OUT

I've gone and 'outed' myself on Facebook.  I've been toying with the idea for a while and thought I'd just bite the bullet.  Why not? *argh....what have I done????* ;p

So hopefully I have found myself some new readers.  (Hi to you if you are one of them!)

I know I'm not the world's most fabulous/witty/interesting/smartest writer or blogger out there, but I enjoy blogging, which is why I do it.  There have been many a times when I wanted to throw in the towel with this blog, but I love to reread times gone by, which is why I continue tapping away at the keys.

I now have a Facebook Fan page, come by and 'Like' me if you'd like! *heehee*  You can do so by clicking HERE.

Feel free to leave me comments here or over there.  It is easy to do.  If my own Mother can, I'm sure you can too!

A Long Time Coming

Monet and I have only got a handful of days left in Australia before we head off to our new home in the Untied Arab of Emirates.  Lyndon is there waiting excitedly for us to arrive.  Neither of us can wait to see each other.  It has been a long five weeks apart.  

(Monet and my dad walking near their home...)

I am unsure when I will be posting next, I suspect it won't be long.  I know Lyndon has got the Internet all hooked up in our new home and our MacBook is waiting patiently for my fingers to start tapping away on it again.

(Monet and her cousin chatting and eating!)

Lyndon has stacked our new little fridge (our furniture arrives about 12 days after us) with some of my favourite things - glass bottled coke, Red Bull, 500ml Stella cans.  Oh! he does know how he can spoil me.  *smirk*  He has even gone and got some fresh ham for Monet, seeing that is her favourite.  

(The back patio at my parents, Monet and Grandma made the paper decorations)

The new oven has been installed, there are new block-out blinds in all the rooms, a couple of bean bags waiting for our bums to sit on, new cutlery, a big heavy-based frying pan, new beds for us...the list goes on.  Enough stuff to get us by until the day our shipping container arrives, packed with our goods from Trinity Beach.  

(Monet playing at the next door neighbours of my parents.)

I'm 'flirting' with the idea of beginning to pack our suitcases today.  Everything is ready and waiting to be packed in, it is just a matter of seeing if it does all fit back in our cases!  

(Bubble blowing)

My parents and Lyndon's parents, along with Monet and I are going out for tea altogether tonight.  

(Being a Pussy Cat!)

I have requested that only my dad drop Monet and I off at the airport.  They are horrible places aren't they?  At least this time it is not I who is being left behind - I hate that.  

We're off to begin the new chapter in our lives.  It has been a long time coming....

Snippets.

It has been a few days since my last post.  I just thought I would write down some observations from late...

Monet and I are more alike than I previous thought.  We both hate bugs.  We hear one flying through the air and we huddle.  And shudder.  And give a little squeal.  Bugs in Far North Queensland, I have to tell you, are about the size of your thumb.  Too big for my liking.

Sometimes Company quotes surprise you.  We have been figuring out what to do with my/our beloved car.  I know I would like it when I am down at our parents place before Monet and I head off overseas (about 6 weeks after Lyndon goes).  There were a couple of people lined up from back 'home' way whom we thought we'd fly up and pay fuel for back to Victoria.  But the quotes we got back from Car Transport companies are less than what we thought, so we figure we'll do it that way (and save 4000 kilometres on the odometer).  

I have discovered the delights of tea.  I'm in love with a good brew.  From a pot.  With proper loose leaves.  *I know*  I am surprised myself.

I loved the final of Project Runway Australia, but was disappointed to read that it was edited beyond belief.  Doesn't matter.  I was still happy that Juli won.  Lyndon loved her.  I loved her work(wo)manship.

You won't believe how dirty your walls are until you give them a good wash down with sugar soap.  My kitchen walls are gleaming. 

We are organising removal quotes for the coming week.  It is 'Operation Clean Up' this weekend.  But in all honesty, we don't have that much stuff.  Once I was a hoarder (ask my family!) but now I donate so much to the local Op Shop (or tip), I find it cleansing for the soul.  

