I've been BUSTED!!

Seems I was 'busted'... Here I am (back in white shirt) at the Wings over Illawarra airshow, when I was 'caught' taking a joyride (trying to get an overview)! Thing is though, I didn't even know that Kurt (photo owner...) was there until I had posted some pics of the day... FREAKY! AND, to make it worse, last night I got an SMS to say I was BUSTED!!!

Today was a real 'blah' day, didn't achieve a lot nor did I really strive to archive anything in particular! The car issue got worse today, with a number 4 cylinder blown... BUT, at least they are not charging for the previous work that they had done in yesterdays post... So J, although REALLY upset/stressed, will have his Maz back Friday. Also, last night after a 'Mango Smoothie (which NEVER eventuated, I spoke with M who was very stressed with a lot of things, Uni being one of them. And after a brief chat tonight, M seems to be a little less stressed as well...!

But tonight, I went out to visit mum, and we ended up going over to my sisters place where C was getting ready for Cadets. He's been army MAD for as many years as I can remember, and today was his first time in uniform...

Cadet CMS

Hang around for a 'Wordless Wednesday' tomorrow as well!

Hoo roo for now...

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Family Christmas Gathering...

Our family, mum's side, has always had a Christmas gathering early. This way, we can then go off to have our own family gatherings! This is not a bad way of doing I think as it allows you to all come together, but still with immediate family 'on the day'!

Strutt Family

Anyway, Saturday, we got together... I was up early and out to the Warwick Farm Farmers Markets, we used to go all the time before April last year, and it was somewhat comforting to go back out there! I got two bags of Green Beans, 2 bags of small Cherry Tomato's and a knob of Ginger to make a regular, Asian Green Bean Salad (with Cherry Tomato's as an extra today!). It is so simple to cook, and SO tasty!

• Green Beans, topped and tailed.
• Fresh Ginger (to taste), grated.
• Soy Sauce (to taste)
• 4:1 ratio of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil depending on how big the serving is!

Simmer beans for a couple of mins in a deep pot, keeping them crunchy, whilst warming oils in a wok. When ready, remove from water and ensure they are WELL drained. Then place into the wok with heated oil, and stir-fry for about a minute, then add ginger and soy sauce. continue to toss about in wok, and at this point, I added in the tomato's for about a minute, then plate up (or into a bowl) and serve. You can also have these as a cold option!

See, I told you it was easy, AND tasty too!!!!

Hoo roo for now...

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Since the last post, I have been...

BUSY AS!!!!

Allow me to elaborate. Thursday, I spent most of the day with total IMBECILES! So, on Thursday night, even though I wanted to simply get trashed, I could not as on Friday, I had to do it all over again in the morning, however, the afternoon would be somewhat (a lot really) different!

I spent the afternoon on a judging panel. It was very pleasing to do this, and to see the result, but there will be more on that in the coming weeks/months.

Friday evening, I went to a mates place for dinner. He cooked a really nice piece of Steak, bacon, mashed potato's and peas with corn. I also had a drink (OK, I had TWO as I had to drive) before getting home. I had a SKYPE call to my bestie in the States, before heading off to bed to watch some TV and get some sleep.

Saturday, I was up early, so I got the mower out, and did the lawns, 2 loads of washing, weeded a garden bed where the Dranuculus is coming up (hopefully with some flowers again) and got some lunch (Hamburger with the lot, NO BEETROOT) and settled down for the AFL Grand Final. This was a great match, and for the 3rd time in VFL/AFL history, it ended in a DRAW! Saturday night, I made dinner (for my mate) of creamy sun-dried tomatoes and garlic pasta, with chicken... It was very YUMM!

Then today, again up early, so I got some more washing done, bed sheets, and gave myself a haircut; a Number 3! Then it was off to get my God-daughter her birthday present. I was wanting to get a plant/tree that has her name in it, but alas, this was not an easy task. So I ended up getting her something else. Again, her father made the cake, and this year, it was a Lady Beetle (or is it a Lady Bird?)! Happy Birthday Little B!

Breanna Lady Beetle/Bird Cake

Breanna stikes a pose

Little brother Sydney with his Loader

Hoo roo for now...

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House sale, Voting, Driving and a Party...

