TREE update...

Overnight, we had a lot of rain and wind gust's up to 107klm/hr! This worried me a lot overnight, and so, I did not get a lot of sleep... I think I was checking it every hour or so!

Syd Radar 2082010

I was checking the Internet, and I have found a replacement for the OLD Hills Hoist. They are very close, they are even Galvanised Iron like the original ones!

So this morning, I was able to clear access through the garage and remove a small temporary fence I had installed to stop Macc and the neighbours dog going at each other under the MAIN fence. And sooner than I expected, I had a knock on the door from the tree loppers here to do the job; or at least, make it safe! They trimmed the fallen branch, and then proceeded to remove some of the other branches that were now in danger of falling down onto the neighbouring fence and garage.

Leaning Tree

Tree Workers

Pole trimming

Mulching1

So now I have it safe for now, and they will be back later in the week to complete the rest of its removal. I am now about to order my line and make some lunch!

Hoo roo for now...

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Crafty Tree!!

Well, it has been a tough couple of weeks lately, mainly as I have had a pinched nerve in my right arm, which has been extremely painful... But, after treatment late last week (x-ray, physio and acupuncture) and a nerve conduction study today, next week if symptoms persist. Physio will continue tomorrow, so we will see how it all goes!

Anyways, I wanted to post this last week, but was unable to type, so here it is now... Years ago, when L started to follow crafty blogs, she got to know and purchase some items. One of her first purchases was from Kristen. Well, recently she (Kristen) was featured in the Sydney Magazine. I found this out after tweeting about my passionfruit vine and I delivered some to her. Over coffee and a chat, she talked about the photo shoot. The article was great, and as it turned out, part of a feature showcasing three crafty bloggers... L was following ALL three of them (but I have only scanned Kristen's page)!!

Sydney Magazine 29072010

If you want to read the FULL sized scanned article, read here!

And so we get to this morning, after a WONDERFUL nights sleep, which was relatively pain free, I came out to get ready for breakfast, coffee blah blah blah, and when I looked out to see Macc, this is what I saw!

Golden Cypress

Now the old 'Hills Hoists' are just about indestructible... That is, until they meet a Golden Cypress that is!

Hills Hoist

So I am now calling tree loppers, Council for approval to remove the remaining tree (leaning at around 10-15 degrees)... Oh, I have also moved my NC Study, and physio so as i can be home to get these done!

Cypress Down to house

Hoo roo for now...

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3 weeks since last POST... Sorry!

Ok ok, I know it has been a while, A LONG WHILE, since my last post, but I have been frantically busy... trust me!

So as a catch-up, I will simply do a photo 'wrap-up' with a short commentary!

I made a Katsu Curry, which was YUMM

Chicken Katsu Curry

Went to Melbourne

Melbourne Yarra

MET, my name sake at Mass

Bernie Proctor Dennis Webster Bernie Proctor

Caught Macc sleeping, and hasn't he got a 'comfy' looking pillow

Sleepy Macc

And last night, I had some friends over for dinner, and I was going to cook the Katsu Curry above, but I decieded to do the Drunken Chicken instead... It was YUMM, I had some wicked potatos, pumpkin and some greens of peas, beans and brocolli! Oh, and some AWESOME gravy as well!

Drunken Chicken

Drunken Chicken Feast

Drunken Chicken Dinning Room

After dinner, we did some Karaoke, and played some BUZZ on the PS2... It was such a good night, and I hope to get out and about more often!!!

Hoo roo for now...

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Farewell to an aunt...

Today, was a cold grey day, but full of warmth, love and respect as we as a family said farewell to my aunt, aged 76.

Margaret Helen Monica Strutt: - A daughter, sister, wife, mother, grand-mother, aunt and friend was loved by many. She was passionate about a lot of things from painting, genealogy and gardening including getting the whipper sniper/brushcutter out and the ride-on mower to do the lawns. But for me, she will be remembered for the absolute love of her family; she often doted over her grandchildren at family parties.

To my uncle Frank, Mark, Jenny, Beth, Maryanne, Simon and ALL of your families, I send you my love and you will be in my thoughts and prayers...

Hoo roo for now...

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Thursday Thirteen # 12: - Travel Snaps

Thursday Thirteen: - Travel Snaps... Here we go!

1. Doha, QATAR Feb 2009

Doha Inland Sea Dinner Table
2. Dubai, UAE Feb 2009

Dubai Int Arrivals
3. Liverpool, UK May 2009

SP Penny Arcade Pat & Carousel
4. Stamford, UK May 2009

Burghley Gardens Face
5. Santiago, CHILE July 2009

Plaza Da Armas Dancers
6. Madrid, SPAIN August 2009

Parque del Retiro Funny Statue
7. Angers, FRANCE 2010

Old Church Front Jardin de Plantes
8. Paris, FRANCE 2010

Arc de Triomphe
9. Venice, ITALY 2010

Rialto Bridge Night
10. Pompii, ITALY 2010

Pompii Road
11. Athens, GREECE 2010

Athens Acropolis Western Side
12. Ciaro, EGYPT 2010

Egypt Pyramids
13. Berlin, GERMANY 2010

Uschi Maribeth Me

Hoo roo for now...