I feel the need to 'eat out' sometime on the weekend.  We had Lyndon's mother here last week for seven nights (and how lovely it was).  We ate out for five nights, for two breakfasts, one lunch and two take out nights.  Last night was the first night Monet didn't ask me why we weren't going out for dinner.  If you are ever up this way and need a recommendation to a lovely meal, please email me.  

My daughter sings Madonna songs constantly.  It makes me smile.  It is a nice change from her singing theme songs from her favourite tv shows.  Trust me.  It is.

Monet also surprises me and herself at times.  As being a big four year old, I had her immunised yesterday.  I had explained the day before that she was to get a needle in her arm and why she was going to have one.  I had a dreadful time convincing her to a) get out of her bedroom, to b) get in the car and to c) get out the car.  There were tears.  A lot of them.  No amount of bribing worked either.  But I got her in the Medical Center.  And we sat patiently and we were called.  And she had simultaneous needles given in both arms and she didn't even whimper.  I was so proud.  And so was she.  I took her to K Mart and she chose herself a bloody 'Polly Pocket Runway Pets'.  At least it wasn't a Bratz doll.  She knows I hate Bratz.

Cairns weather has been a great treat this week.  We've been haunting the balcony again in the early evenings and having a 'sipper' (mmm, Four Sisters pleazzeee).  I know I was meant to spend my last weeks in Cairns doing this, as silly as that sounds.  But it feels right.  True. 

I cannot wait to move to Abu Dhabi.  The more I read about it, the more excited I become.  I hope it lives up to my expectation now...

Any snippets in your life I should currently know about?

The Weather Makes A Difference To One's Thoughts...

Far Northern Queensland was at its spectacular best today.  It seems like ages when there hasn't been a breath of wind, pure blue skies and sapphire coloured water up here.  

July the 27th to me, always meant cold, blustery, wintery days, dinner at the local Chinese restaurant in the country town I grew up in, EJ (Teddy) Whitten's birthday (don't ask) and my sister's birthday.  Yeah, it is my big sister's birthday today.  Happy birthday Kimbofo!

But today, we woke to this glorious day and needed to do something.  We needed to get out and soak up this lovely weather and so we did.  We drove the 45-odd minutes up to Port Douglas.

It was just what we needed to gather our thoughts and appreciate where we live and the track we've driven to get to where we are today...(Can you tell we are in the middle of a dilemma?)  

And then you see the unexpected to make you rethink things again.

Happy Birthday Kimbofo once again.  Enjoy your day.  (I know our gift arrived but did our card?)

How Much Do I Love This Song?

The answer? A lot.



Not bad for a 16 year old girl from Melbourne eh?

(Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me)

Six Word Memoir Meme

The ever lovely Ms Mac has tagged me for an Meme, called the 'six word memoir'. This is what you do.

1. Write a six word memoir and post it on your blog.
2. Add a picture if you wish.
3. Link to the person who tagged you.
4. Tag 4 or 5 others, with links, to keep it going.
5. Leave a comment for the ones you tag with an invitation to play.
6. And link to the original post about the Six Word Memoir meme.

Here is my six word memoir.

"My Life With My Little Masterpiece"

And now I have to tag a few of you, so I am going to tag Naomi, Kimbofo, Jeanie and H&B and like Ms Mac, you can write your own six word memoir in the comments section!

A New Favourite

If you know Lyndon and I, you'd know that we both enjoy 'a drop'. We enjoy beer and sampling new ones and old ones, favourites and ones just to give them a go.

I never used to be a beer drinker. I despised beer. Found it revolting and couldn't understand how people could say they enjoyed drinking it. That was until I went to the UK in the winter of 1996. My friend, Rach, introduced me to beer with lime cordial. Not green lime cordial, but proper lime cordial, made from real limes. Oh I was in love. It was cheap to drink and I enjoyed the sweetness (rather than bitterness I always knew from beer).

