is adjusting although she does mention certain items of hers that we had to give away from time to time. That will lessen as time passes and she builds a collection here.

Well, need to run and make sure kids are ok outside. Will write soon, Cheers mi amigos!

My baby is 1

2008-08-22T01:29:00.000-07:00

Well, been awhile again since I last posted. Just seems that I have so little time to sit and write like I would like to. Few new things going on around here though so thought I would update a few.

As you know, we have moved to a new home in the northern suburbs of Perth. Little place called Sinagra that is so new that when you tell people they look at you sideways. I love it here. Very close to the bush national forest. We get a beautiful view of the sunrise over our back fence facing the hills and no houses behind us so no obstructed views. I know I keep promising pics but will put some us sometime. The kids love it up here too. They seem to have a new lease on life with all the space in the house and the backyard. We are still renting but closer to buying each passing day.

Rob has a new hobbie, brewing beer. AS anyone that lives in WA will attest, the cost of beer is out of this world, being around $15for a 6 pack of the cheap brew so there are lots of home brewers out there. We just bottled our first lot of a summer beer and it has to rest for a good month til we can break it open but taste very good at the early stage. We have a large vat on the counter of our version of Guiness too that will be bottled in the next few days too. Can't wait to try that one as that is me favorite beer.

My baby girl is no longer a baby anymore. She had her 1st birthday on the 7th and had a blast. Since we were moving we held off on partying until the past weekend and she had a blast. Got right into the present opening and cake eating like a champ. She is still only crawling but has finally began to pull herself up on the furniture. I am kind of dreading her walking but this is inevitable. The latest thing with the others is that Zoe has a very minor case of chicken pox. She only had one vaccine so her immunity was very little and has little pox on the inside of her leg. Now we will see if buby gets them and worst of all, me as I have never had them as I know of. *fingers crossed*

Well, loyal readers, off to make pizza for dinner. The pic of the roos was taken on a evening ride down the back 40. Not really, but it was taken about 5 KM from our house at dusk as we were out riding and enjoying the view on a dirt road. There were abotu 10 of them just crazing and chilling but those 2 posed for us.

Love ya, mean it ...

Just some randon photos

2008-07-23T18:57:00.001-07:00

Photobucket Album

Just passing the time

2008-07-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am getting yet another cold. This will be my third one this season. I have chills and muscle aches. I am so over this winter.
To make matters worse, I have a 5 year old that is home on winter break that wants to go and do all the time. I feel very guilty that I do not feel like going places with her. I will try and make it up to her another day though. But not today.
To pass the time while I feel bad, I have started knitting again thanks to a girlfriend of mine here. I have knitted 4 scarves and a shawl. Now my 5 year old wants a beanie to wear on the cold days. I will get started on that today I think seeing as how I really don't feel like going out. Maybe she will be happy seeing me making something for her.
That is all I have to say today. *cough*

AQWA

2008-07-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

We took the kids yesterday to the Aquarium of Western Australia. What a nice place. I love going to aquariums and have been to quite a few in the states including The Baltimore Aquarium and Chattanooga. This one is small but they have this one tank that is the tunnel tank. I could have stayed in this tank for hours. We actually road the conveyor belt around it 4 times and was there during feeding time. it is a glass tunnel that goes through the tank and there are sharks, stingrays and sea turtles swimming all around you. The kids loved this, including Rose who was fascinated with all the moving creatures. There is a nice little touch tank too for the kids to get soaked in so that would be a nice thing to play at on a warm day.

I would recommend going but it is a bit pricey if you are taking a tribe like us.

Ass for gas

2008-07-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

You know that gas is high when brothels start handing out gas vouchers.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Nevada brothel is trying to stimulate business by offering free petrol.
Clients of the Shady Lady Ranch will get a $50 (25 pound) petrol voucher if they fork out $300 (152 pounds) -- worth about one hour's worth of services -- at the brothel in Beatty, Nevada, 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Las Vegas.
Owner James Davis said he already has had to order another $1,000 set of petrol vouchers because the first $1,000 were spent in one week.
"It's rocking along. We're doing quite well. June and July historically are not big months," said Davis, who is co-owner of the brothel along with his wife Bobbi, in a telephone interview.
The $50 rebate would roughly cover the cost of a round trip drive from Las Vegas to the ranch.
Davis said business at the ranch, which has been operating for 16 years, generally slows in the early summer. He said the brothel regularly offers specials to lure clients and his wife came up with the petrol vouchers for this month.
U.S. petrol prices hit a record $4.08 a gallon last week, up 38 percent from a year ago.
Brothels, illegal in most U.S. states, are legal in parts of Nevada..
(Reporting by Matthew Robinson, editing by Michelle Nichols and Philip Barbara)

What next, free beer with gas???

A brief intermission

2008-07-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today it is going to be a nice warm day here in Perth, just a brief glimpse of the spring that is months away but I am going to take advantage of what warmth that mother nature gives us. We are going to go to the park and play and watch birds and eat. As I sit here plan our outing though, what I want to wear is probably not the best. I wanted to wear my thongs (aka flip flops) but have not had a pedicure in at least a month so the remnants of the red polish on my toes look like scabs and anyone with toddlers knows that as soon as you pull out the nail polish, they come to investigate and poke and get polish everywhere. My cropped black pants are also out because my poor legs have not been mowed in at least a week. So that is out too. Or I could say who cares and just go Au natural and make no excuses. Probably not.
Well, lunch beckons me to come and make it. Stay tuned for more reports.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2008-07-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry loyal readers it has been a while since my last post. I have been fighting one type of pestulance after another it seems over the past few months. Maybe it is because I now have a child in public school or maybe because along with my new and exotic country also comes new and exotic viruses to attack my poor body. In the past month I have had 2 respiratory viruses, a sinusits, a bronchitis and about 3 bouts of digestive disorders which I will not go into details but I am sure you get the picture. I never thought that so much sickness could be in one house in such a short period of time but we have all had fevers for days and coughing still goes on every night.
On an up note, we have had a very productive month in getting established here. The girls have matching beds thanks to Ikea that they love. Bright red with a dog and a cat on it. Zoe has an ocean theme quilt and sheets, Sarah has zoo animals or Noggin animals as she calls them because they look like cartoon animals on Noggin.
We have found a new custom that a is here in Australia too. Christmas in July. It is not just a saying here. It is for real. People have on their fur coats, scarves, mittens, hats and have Christmas parties. Even the shops and retail outlets get into it of course and have toys stacked to the rafters. So we have had an early visit from Santa/Dad here at the Rat house. And what did he bring? Why many things. For the girls there is a ride on Thomas the Train, a huge Dora dollhouse with 50 accessories for me to step on in the middle of the night and a leapfrog learning play center for the baby. For Mr and Mrs Clause, a Rancilio espresso machine and coffee grinder/doser. We have been using a french press or plunger as they say here for the entire time here. This has been hard to do after having a Francis Francis in the states but now we can have the real deal again. So I can have my afternoon Mama crack again.
Best of all, MAMA GOT A CAR!!! Yes, I have now got a passion red 2007 Holden Commodore. For those in the states, google it. Those here in Australia, you know what it is. I love it and it is big enough to carry 2 car seats and a booster seat. it is perfect for me and easier to park than an suv. Pictures will come as soon as I take them but with the rain and the sickness, I have not had a chance to take any. So just use your imagination and see me blur past you in a red car.
I am being chased off the computer now by a pushy 2 year old that wants to watch Teletubbies so til next time, take care.

