Happy New Year!

Well 2009 is no more, and 2010 arrived with the usual fanfare. Sydney is always one of the first places to welcome the new year in and we always do it in style on our great harbour. This year we hosted a party with friends. Was great and relaxed, with the usual music, overindulgence on food and alcohol (although fairly tame in comparison to most).
There is something about sparklers that always excites children.


And adults alike... lol

Below is such an Aussie photo... We ate outside and swam so there was the obligatory can of Aerogard spray to ward off the mosquitoes! lol

Thanks for being a part of my 2009. Here's hoping that your 2010 will be one filled with much happiness and many great new experiences. Cheers!

Christmas celebrations continued...

After early Christmas celebrations with my mum, sister and brother and then with inlaws #1, Christmas Day was spend in our usual tradition with inlaws #2, in a great relaxed atmosphere overlooking a spectacular view. Unfortunately this year was raining. As with every year, there was the annual Chicken wing eating competition (proud cook Uncle John) and as with every year, Steve won. He ate 16 this time which is bloody rediculous if you asked me because his closest competition only ate 4! lol. R.I.P. the 8 chickens who sacrificed their lives for his glory...... lolOn Boxing Day we hosted our dads at our house. Was nice and relaxed and I even managed to get in a nanna nap when the testosterone filled ones decided to let their food settle by watching the movie Thin Red Line. War movies........zzzzzzzz

I hope all my friends had a great Christmas season too. We're hosting a party for New Years Eve soon, so I battled the shops again for another round of food.

You're all invited!..... I just have to find where I put your darn invitation..... hmmmm? lol

Crazy family Christmas

I went away last week to Queensland to visit my mum, sister and brother and their families for an early Christmas. Was a great but noisy time with lots of young kids, hot weather, splashing in the pool and opening of presents.
Not sure who started this bizarre ritual (ahem lol) but here are some snapshots of my weird and wonderful family.

Bunch of nutbags if you asked me... lol

Damn... where has the time gone?

Cant believe that I haven't written here in over a month. Also can't believe I only have a few weeks left of leave! Damn Damn Damn! Have done a lot, but upon reflection had set myself unrealistic goals (like becoming a guitar vituoso in a matter of weeks lol). So what HAVE I been doing???.... hmmmm thinking... thinking....? I have been gardening.... and swimming..... and sorting through the house and our years worth of hording. In fact, I've finally boxed and photographed numerous things which we intend to sell at auction or on ebay sometime. I went through a phase of garage sale shopping for items I knew were bargains and likely to fetch more money at auction... and as a result have stored some embarrassing items such as royal family photo albums, mugs, aprons and puzzles, and lots of retro toys from the 1950s - 1970s.

Also selling my old teddy bear which was passed down from an aunty. Its one of those valuable ones over 100 yeras old. I used to call him Jonfas (no idea why? lol)

There are also some things of value, like my grandfathers gold rolex watch and an old bible from the 1800s. The husband has also finally agreed to rid himself of his prized star wars and star trek collectables so tomorrow Im off to visit an auction house to get some things valued.

Aside from all this I have been meeting different friends for lunch, doing a soft stone sculpture workshop where I made the statue below which sits proudly in my garden.

One thing I hadn't counted on was the numerous blood tests and x-rays I would have to endure these holidays. This all came about from a visit to a naturopath/dr who suggested I may have an auto-immune disease whereby my thyroid is being attacked. So the past month hasnt been the most glamourous time as my arm started to feel like a pin cushion - bruised from the needles...

...and my body frazzled from the x-rays. My naturopath also decided I should be taking multiple vitamin tablets (16 to be exact) and drink herbs that make me want to dry reach just thinking about them! lol The good news is that I feel well and my health is not suffering in any obvious way. The bad news is that I have to see a specialist early next year and may have to go on medication for life. Oh well.... such is life.... no use letting it get you down (she says when feeling rational lol).

On a lighter note... I wanted to punch my personal trainer in the face at the gym today.... no reason... other than I hate her! lol

Doing a photography course this Saturday which should be great. Then will enter a photographic competition by end December online. Next year I will hopefully aim to exhibit some of my new work once completed. Next week Im flying up to meet my mum, sister, brother and family for an early Christmas. Should be great.

Well thats one month crammed into a few short paragraphs. Hopefully will do another posting soon. :)