In time, the amount of lime poured into my glass became less and less until about 2001, when I enjoyed a pint of beer without lime. It took me 5 years but I got there. And never turned back.

We enjoy mainly European beers in our neck of the woods, but as these beers become more popular Down Under, companies begin to brew them here in Australia and they never quite taste as good as ones brewed in their home territory. We also enjoy the Tasmania beers of James Boag and Cascade, in case you were interested. Low Carb beers are getting very popular in Australia too as the population begins to watch their waistlines. Carlton's Blonde is our favourite, followed closely by James Boag's Blonde in this category.

We enjoy Peroni (brewed and imported from Italy) and last week we discovered a Munich beer which can only be found in particular bottle shops around the country, Lowenbrau. Owww it is lovely. It's our new favourite. I'm sure we'll be having a drink or two of that in it's home country...

I read with interest today that Madonna and Guy Ritchie bought an English pub, The Punchbowl. Seeing as I am an old Madonna fan way back since her Lucky Star days, we'll be popping by this establishment when in London...

Update...

For someone who rarely gets sick, I've been sick! Urgh. I spent Thursday evening looking inside the toilet bowl which is not a good image, I know. Lyndon had to take yesterday off work to look after Monet whilst I spent the day in bed snoozing. I feel much better today, thanks for asking.

We've got a lot going on at the moment in our household, so I don't know if it was all catching up on me or if I had a 24 hour bug or what. I do suspect it might have to do with dehydration for the fact the past week has been so rainy and cool by Cairns Wet season standards (about 29-30 with about 85% humidity) and then on Thursday the temperature to jumped up to about 33-34 with even higher humidity. The weather is playing with my body. I'm putting it down to that.

It is not long before our big holiday and we'll be jetting off in a silver jet bound for the other side of the world. Monet cannot wait for the fact she actually 'gets' the clothes I have up high in my wardrobe for our trip. I never knew my daughter was so 'into' clothes until now. Talk about fussy and Little Miss Independent (you have no idea!) She has chosen all her new threads which we had to buy because her wardrobe is a constant 'summer' one, so some 'winter' threads have been purchased. She's become obsessed with cooler weather, wanting to constantly wear scarf, mittens and hats. What have I done!!!???!!! I swear she changes her clothes she's wearing about 5 times a day lately. Think she's so good being able to reach them in her wardrobe and put them on by herself. As I type this she's changing her clothes for the 3rd time, no actually, the 4th time today and it's not even 1pm.

I have been busy booking and organising our trip. We're visiting Venice for a few days and have confirmed our accommodation where we'll be staying here...

Of course I'm not spilling the beans on the hotel's name but it looks gorgeous. (That's the entrance) I'm hoping it will be as nice as what the pictures look as you can never be quite 100% sure can you?

Train tickets have been purchased, planes booked and hotels too. My birthday is coming up and I have requested tickets for a morning tour for Monet and I do see this, not far out of Paris...

I *simply* cannot. In case you are wondering, it is Claude Monet's House and Garden. It's been my dream for about 20 years to visit so it is a must! I think I'll need to purchase another memory stick for my camera as I imagine I'll be taking thousands of photos, the majority being taken at Monet's garden!

I hope you're all well, looking at Monet's garden makes me feel a whole heap better...

Did You Know Cockroaches Can Fly?

(If you don't like creepy-crawlies, I will warn you that this post contains photos of 3)

Well, did you? I know they have wings and stuff but I didn't actually know that they used those wings to fly, dammit!! And how I found out? By spraying one which was on my laundry wall. It flew at me. AT ME. Now, if you don't live in the tropics of Queensland, you probably don't have any idea about the size of these cockroaches.

Queensland is famous for the Big Pineapple. The Big Mango. The Big Marlin Fish. Up the road we have a Big Peanut and there is a Big Banana with a Big Green Tree Frog on the road down to Innisvale. They like things big in this neck of the woods. Actaully, all around Australia you'll find 'big' things. Basically if an area is famous for something, usually produce, they'll biggify it into a tourist attraction, such as - Merino Sheep, Lobsters, Banana, Trout Fish, the list goes on. (Maybe some of my fellow Aussie readers could list more...) So to say that the Cockroaches up here are big is not an understatement.