What you need

2008-06-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

We have been here in this beautiful country for 6 months now and so much has changed in our lives that I want to take a minute to talk about.
When we left our home in the US, we sold all of the things that we had horded over the past 40 years of our lives. I had fallen into the misconception as many people do that these were things that we "needed" to survive. We sold our big screen plasma tv, oak antique bedroom suite, children's bedroom furniture, dishes, appliances, clothes, clothes and more clothes. We had a membership to the many price clubs so we could "save" money buying in bulk. We had 4 trash cans that we filled up twice over a week with 3 small children and 2 pets. We left our country with 9 suitcases. 9 suitcases and that was all.
In these suitcases were the things that we knew we could not replace here. Pictures of family and friends left behind. Small momentos from our past that little meaning to anyone but us. A suitcase full of christmas ornaments that we had collected and wanted to keep to hand down and adorn our tree here in the new country. 2 Lionel trains again that would be under our christmas tree as they had been when we were kids ourselves. 1 suitcase of toys that the girls picked out themselves. And the rest were clothes and a computer.
Since we have been here I am surprised at what little bit we have replaced. We have a small 10 inch t.v. that a friend gave us so that we can watch the 5 channels that you get free here in Australia. A sofa and 2 chairs that the same friend gave us so that we could have a place to plant our rumps to watch the beautiful t.v. A dining room table that has entertained many friends. This we picked up used from the Quokka, a local trading paper. A few toys that we bought at yardsales and were given to the kids as presents. A bed for all. Dishes. A Kenwood mixer so that I can make my cakes and decorate them the way that I love to do. 2 space heaters and a Webber kettle grill that we picked up off the curb and have made the best smoked ribs I have had in monthes. Our rubbish has gone from 4+ cans a week to 1 bin because we waste so little. Mainly because the cost of food is higher and we do not have the cost clubs that was supposed to be saving us money.
We have no video games. We have no dvd player. We have no cable. We have no home phone. And we are doing better for this. We were so wastefull. The first few months were rough and even our oldest daughter will say occasionally that she misses her toys but then I remind her that if we were back in the US, she would not have a park outside her door that she could play on. She would not have been able to play in the ocean. She would not have seen the colorful sunsets that we have here and she would not be able to pet kangaroos at the parks. Then she is happy and does not miss her old things as much.
There are days that I do cry still over the lost items but not as often as it was. I know that I will have a car again one day (yes, I still do not have a car but that is ok.) I do not buy as much because the shops close early so you can't go shopping out of boredom. And my nails and hair look better than they have in years because I am eating so much healthier foods.
What we need to survive is so little. What we want is usually a lot more than what we need. I don't think we will go back to the way we were.
6 months and loving it.

More on the weather

2008-05-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

I know, I talk a lot about the weather here but weather is something that I have always been fascinated with. I use to stay glued to the t.v. as a child and watch the weather when a snow storm was coming. Usually because I wanted to get out of school but still. Then when the Weather Channel came along, I was hooked. I would watch any storm, anytime. And I loved Jim Cantorie. So when I got here, I was in for a rude wake up call. The weather here is, well, a bit boring. Even the weather forcasts are boring. The weather is described as "Fine", "Showers" ( which may be typhoons but called "showers", and once I saw it described as "uncomfortable" because the heat was to be 44C that day (114F). I know, I need to stop whinging about it and get use to the fact that there really is NO weather here on the west coast but I ran across this on you tube( God bless you tube) and nearly wet myself laughing. If the weather forcast was really done like this, I think everyone would love it.
*Warning* The "F" bomb is dropped many times in this clip but it is funny. All my Ozzie readers will get a laugh I am sure.
Cheers!

So this is how the other half lives?

2008-05-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

No, not the rich. Just people in the southern hemisphere. It is getting closer to winter here in Oz and it is really pretty surreal for me. First, living in a very arid climate, winter is the rainy season so it is strange for me to see things come alive and bloom in the winter time. Also it is really not that cold. At night it gets down to 6 C/42 F. That is not too bad when you have heat but since I live in the land of denial ("It does not get cold here"), very few houses have heat. Luckily we have a lovely fireplace so we can add our fair share of pollution to the air. And we do every night. It is also odd to me to plant a garden in the winter time and have it produce vegetables.
The days have gotten to be very short with the sun coming up at 7ish and setting at 5:30. Pretty early. If I want my clothes to dry now I had better have them on the line by 9 am or it probably won't be happening today. These short days do very little to help people with seasonal depression. And it is not even technically winter yet.
Well, that is all I have to say for today.
Rambling thought~ Rose now has 6 teeth! In 2 weeks! Wow. Go Rose!

What's going on

2008-04-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy few weeks since I wrote last. We are in fall, which is still odd for me being it is April and had my daughter's first birthday party here in Oz. She was 5 on the 24th and funny thing was the weather was exactly the same as it is in April in Va. Sunny then showers and cooler at night. Preparing for the birthday party was a helluva lot harder here though than it was in VA. For starters, we only had Saturdays and Thursday nights to shop for all the supplies for the party. That is the trading hours here, Mon thru Friday 8-5 except Thursday when stores are open til 8 and Saturday 8-5. What a JOKE! I think we drove more on Saturday than we have the whole time here because you can not go to just one store and buy all you need. No, no. That would be too easy. So we ran from one shop on one side of town and worked our way to the other end of town. In 9 hours we made 7 stops in about as many suburbs. we finished our grand shopping day at 4:58pm. The only real rant I have tho is we drove about 15 km to go to the Toys R Us and as soon as I walked in the door to run in and grab the toy I wanted to get for Sarah, the power went OUT! We left and planned on running to the mall next to it and the lights were out in the WHOLE DAMN AREA! So we had to fight all this traffic with no stoplights and head all the way back down south to hit our area and try and find some substitutes to her birthday present.

She had a great birthday and played with many of friends. And lucky for me the birthday cake I made with very few tools turned out a success. I am just glad that we have a few months to recover from the birthday party til the next one in August. This one will be simpler and hopefully I will have a car by then so that I can run errands during the week.

Tomorrow Sarah ends her long 2 week "fall" break and heads back to school. And I survived!!!

Why I never became a journalist

2008-04-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Journalism is not a glamours job. This is why I never wanted to be a journalist. But it sure makes for a good laugh. Enjoy.

Oh Lord won't you buy me ...

