Saturday, December 31, 2011

Mary Poppins

Had a lot of fun at Mary Poppins with my family last night. Definitely takes me back to my childhood a little. Mum made the comment that Mary Poppins the first movie she ever remembers seeing in the cinema...I think the first movie I ever saw was Fern Gully, but that's another tale.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Movies and Chinese

A quick lazy post from my phone because I am definitely in holiday mode.

SJ is back with me now so we've started catching up with all our Brisbane friends. Yesterday we saw a movie down the coast (for any Brisbanites, Australia Fair has $7.50 movies every weekday, $9.50 on weekends...very cheap!) since I had promised I would take SJ to see TinTin. Still haven't seen New Year's Eve though so he owes me big time. Oh and also watched Red Dog (finally) on dvd the other night, made me cry :-(

Last night we also headed up the coast to visit an old friend of mine. He and his wife met when he was working in China (his parents are Chinese) and she was his translator. They now have a beautiful 18 month old daughter and a son due in January. They put on a lovely spread for us, though SJ and I definitely need to eat with chopsticks more often.
And my outfit, a cream and navy nautical feel dress with a cute rope around the waist. Also wore jewellry, starting to get in the habit of wearing it more, it will be one of my NY resolutions to accessorise better.

Today I am off to a barbeque down the coast, meeting SJ there as he left at 7am for a big bike ride. Then tonight I am off to see Mary Poppins with my sisters, mum and nanna. Should be fun :-)

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

One Week of Holidays

I have finally found the energy to turn on my laptop and upload the pictures I have taken over the last week. So here we go...

Monday, December 26, 2011

Still Recovering

I haven't been on the computer still. Spent most of the day at the boxing day sales, will have to take a photo of my hoard, just a few things for work and a dress I fell in love with.

The above is a photo of my arm during Christmas lunch yesterday, took a little scrubbing to get them off this morning...

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

Just a quick post while I am recovering from a late breakfast before we start our late lunch.

Hope everyone is having an incredible Christmas with those they love.

I'll be back on the computer in the next few days to upload real pics and read all the blogs I follow. My road trip has put me so far behind and I can't wait to see everyone's holiday posts.

Stay safe and soak up as much Christmas spirit while it lasts.

Miss Directions xo

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Slices

I spent Christmas Eve having a big slice making day with MissT while we babysat some younger cousins (4 kids aged 8-15).

Friday, December 23, 2011

2105kms

And I'm home.

'Possum' (our dog) came out to greet me. Isn't she gorgeous? Can't wait to get a little more settled and get into Christmas.

Hope every is enjoying the start of their holidays xox

Not Far From Home

We've just crossed the border and switched drivers, not too far to go now.

And in true Queensland fashion, the sun has been shining and it's above 20 degrees. I already feel like I'm home :-)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thunderbolt Way

We have successfully arrived in Armidale and checked into a motel. We had intended to camp for the night but it is raining rather nastily here, so we've gone for the dry option.

Left Canberra without any problems and enjoyed a lovely lunch with some of my family. The rain meant their normally lovely view of Lake Macquarie was a little clouded.

We traveled along Bucketts Way and Thunderbolt Way to reach Armidale. It was a really nice road, lots of beautiful scenery (hills, trees, creeks) and I will definitely travel it again. It was a little windy and very steep in some places (not so much fun in the rain) but less crowded than the New England would have been.

The photo above is of SJ (taking a photo) at a camping area on the Manning River. It was a really nice spot and we've remembered it for future trips. We would have spent the night but had nothing organised for dinner.

Only around 5 hours to Toowoomba now, so we should be at SJ's brother's around lunchtime. I'll be rather tired by then (drove solo today) but his 2 year old nephew is sure to revive me.

Starting to feel more like Christmas now too :-)

Christmas Lights

Made it to Canberra safe and sound, had dinner with friends and went to see a bunch of Christmas lights. Took some good photos that I'll upload from Brisbane.

Another big day tomorrow...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Road Tripping Fish

Hi from the road :-)

SJ and I have just stopped in Cann River for lunch. Had a bit of hassle with traffic getting out of Melbourne but made it to Traralgon around 7pm. Good dinner and catchup with family before leaving around 9:30 this morning.

This whole area is really lovely and I've enjoyed the drive so far. We have been listening to '39 Steps' as an audiobook and time has been passing quickly.

Did I mention we are taking our fish, Blue, along for the ride? He's in his special bag pumped full of oxygen by the pet shop. Not sure he's been enjoying my driving though!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Isn't It Ironic

At least, I think it's irony.

Yesterday I got SJ to take my little car to the mechanic and get it checked over before our road trip. He did, they said everything looked fine but that I may need to get new tyres soon. Not worried, after this trip it will be due for it's next service.

So it was a little ironic that when we got down to the car this morning, for SJ to drop me at work and then run our final errands, that the car battery was flat.