Here's a photo of one found lurking outside downstairs.

It is about the size of close to 50 cent pieces. Big. *shudder*

Even the little lizards (skinks) are big around here. This one we spied while going to the pool the other day. Lucky this one (who was not even remotely scared of us!) was heading towards our next door neighbours storage shed and not ours (though I'm sure they hibernate in there too!)

Even the bugs around here are big. I don't have any photos of them to show you. But the noise they make are loud to suit their size. We even have Rhino-type gigantic Bugs up here, which have a horn-like growth between their eyes. *shudder again*

We have huge Orb spiders too. There was one in the Mango tree at Playgoup recently. It scared the bejeesus out of me when I spied it above our heads when I was pushing Monet on the swing.

Here is a photo taken on the walking track to Josephine falls, of an Orb spider. She'd be beautiful if she was not a spider.


So, did you know that Cockroaches fly? You'll be glad that the Cockroach didn't last long after flying full force at me. After I screamed and told Monet that Mummy was okay (just) I got the Cockroach back. Big time.

And did you know that Cockroaches can survive in a man-sized work shoe, with a man-size foot in it, and for that foot, in that shoe, could drive 20-odd kilometers to work and the cockroach could survive? You better ask Lyndon about that one. *shudder*

(Just in case you think that my house must be filthy to have Cockroaches inhabit my home, it isn't!! This is the Wet Tropics for you. You won't see a Roach for ages and then BAM, you see them. I think we might have to have the Pest Controler come around for a spray v. v. soon.)

A Love/Hate Meme

I generally don't do Memes (doesn't everyone say this?) but Deana tagged me to do this one and something about it appealed to me.

I love to eat; warm, crusty bread with butter - a freshly made meal not made by me - a good, quality resturant meal - food on holidays!

I hate to eat; mushrooms - seafood (bar fish) - a bad meal cooked by me - sushi (I know!)

I love to go; to the hairdressers and the hairdresser cuts my hair like I ask - to places I have never been before but have seen pictures of - to the airport to pick people up or for me to take off somewhere

I hate to go; grocery shopping when the cupboards are empty and Monet is grumpy.

I love it when; there is beer in the fridge - my house is spotless - my car is full of petrol - Monet's in a good mood - plans work out!

I hate it when; Monet is naughty - I feel angry - it rains day after day after day - trains/planes are delayed - I have 'blogger block' *ahem* - you're waiting for someone to ring and they never do - you can't find a carpark

I love to see; Monet doing her best - laughing - Monet dancing and singing - kids having a wonderful time - surprised faces - Moet Champagne on special - a parcel in the mail - areoplanes landing/taking off - nature at its very best - the sun shining in a bright blue sky

I hate to see; Japanese slaughtering whales in Australian waters - young kids doing stuff they know they aren't meant to be doing (ie smoking) - women who don't wear bras but should - gstrings/thongs showing outside clothing - foolish people - people driving and talking with their hands at the same time

I love to hear; a song I haven't heard in ages which I adore - children laughing - Lyndon's keys opening the front door

I hate to hear; arguing, anywhere, anytime - cars speeding - young kids out on the street after midnight - my car not starting (not that has ever happened to me *Melody goes and knocks on wood*)

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you'd like to do this one, let me know and I'll pop along and have a gander.

Football Final

It is the AFL (Australian Rules Football) Grand Final today. It's a big day really for all Football followers, even if your teams aren't in the Final. Today's game is Port Adelaide vs. Geelong. I'm not fussed who wins but I do prefer that Geelong take the flag (being a Victorian and all.)

You are more than welcome to pop over and watch the game this afternoon with us.

I've made some biscuits to nibble on (quick, before Monet eats them all)...

...and we've stockpiled the fridge with a variety of beers...