2008-04-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am having a very whingie day today. Actually for the past few weeks I have been feeling blue. I am not really homesick but just feel sad. I can not quiet put my finger on the feeling I have. It is this empty dark feeling in my heart. I try and keep a smile on my face for everyone around me but it can be hard somedays to do that.
We have been here for almost 5 months and still we are setting up house. I am having some serious sticker shock at the price of getting all the little things in our house that I took for granted in the past. Little things that I miss like a cheese grater, cookie sheets, cake pans (and I had lots of cake pans), my KA mixer, skillets of various sizes, a cd player and radio, etc. The thing I miss the most is a car though. I have been a very independant and mobile person since I was 16. I have driven thousands of miles by meyself and never thought twice about it. Now, it is a challenge to go anywhere. Not having a car here in Perth is like missing your leg. And also using city transit with 3 kids under 5 is nearly impossible. I am sure it IS possible but I have not been brave enough to attempt it. Getting a double stroller on a bus is got to be a feat in itself. So now that Sarah is on her fall/spring break, we have very little to do except sit here at home and I try to think of crafts to entertain her and her sisters for t he next two weeks. This pisses me off like you would not believe! It pisses me off that I can not go to the library or to the craft store with them. It pisses me off that we can't go to the beach on the pretty days. It pisses me off to be so dependent on others to take me places (which others mainly means my hubby when he gets home from work). It pisses me off that shops close at 5!!! Am I homesick? No. I am just sick of BEING AT HOME!!! Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz... Hell, a moped at this point would be nice.
Enough whinging.

Easter report... just a bit late

2008-03-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Easter came and went here in Perth and the kids had a great time. Unlike in the states, Easter is almost as big as Christmas here. The grocery stores are LOADED with tons of Cadbury and Lindt chocolate eggs. And instead of just having 1 day for a holiday, they take 4! Everything shut down on Friday for the obscervence of good Friday. Obviously no seperation of Church and State going on here... And most places did not get rolling again until The Tuesday following Easter. They take off Easter Monday which totally confused Rob for some reason. He kept thinking Easter was on Monday until I told him it was just another reason for the Ozzies to take off to recover from all the BBQ's on Sunday.

They also have the Easter Bilby here. And in our house, the Bilby came on Friday night and left lollies. The kids thought that was grand. I have more to say but not enough time right now. Enjoy!

A little general Information

2008-03-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

I was just reading an email from a friend of mine back in Virginia and she said something that really struck and I feel I need to just take a minute to inform some of my readers a little bit about my new hometown of Perth. She said she was not sure how big it was. I think this is the general consensus. This is not bad at all but many people think Perth is like the bush country. They know Sydney and Melbourne and many cities on the East Coast but know very little about the West coast so, time to have a little tutorial on what I know about Perth.

First off, It sits on the Indian Ocean in the southwest of the coast. The population of Western Australia, the state in which Perth is located roughly 2 million and 1.5 million of these folks live in the metropolis of Perth. 1.5 million. This makes it the third largest city in Australia and about the size as Philedelphia. It is spread over 752 sq miles. People here speak English as the primary language but there are over 250 nationalities that call Perth their home. Perth has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Australia and Scarborough Beach has the best white sand surfing in the world. It was also voted the cleanest beach in Australia. It is home to the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University,University of Notre Dame and Curtain University of Technology to mention a few. Fremantle Harbor is the port city of WA and is located 19 km south of Perth. It is the largest port in WA and second only to Sydney Harbor.

Although we live in a drought, the average rainfall in Perth is greater than London England.

The number one industry in WA is mining. Since 2000 the population of Perth has grown by almost 50%. This is due to the influx of migrants working in the mining industry. With this influx of migrants, the economy has boomed as well.

There are a large number of national parks here, zoos and a huge aquarium.

If you want to learn more about Perth, here are a few good links.

City Of Perth

Today is my Birthday!!!

2008-03-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

I know, who cares really but I DO! It is my first birthday in Australia and I am totally enjoying it. One of my girlfriends brought me a yummy strawberry torte to eat and we are having spaghetti for dinner. The real celebration will be this weekend with a tru Ozzie BBQ with me mates.
It has been a while since I have blogged and I do apologize but since S. has started school, I have been flat out like a lizard drinking. She goes to school 5 days a week full time and is taking intramural sports in the afternoon one day a week to see if she likes cricket or footie best. My daughter the Ozzie. She even came home and corrected me on how to properly say her teachers name ( No Mom, her name is not Ms. Barnes, it is Ms "Baah-nz".) Pardon me.
We have also started furnishing our home all thanks to the new Ikea here in Perth. And this is a HUGE deal around here. Not only is it the largest Ikea in the Southern Hemisphere, it has totally changed traffic patterns around where we live. The community paper has had nothing but negative things in it about the new Ikea BEFORE it was open like how large the sign is, how much dust they have been stirring up, etc. I can't wait to see what the locals have to say about all the un wanted traffic it has brought into the area. Bloody Hell people.
Anyway, we now have a new bed, a new "cot" for R. (crib for American readers) and soon 2 new beds for S and Z. We also have a new fridge and Table and chair thanks to the Quokka (local paper). But the big thing is the Weber kettle grill that we rescued from curb day. Curb day is when all the people around here put out their large items for what we use to call the junk pick up but here it is far from junk. This grill is fine. Hardly any rust. It helps to hit the really rich neighborhoods too. We have also found a shop vac, an industrial grade grill for a kitchen that even came with a tutorial from the nice mate that lived in the house that was disposing of this item. We are going to convert it into an outside grill. We also found a large eveporative cooling fan for inside too that we use in the bedroom. I love curb day but I have usually have 2 things going through my mind as we ride around looking at the "junk". 1) The theme song from "Sanford and Son" and 2) Monty Python. "Bring out your dead" "I'm not dead yet. I'm feeling much better".
Well, I am off to enjoy my spaghetti dinner. Yummm.

Edit*

After dinner, we loaded up the kids and took a trip to Trigg beach to catch the final voyage of the QE2 as she was leaving Fremantle boat harbor. What a sight. This was a wonderful birthday!

Yanchep Park, Two Rocks

2008-02-05T22:10:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Sunset in Perth

2008-02-05T22:09:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Australia Day in Perth

2008-02-05T22:05:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Just take a minute to watch this.

2008-02-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

I was watching Oprah today, one of the few times I have gotten to since being here but I caught this incredible show. Here is one person speaking on there today. Watch it.

