Silver linings

So the house that we can't stop thinking about is too old for storage - built with a distinct lack of cupboards. Which is bad in a lot of ways but good in that it is making us thinking about the sheer amount of crap we own and how much of it we actually need. So yesterday was Australia Day (we don't do anything much, the beach is full of bogans and Australia Day is ethically problematic) so we decided to clear out a corner of the family room that had been messy since working from home started three years ago. We chucked out a heap, made a big pile for donation and felt much better for it. 

The cat loved it, explored the cupboards, slept on the chairs we were trying to move and, of course, got in all the empty boxes. What is it with cats and boxes? So that was the morning, did some painting in the afternoon and then picked up our children from their NZ family week. I think they had a good time, they don't say much but saw the photos and it seemed fine :) They assured me they said please and thank you which is all you can hope for, and I like that they keep some contact with the foreign relatives...

Painting again

We had a lovely weekend at the beach but no photos - if the weather is good I don't take my phone to the beach - just a towel and a boogy board! It was a good but strange weekend because on Saturday we popped back up the hill to look at a house for sale ... and the inevitable has happened and we have found one we REALLY like. No price on it, so we don't know if it's affordable, and it is not practical in some fundamental ways, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Anyway we are still thinking about it, we will go back this weekend for another look, and then just see how the universe wants to play this one.

I have been trying to paint water with limited success. It is very irregular and quite difficult. And there are a hundred different types of water.

So I did a Youtube forest, which didn't work out so well either. 

And a squiggle with flowers, which is my fallback. One day I will find some kind of personal style!

Summer, finally

It was a hot week at work and then a lovely hot weekend at the beach - properly summer, at last. I swam and swam and sat around in wet togs and had ice cream. There was a cracking storm that came through late Sunday as I drove home to cool it all down ... bad for driving but good for the garden. The cat stayed at home with her favourite human and did the crossword.

 

I picked number two up from the airport at lunchtime today prior to their NZ adventure - this is the delayed July trip. Brad and I went in October but the kidlets couldn't be away from uni then, so decided to go together in January. They are very much looking forward to it - it's been six years since they were there! From teens to adults, very scary. More scary for the relatives I think, I hope they are expecting two six-foot ginger monsters. 

While I was waiting at the airport there was somebody there welcoming a friend with a sign (normal) and what may possibly be a bass flute (not normal at all). Kind of pointless, even in Canberra's quiet terminal a gently hooting flute is not going to cut it. 

Shock of working

As usual in January I am wondering what, when, how and particularly why I work for a living. The weather has turned amazing as I stare out the window at it. At least the kitchen window view is better - the roses are incredible this year due to all the rain and my husband's assiduous gardening efforts. Roses love not being choked by weeds and given some plant food! Who could have imagined. 

They are later than usual this year because summer took a while to arrive. That orange one in particular is a star performer. 

Here is a summery lake shot. We went for a walk on Sunday and it was hot and still with happy Canberrans canberraning away. Walking, biking, having coffee, paddle-boating. Stuff White People Like. And here is the cat being freaked out by my shoes. I haven't worn them since we've had her, and she hated them. I do not know why - they are perfectly fine shoes and she has no problem with my feet normally. Strange.

Happy New Year

We went down to the beach for a week or two after Christmas - the cat and I spent the whole time there and my husband went up and down, as he felt the urge. The weather was too cold for him to swim (I swam EVERY DAY and yes, that does make me morally superior) and he is having fun in the Canberra garden so we just did what we liked and that makes a perfect holiday.

This photo is typical weather. There were a couple of good days but mostly it was cool, cloudy and rainy. Decent swell though with some big waves. I watched a lot of Netflix and did some weaving as well as read, swam and ate chocolates. And played with the cat ... she just slept and chased bugs. We got a quote for new blinds because the old ones are literally falling apart and did some drive bys of places we might like to live in retirement. Or not live, as the case may be, we are very judgemental.

And now it is back to work - of course the weather has turned glorious with hot sunny Canberra days. I am looking back fondly of my four weeks at the beach I had last year ... but I resolved not to do that again because it was IMPOSSIBLE to go back to work. Honestly, I couldn't do it again, it was too hard. 

Merry (second) Christmas

We had a very quiet second Christmas and over to friends for Boxing Day - I think knocking over Christmas on the 21st should happen every year! Makes it all very chill. The museum exhibition wasn't fabulous - lots of wonderful items and the explanations were good but it was just in one big room and felt a bit bitsy. Like it had all been dropped in a space, which we know is really unfortunate given how much thought goes into these types of things, and how many people with PhDs contemplate the thematic groupings. 

But we did thoroughly enjoy our cold drink on the cafe balcony afterwards, with this view of a very serene and empty Christmas Eve Canberra. Just a few go-boats slowly wandering past. Canberra clears out at Christmas as people go back to where they really come from. We walked around the lake on Boxing Day too and it was HOT and STILL. Not a breath of wind, but good to get some exercise. The fountain was completely vertical.

I burned myself making Russian fudge for number two to take back to Melbourne. I put it in the mixer to beat it and turned it up too high so it went up the sides of the bowl and flicked 135 degree fudge (soft ball stage) across the kitchen, including over me. So I had to put it under running cold water while my husband dealt with the fudge and cleaned it off the cupboards. Yay for me .... it was delicious though.

Merry (early) Christmas

We had Christmas on 21 December this year - number two had to work so came up for the week before, we had our Christmas Day and now he's gone back. To hopefully an actual christmas day with friends, but I don't think he is too bothered. And neither are we! Having christmas early is amazing, we are having an extended five day boxing day with nowhere to go and nothing to do or buy. I went for a long walk this morning, my husband is mowing the lawn, and at 3 we are going to see the Feared and Revered exhibition at the National Museum. It is probably not going to be crowded but you never know - people go to museums on christmas eve?

Our christmas day was very normal, had a big breakfast, exchanged presents, scallops for lunch, attempted Trivial Pursuit 2010-20 edition (so obscure, number two won EASILY), home-made dinner for pizza and general relaxing. It was lovely to see the younger one again, so many stories about his university and Melbourne antics! Even the censored-for-mum versions were entertaining. 

And number one has also moved out! Found a new-ish townhouse fifty metres from the tram stop on the other side of town with three bedrooms for the three of them ... so much excitement. We went to IKEA yesterday as part of the christmas present :) they have actually done quite well with free furniture but needed some shelves, a desk, doormats, dish rack ... Literally hours of fun, but 2023 might be a bit different round here.