I'm sure you'd like to come over now, yes? *giggle giggle*

I have hot dogs sitting in the fridge, along with mini pies and sausage rolls in the freezer, all ready to go.

It'll be just like being at the footy, just without the expensive prices, the annoying football fans and the hit and miss weather! *heehee*

...one of those days...

Today is one of those days where it isn't even 9:30am and we've done so much. I've paid the bills, I've done a load of washing, I have tided up, I have vacuumed. I've showered, dressed and feed both Monet and I and walked (with Monet in the pram) down the beach. We paddled in the water and sat on the sand. We then went to the playground and 'played' (as you do) then gone over to the little shop for a couple of things. I have plans to have my dinner marinating before lunch time, a quick drive over to the supermarket to pick up some 'urgent' supplies ie. coffee for Lyndon, then after lunch to go for a swim/play in our pool. It's one of those days when the sun is shining (it is meant to be about 30C here today) and it makes you feel all motivated to get on with life.

Yesterday was one of those days when you felt all motivated to 'do' stuff but didn't quite get around to achieving what you wanted to achieve. But I did 'achieve' going and buying a new pair of bathers/takini/swimmers/cozzies/ TOGS (for Tracey!) and then later on going for a swim in the pool to try them out. No, I will not be posting a photo of me any time soon in my takini but I will say that I felt comfortable and a bit more 'trendy' than I did in my other bathers. And anyway, I can't exactly go uploading photos to this blog at the moment - I'll tell you later.

Yesterday was one of those days when a good pub meal was in order for lunch. We went to the delightful Palm Cove Tavern up the road which was great. It wasn't busy, the food was reasonably priced AND tasty and there was an enclosed children's playground, which is always a bonus. And I love the fact that there was a sign near the tables seated near the playground that read 'If noisy children offend you don't sit here. Sit elsewhere'.

Saturday was one of those days when you feel all 'sluggish'. You can't be bothered doing anything, bar take your daughter over to the playground for a run around and a play for a while. I don't think she could even be bothered doing that. It was one of those days when you sit addicted to watching a 9/11 documentary on the Discovery Channel, then put on a movie (the silly Australian movie 'Danny Deckchair') and sip away on a glass(es) of wine.

It was also one of those days when you are sitting there watching the AFL footy, feeling a bit tired when all of a sudden you hear a huge 'skid' then BANG, which gets you rushing out on to the balcony knowing that a car has just written its self off in the light pole across the road from your apartment.

Which turns into one of those nights where you have to call 000 (Australian emergency number) because you don't know if someone has been killed or injured in the ute that had skidded across the road! But it seems as if the dickhead driving was totally drunk and ran away from the scene which gets me all fired up and mad because fools like this don't deserve a license let alone a car. He is darn lucky that no one was walking along the footpath at the time or other cars where on the (usually busy on a Saturday night) road. To say that Hoons drive along the road I live on is an understatement. The skid mark from the car was about 50 metres long, zig zagged all across the road, then BAM, into the light pole. He is lucky he didn't kill himself. Everyone from the neighbourhood (it seemed) came out of their homes to see what was going on and to see if anyone was hurt. Witnesses saw the driver run away from the scene. Authorities didn't take long to get to our address (ambulance, police, fire brigade, sniffer dogs!) It certainly 'perked' us up to say the least. I took photos but as I said before, I am unable to upload photos onto my blog a the moment.

Friday was one of those days when you get up, turn on the computer and discover that you've exceeded your limit on Broadband for the month, so for the following 11 days until your next month begins, you have dial-up speed. S-L-O-W. It happens because your partner and his friend downloaded over 150 songs onto your computer which never happens within a month in this household, so you go over your limit! Urgh. Yep - it was one of those days! I apologise if I don't get around to your blogs for a week, due to the fact it takes too long to download your page and if my patience is wearing thin! *heehee*

So, what type of days have you been having lately?

Brill

How come no one told me just how brilliant the Australian series of 'Love My Way' is?