I'm on a train to work now, a little late :-S Lucky I have flex time...

Monday, December 19, 2011

No More Christmas Tree

Since we're leaving for Brisbane tomorrow I had to take the decorations off my Christmas tree so it can live (we hope) outside.
 Are you jealous that my Christmas decorations can be stored in a sandwich sized clip seal bag??

All Wrapped Up

I've wrapped almost all of my Christmas presents, I'm still waiting on an order of MooGoo which I really need to arrive before lunchtime tomorrow. Not holding my breath though.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Heading Home for Christmas

10 days until Christmas now. I don't have a lot to do to be ready, but it still feels like I'm rapidly running out of time.
SJ and I will be driving back to Brisbane for the holidays so we have even less time than usual. I will finish up work sometime on Tuesday afternoon (I have a bit of flex time worked up...maybe I should take the whole day lol) and head out to Traralgon to have dinner with some relatives.  Wednesday night will be spent at my best friend's place in Canberra, Thursday lunch with family near Newcastle, Thursday night will be somewhere on the New England Highway (maybe Armidale?) if we can get decent cheap accommodation we'll stay in a motel, otherwise we'll have to just camp (the hazards of traveling without bookings at Christmas time). Friday I'll be dropping SJ at his brother's place in Toowoomba and attempting not to get too distracted by his nephew so I can be at my parent's place on the Gold Coast before dinner time. Phew, exhausted just thinking about it. About 26 hours driving all up thanks to our detours.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Terraced Houses

I wasn't in the mood to prepare a post today on my previous travels, it will have to wait. SJ heard back about another job yesterday and it wasn't good news...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Photos I promised...

 Over the last week I have added phone photos to my blog and promised myself I would upload proper ones. So here they are...

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Cards Sent!

Had a rather productive weekend with SJ. I managed to finish writing in all the Christmas Cards we're sending and posted them today. I get such a rush from posting mail, especially a stack of cards that big!

Also got a little present shopping and wrapping finished and gave the apartment a massive clean. And I mean massive, I vacuumed and dusted and cleaned all the doors, door handles, light switches and cupboards, even used glass cleaner on the windows and mirror (though the outside of the windows missed out, they get filthy every time it rains and it's due to rain all week). I even used cleaned all the internal walls with a rag and a white-block.

Was a little exhausting even though the place is so small!

Having a few friends over for a Christmas catch-up tonight, was motivation to have it all done. That said, I've started sorting through my clothes and the guest bed has piles all over it! Will just keep that door shut...

Moogoo Review

I have been using my new MooGoo products for around two weeks now and thought it was time to share a product review.

Liebster Blog Award

I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy today thanks to AshMac from who nominated me for a Liebster Blog award over at her blog AshMac with Cheese.  So I want to say thanks to Ash and encourage anyone who hasn't checked out her blog yet to do so. It's similar to mine in that it's about a bit of everything and one of my favourite 'personal' blogs. I'll let you in on another secret, we share the same first name too!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas Cards

November Storm

I thought I'd be out of the office again today (but someone else has gone to fix what's required instead) so I prepared this post. Figure I'll send it out anyway...

Just thought I'd share this photograph from a storm in Melbourne last month.  The photograph was taken around 7pm on November 9 2011 just before the storm hit the eastern suburbs.  I wish I had a wide angle lens that could capture the shot, but it was actually taken with a 17mm lens in a series of 6-8 photographs that I stitched together using ICE.

Had a great sunset last night which I'll have to upload over the weekend. I love having a western facing balcony, it's great for improving my photography skills :-)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Signposts and Mailboxes

I recently realised I have a thing for signposts and mailboxes.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Getting Out of the Office

I spent the last two days working out of the office, visiting rain and river gauges for various reasons. My profession has always allowed freedom and stopped me from being tied to a desk, the travel just isn't often glamorous. The weather was really great over the last two days though and it was hard not to enjoy being outside, visiting mountain tops (where rain gauges are) can be pretty spectacular, as you can see from above, has to be better than most office views, right?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Ignite the light and let it shine

I'm out in rural Victoria today for work, the forecast is for sunny weather so hopefully I'll get some nice countryside shots to share. In the meantime, I was treated to a small fireworks display from my place over the weekend, heard banging noises and thought something was flapping around on the balcony. Opened the blinds and saw this...

Monday, December 5, 2011

A day back in time...

SJ and I took MissC and her boyfriend to Sovereign Hill on Saturday. It's a living museum of life in Ballarat during the gold rush in the 1850s. There are people walking around in costume and character, putting on little skits  all day long. There are also scheduled shows and displays, shops to buy ol'fashioned fare and a little creek you can pan for gold in.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

A Happy Little Christmas Tree


I finally decorated my Christmas Tree.  Bought two sets of little battery operated lights (harder to find then you think!) in red and white. Not sure they are what I wanted but I guess they will do.  I also bought some red and white spherical bells for the tree, but they were way too heavy for the poor little conifer branches. I didn't think of that in my planning.

