A busy week complete...

Man, have I been busy this last week... So much so, I am now looking forward to going BACK to work for the rest!!! Of course, I am only joking here...

Over this last week, with thanks to a mate (F), I have swapped the office upstairs, to into the third bedroom, and put the third bedroom upstairs! This will work MUCH better for me as getting up and down the stairs is not much fun with my back. But, after a few hours of cleaning and trying to get the writing desk down (eventual FAIL as a corner went through the gyprock ceiling), it will remain upstairs as a second study place with a bed and an air-con. Here are some pics of the before and I will do some when they are finshed IN FULL!

3rd Bedroom, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

3rd Bedroom: - bed removed already, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Upstairs Study, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Upstairs Study II, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Next on 'The List' was a trip to the tip (Recycling Station) to dump the Greenwaste from Mum's garden makeover the other day. Whilst I was there, I got a before and after of how it is processed. There are lots of rows of mulch everywhere!

Greenwaste Pile Tip, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Compost Piles Tip, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

And then I had the luxury (as if...) of having to tidy up the garage so as the Solar Panels people could install them onto the roof, and have access to where I wanted the inverter and access to under the house. This had me going to the Tip (Recycled Station) again to dump another trailer of rubbish... I can now fit my car into the garage (for the first time...), Within 5 mins of power being turned back onto the house, the meter started to run BACKWARDS!!! Yeah for me!

During Install, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Rails Installed, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Job Finished, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So, Monday its back to work... YEAH!

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Back at work, farewell & a busy time ahead!

This week, I am back at work after 4 months off... Both Monday & Tuesday were good (busy)days! However, after an email when I returned, today I was off to an old family friends funeral. It was such a lovely day for it, over on the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in glorious sunlight. Hek, it was even rather warm! RIP to you my friend... God speed!

I am now going back to work 4 days a week as well, giving me an extra day at home to get things done, stuff that has really needed doing for a little bit, but now I have the time, ability and money to do them! Just yesterday, I booked the house in to be re-pointed. You know what that is right? You scrape out the mortar between the bricks and replace it with new, stronger mortar. It not only sounds like an absolutely HORRID job, but I think it is even noisy as well since a grinder will need to be used! So a dusty, noisy HUGE job, is too big for me, so I have contracted a guy to do it for me! Once that is done, I will then get the painters in, and they can paint the eaves, fascias and windows/doors in the colour scheme I am yet to choose (I have it down to two though!).

I am also looking at gaining my Pilot's licence. This is going to be very exciting for me as it is something I have always wanted to do! Only trouble was that other things took priority over the last couple of years...

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Please, do NOT hide your stuff!!!!

OK, I know it's a bit of an 'odd' title, but this has been, and still is, bugging the heck out of me! We all know that we don't want a burglar to take all of our precious things... BUT, hiding them ALL over the house is just wrong! Since that fateful day back in April, I have been trying to find 'L's iPod, all to no avail. I have looked in the strangest places trying to find it, and finally yesterday, I found it!!!! Now I am not going to say where it was (I think it is a good hiding spot, and just stupid) as I don't want the burglar to find it!!

Also, after a very sleepless night the night before last, I made a decision to get a good nights sleep last night... So, with camera in hand, I went into Sydney's Hyde Park to get a few snaps:

Hyde Park Sitting, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Hyde Park Fountain, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Baby Possum, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Baby Possum, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I then headed over to Fleet Steps to get a couple more of the Skyline and the Sydney Opera House:

Sydney Opera House, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Sydney Night Time Skyline, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I hope you enjoyed these shots. After taking them, I then headed down to a Sydney 'Nightlife' institution, 'Harry's Cafe de Wheels' for a pie, Chicken with cheese and tomato sauces... YUMM!

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A short trip to Melb & more travels afoot...