How come no one told me that Austar/Foxtel had so many great television shows?

Yes, we *finally* got 'pay television' again last week, after 7 years without it.

And isn't it fabulous?

The novelty will probably wear off in the weeks to follow, but after watching this show, I'm all inspired to buy a Villa in rural France. *sigh*

My 200th Post on melody-biglittlesister.blogspot!

I'm sitting here outside with the warmth of the sunshine on my back, as I celebrate in writing my 200th blogspot post. I love blogging, I really do and have found a great array of people through this blog. Like you. *smile*

You might see on the side bar that I began this blog in October last year. But I have been blogging longer than 10 months, its actually been about 3 years now. I was pregnant with Monet and my sister suggested I begin a blog. As she had 3 accounts with 'typepad', she organised and set up a blog of my very own. And it was she who thought of the name biglittlesister. I'm taller than my sister, but younger than my sister. Hence, the name.

Last year I decided I should probably give the space I was using, back to my sister and set up my own account, so melody-biglittlesister began. And here I am, 200 posts in with 4 bloody blogs to maintain. Here, here and here. But I love it. Blogging gives me an opportunity to share with you, with my friends and with my family what we get up to!

I'm not sure when post number 201 will be posted as Monet and I are hitting the skies tomorrow morning (early) to visit family and friends in Melbourne and country Victoria. I've already checked in and have my boarding passes printed. We'll be gone until Sunday week when we fly back up to Brisbane and be reunited with Lyndon and spend a few days exploring that city and visiting Dreamworld. It is going to be a busy couple of weeks, but I'll try and keep you posted.

Sorry in advance if I don't come around to your place and visit but I will try and do so when time permits.

Up, up and away!!!! (I took this photo from our balcony a few weeks back. We see most planes fly into Cairns from our place and I still love watching them.)

Snail Mail

Once upon a time, I used to get very excited to go and collect the mail. I used to love writing letters and waiting to read a reply from a pen friend, whether that be my sister or a friend. (Now I excitedly look at my 'inbox' instead!)

Now when the mail arrives I kinda groan. No doubt if there is anything there, it will be a bill of some kind. And we don't need any more bills.

But now when Monet and I collect the mail, most times there will be a single envelope in there addressed to Monet. From my mother. At least 2, sometimes 3, times a week and doesn't Monet love it? Loves it.

"A letter for me from Grandma!!" she exclaims every time.

We wait until we get into our apartment before she opens the envelope and ohhs and ahhs over the card Grandma has made and written in. And Monet reads the card out loud to me, because my mother writes the same thing in each card, Monet thinks she is reading it... "Dear Monet, with love from Grandma Carol xx" Inside the card is an assortment of little cut outs that my mother has cut out of magazines, which Monet pours over. They are cutouts for Monet to glue into her scrapbook, but she hasn't done so for a few weeks now since I caught Monet sticking crayons and textas into the 'clag' pot. I need to buy more and keep forgetting.

So our collection of cutouts is growing, but Monet will still go through them all, pointing out certain pictures.

Now Grandma also includes stickers which are a big hit around here.

I think Grandma is now laughing at me, when she includes tiny bits of sequins etc., which Monet tips out onto the floor. My mum must know that it is I who has to clean up! *smirk*

It is lovely receiving goodies, such as letters, in the mail. I'm pretty good at sending postcards to people, but my letter writing has gone out the door.

Maybe I should go and write a letter?

When was the last time you received a hand written personal letter or postcard in the mail? My last postcard was from my father who sent us a postcard from Morocco.

That '8' Meme....

...that is doing the rounds at the moment. I've been tagged twice to do this meme, by both Bob-Kat and Kikimiss, so I figure I may as well do it. And you never know, you just might learn something...

1. When I am in the car, particularly when I am driving, I love to sip on a Red Bull. I don't know why, I just do. I remember when I was pregnant with Monet, I would actually sniff an open can, if Lyndon had one, as one knows, you shouldn't drink the stuff when pregnant and lactating. I remember the first can too that I had after I gave up breastfeeding. Yeah, I'm a little bizarre. It's the smell I love, not the actual taste. I say I'm not addicted but don't all addicts of any and every kind say the same thing? Oh, I'm not addicted...