The weekend was a full one... A VERY FULL on couple of days... And it all started on Friday! Let me explain!

The people who are purchasing the house, have requested a FURTHER extension to the cooling off period. This is putting me in limbo for another few days. All I want to do is sell, and move on! Anyway, they asked for Thursday, and I have given them to Wednesday. if not, the deal is off and they can start over or it is on the market again! I am NOT going to be bullied/arm wrestled into this by them!

And then came Saturday, which I spent what seemed to be the day driving around for other people's benefit! It was a very windy day, and I did get a bit done. But I wanted to get some paint and start painting... This, unfortunately, was not the case... But I did get to the shops to get my 2 x 3yo niece and nephew and my 1yo nephew their birthday presents! Oh, and yes, I also went and cast my vote in the Federal Election as well!

So, in came Sunday morning, a bright sunny day... I had another full on day starting with a catch-up with a mate (oh yeah, and a bit of plane spotting...) before heading to the birthday party! Here is 'Pinky', flying the Breast Cancer colours on a QANTAS bird!

Pinky

Then I got into the car and headed for a quick visit to Lou. As I said, it was a nice sunny day and the local wildlife was out in force. You see, Plovers are a very territorial bird and if you get to close for comfort, they 'Dive Bomb' you showing the hooks on their wings! Here is the decoy lookout whilst its partner is circling and about to bomb me!

Plover

Here is the pathway that leads to where L is. I thought, at first, I would not like the Tussock Grass when they did it, as they removed a Buxus Hedge, but I think it is growing on my (pardon the pun)!

Pathway to Lou

And finally the party... I will just leave you with some photo's... They say a picture tells a thousand words; how true it is!

Jamie

Rosie Falling

Will Riding

Riley opening present

Max Determined

Jack Sponsorship

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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Baby Jack...

Today, was supposed to be a day of horrid, cyclonic weather with at least 50mm of rain and winds up to 90klm/hr. And I was thinking, OH NO as it was baby Jack's Christening day today... But, thankfully, the East Coast Low pressure cell was slowing and also moving inland and we had a great day.

So, this morning after waking up from a 14.5hr sleep, I had a thought, I will reorganise the kitchen! Just the thing you do when you have to get ready for a christening hey! So I took out the range hood grills, and soaked them in some HOT water and detergent. Then it was onto the benches and I then moved the microwave, the coffee machine (Green Francis Francis) and the soda machine... An hour later, it was all sparkling clean, tidy and I was happy. It was then time for a shower and to get ready!

It took no time at all to get there, in fact I was early, so I simply sat in the car for a little while before I saw other people arriving! We quickly got him changed and into the church. There was three babies being christened today, so the priest was going to be busy! Jack was a little star and didn't cry at all through out the very brief service! The priest was also MUCH better than when big sister Rosie had her christening with the priest stating upfront, NO PHOTOS! This guy was more than pleased for photos to be taken and for the smaller kids to run around! I wonder what he would have said if some of the 'Bigger Kids' started to run around??
Afterwards, we went off to the local clud for Yumm Cha... In a word, YUMM!

Me and J, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

J, L, I R, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

J, I & L, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Family Photo, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Yumm Cha, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

S & M Yumm Cha, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So now I am preparing for a flight out on Thursday for Europe, again! This time though, there are so many reasons for this trip... Research trip, viewing of a garden over there, and I am hoping to have a day/evening with a very dear friend of mine, but I do not want to spoil her trip, so I will be playing it as it comes... This trip will also be with a new carrier for me (2 actually) so we will see how we go!

Hoo roo for now...

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It's time to sell, and start to move on... And a birthday thrown in!

After getting home, I have finally come to the conclusion... It is time to sell and (try to) move on! So yesterday, I met with TWO Real Estate agents. It is a very difficult decision to make, and one that is not made easily, but there is SO much involved with it all that I had no idea! Not just the selling of property, but how it intertwines with Estate and Probate etc! But, I think that a price I have in mind is, achievable in the current market and still a very competitive price! SO now, it is just a matter of time until the contracts are prepared and then there will be a 'For Sale' sign on the lawn!