Perth Meet up

2008-01-21T17:42:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Pics of Rose

2008-01-21T17:41:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Random thoughts

2008-01-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone, I’m back!!! I know it seems like it has been a long time but trust me, a lot has been going on in our new life. Here are updates and some random thoughts on my new homeland.
· We are getting settled into our new home and it is starting to feel like home thanks to the kindness of our friends. My dear friend Shylady and the crazy bearded one ( you know I love ya) donated 2 chairs and a sofa, a tv and a vcr to our lovely home. We love the sofa and it is a great place to kick back on days that are so hot that we can’t go out til after the sun goes down. We have a futon mattress to sleep on and the kids have an air mattress. Of course Sarah thinks the mattress is a trampoline.
· Christmas day never quite felt like Christmas to me. We put up a tree and pulled out all of our ornaments that we trucked over with us. We set up the Polar Express around the tree and read it on Christmas Eve. But 40 C is much different than 40 F. On the day after Christmas, Boxing Day as it is known here, we were living smack dab in the middle of the hottest city on the planet. Literally. The temp that day reached 43.something which is about 111 F. So let me tell you, when someone tells you it is not bad because there is know humidity, I say this, if you stick your head in a convection oven, it is still HOT. Nuff said.
· Ants. Ants. Ants. I have never seen this many ants in my life. I am getting use to waking up and having them on my pillow though. I have started calling them the housekeeper because they will clean up any crumb that they find. Very cheap labor and luckily they don’t bite the employer, me.
· Evaporative cooling. I have many mixed emotions on this way of cooling a house. It is very efficient. And it works very well as long as it is not a day that is over 35C but if it is over 35, forget it. Then it is like pouring gasoline on a fire. For those that do not know what evaporative cooling is, google it.
· The Doctor. I love the Doctor. No, not a medical doctor but this wonderful “breeze” (if you can call 20+ knots a breeze) that comes in off the Indian ocean, usually in the evenings, and drops the temp about 10 degrees in minutes. The way that our house sets, it comes right in our veranda and gets trapped. Very nice. But I think come winter, I will be cussing the doctor.
· The Indian Ocean. I have never seen such a beautiful ocean and such beautiful
Beaches in my life. The sunsets are like something out of a painting. The sun and the ocean create so many effects together and I could watch it everynight of my life and NEVER get tired of it. I can not put into words the way it makes me feel inside but I have seen sunsets over mountains, desserts, beaches and oceans and nothing compares.
· Black Flies. Hate them. Blow flies. Hate them. Flies up my nose and in my eyes. Hate it. Nuff said.
· Mossies. Hate them. I have 23 mossie bites on me from when I went to a picnic yesterday in the day time. Even my husband who never gets bit has mossie bites (Mossie= Mosquito). But my husband still says they are worse on the Eastern Shore of VA than here. I trust his word on this and do not want to give up a pint of my precious blood to find out.
· Now a word from our sponsors~ Foods and products that you only get in Australia that we love. We love TimTams. Traditional chocolate TimTams. We love the marshmallows. Vanilla and raspberry. We love Cadbury. Lots and lots of Cadbury. We love WA Bananas. We love Kirks passion fruit soda and lemon mash. We love chicken salt. We love chicken chips. We love chicken crackers. We love Mia bread. We love that almonds and cashews are so cheap. We love the cheeses and yoghurt here. (Especially honey yoghurt). We love Chooks chicken. We love Tassie Salmon and blue fin tuna. We love Jesters meat pies. We love sunscreen by the GALLON people! We love red Australian wine. We love VB.
· Things that I miss~ my friends. I miss cheap beer. All be it the beer is better here but you have to pay the price. I miss snow. There I said it. Not lots of snow but I do miss snow. Snow is one thing that I always loved and I know I will never see it here. I miss Krispy Kreme. That is about it.
· Drinking in Australia is a big pass time. I am not a huge drinker but I do like my spirits from time to time but since being here I have had more beer and wine than I have had since my college days! I feel like there is always a good reason to drink. And it is so easy to get. There is a bottle shop on every corner and all you do is drive up, tell them what you want and give them the money. They go get it for you and carry it to you and you drive away. We are not talking about a Brew Threw, we are talking about big time here. 2 lanes at most of them and any beer, wine or liquor you can think of. But again, not cheap.
· Some things are just odd to me. It is odd that many super markets keep eggs on the shelf and not refrigerated. It is odd to me that there are parks EVERYWHERE. It is odd to see kangaroos and emus running wild. It is odd to see the lorikeets, ring necks, Galas and cockatoos flying everywhere. It is not really odd but amusing to listen to ravens talking. It is odd that we live in the second largest city in Australia but everything closes at 5 or 6 every night except one. It is odd not to get mail on Saturdays. It is odd to watch free uncensored TV and to see movies entirely uncut on FREE TV! It is odd to watch Bob the Builder and he has an Aussie accent. It is odd to see kids in pubs. It is odd to see the world stop for a cricket match and for that to be the top story (see India vs. Australia). Cricket is odd. It is odd not to have any heat in your house.

Sorry to have gone on for so long but this is just a few things that have been going through my head over the past few weeks. I am sure as we get settled in, I will have more thoughts. I am not whinging or complaining about life here at all. If anything, I love it. I feel at home. Finally. And I love my new Aussie family.
And on that note, G’day mates.

Mele Kalikimaka

2007-12-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am not sure if I am going to get that wonderful Christmas feeling this year like I do at home. I look at the photos on tv of the blizzard that hit the east coast of the US and then it looks like Christmas but here, it just loses something in translation. I know it is all a matter of perceptions but even the Aussies have images of snowflakes and Santa in a fuzzy red suit around. But when it is 95 degrees outside, I just feel like bbq'ing and drinking beer at the beach. Hey wait, that is what they do on Christmas too. Maybe this IS the way you are supposed to feel at Christmas in Australia. I was talking to a local that spent a year in China and she said it was very weird to have a cold Christmas, it just didn't "feel" like Christmas to her. Perception people. Now my kids will have fond memories of building sand castles and swimming on Christmas day. Even my 4 year old told Santa she wanted a beach ball and a bucket for Christmas. Now she has the spirit!
Merry Christmas or Mele Kalikimaka! (That is for you Preston)

The Sky is Falling!!!

2007-12-13T22:15:00.000-08:00

Well, maybe not chicken little but a damn good reason to grab some red and cheese and hit the lawn tonight! Oh yeah, and mozzie spray.

Friday December 14, 04:32 PM
Meteor shower to light up Aussie skies
A meteor shower is expected to turn the skies above Australia into a celestial light show overnight.
The shower, known as the Geminids because it appears to come from the constellation of Gemini, happens in December every year and can be seen from anywhere in the world.
Sydney Observatory curator of astronomy Nick Lomb said conditions were good for Australians to view the shower this year, with no moon expected to be visible.
He said the show was expected to start at about 11pm (AEDT), with the peak coming just before dawn at about 3.45am (AEDT) on Saturday.
"It will look like streaks of light, like whitish flares," Dr Lomb said.
"It could be quite spectacular."
A meteor shower is caused when the earth runs into a stream of dust and ice left by a comet orbiting the sun.
The Geminids shower is caused by the earth running into a stream of material from a chunk of rock known as 3200 Phaeton, which astronomers believe could be the remnants of a dead comet.

A beautiful weekend in WA

2007-12-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

This was our first real weekend to go and see and do. And we did do alot.

First on Saturday, we made the trek upto Whiteman Park. This park is not like any other parks I have seen before. There was sooo much to do that we were only able to see the Animal park. What a treat that was. Of course the kids (and me) loved all the one on one contact with the creatures like roos, wallabies, quokkas and the koala bears. One of the funniest animals there was Tommy, the 40 year old donkey that loves to catch little pellets of food in his mouth like our german shepherd would do with popcorn. Got some great pics of his big mouth wide open to catch these yummy little morsels of goodness. We wanted to go to the Christmas parade Saturday night but after all the sun, animals and oh yes, FLIES, the kids were worn out and crashed at 7:30. Maybe next year.

