On yer bike!

Today, I went for a ride... Partly as I was invited, but to also clear my head... I had been sorting through L's crafty stash of material for quilting and chenille. I have only cleared out one room, and there is so much junk stuff!

Lous Crafty Stuff, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So, A,S and the kids arrived at 11.30am and were hit the road at just on midday. It is a cycleway I had done a few times before, so as I used to it. But only when I was a little fitter than I am now and also a little lighter! We joined the cycle way not far from home, and by the time we reached 'Pipehead' we were now on what was Sydney's water supply before being decommissioned in 1995 and converted into the cycleway in 2004.

Boothtown Aqueduct - 1883-1907, originally uploaded by yewenyi.

So we rode along the 7.7klm odd cycleway and were greeted at the picnic area by S, M & W with lunch, we were so spoilt! I actually didn't feel to bad either after the ride! W was feeling a little out of sorts, tired mainly, but he is the one who enjoys staying up much later than bedtime! But this was more out of sorts than normal, maybe he's coming down with something...

Alex and William, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So we hit the road back home, and the first hill was a killer for me, but it was all 'downhill' after that. I say downhill, as it was a canal that carried water down to pipehead, but it was such a low gradient that it felt flat ALL the way! And I was so glad to be home with a cold glass of water (or four!) to drink!

Now I had been thinking of ways I can either keep the outdoor lounge clean, and/or Macc of it, so I went to the linen press and got an old odd quilt cover, so hopefully this will work! I will still be shoeing him off if he is so stupid to hop back on, but at least I will be able to pull of the slip cover in a second for a party or similar!

Lounge Throw protection from Macc, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

------

Training and eating (and GREAT Neighbours!)

For those of you who know me, you will know that I have not been a fan of vegetables... Not only do I not like them, I have a very strong DISLIKE for them. My mother had failed, my ex had failed, and to some extent even L (and her mother) even failed. But prior to L dieing in April, I had started to eat peas, at least it was a start, right?

BUT, where L had failed in life, she has some what succeeded in death and I have started to eat 'veges'! Yes, this will come as a shock, but it is all part of my get fit regime! I started with a Personal Trainer on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, I ate healthy (or as close as I could) for the day. This included five meals, culminating in NO carbs after 3pm. So what was I going to have for dinner now? I went down to the supermarket and did some shopping, and I could not believe I was buying Broccoli... All cooked, I had a steak, corn, tomatoes and yes broccoli!

Dinner, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

After my first session, I was in pain, real pain... My arms were sore, my legs were a little sore, but it was all in my arms! I felt good though, a bit better in my mind as I had been feeling depression filtering back, but I actually managed to get a good nights sleep... I went to bed at around 8.30pm (unheard of normally) and slept solidly until 7.30am!

And in this mornings news, with it going to be at least 40c here today, I managed to get up early, run an important errand first and I was home by 7am. I had breakfast, and I got straight to doing the lawns. Whipping and cutting done, and I got quickly to watering the Garden, mainly things that I did not want to loose, and it was now coming up to 9am. As I was rolling up the hose, my neighbour D was coming in the gate. I have such GREAT neighbours... Anyway, he came with my morning (weekly) paper and some 'morning tea' wrapped in foil... He was in a hurry himself, and I quickly went inside to see what treasures were within! OMG is all I could say! See what I mean:

Neighbours Scones, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I quickly put the kettle on, got the butter and jam, and had two (YES TWO) of these for my mid-morning snack/meal. They were heavenly! Thanks L & D for looking after me, and blow the diet for the day, I sweat it out, and more, today in the 40c heat with the Personal Trainer!

Have a great weekend everyone! ------

This is it... This time I know its the real thing...

Now the question is, name the song and the singer!

On a more serious note, tomorrow, I am off to my first 'Personal Training' session. I am not really interested in having a 'sculptured' body builder look, yuck, I simply want a return to fitness and loose some weight!

Since April, I have been eating a lot of comfort food, and not really get off my butt, until about mid December that is. Since then, I have been far more active, eating less and even more so, the right foods! A lot of people had failed to get me to eat vegetables, mum, my ex and to some extent L and her mum. But in actual fact, in her death, L has actually gotten me to eat SOME vegetables! Can you believe it?!?!?