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Wordless Wednesday: - A Moonrise over football

Moonrise

Hoo roo for now...

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BFMEQNK83YCW

How was your weekend?

How was my weekend, a bit busy and a bit of a headache... Let me explain.

Saturday, saw me heading west out to the foot of the mountains to visit mum, and have lunch with her. It had been a little while since catching up with her, and it was great to see her again.

I then left her to go to Blacktown Olympic Park, which was the venue for the Baseball and Softball when Sydney hosted the Olympics. However, it is now more of a multi-purpose sporting facility, mainly AFL and Cricket being played on the main arena. It is also the (temporary) home for GWS AFL Club until they are included into the national competition in 2012, when they move to Homebush. I was here though, to see a mate have a run-on game, and I think he had a great game!

GWS12

GWS08

GWS14

I had to leave though, about 1/3 through the last quarter so as I could meet up with my brother and a few friends for the Swans v Collingwood match. It was really touch and go as to making it on time, but I managed to get in with about 15 minutes to spare! However, the result was NOT a good one!

Sunday, I went to the bakery and grabbed some morning tea, before heading to see the B & SIL with M & W. They are doing some renovations there soon, and we chatted about these whilst having morning tea and coffee! I headed home with the best of intentions to do some gardening, however a rapidly hitting headache (which turned migraine) put that to a halt, and instead, I slept it off only waking to put Mr M out for a wee stop and to feed Miss J.

So, that was my weekend, I hope that yours was a good one!

Hoo roo for now...

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For a bit of a laugh...

I just KNOW this would NOT be the case with both Jasmine and Macc! Thanks MB for the link!

Hoo roo for now...

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A busy few days...

I know, I haven't posted for MORE than a few days, but in my defence, I have been busy! From general stuff back at work, to dinner with the girls who USED to work with me, delivering Passionfruits to blogging friends and visiting other friends and babies, then onto football (AFL) for my God-daughter and then getting my car cleaned and dropping off the SIL birthday present, and that was JUST the weekend!

Here are some photos from the dinner night out:

Mel & Clare

Stir Fried Prok Belly Geri choose

And from the AFL on Sunday morning:

AusKick 20 06 2010

Breanna Footy

Breanna Footy

AusKick 20 06 2010

When I got home yesterday, there was an Official Post Delivery Card in my door, saying that they had tried to deliver a parcel, but I was not at home... So, today after work, I went down to the local Post Office to collect my package:

My Parcel

My Parcel INNER

My Parcel in bedroom

Now, it's NOT where it was going to go (funny how when I was away, I had thought it was longer and was going to go somewhere else; but when it arrives, it just seems smaller...) so I decided to put it between the dressers and the bed. I think it looks fine here anyway!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, I have an appointment in the afternoon that should be 'interesting', so lets hope it goes well.

Hoo roo for now...

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Never again QANTAS, NEVER again...

Today, I got a nice package in the mail. Well sort of, as I had to go to the Post Office to collect it. AND, it could not have come at a better time either! I have made GOLD with my preferred carrier, Emirates!

Gold Package

Gold Card

Here's the reason WHY I will not fly QANTAS again!

I boarded my flight home in Hong Kong. Shortly after the meal service, when Coffee, Teas and Hot Chocolates were being offered, I requested a Hot Chocolate and a sugar. A summary of the dialogue is below:

• ME: Can I please get an additional sugar please?
• CM: It is really sweet
• ME: Yes, but can I please have an additional sugar
• CM: It is REALLY sweet...
• ME: Yes, I realise this, but can I please have an additional sugar?
• CM: (after much looking and snide remarks to another female crew member) Handed me a sugar and said with a fair amount of sarcasm, “Well, I suppose it’s to each their own...”

All of this was in front of my adjoining passengers, and both in front, behind and across the aisle. In fact, the gentleman in the seat across the aisle asked if I was OK and shook his head!

• ME: Yes it is to each their own, and I would like additional sugar, thank you, and can I also have a Cabin Manager please?

After some time, the CSS for the Economy section came to me (with the CM) and discussed it and the CM at this stage was asked by the CSS to leave as he was insisting to ‘butt in’. She apologised for the altercation, and in fact mentioned that it is quite ‘out of character’ for him. Shortly after, the overall Cabin Manager, 'D' came and spoke to me regarding this situation, and to see if there is anything else I would like, another Hot Chocolate, Coffee/tea etc...

At this point in time, I felt totally humiliated, and embarrassed and all I wanted to do was sleep... SO, QANTAS, I will be offloading my 160 odd thousand points as soon as I can, changing my Platinum CC to the one Emirates want me to have. At least their Cabin Crew are polite and fulfill all requests when made with a smile!

Hoo roo for now...

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