On Sunday, it was time to journey to the great Swan Valley and hit some fine vineyards. I drank way too much of the great wines but man they werer good. Sarah and Zoe made some new friends at one vineyard and Sarah got to play cricket for the first time. I made some friends with the people that own the Tiki Bar in downtown Perth and we have been invited there to partake in some tropical drinks that you drink out of coconut shells with little umberellas on them one night when we get a sitter.

All and all, Perth is a great place for kids and adults and I can't wait to see more of this place.

New house Part Deux

2007-12-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Aussie Gods are being very good to us. We found a house on Saturday and it is very close to where we are staying now. It is a 3x1 and has a garage too. The nicest thing is that it is right beside a park so the kids are really excited about that. The weirdest thing is that the backyard is all brick and concrete and roses. Lots of roses. Like 100 bushes. I don't quite get the whole brick yard thing but I guess it keeps you from having to worry about cutting the grass. We move in in 2 weeks and I can't wait to set up house.

Cheers!

FINALLY!!!

2007-12-02T03:01:00.000-08:00

Been a bit since I posted but we are FINALLY here. And I love it. Maybe I am just in the honeymoon stage but so far the weather, the food and the people have been great. We are staying with friends but found a house to move into in Stirling in 2 weeks. I had my first trip to downtown and Freo and loved it. Funny thing is that we have a friend in Freo that my hubby has met but I have not had the pleasure of meeting. We tried to get ahold of her when we went there but when we went to get on the train to leave and go back to where we arstaying, low and behold, who was on the train? Fate? Who knows but I know I was extatic to meet her and it was like I met someone that I have known for many years.
The kids are doing well. We flew on Emirates Airline and I would highly recomend them to anyone flying from the east coast of the US. The staff was friendly, there is lots of leg room and the food was great. Plus the fleight attendants are very friendly and love taking care of the kids. It took us 28 hours and when we landed in Perth at 2 am, the staff that was working gladly helped us and ribbed us about the luggage. One man in particular joked me and asked me if we were here for 2 weeks. HAHAHA. We had 9 suitcases, 5 carry ons and 3 kids. I was so relieved. This week we have to go to immigration and get our visas officially stamped.
All and all, it has been a long time coming but damnit, WE ARE HERE!!!

We are Off

2007-11-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

Well, we will be leaving here on Tuesday from JFK and getting to Perth on Thursday. See ya there kiddies. I am off to clean and throw away some more. I will hopefully be checking in with everyone soon.
PEACE!!!

2007-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. I will be offline for a while, not sure how long but let me just say, it is a good thing. So, keep checking in on me and leave messages. I will be gone after Sunday. I think everybody knows why but I am not saying for fear of jinxing myself. See ya on the flipside!

Knee slapping good time..

2007-11-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy a good corny joke, these are for you. Happy Monday.

1) King Ozymandias of Assyria was running low on cash after years of war with the Hittites. His last great possession was the Star of the Euphrates, the most valuable diamond in the ancient world. Desperate, he went to Croesus, the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan. Croesus said, "I'll give you 100,000 dinars for it." But I paid a million dinars for it," the King protested. "Don't you know who I am? I am the king!" Croesus replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star, makes no difference who you are."

2) Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. However, all the Swiss league records were unfortunately destroyed in a fire, so we'll never know for whom the Tells bowled.

3) A man rushed into a busy doctor's office and shouted, "Doctor! I think I'm shrinking!!" The doctor calmly responded, "Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient."

4) A marine biologist developed a race of genetically engineered dolphins that could live forever if they were fed a steady diet of seagulls. One day, his supply of the birds ran out so he had to go out and trap some more. On the way back, he spied two lions asleep on the road. Afraid to wake them, he gingerly stepped over them. Immediately, he was arrested and charged with transporting gulls across sedate lions for immortal porpoises.

5) Back in the 1800's the Tates Watch Company of Massachusetts wanted to produce other products and, since they already made watch cases, they used them to produce compasses. The new compasses were so bad that people often ended up in Canada or Mexico rather than California. This, of course, is the origin of the expression, "He who has a Tates is lost!"

6) A thief broke into the local police station and stole all the toilets and urinals, leaving no clues. A spokesperson was quoted as saying, "We have absolutely nothing to go on."

7) An Indian chief was feeling very sick, so he summoned the medicine man. After a brief examination, the medicine man took out a long, thin strip of elk rawhide and gave it to the chief, telling him to bite off, chew, and swallow one inch of the leather every day. After a month, the medicine man returned to see how the chief was feeling. The chief shrugged and said, "The thong is ended, but the malady lingers on."

8) A famous Viking explorer returned home from a voyage and found his name missing from the town register. His wife insisted on complaining to the local civic official who apologized profusely saying, "I must have taken Leif off my census."

9) There were three Indian squaws. One slept on a deerskin, one slept on an elk skin, and the third slept on a hippopotamus skin. All three became pregnant, and the first two each had a baby boy. The one who slept on the hippopotamus skin had twin boys. This goes to prove that the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.

10) A skeptical anthropologist was cataloging South American folk remedies with the assistance of a tribal brujo who indicated that the leaves of a particular fern were a sure cure for any case of constipation. When the anthropologist expressed his doubts, the brujo looked him in the eye and said, "Let me tell you, with fronds like these, who needs enemas?"

Chasing rainbows

2007-11-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

We have been on this journey to move for many months now, researching sinc March, actual time pursuing since May and it just seems like a giant rainbow to me. I don't know if it is the type of visa we are getting or just really bad timing but we just keep moving forward and then get knocked back 2-3 steps. Now it has happened yet again. We keep getting told 2 more weeks, 2 more weeks. Of course that was 8 weeks ago. Now we are told 4 more weeks! We are so close to throwing in the towel. We are so stressed and at each other 75% of the time. I just want to get to Oz but just like the song, it is somewhere over the rainbow. And we all know how hard it is to get to a rainbow. But I will persist and if anyone has some ruby slippers that they could lone me, that would be great.

2007-11-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me by a high school friend that just lost her sister to breast cancer. It was written by George Carlin, which I love. I hope it makes you feel as good as it did me.
Cheers

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate. A Message by George Carlin:The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~ George Carlin

Boo time

2007-11-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

So another Halloween has passed and the wheel of life has turned again 360 degrees. A lot has happened in a year.
Halloween/Samhain is my favorite holiday by far for many reasons but mainly because I have always took time to look back on the past year and see all that I have "harvested" over the past year. This year is a bit different though. Although we are still in the Northern Hemisphere, I know we will be going to the Southern Hemi before the end of the year and I will be entering a different season and I know this will be odd to my system. Mentally and physically I am ready for the rest that winter brings and I know that I won't get it this year. I had read a response to a blog I like to read , Audra's Australian Adventures , and it brings up a point that I have been thinking about and addressed with a few of my pagan friends, about the celebration of Samhain. My "pagan" side has trained me to follow the seasons when it comes to celebrations. I believe this is what the old world pagans would have done if placed in the situation of being thrown to the land down under. That would make sense to me. So this year, I did celebrate Halloween but not quite to the extint that I would have if I would be staying here. I did 2 rituals, one a very introspective and giving thanks of all that I have had given to me this year and one of planting and preparing to start over. It felt right. I soo look forward to celebrating another Samhain in April at the end of the Australian summer and seeing how it feels.