So what am I eating? Beans & peas, corn (pref on the cob for some strange reason), pumpkin. I like onions of course, but NOT raw as the flavour is just to intense. Then there's capsicum and I even started to eat salads now! WOW!!

So from tomorrow when they take all of my details, I will be sharing them all with you (warts and all), this way, YOU can help me stay focused and on track. Can you do it?

------

Who wants a Greyhound?

Remember how I said I did a clean up? Well here is a little bit of an update... My car IN the garage!

GV Garage, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Anyone want a DUMB Greyhound as a pet?? I mean, I love him and he's a great dog, but he is just so smart, he's dumb...I got a new lounge for outside and he thinks its great! So I put some things about the place to STOP him from sleeping on it...

Maccs Lounge Blockers, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So when I got home from my BIL after dinner, Macc was nowhere to be seen... now this is a dead give away that he thinks he's in trouble, as he is usually jumping at the backdoor. So I went outside and I noticed that the tablecloth on the outdoor setting was astray... I touched the pillows think there's no way...

Macc trying not to give away his new sleeping spot, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

YES, he was sleeping ON the table!

Anyway, this morning I snuck out to the family room, and fair enough, he was back on the table... I got my camera, but in trying to get the flash up, it beeps and clicks, he heard me and jumped off quicker than I ever thought he could move. So he KNOWS he has done something wrong, right?

So I made a coffee whilst getting ready to come to work, and I snuck back down to the family room (camera already at the ready to go) and bugger me, he was BACK up on the table and when I opened the door to go out and get the pics, he just froze and didn't want to look at me!!!

Macc on table, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Damn CAUGHT, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I am not looking at you, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

I like this one the most, it almost says "this is a comfy spot, care to join me???"

Comfy would you like to try, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

------

Sydney James...

Yesterday, I got to celebrate the Christening of little Sydney James Fisher... He is a funny little man!

The day was scheduled to be hot, and it was! Saturday was hot as well, which meant getting into my suit was going to be a very uncomfortable experience! I had a spa, and then a shower, but at 9.30am it was over 31c! So, I made the Executive decision to NOT wear the jacket, and I was ok with this... Thank you to the Executive!

The service was great, and Fr Michael was a funny enough fellow! At the outset of the service, he mentioned that if anyone wants to see something again, or to do it for a photo oportunity, to yell out 'Re-run' and they will do it over... But I think everyone had pity on him in the heat in his vestments, as he was constantly wiping his brow due to the heat! At the very end of the service, I wanted to get another family shot so I thought I will throw a bit of bait to Fr Michael...

Me: Father, I was wondering if it was possible to get a photo?

Father: But of course, where/how?

Me: Ok, you mentioned the word "re-run" earlier, so I would like that please...

Father: Oh ok, which part?

Me: The whole lot please... (I thought I need to run...)

Father: Not bloody likely (with a rye grin), it's too bloddy hot!!

At least he took it with the punn that it was intended... As I said, he was a funny fellow!

As soon as I got back to the house for the celebration, I could NOT get changed quick enough into a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt. We had a lovely afternoon, and the people were all very sociable... And the kids were even great given the heat! Here is a montage of the day...

------

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!

------

34 Left, clear for takeoff!

New Years Day was a day where I spent it (the morning) with L's mum and dad... I met them at the local St Vincents (which was open for a 50% off sale; even the charities have sales!) and then we headed to the cemetery. We then headed over to their place where we planted the new tree they got as a Christmas gift from the kids! It is a red Maple and two Gardenias!

Then this morning, I was awake early for some reason I still don't know why, so I jumped in the car and headed to Sydney Airport for a bit of 'Spotting' of the arrivals and departures! By mid morning, it was something like 100% humidity and storms were about to roll across, so I headed home to do the lawns. Here is a short montage of the day...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And JUST in case the slideshow above still does NOT want to play here is another form of it!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

------

Out with the old and in with the new...

In more ways than ONE!

Well, Happy New Year, first and foremost! I hope that it is a much better year than last!

I went out to mums to plant her Christmas present the other day, I had been meaning to post about it, but I really have been flat out! The garden had become a little overgrown in the years since it was originally planted out by the previous owner. A lot of weeds and dead plants, and it was quick to clean it all out. After a very quick break for a cool drink, we quickly did the plant out and a watering of it all in to establish. Now all she has to do is keep it alive!