2. At the age of 4 I fell over in the backyard when playing 'Hide and Seek' and I practically ripped off my bottom lip. I can still remember the blood on the black and white lino in our old house. Mum zoomed me into hospital whilst my sister sat in the back seat with me, holding my lip up to my mouth with towels. I had 14 stitches all up if I remember correctly (it was 30 years ago, after all!) and I have a scar to prove it. Being a parent now, I can really feel for my mum on that day. How horrifying.

3. I once bet 'Bones' Hillman (he was the bass player for Midnight Oil, he is the one on the far right in thie piccie posted here), at a game of pool in some seedy Karaoke bar in the back streets of Melbourne city. My sister, a friend and I had gone to see Midnight Oil perform at the Palace in St. Kilda. We had had a great night and decided to stick around after the gig to see if we could meet them (maybe we had one too many drinks!) We all, for some reason or another, wanted to meet 'Bones' rather than Peter Garrett (whom I admire - politics and all) and Rob Hirst (whom I also adore and kinda swoon at!) So we hung around in the club with a few other people. We were just about thrown out of the venue by big Maori bouncers, when these two guys said they were Bones' mates and to stick with them. We did. Out came the band, all bar Peter Garrett, and we got to meet Bones. We took them up on an offer to go into the city and play pool (mad, I know!!) but I remember Bones and his 2 friends being really sweet and friendly and the 6 of us, well, us 3 girls, had a great memorable night. I won't spill any beans. End of story.

4. My favourite number is the number 8. If I was on Deal or No Deal, that is the number I would choose.

5. I always thought I would live in Melbourne forever. I love that city. So when we moved away we always said to ourselves, we'd return. But that isn't in our sights any more. We have different goals now and the possibility of us ever returning there seem slighter and slighter. And you know what? I don't mind. Moving made the possibility of doing anything and going anywhere more open to me. Life is short and the world is an amazing place. And just how wonderful and diverse is Australia? We have a lot more exploring to do yet.

6. I used to hate beer. Hated it. I guess that is one reason why I never used to go out when I was at uni. I preferred Saturday nights in watching 'The Late Show' and 'The Bill'. (Now its still 'The Bill' but now also 'The Movie Show' on ABC2!) When I went to the UK in 1996, I was introduced to Beer and Lime and loved it. I came home to Australia and found I could go out and enjoy a beer (and so did my wallet!) I finally got rid of the lime in my pints or pots or halves in 2000. And I have never looked back. I have a particular fondness for European Beers (they are nice and light tasting) - Becks has always been a favourite of mine. I also love Grand Ridge Brewery's Natural Blonde. Mmm...

7. I have never had a cup of coffee. Never. Not even an iced coffee. I've never been a big tea drinker either until lately. I enjoy my evening cup of tea (white with one thank you) and sometimes one in the morning. I don't like it when people say "Want to meet for a coffee?", because, umm, no, I don't drink coffee.

8. When I backpacked around the UK in 1996, I went alone and I never thought twice about going alone. During that trip I learnt a lot about myself in the fact that you can do anything you put your mind to. I survived 4 months before I headed back to Australia. It was during this trip I stayed with my 'then pen pal', Rachel, where she lived as a student in Cardiff. Rachel is now a regular reader and contributor to this blog and she even has a wonderful blog of her own now! Go and say 'Hello' to her over at 'In A Land of Milk, Honey and Cider'...

There is my eight random things. It's actually taken me all day to write this post. I will not tag anyone but if you wish to do a list yourself (like you Rachel!), let me know and I'll come over and visit.

Friday Night Blogging

Dora the Spanish Teacher...

Surely not all television can be bad for kids. (Can it?)