As for the kids, they just had a great time Trick or Treating and bringing home a HUGE booty. I am enjoying in helping them eat it.

And for those that have asked me why I am not over there yet, let me just say that corruption is abound, and that includes in Australia too. Our paperwork is back on track now but only after some investigating on our part. The Australian Immigration agents have been wonderfully helpful but I will say to anyone that is immigrating and using a third party company to sponsor them, be very very careful and stay on top of everything. I am not saying they are all bad or all good, just if something smells fishy, there is a reason and follow your instinct. Luckily I have a husband that is a take charge kind of guy and has gone above and beyond to make sure that this move is done right. That said, we will be there before the end of the year.

Happy Hallow Spring!

No hanky Panky Please

2007-10-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

Not that I could ever afford to stay in one but it is nice to know that while I am sitting in economy class, even the elite can't completely let there hair down too. Perth couple first to fly in double bed suite on Singagpore airlines

Walking down memory lane

2007-10-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

I had not planned on writing about this but timing would have it that on another blog I read, The Social Primate , and he was talking about going through old things getting ready for his move to Australia. I have been doing just that over the past few days. I have very few of the mixed tapes left that he was talking about because I through those away when I moved from my parents years ago and started buying CD's. Now I am going through the mixed cd's, old photos, yearbooks, old newspapers, etc. Since we are not going to be getting a large sea container, we will be limited to what we will be shipping overseas.

My big thing was journaling. I have kept a journal since I was 8 years old when my mother gave me my first "diary". Remember the little ones that had about 4 lines to write on and had a key so you could "hide" your deepest 4 line thoughts? I soon progressed to spiral notebooks so that is what I have most of. I had about 3 boxes of them. I did not have time to read them all but I went through and read a few highlights here and there. The ones from my school days are very funny. I remember the "pain" in having my heart broken by Ricky in high school when he started dating a girl I worked with at the movie theater that I introduced him too. I tried to end it all by swollowing 5 benedryl. Woke up the next morning with dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Then reading about my college days and graduation. All the trips and friends that I had long forgotten. So much writing. Now it is blogging. But there is still this feeling of comfort in opening a clean notebook, picking up a pen and putting it on the paper so that your soul can bleed out onto paper. Once I am in Australia, I will start back to my journals so that my little ladies can have somethings to read about there dear old mom when they grow up if they want to.

Taking sometime for us

2007-10-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

This month has been soo chaotic that hubby and I decided we needed to take a little time for us and just relax. It has amazed me at how tense this move has made us and makes you just fight with anyone or anything. I have talked to others about this and t seems to be pretty normal but it still is hard to understand.

Well, in the past month we have had 2 dates. This is something that is hard to do when you have 3 kids under the age of 5.

First we had a date and went to this wonderful fondue restaurant. I have never been to one so it was a culinary adventure for me. I think my favorite part had to be the yin yang chocolate fondue at the end. I could eat anything with that. I only wish they would have given me pretzels to eat it with. Nom nom nom...

Next, we took a trip to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg VA. We use to get season passes there since it is only 45 minutes for us to go there but the past 2 years, we have not been. I love love love roller coasters but have not been able to ride one in almost 5 years because I have been pregnant everytime we went so this time was a treat. The best one had to be the new one that was built this past year, The Griffon. If you have not seen this beast, you need to go to Youtube and just type it in the search and have a look at it. They claim it is the tallest rollercoaster in the world, which I will not argue with but the part that just freaked me the most was the 90 degree drop on the first leg of the coaster. It is just straight down and it holds you at the top of the drop for what seems to be eternity. I loved it. We also rode many other of the rides, lots of them for the first time for me. I am going to miss this as I don't believe that there are any amusement parks in Perth. But they will come I am sure.

Then last night, I had a mama's night and went to what use to be my monthly ritual for the past 4 years. I went to play Bunco with 12 of my girlfriends. I started playing this game with my neighbors when I moved into the neighborhood and ever since then, you could always find me at one of their houses on the second Monday of every months. It is a great excuse to get together and have some cocktails with 12 wonderful women. I will definitly miss them when I leave. Maybe I will have to start a new group once I am settled and make friends there. I don't think you have to twist too many mom's arms to get them out of the house and have a few glasses of wine.

Well, that is all for now, I smell a poopy diaper. Code Brown. Call the bio hazard trucks.

It finally hit me

2007-09-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have been reading on one of my favorite sites about people that have moved to Australia having these panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I never really got it, until today.

I was calmly going through more of our belongings, making the three piles Take, Toss, Sell. Then there was a knock at our door. I went to the door and it was this idiot that has annoyed me since we started our yardsales in July. He comes when he wants, argues over prices, tells you you told him one price when you KNOW you did not and is just pushy as hell. He also speaks very broken English. Well, he picked the wrong day to come and annoy me.

We have a yardsale planned for tomorrow and he knows alot of the items that we will have at this one like TV, radio, microwave, etc. I politly told him as soon as I opened the door that the yardsale was at 8 am in the morning and to please come back then. I shut the door and he banged on the door again. I answered the door and said more sternly that I was very busy and he could see what we were selling tomorrow morning and he said "No. I want to buy TV now." This was not a good idea on his part as I had a baby in my arms, 2 toddlers by my side and it was 10 AM. I told him this time " I SAID THE YARDSALE IS TOMORROW MORNING. I AM VERY BUSY! NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!!!" This he understood and left.

When I shut the door, my 4 year old asked why we were selling everything again and that was all it took. I started crying, hyperventilating and got a pain in my chest. What the hell are we doing??Are we crazy? We are moving WHERE? OH MY GOD!!! Full blown panic attack. Luckily, a dear friend was online and has been there, done that and was able to bring me down and reassure me that it is ok. Why we are moving is a better way of life for our kids and for us. We are moving to one of the most beautiful places on earth and it will be ok. I am not a materialistic person but for some reason, the TV represents everything to me. I know, it sounds crazy but it is the hardest thing for me to get rid of. Then this afternoon, someone is supposed to come and see our beloved shepherd and see if she wants to adopt her. I do not think I can do that this evening. She is a huge part of us. She was our ring bearer in our wedding. She accepted me then our babies lovingly. How are we supposed to let her go? Please someone tell me this is ok? Someone tell me again that this is the right thing to do. Tell me everyone will be fine.

I need to call my doctor I think and get some xanax for future attacks and I mean a big ass bottle!

New babies

2007-09-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is a bit off topic but it is part of my life and my blog so I guess I can say what I want. Babies. We love them with all of our heart but I can not for the life of me understand why they insist on sleeping so peacefully all day and then as soon as you turn the light off to go to sleep at night, WAAAAAAAAA!!! WTF??? People say " Oh they are confused". How? How can they be confused? And why is it once they are toddlers and pre schoolers, that all changes and they are up at 6 AM?!? Why can't they all be on the same schedule? Do you know what this does to mommy? Let me just say, I have extra luggage under my eyes! And I have to drink so much coffee that it is a wonder the baby does not get up and run around the room. I am so tired that I can not think straight anymore or even know what that means.