Mums Front Garden Before, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

As you can see, it was a bit of a mess. I had two Magnolia 'Little Gems' and 10 Gardenias. I left the two Azaleas in (moved one though) and hedged the Abelia into more of a cube at the corner of the verandah! It was terribly humid and I was sweating like nothing else!

Mums Front Garden After, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

And as for NYE, what did I do? I watched the 9pm fireworks that were in Sydney, and not long after, I left Macc in the house (local fireworks were sending him insane and Jasmine was in the wardrobe, of her own doing to escape the noise) and I went for a drive. I did a lot of kilometers, but it was really peaceful in the dark night air. I ended up at Richmond Airforce Base, opposite there is a park. I was there when the clock struck midnight and I could still hear the fireworks from Sydney! There is most likely 50-60 klms in between! I was able to simply sit and take stock of what I am going to do this year, one of which is to travel in April with my mum and L's parents! I am going to a conference in France, and we are going to continue to England, Italy and Greece (then a cruise) before heading back home. Both ways, we will be stopping in Dubai for a rest (for the 'older folk' that is!).

Happy New Year!

------

It's raining, its pouring, NO I'am not snoring!

Today IS supposed to be a day of planting trees that were mum's Christmas present, but alas, the powers that be have another thing in mind!

Radar 20~12~2009, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

So, now I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do? Well I could go to the post Christmas sales, NO, or I could go to the Nursery and get some more plants, NO (I have enough for now)... But I do know WHAT I am not going to be doing and that is staying home and doing nothing! Any suggestions?

Macc is curled up on his bed fast asleep, and Jasmine is more than likely on my bed fast asleep as well. Nothing better than being in bed on wet days like this!

------

Boxing Day!

Boxing Day is traditionally for us, a day to rest and recuperate... But this year, for me, it was with mixed feelings. But first let me tell you about the day of Christmas!

Now, Christmas Eve (spent going to Mass with the in-laws and Nan) I had dinner before heading back home. It was a terribly hot and humid day. I did the lawns, again, had a spa to cool down and got myself ready for last minute shopping. I was SO not in the mood for Christmas this year, but it had to be done! By the time I got home, early at around 9.30pm, I had good intentions of wrapping the presents. WRONG! Instead, I had the TV on and I was watching Carols from Melbourne. I love watching the Carols on the TV! Anyways, I digress... I had a call (SKYPE) from my friend Maribeth in the US, and we had a long chat and I eventually hit the hay at around 3am. No, I was not talking for that long, just could NOT get to sleep!

I awoke to a certain puppy wanting to go outside, I wonder why, at 7.30, so I complied to save cleaning up a mess! And just as I started to do the wrapping, my phone rang and it was my nephew Max ringing to wish me a Merry Christmas and to make sure I was not sad... awwww. We had a quick chat and he went on to tell me they had a WII from the Man in the Red Suit (he's 8 so it was very exciting). As I was now running very late for the drive out to my mum's, I had a quick shower and got ready. In the drive out, I was fine (or so I thought) until I started to make a couple of calls to friends whilst taking the long drive. I started to get all teary, so I wished them well and had to go. I had NO clue on what to do, so I called the US, for help!!! Thanks Maribeth, I simply needed to hear your voice! I was fine after you reassurance! After exchanging of gifts, breakfast with my drunken brother (he works nights, so breakfast is really his evening) and my sister and her husband and nephews, I then headed for Lou's parents for lunch. I only wished I had remembered to have taken my camera OUT to get some pictures!

Table Centre, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Dining Table Nan, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Christmas lunch is always wonderful day in the in-laws house, but today it was somewhat subdued. But it was still a great day. Exchange of gifts, and boy, do the kids know how to rip open pressies, it was time for the Family Photo!

Someone in trouble? Nah, just Max! (just ME making sure camera settings were OK!), originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Family Christmas 2009, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

After lunch, we normally stay for dinner, but I had to get to my third 'family' for a get together! My God-daughters family and I have been friends for eons, so they are really more like family! By the very end of the day, it was now pouring with rain, I was exhausted, so when I got home, I simply fed the pets and went to bed. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow!

So, Boxing Day, what did I do? NOTHING*!!!

------

*(except watch the Cricket!)