The littlest member of this household (which will probably be me in the near future - Monet is sooooo tall!) can count to 7 in Spanish, thanks to Dora the Explorer! True. The bilingual cartoon girl and her red boot monkey side-kick, have taught my 2 and a half year old daughter to count in Spanish. It's pretty impressive. Within the show Dora asks you to find things, count things and help her on her adventure. She speaks to the children watching, in both English and Spanish. It's not a bad show actually, if you can get over Dora's big head and that her best friend is a monkey who is blue and talks!

Some children television shows can be educational. Dora proved that to us.

Monet tends to sing a lot (note: a lot) of Hi-5 songs. Lots. And she's very good. She sings awfully clear sometimes too which is a little scary. (Maybe not entirely in tune, but sings all the same!)

So I have no qualms of her watching either Dora or Hi-5, both of which we have countless DVD's.

I remember (after my mother reminded me earlier on in the week) that I once said that I would never let my child watch television when they were young. But I do. And I don't mind. Monet can count to seven in Spanish without just by watching a program and we aren't a bilingual family. Most of the time anyway hahaha!!

Where Else But Queensland?

Being Australian and living in Australia, a lot of the time we find ourselves saying Only in America... (would a certain story happen - all apologies to my American friends!)

But lately I find myself getting disillusioned with Queenslanders and Queensland itself. (Queensland is the Australian state I live in, for those of you who don't know!) As much as I love it (I seriously do!) somethings make me scratch my head in wonder. I won't start. That's a different post altogether.

Only in Queensland though, would you find a sign on a beach that looks like this....

I love it. I hope you find it as amusing as I do. It's a pretty clear message if you ask me but then I guess there would be people out there who would view the sign, shrug their shoulders and say "So what!" They wouldn't if they knew that the 'Stingers' could permanently scar or kill you.

Bye Bye For a Week...

This will be my last post for a week (boo hoo!) because our phone line (and therefore our broadband) are going to get disconnected tomorrow. It was either have five days without the internet here or five days without the internet at our new place. Obviously you know what we choose.

This will at least get me to pack up everything and clean without the distraction of blogging!! So in advance I apologize if I don't come and visit your blog but rest assured that I will be blog catching up you within the next fortnight. The first thing that will be unpacked and set up will be the internet connection. Trust me. I know what we are like.

I have had in my mind so many posts I want to tell you about but I don't really have the time...

I want to tell you that when Monet says blanket, she says (very cutely mind you), "blanklet" (as in anklet!)

I want to tell you that down at the Marina over the past week Monet and I have spotted these huge salmon-coloured jelly fish, with heads like big pasta bowls and tentacles like blobs of fingers, which Monet calls "jelly babies"...

I want to tell you about the gorgeous pink feather boa I bought Monet (how could I resist?) so she could dance around the room like Kylie...

I want to tell you about how we went out on Friday night for a drink with a couple of Lyndon's work mates and Monet was really well behaved and got out of the pram and danced for everyone...

I want to tell you about how today we went looking for a bed for Lyndon and I, and we both had a computer tell us which type of bed was suited to us and it was the same type (which is apparently very unusual!)...

I want to tell you about how this is our last weekend in Cairns City and how we spent our time packing away our goodies...

I want to tell you about how we all got ourselves 'battery-powered' toothbrushes...

I want to tell you just how hilarious the new Hi-5 DVD is, which I don't mind watching...

I want to tell you about the lovely home-made 'Dim Sims' I made the other night which turned out much better than I expected but you can view the recipe here on my other blog...

I want to tell you that Monet is two nights into her five nights of sleeping well in her 'big bed', sleeping towards her new 'Kylie' DVD...

I want to tell you how I am planning on decorating Monet's new bedroom within the next couple of months...

So much to say, so little time.

Next time I blog I will be sitting pretty in our new home. Our new home! How exciting. We are really looking forward to it. This time next week we hope to be pretty much settled in with most of our stuff in its rightful place...

In the meanwhile, I hope everyone has a terrific week and I'll catch up with you all really, really soon.

Melody x