Well, enough whining for now. Back to pricing items for the yardsale. Plus have someone coming over later to visit with our dog. That is going to be the hardest part of the move, leaving our beast behind. I know she will be fine and happy but we had to give up our fish tank last night and it brought me to tears to see my oldest daughter telling the fish goodbye and telling the people how to feed him and what he likes and does not like. Oh this is going to be tough.

It's all good

2007-09-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

Life is good! Baby Rose is growing and growing. She is into the smile for your meal stage and occasionally will chuckle too. Of course, mommy melts with this. The other 2 girls are finally adjusting to the new baby and realize she is not going anywhere much to their dismay.
We recieved word that our visas have been approved also! Today we recieved an email that the final paperwork should be done in 6 weeks or less. WOW! We have been having many yardsales but now can bump it up a notch so that we will be ready to leave in 6 weeks. I can't believe it. I am still in a bit of shock and will believe it when we are there. I wish I had more time to type now but baby needs to eat so more later.

A Rose is not just a rose

2007-09-08T10:39:00.001-07:00

She is my baby! Miss Rose Mary...

This is getting hard

2007-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one that has a hard time selling there kids toys? I feel like the worse person in the world. I told them that we will get new ones once we are in Australia but they don't understand. I am not selling all of the toys but we can''t take them all. I will get through this and we will be happier once we are there...I hope.

What a differance a month can make

2007-08-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

I am back! It is amazing what a differance a month can make.
First, baby is here. Miss Rose was born on aug 7. She is great, healthy and happy.
Mommy is doing good too.
Hubby is happy. Sisters are adjusting... slowly.

The move to Australia is back on schedule too. One of the other companies has stepped up to the plate and willing to help us. So as of now, the move is scheduled for a date that I will announce once we are there. Yes, I am superstious. Let me just say, it will be very soon. Luckily we have a friend that is going to help us locate a place to live. All we need to do is furnish it. We can do that.

I am excited. Nervous too but know this time, it will happen. And the next full moon I see will be in Australia. Bueno!!

THe other shoe...

2007-08-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

Dropped.
The job fell through. They wouldn't pay what we need to make it. So R is coming home and we are staying here for now. Whether we ever go to Perth remains to be seen. I am not in the mood to talk now. I am in a bit of shock. I will talk more later when I feel something.

Just another day

2007-07-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am slowly going through more of our things and selling it off. It is hard sometimes because I wish I could take more with me but we need to decide what is most important and what is not. Plus sometimes when I sell something, the hubby asks me "did you really want to sell that?". NO, but we can't take it all. I think there are a few things that will really hurt for me to sell but I am not sure how we can justify a sea crate. Or afford it at this point unless I sell alot of things from now til we leave in a month. Plus part of me wants to go ahead and get all new as a new start. It is very emotional for me and the pregnancy hormones do not help either. I am on that last week roller coaster of having so much to do and not having the energy to do it. I need to get the bassinet out and clean it up, pull out all of my baby clothes and sleepers, buy diapers, wipes, nursing pads, nursing bras and a baby sling to carry her in. How did it end up that I have not bought any of this stuff and it is a week away?? It seems like yesterday I had a month to prepare. Jeez, time flies.
And I am tired of this heat. I feel like I can't breathe most days.
Well enough whinging for now. Have to go and take the bread out of the oven.

We Haz a Houze!!

2007-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday, hubby went out house hunting for us so that when it is time to take his happy caravan of girls to Australia, we will have a place to squat. Believe it or not, he bought a paper and called to see this one house. It was in our price range, actually, and had everything that we wanted plus some extra bonuses (like a pool). He thought there has to be something wrong with it but went to see it anyway. Nothing wrong, just a nice couple that moved there a few years back and it was there first house. It is on the coast, walking distance to the beach and a park so good for me and the kids. He filled out an application (or "appie" for you Elsa) and they called last night and said it was OURS!!! So the Rats have a place to nest now and i can't wait. Here is the view from our front door. I know, it is good!!!

OK, Enough!

2007-07-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am sooo over all the drama in my life. I want things to go smoothly for awhile. I try and keep things smooth but, something always comes up.
Had a doctors appt today. I have not been feeling too good lately, shakey, can't sleep, sweaty, nauseas with vomiting, feeling very flakey and forgetful, heart palpatations, anxious. Usual pregnant women things. The week before the doc did some blood work to check my thyroid because I have a history of hyperthyroidism. Well, the blood work came back and yes, I am hyper again. I am also having the symptoms of a thyroid storm, not good. They took my heart rate today and it was 160bpm. Again, not good. But my blood presure was 122/68. Excellant. They took some more blood today and if it looks good, then i am fine. If the levels are high, then we will do an amnio and if the babies lungs are developed, we will be inducing early. Granted I am 36 weeks so it is not that serious for her, I hope. And she is as big as my lsat 2 girls but it is just more drama I don't need. I called the hubby and told him and he is handling it as well as can be expected. 14,000 miles away and he can do nothing. But I wanted him to know what is going on so that if I call him next week and we have a new baby girl, he won't freak out. His first response, anger. Then he calmed a bit and is ok.
So if anyone is into prayer out there, pray that my levels come back ok and that I am just having hormone and anxiety issues. I will go and light a candle tonight. Pray to my dieties.And see what happens.

Update 7/19

Talked to the doctor today and my blood work is elevated but not high enough for them to induce me at this point. So they have started me on medicine to surpress my thyroid levels and hopefully put a halt to my symptoms. The only draw back is I have to go to have a non-stress test everytime I go to the doctor. The reason for that is the medicine that they put me on could also surpress the babies thyroid and heart rate. If the heart rate drops and the movements drop, then it is time to pull the plug. I think it will all be fine though. I have tough girls.
Now if I could get the husband settled a bit, all would be well. He is feeling the pains of the one month mark of being away from everyone. Anyone that has been there, knows what I am saying.

Pics from the Casino

2007-07-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hubby had his first business shinding at the Casino. It was held by LG and the Freemantle Football Club. The fundraiser was for the Freemantle Football Club Community programme and was a huge success. His company sent him, the new Yank, to represent the company. he had a blast and of course, being that I could not be with him, he took loads of pic so I could see what I am missing. Jee, thanks hon. ;~P Here are a few that he took.

The Mermaid girls.

His table at the front with the mates from LG.

Some unGodly dessert. Drool.

Hubby on his 3 galss of wine and a very

distinguished guest :~P
Looks like a good time was had by all. Maybe next year for me.

Busy day

2007-07-11T17:20:00.000-07:00

bhyvbnmjklpou

puppy

mommy

eva

That was brought to you via my 4 year old daughter Sarah. She wanted to "blog" too.

Pretty good day today. I had a OB appointment and had an ultrasound to see how our littlest girl is doing. She is great. Growing fast and furious. She is already as big as Zoe and Sarah were when they were born. And I have 4 weeks to go. OOOOhhhNOOOOOEESSSS!! Bring on the pain meds.