And today, we had a party over at 'C&P' place to celebrate the first birthday of little J! When it came to the cake and presents, he was SO tired and he could barely keep his eyes open! Where as his older brother R, well he was up until 12.30am and wasn't showing ANY signs of wanting a rest!

First Birthday, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Birthday Cake, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

R waiting for J's Happy Song, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

R on J's Birthday, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

There was the usual, way to much food, lots of sweet things and an abundance of presents! Also, I should add that Mr 5 W also had a celebration for his birthday as well, which made the presents look as thought it was Christmas in May!!! Both M & W were having a BALL, and even Miss R and her younger brother J were having a good go at the cakes icing...

M J Birthday, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Birthday boy, Mr 5 W J's Bday, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Miss R J's Bday Cake full, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

J serious look with mum, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

The day was ALSO birthdays for O, S and there was cupcakes for them, as with both M & W... April/May is a busy time for birthdays I think!!!

MWSO Bday Cakes, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

The garden has suffered a bit of a beating whilst I was away, and I lost a couple of plants (Chocolate Sapotae for one), but the Passionfruits are producing like nothing else! This morning, I harvested around 50 of them, and needed quite a large bag so I could take them to the party! Also, they are SO full of flavour, and very YUMMY!

And tomorrow, it is my first day back at work, I dread to think how much work is there, but we will see how we go! I have a GP appointment in the afternoon as well, so it is going to be a full day. I hope that S will be up for the 'usual' 10am coffee!!!

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Happy Birthday William!!!!

Today I spent doing some catch up housework... A bit of everything really, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms and mopping the floor. Mow and whipping the lawns and pressure cleaning the back veranda... But for some reason, last night I was unable to sleep until around 3am and my body clock woke me at just after 6am, so I started with some more washing and internal stuff so as not to make to much noise outside!

But at just after 9am, I was half way through cleaning and I so needed a break! So I thought I will do something different, and in hanging out the washing, I noticed something weird... MACC!!!

Maccs assisting in the Bromiliade bed, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Maccs Visiting Hole to dog nextdoor, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Maccs Vege Bed, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

On closer inspection, it wasn't TOO bad, but the damage was done. So I grabbed the shovel and filled it back in! I also had to do the vege patch (thankfully fallow at the moment) and behind the Lemonade tree, where he is trying hard to 'talk' to the new dog next door!

So after the lawns were done, I also weeded the front Rose Garden and with what I could not get out Onion Weed mainly) I mixed up some chemical and sprayed the little buggers! Hopefully, it will kill it off!

I ended my afternoon with a nice hot spa, a drink of Gatorade (I am now drinking my 3lt/day of water or clear fluids) and rested! But then it hit me, (thanks to the wonders of technology) that was my Nephews Birthday! He was turning 5 today, and I had done nothing! I feel so bad right about now... Luckily, we are seeing him on Sunday (for Jamie's birthday) but I will TRY to get over to see him tomorrow! And, in the interim, here are a couple of additional pics of young Will!

William Zachery, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

William Zachery , originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

William Zachery , originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

William Zachery , originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Sam & Will, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

OMG Schnitzle Challenge Bernie William Alex, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Happy Birthday Mr 5!!

William, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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Louise 11 Dec 1969 ~ 15 April 2009

Today, is the first anniversary, I would like to repost the tribute I did for Louise...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I do not know where I would be, had it not been for my family and friends.

Of particular note, Alex and Sam (Max & Will), I am endebted to your love and support... I really DO appreciate it! Camille and Paddy (Riley & Jamie) & Olivia and Ian (Rosie & Jack), knowing that I have you all there (and the offers of dinner...) thanks guys!

Michael and Julie... I so wish I could simply turn back time, and give you your daughter and friend back... I know that you're hurting, and I love you both dearly...

Mum, for you have given me the strength, love and support, thank you. Helen and Kieran (Jayden and Cameron) and David... I thank you for supporting me through te last year as well.

Maribeth and Jack, my dear friends, I so do not know how I would have coped, for you have been so supportive... Thank you also for your Skype calls and for just being there... Love to you all...

My 'EB Girls' to whom we were suppose to share the wonders of childbirth... Thanks for just being there as well, and for your continued support and friendship.

And all of my friends and family, I say thank you!

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