Gee what haven't we been doing?

I'll work backwards: took Mathew to Featherdale park, a lightning visit because we were delayed picking up his car seat from Eddie's work. Had fun feeding the kangaroos and dodging the feisty emus. Mathew thinks it's a farm. Piazza and beer afterwards with the rest of the family.
Before that we frolicked in the wild river run at the olympic aquatic centre, great fun

Yesterday I did aqua aerobics while Kathie swam laps in the outdoor pool on a sparkling day. Krista had quiet time at home. Maxine and Kit joined us at Belmore Leagues Club for yum cha. Kit and I checked out another good looking restaurant in the same club. Have earmarked it for another occasion. Went to Verona cinema later to see The September Issue, an interesting doco about putting together a Vogue edition. Enlightening.

The day before, Wed., Krista climbed the bridge while Kathie and I went to see Beautiful Kate, an Australian film about family secrets. Well acted and beautifully filmed. After lunch came home for a couple of hours then met up with Maxine and Dirk at Doyle's on Watsons bay. Food good (I had mussels) but service lacklustre. Went on to Seidlers for lemon pie made by Maxine and coffee. A lovely long day.

I feel tired writing all this activity. Tomorrow, who knows?

Jet lag is catching

They're here! Great to see them.

But now their jet lag is playing tricks and I'm up at 4am having conversations and making cups of tea. We planned to go to Manly yesterday but the wind came up, clouds came in and the temperature dropped so we settled on doing the city and Circular Quay.

Yesterday we went to Cronulla to see the big waves. I thought the high winds & coastal warnings meant waves would be crashing and there'd be all sorts of drama. Boy did I get that wrong. The Pacific Ocean was like a mill pond, and there was very little wind. It was serene and sparkling, perfect weather. Too cold to go in the water though.

Tomorrow Krista climbs the bridge for her birthday and later we celebrate at Doyle's. Yeah!

Nearly ready

Floors are washed, carpet vacuumed, three meals made and frozen. almost there. I think K & K might be in the air now although the plane is an hour delayed according to Kathie.

Had a night out to see Kate Ceberano with friends last night. She's a great performer, still got the power in her voice and moves like an eighteen year old. Mind you she's only in her 40s, not like she's near decrepitude or anything.

I just missed a train but listened to the Ashes test on the little radio I had thought to bring along. Three or four aussie players were out between Museum and Campsie. So depressing but great for the Brits. Guess what I'll be glued to tonight. The brits are 3 for 58. I hope the Aussie bowlers can get at least 3 batsmen out in the first session then maybe we'll get a sniff. If we lose this we lose the whole damn thing.

Glad I don't need the heater any more, gives me more room in the living room. Well that's enough idling around. got a little dusting to do.

Getting ready

Things have been quiet this week but I'll soon start gearing up for K & K's arrival on Sunday. Grocery shopping after Writers Dozen meeting this morning, cleaning up on Friday, pre-cooking a couple of dishes in readiness, fixing up beds on Saturday.

Am going to run the first few pages of the re-vamped memoir past the Writing group today, and looking forward to hearing news about the romance writers conference which 3 members attended at the weekend. Not my genre but you learn a lot about writing at these things. Also the article I wrote about our anthology Better than Chocolate has appeared in this month's Writers News so will pass that round & get copies made for o/s interested parties. (Must remember to go to Office Works to get that done.)

Had a pap smear yesterday. Yuk. The older I get the worse they are, puts me off going any more. Interestingly the two women attending me were a trainee well into her sixties with the trainer well into her seventies. Unusual at a Family Planning Clinic but made me feel at home! Had a huge nap when I got home, a combination of trauma, stress and tiredness after waking up at 4.30am.
The sun is shining. This is getting boring!!!!

Bolting and dog walks

So. 'The Bolt' has bolted...yet again. I've never understood the world's hysteria with how fast one can run over a hundred metres. You blink your eyes and its all over. Where's the achievement in that? I prefer stayers myself...if you know what I mean.

In keeping with the sports theme, my players in the English Premier League came up trumps this week, (61 points) only not as good as four others ahead of me in the local Fantasy league, darn it. As far as I can tell I'm the only woman playing. Gotta show those boys!

Had a lovely morning with Maxine yesterday, walking five dogs followed by brunch at Echo Point Marina. Yet another beautiful day, all the dire wind warnings coming to nought in Sydney at least. I believe Tasmania and Victoria copped it pretty badly.

Facing a day of writing today. Started reading the first pages of the memoir yesterday, and immediately started slashing and burning, rewriting in the margins. It needs plenty of work but hey that's what writing is about.

Letter to Barack Obama

I am burning up about health care reform in the USA, especially all the naysayers and fear-mongers saying the most stupid negative things about the English Health care system.

So I have just written Barack Obama an email supporting him in his endeavours and telling him of how I felt when I moved from the USA to OZ, particularly the relief at knowing we were automatically covered for catastrophic medical emergencies. Universal health care is good for the nation's mental health in that anxiety is relieved, and one can get on with life with less worry. It's surprisingly easy to do by the way, writing the president I mean.

I fell better now that I have that off my chest!

Getting psyched up for 29 degrees tomorrow. Gonna help Maxine walk five dogs before the sun reaches its height.

Enjoyed aqua today and the quiche afterwards even more. Over coffee in a discussion with one of the aqua women I developed a good idea for the second novel, something that will add drama, create tension and provide a circumstance that leads to resolution. BUT must do more work on the memoir first, did some when I came home so feel good.

Fifty two years ago

Noticed the date, Aug 14, when I went off to Sheffield to start pre-nursing school in 1957, the year my second husband was born. He would have been four weeks old! The train was full. I had to stand all the way, fighting back tears which surprised me. I'd been looking forward to leaving home so much. I was writing about this very thing a couple of weeks ago in the memoir.

Enjoyed aqua yesterday after which Kit and I enjoyed a healthy Japanese meal. We followed this with a very unhealthy pastry from Nick's Cake shop in Brighton-Le-Sands, a yummy French Vanilla slice. I'm looking forward to a cherry cheese strudel with afternoon tea later, a reward after my walk to the post box to mail off the latest short story.

It's going to be a warm weekend. Haven't put the electric heater on today although I'm still in my white fluffy dressing gown. (Thank you Kathie I love it!) It is officially Spring on Sept 1st although it has felt like spring for weeks.

The big magpie returned to the Norfolk Pine yesterday with something (looked like bread) in his mouth. He didn't stick around though. There must be a nest nearby. Better get my crash helmet on for when he starts bombing us.
I've had my coffee, made some medical appointments. Time to get back to writing now.