Some pics from the Hubby

2007-07-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

These are some pics my hubby took this weekend while on his adventure. He is so happy there. He says the only way he would be happier is if we were all there. His mate, took him to Freo this weekend and they had 2 pints before lunch. The Aussie way. Then hit some of the sites of the area. Enjoy them. I know I did.

Bon Scott's grave. The empty space on the right is where a statue was stollen from. "For those about to Rock" .

An American in Freo. Got to love the Shirt! ROFL!

Lunch and another pint. Yes, I can't wait to get there.

Hey biddabiddabidda!

2007-07-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I had one of the first of probably many yardsales yesterday to clean the house of what we are not taking. And can I say that I HATEYARDSALES!!!! I mean come on people, don't harrass me over 50 f*#%N cents! I know people like to haggle but if I have 75cents on something that you know if you bought it new was $10, don't waste my time asking me if I will take 50cents. For God's Sake! Can i hear a Hell YES! Ahmen! And I know you know what I am talking about. And if you are one of these people, SHAME ON YOU! Now, if the item is say $100, ok, let's make a deal. But please. please.
That being said, I came in and decided that my big stuff will go on the "List". Craig's list. Do you know him? The DH hates it but I have had nothing but luck on it. Put 2 items on it that I had in the yardsale, Kitchen aid mixers, the big mofos that we paid alot for.(And can you believe someone had the nerve to ask me at the sale if I would take $20 for a 6 month old $500 mixer? And they new how much it cost!Big balls!) Anyway, put the items on the List and got a call 15 mins later. asked if I still have them and I told them yes. They wanted them. No questions asked. No haggling and I had raised the price on them just in case. So lovely young lady comes to my house, walks out with 2 mixers and paid CASH! Oh be still my heart! I am a believer in the List now. I have many items on there now, if anyone is interested. Now I am wondering if I should do more yardsales for the little bullshit items or just forget it, sell the big things and donate all the little stuff and clothes. Any advice? We are maybe getting a sea crate to ship some things to Perth but not alot. Not even sure if it is going to be worth it in the big picture. But when you have 2 little kids, there are somethings that you just don't want to get rid of. And alot of things that I know would cost an arm and a leg to replace there. Oh what to do, what to do. Maybe the answer will come to me in my sleep. Dream of my home there and see what I see in it. Wouldn't that be lovely!
And only 4 more weeks til my baby is here as of today!!! I can't wait. Now if we could decide on a name, that would be wonderful. We are down to Rose, Fiona, Katheryn and Ursula. I say wait and see who she is and then decide. We have come this far without a name, just wait a few more weeks. And I have my final sonogram on Wed to see how big our girl is too.
Will let you know and I am sure have a pic for you too after wed. Until then...

pregnancy and moving do not mix

2007-07-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am soooo tired. And frustrated. I have so much to do and so little time to do it in. I want to have a yardsale but do you know how hard that is when you are 9 months pregnant, have 2 little rats running around and you have feet that swell if you stand for more than 10 minutes at a time?? Not Easy! And then most of the people that say they will help seem to get busy when you need them most. I had a really good cry this morning because I feel sooo alone, so depressed and so angry that I can not do what I want. But when I talk to my husband, I tell him all is well and not to worry. I am handling it, which I am but it ain't easy.

Yesterday was my last 4th here in the states I hope. Went to my sister in laws and had grilled chicken, tomatos, potato salad and iced tea. Yum. Then we sat on her deck and watched fireworks in the distance at a lake that she lives near. The kids loved it(of course). We also let off some sparklers and fountains of our own. Loads of fun. Of course, didn't get to bed til well after 12 so today I am hurting. Not helping the hormones and stress any.

Well, enough whinge for one blog.

We will leave you with a photo of big fat Mama.

All by myself...

2007-06-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

It has been a week now since the hubby left. Man, I miss him. He is in Perth and loves his new job but I know he misses me too. It has to be hard to be that far away and not know that many people and knowing that you have a family back at home that misses you sooo much. But I keep telling myself that it is going to be worth it.

People ask me why we want to move to Australia and to me it is simple... a better way of life. Especially for our children. I don't want them to live in a place where they have to go through metal detectors to go to school, A place that is not very well liked all over the world. And it is a beautiful place. Don't get me wrong, I have seen a lot of this country and there is no place that compares to it but something is just not right here.

Today I am just feeling lonely and wish it would pass. There is so much that needs to be done before we can move and so little I can do. It is frustrating. Maybe if I click my heels together 3 times, it will pass fast.
Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore...

Passports and FBI records

2007-06-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

It is a good day. We got all the passports for me and the girls today. Then, got my FBI report. All Clear. Now, time to apply for our Visas.
Happy dance, Happy dance.
Sadder note, Bull is in Perth for the next 6 weeks. He comes home for the baby to be born and then off again til the baby is 6 weeks old or when the visas come in for us, which ever comes first. I can't wait to touch the beach in Perth.

And he is off

2007-06-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, Bull leaves tomorrow afternoon for Oz for 6 weeks. Leaving me here with the 2 wild animals. I know this will take us closer to our goal but will be very hard on me. Just will have to stay busy with all of the things that need to be done before we move.
Just hurry up and get home.

Wow!

2007-06-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

What a difference a few days make. 2 days ago, we were thinking of how we would be sitting here over the next few months waiting for the new baby and the visas. All the planning came to a screeching halt last night when R got a call from his headhunter in Aus. Seems he has a job and they want him in 2 weeks. A little finagling on there side and it is done. He will be leaving in 2 weeks for Perth and will work there for a month, come home for the birth of our third daughter, stay 2 weeks and go back. Once our permanent resident visas get here, then we all go there. For good. He is going to be staying with a wonderful mate over there that has been a Godsend for us. Bless you MS.

Now, this is not going to be fun or easy for either of us. Especially me. I will be here to tie up lose ends, sell things, get the shippers lined up for our goods that are going to go, find homes for the dog and cat, sell the car and take care of 2 little girls. Then give birth in Aug and take care of 3 little ones by myself. No family to help and very few friends. Oh me, oh my. I know somewhere in the mix too that I will have to pack up the kids, not sure if it will be 2 or 3 and drive 5 hours to the closest medical examiner for our physicals for visas. I can do it but man, what a job this is going to be.

And once I get to Perth, I am going to go to the beach, put my toes in the sand, drink a beer and breathe.

Our adventure begins

2007-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is the first of hopefully many blogs on our trials in moving to Australia. We are currently a family of 4, soon to be 5. I am Kwirkie, head wench. I take care of the kids, the house and animals. Bull is my hubby. We have been married for 5 years and have fun the whole time. Well, most of the time. Saucey is my oldest daughter. She is a blonde curly headed little pixie that is always in motion. She is 4 years old. Spicie is the next girl. She is an 18 months old and fiesty. She is a true scorpion with brown curly hair and green eyes.
Bull just got back from Australia on Saturday and has a job offer. Maybe two. We will find out today if he has the second job too or not. So today, we are going to start the long visa process. Fingerprints, photos, physicals, etc. Everything has been happening so fast but I am afraid we are about to start hitting bumps.