Friday, December 2, 2011

My Family Portrait

Just thought I'd start off my photography posts with a shot of my family. Taken last weekend before we went off to the wedding, we had a photo session in my parent's backyard. Got some really cute shots (my favourite has us all peering over the log propped up on our elbows) but I feel comfortable uploading this one as there are no faces. MissE, me, Mum, Dad, MissC and MissT if you were wondering.

5 Reasons Why I Blog

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I've been reading a lot of other Voguette's blogs and thinking about why theirs are so much cooler than mine.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Tergiversate...

Verb: to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to cause, subject, etc,; equivocate.

Back in my day that was just called 'changing your mind'.

Just read this article about the top words for 2011.  After recovering from the shock of 'tergiversate' being considered a word, I am appauled that 'Kardashian' is now being considered a noun. Again, wasn't the old word for that just 'Diva' or in this case 'Socialite Diva'?

'iStuff'...well that one ispeaks for itself. I have a personal dislike towards many Apple products so I've never jumped on the iPhone bandwagon...oh did you hear they've been blowing up lately?


Tergiversate. Just don't do it.

One Naked Little Christmas Tree

I bought this little tree and pot from Bunnings yesterday. It's a lemon scented conifer, great for hedging apparently, but it looks cute and smells lovely. It is living in all it's nakedness on the dining table. I'm not sure if it will remain there, but it does get some sun at least. As a plant it requires full sunlight but will keep it's lime green colour even in the shade. I'll see how it goes living there for now and move it outside some days/after Christmas.

I'm very pleased with it, it removes the need for storing even a tiny table tree (we really don't have any storage space yet) or displaying a bigger tree and means no real waste. I should be able to use it again next year, but if it's gotten too big I won't have to feel guilty either!

Now I get to go shopping for decorations and baby lights for it. Hard because I want to do it right, hopefully I can get some gorgeous tiny ones that SJ and I can keep as mementos of our first Christmas living together for years to come. I'm thinking white with some red, personally I never really liked multi-coloured Christmas trees and I think the tree is green enough as it is. Also not sure if I should go with silver or gold or neither, I think the 'shiny' factor might be too much with the lime green. Decisions, decisions...and shopping!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

And back again.


Screens on the plane this time. Had thoughts in my mind about a few posts today, but I really don't feel like writing them now.

I will post with some substance soon, rather than just talk about myself. Promise.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Lazy Day


This is how I spent my morning. Followed by lunch down the coast, a little shopping, a family dinner (MissC turns 20 this week) and an after dessert dip in the outdoor spa.

Perfectly relaxing :-)

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Wedding


This was my outfit. A little more casual than recent weddings but required for the reception venue. It was a beautiful ceremony, held in a lovely old church in the city. A church of significance as well, both the parents of the bride and groom were married there, as were my own parents (my mother is the groom's father's sister) so they were continuing a tradition. I love the church but don't want a religious ceremony...

A Long Day


I originally wrote this post at 1am (Brisbane time) this morning. Only to wake and discover it hadn't sent because blogger/my phone is having a tantrum (again). Then in my attempts to deal with it from my phone outbox, I deleted it.

Hate that. The post is never as good the second time, is it?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Good Hair Day


Just left the salon and I'm very happy with my hair. I'll admit, I had been having a good day anyway. Wearing an outfit I'm happy with (blue shirt, black work skirt and new heels meant for Saturday's wedding, a bone colour) and got a few looks from construction workers on my lunchbreak. One even commented 'Nice' (I'm going to assume he meant me and not his lunch anyway).

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Just a little makeover


Thought I would brighten things up a little. As much as black and red are definitely my colours, I felt it was looking a little too vampire. Keeping the black background for the moment but I may go white at some point. Blue and orange are obviously inspired by my 'directions' photograph.

I took the photograph while on a trip in South Australia with my mum last year. We flew to Adelaide and then drove up to Coober Pedy. Then out to Australia's smallest town, William Creek, where the photo was taken.