I have been meaning to post about my recent trip to Melbourne for the Awards where 'L' (and her work) were nominated for her Annual Report! Whilst they did not win, they got two Silver Awards though and lost to the overall winner on the night! It was a fabulous night all the same! Whilst I was 'down south' I got to go out to St Kilda, caught a few good shots, shopped along Acland St (well know for it's bakeries... YUMM!) and visited Uncle P & K!

St Kilda Jetty, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

St Kilda Bench, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

There was even a fantastic 'Pirate Ship' too!!!

St Kilda Pirate Ship, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

In other news, I finally finished organising my trip to the Turf Conference in Santiago today. It is going to be a much bigger trip than originally planned as I am now going to Auckland, Santiago, (12 nights), Madrid (5 nights), London (5 nights) and then home via Bangkok. I have sent across my registration details, and as it will be winter in Santiago, the Conference Tour I have booked myself onto, is up into the Andes Ski Fields!!! I can't wait to go, it is a mear 3 weeks away!!!

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Back to work I go...

Well, its happened... I have gone back to work!

I went to work yesterday, although it was incredibly hard, and it was as though it was only the day before I had left! There was nothing changed on my desk, no pile of stuff to do but the only problem I had was that whilst I was away, they had updated the PABX phone lines and I had to reset my password & Welcome message!

It was hard to get out of bed, not so much that I didn't want to go, but that it was a cold morning... Truth be know, I didn't really want to go, but it was something that had to be done... Everyone was great, and whilst there was only a couple of people 'dancing around' the issue (and I reminded them that it was not necessary), all went well.

I had to drop off my car to the mechanic to have some work done on it yesterday afternoon, which meant, for the first time in ages, that I had to get a train to work. I did not pick a very good day to do this, as it was the first day of a really cold snap, which made it even harder to get out of bed, out of the house and walk to the station. The walk was good, fresh VERY fresh, but pleasant enough. There was this old chap on the platform who I noticed he seemed to know everyone who walked past. That was until I noticed a young lady leave him rolling her eyes and shaking her head; but still had a smile about the conversation they had just had. He went from discussing the safety of upcoming planned track work (to the young lady), to his non event fishing day (he would rather go to the station and talk to strangers???...) where he knows of this little spot where no one else knows... Sounds a bit fishy to me (pardon the pun).

First thing I noticed when stepping onto the train was the fact that there were seats available... This was almost never the case when I was commuting by train before! The only thing I did notice, and was not overly impressed with, was as the train filled up on its city bound trip, was a guy in a couple of rows ahead of me sitting in the middle of a seat not moving to let anyone else sit there... A bit rude I think, do you?

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This weekend...

Updated below...
This weekend, was a weekend of highs and lows. Saturday, another unseasonal warm day, we were up and out very early... 4am for me, as I was watching the live telecast (Internet) of the delivery ceremony From Airbus of the new A380 to QANTAS. Here is a screen-shot from the ceremony...

VH-OQA Delivery Screen-shot

Source: Airbus LIVE stream video of ceremony (Screen-shot)

After that was done, we were off to the Orange Grove Organic markets for a bit of breakfast, and to try and settle down the morning sickness for L. One of the Turkish Gonzlemes (Spinach & Cheese) did the trick, whilst I had the Egg & Bacon roll, YUMM! It was then off the the Indian Bazaar over at Riverview College, the High School that the BIL went to in his youth. This is an annual event, pilgrimage even, for the family to get together and have a morning tea and try and grab a bargain, with the school raising money for the Missions. A quick call into the MIL (she was off to a School Fundraiser) and down to the Nth Beach's to visit Nan & Pa and give them our news, as they are about to go into a nursing home for some respite care. A quick stop into the BIL home on the way to give him the Orchid we got at the morning Markets for his birthday, and we were home just before dinner! That night, L had a slight spot, and an early night was called for to reduce stress...

Sunday morning saw a return of the headache & morning sickness, but all did not seem ok... But, we kept on with the plans, and off to Holroyd Council's Pet Fest, to visit Jamilla as she was the 'Mascot' for the day...

Pet Fest 2008 Mascot

Pet Fest 2008

L, being incredibly busy at work, had to go off to work to meet up with her colleague and continue on the Annual Report, and I went of to the 'other B's' place for little B's birthday, she is 3...

Birthday Girl with Dad

Birthday Girl with Cake

I had a call from L saying that she was on her way home, and I had just left to go to Petbarn, as Macc's food was on special ($15 off!). When I got there, all of 5 mins before closing the doors, one of the staff was there with a Water Dragon on his shoulder, and an Albino Corn Snake in his hand! I finalised my purchase and put it in the car, grab my camera and returned to grab a couple of photos...

Albino Corn Snake

Albino Corn Snake

However, tonight, was the worst. The slight 'spotting' from yesterday, had turned into a flooding Murray and very bright. I called the Clinic to discuss with the After hours specialist, and unless it eases over night, we will be off to the clinic tomorrow for an assessment. If it gets worse, and I can't see how, then we will be off to the hospital sooner! Needless to say, L is devastated, and so am I!

3.04am (AEST) UPDATE: Ok, at 10.30pm (just after I posted this blog) we were off to the emergency ward at Westmead Hospital. We were seen to fairly quickly and a lot of tests were done. We are just home now, and have to re-attend the 'EPAC' Clinic (Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic) early tomorrow (or is it today, like in 5 hours!)! Cramping has settled, whilst bleeding has subsided significantly. Initial bloodwork is good, a couple of little tid bits, but good all the same, and her hCg is 8,400! Will know more later...

Thematic Photographic: Patterns

Ok, so here we go again with Carmi's (WrittenInc) 'Thematic Photographic.

Everyday, I come to work and have to endure some amazing sights. If not Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House etc... but that of WHERE I actually work. It really is an amazing site with lots of really cool things all happening at different times throughout the year.

So, here are a few shots of this weeks theme of 'Patterns'. The pattern being replicated throughout the shots, is an arch. In the 'Greenbow', you can see how the flower stem from the giant Agave is arching under the weight of its stem.

Greenbow

In this shot, the soft arching lines of the lawn under the Ficus Tree is there to somewhat protect this old girls root lines. It is also a different species of turf to that of the main species that does not require as frequent mowing, and is also shade tolerant.

Tree of Light

And finally, in this shot, you will notice that the fungi have a somewhat phallic appearance about them, however, they still have a very arch appearance about them as well.

Fungi Sydney

So, don't forget to go over and see Carmi (WrittenInc), comment there (and here as well) just to share the comment cheer and to see some wonderful interpretations of 'Patterns'!

An awkward moment...

We are both 'Mystery Shoppers' and by that I mean, we go to 'places' shop there and get paid for it! Now this can be quite good at times (Hotel stays, High Roller Gaming rooms etc), but the other day whilst completing an assignment, we were in a fast food chain eating our meal. We sat under a huge wide screen TV (I was in love as I want one...).

So, picture this, with a mouthful of food, you hear the catch line from an opposing fast food chain...

The Burgers are Better at...

I went off my meal at that point...

thursday thirteen # 4... why I love where I work...

Thirteen Things about why I love where I work... 1…. When it looks this good, wouldn't you? BGT-Aerial-View 2…. In one Garden, we have a bog, and in another, we are almost in a desert! 3…. We have remnant Cumberland Plains, and also show Cold Climate plants! 4…. Showcase Plant Diversity, whilst researching Conservation! 5…. We entertain with Events, and educate through our Education Department! 6…. We maintain the long dead (Herbarium) yet breed (in the Nursery)! 7…. Australia's OLDEST Garden! 8…. We tell the stories of our Indigenous people! 9…. We have a great Shop! 10…. Not to mention a good Restaurant! 11…. Sydney Gardens:- It's Harbour views! RBG12…. Mount Annan: - Showcasing Australian Native Plants! MABG 13…. Mount Tomah: - Picturesque Mountain views across the valleys! MTBG

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

thursday thirteen