The town was busy that day though, with flights over the full Lake Eyre leaving every half an hour. Was a great experience. And of course, I loved the photograph opportunities :-)

I'm also planning a makeover, I have a hair appointment booked tomorrow. Looking forward to it, my fringe hangs below my nose!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Books

I have a confession to make, I love trashy novels. Don't get me wrong, I also love classics and best sellers and non-fiction and moving pieces of written art...but I love trashy novels. To me they are like perfect romantic comedies without the bad acting. Now I'm not talking about Mills&Boon here, but cheap, fluffy chick lit. My mother has always referred to them as 'Teenage Mills&Boon' or 'Babysitter Club Trash', depending on my age. She never understood why novels without substance are sometimes exactly what I need.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Strawberries


I do love strawberries, that's me in the strawberry print dress, but even I'm wondering if we have too many now.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

My Weekend


Just a quick post before I head to bed, I will write more tomorrow. It rained all day yesterday, we drove to Williamstown and had lunch in a pub and I saw the new Twilight movie with my sister. Today the weather was great. We drove down to Mornington Peninsula, stopping in at the Brighton Beach Bath-houses on the way. Visited the Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and picked 1.5kg of strawberries and had SJ's cousin and partner over to dinner (in town for a wedding). We had an Eton Mess for dessert with our gorgeous fresh strawberries and used only a scraping off the top of the punnets. Was a good weekend :-)

Friday, November 18, 2011

My sisters


I made another trip to Ikea yesterday (well it had been a while) and bought a lamp for the guest room. Had been meaning to but my sister's visit prompted me to finally do it. In addition, I bought photo frames for other pieces of artwork my mum and (other) sister brought back from overseas.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Summer's on its way.


I went for a walk to the post office at lunch and was amazed at how many people were out and about. It shouldn't have been a big surprise, the weather was great today, but I think working at the empty end of town I forget how many people there are in this city.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

What makes a local?

Today I have lived and worked in Melbourne for 6 months. Does that make me a local yet?

I don't think it does, I don't yet have a favourite hairdresser, I've never visited a GP and I've only eaten out a handful of times (though budget is a big factor there).

Yet at the same time, I have a favourite wax therapist, I have a local personal trainer and physiotherapist and my weekly groceries mostly come from the local market. I know the quickest routes through my suburb and have driven every street and I'm more comfortable driving in the city and managing hook turns than friends of mine who were born and raised in Melbourne's suburbs.

I will admit, I don't know many of my neighbours, but when you rent an apartment in a building of over 300, do you ever really? I could have grown up in a nearby suburb and still not know anyone living that close.
So when do I become a local? Will it be sometime within the next few years? Or will I not manage it before I move back to Brisbane? And what then, do I have to fight to become a local again up there (since I will definitely be in a different suburb to where my parents live).

Wondering where the line is. Something I might still be pondering in another 6 months time...

Monday, November 14, 2011

Pure Evil.

I have the hiccups.

Started this morning around 10:30, I then had them for 3 hours before they disappeared as I ate lunch.

Now they are back.

And I'm not talking about cute little ones, big 'shakes my whole body and I re-taste my lunch' ones.

I wish they'd leave me alone.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Blue


This is my pet betta, Blue. I was playing around with my camera and finally got a good shot of him (he moves around a lot).

SJ and I had a good day yesterday, we drove out to Kinglake and visited the Healesville Sanctuary, so lots of other animal photos for my useless collection.

I haven't been for my run yet. I know I should but I'm still so tired and really can't motivate myself to go. At least I have training tomorrow so that counts for something...right?

Friday, November 11, 2011

Lazy.

I didn't go for my run yesterday. I had to start work before 6am so I was a little tired when I got home. I really should have though...

Particularly when I also didn't make up for it today. I'll try and run both days this weekend to redeem myself. I was feeling so motivated after my measurement losses too.

And hopefully I will get out and about tomorrow and have something more interesting to blog about...

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

C25K Week 2 Day 1

First off, I apparently measured myself wrong the other day. Monday evening my trainer measure my hips at 98.5cm, I still feel like that wasn't my widest but I'll take it (and just prepare for smaller losses in the future).

Monday, November 7, 2011

C25K Week 1 Day 3

I successfully completed Week 1 Day 3 of the C25K program yesterday. Wasn't too strenuous, but I worked up a decent sweat and was out of breath after every 60 second run.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

We're going to the zoo, zoo zoo....


Just a quick post. SJ and I went to the zoo today, was a gorgeous sunny day today. Too hot to go for a run, though I have every intention of going tomorrow. SJ is helping a friend out so I will have the day at home to myself. Intend to get started on my Christmas photo gifts :-) and do a little cleaning. Maybe a manicure?...

Friday, November 4, 2011

Time to Run

Back in 2008 I went running on a beach...

I've never been a runner. Sure there have been times when I've forced myself to do and I've even managed a few 10km charity runs in my time, but I am definitely not a runner.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

How does your garden grow?


I have the 'Mary, Mary, quite contrary' nursery rhyme in my head now.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

A Wet Weekend


A little late in getting this post out and I have no real excuse...

Thursday, October 27, 2011

From SJ


Since I have posted pictures of the rest of my birthday stash, I thought I'd better post a pic of my present from SJ. I used to have a large white vase in the same location as the pic, but it was too big for most of the flowers I'd buy and really needed extra long stemmed roses to look any good...and who can afford them as weekly flowers?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

My Dress

Bought from Portmans, listed as Origami Bust Floral Border Dress (780776).