PINES PRIDE DAY

Pines Pride day was held on Sunday 20th March this year.  I arranged to meet Jen, Tyler and Jack down there as it is half way between our houses.  It was a beautiful sunny morning, clear blue skies just a perfect day.
I arrived first, whilst waiting I watch a demonstration by the fire brigade which was interesting.

demonstration of a ladder rescue

Then we wandered around to all the exhibitions where Jack enjoyed doing lots of crafts.  Then Jack noticed the Thomas jumping castle, so we headed in that direction.

On the way there I was distracted by an air tattoo place.  Jen has been trying to talk me and Cindy into getting mother/daughter tattoos.  I am a chicken and Bruce is DEAD against tattoos so I have piked out.  When I saw this I joked to Jen we should get one to trick Bruce.  So Tyler took Jack onto look at the rides whilst Jen and I lined up for our tattoo.
Even though it was only an air blast one Jen said I looked nervous, silly me!  Me decided on a teddy bear tattoo which is very appropriate as I call Bruce, Brubear.

air tattoos

Then Jen and I met the boys at the dodgem type cars where Jack was really interested in them as they ran on a rail but didn't have inside wheels.  He was a big boy and had his first turn on one of these rides.  He was very proud of himself.  All the other kids kept giving people hi fives as they past them but Jack was a good driver and kept both hands on the wheel at all times.

dodgem cars

We then went to the jumping castle where you had to line up behind a barrier to wait for you turn.  This was really well run as they only let a small group in at a time and all the other people waited BEHIND A BARRIER.  Jack had so much fun jumping on this and was virtually the only one on at one stage.

jumping castle

We walked over to the amphitheatre to watch a singer who turned out to be Timomatic from the tv show so you think you can dance.  He performed with two other guys and got a few audience members up to join in the singing and dancing.

Timomatic

Then it was off to the animal enclosure where Jack cuddled the baby calf and patted all the little ducklings.

animal farm

We then went our separate ways back home where I showed Bruce my tattoo.  His reaction was 'THATS NOT PERMANENT I HOPE.'  I joked that it was and that I had chosen it because it is my Brubear. LOL!

It was a fantastic day thanks to all the organisers who did all the hard work.

FRIDAY FROLICS WITH FLOSSY WK3

As it is the school holidays for my FRIDAY FROLICS WITH FLOSSY  I took Jackjack up to the hub as both Jenjen and I thought the Easter show was on.  Jen and Tyler had heaps of packing and sorting to do at their old house.  When we arrived I got Jacks pusher out of the boot of Flossy which he calls his trolley.  Then we walked into the shopping centre towards centre stage.  There was no sign of any show being set up, then I saw a notice board which said it was the following week.


Jackjack in his trolley in front of Flossy


Anyway there were a few things I wanted to check out in the shops, so we went for a wander.  Strange everything I wanted was sold out, not having much luck here.  So we headed for the freebies rewards machine where I scanned both Jens and my cards.  Hey presto we both won what I thought was one Easter egg from sweet as.  I headed for there handed over my dockets and was given two huge bags of Easter eggs which contain a variety of little eggs in Carmelo and Turkish delight (my favourites).

yummy easter eggs

I bumped into one of my work friends on the way out and had a good chat.
After this we headed back to Flossy and drove home for honey samigs (sandwiches).

honey samig

  In the afternoon Jen was dropped off at my place by Tyler after finishing their packing at their old house. We drove over to the juniors to discuss a few things with them. Then the Tribe arrived and we all had afternoon tea whilst the kids had fun playing.

It was a fun filled day with my adventures with Flossy. Next Friday will be Good Friday so there won't be any frolics in Flossy.  So I will have to plan something for the following Friday.

BEACH PICNIC

On Thursdays Jen takes Jack to mini maestros then for a stroll along the beach. Last week they invited Cindy, Kaiden, Hollie and me to join them.  It was such a perfect day weather wise.  Ciny came to pick me up and I drove her car to the beach, which was a funny experience.  Ciny's car has a bench seat in the front, so the hand brake is actually a foot brake.  I hadn't driven one with this before and slowly went down the drive way with my foot on it.  Then Ciny noticed I still had the park brake on, so she explained that it wasn't the actual brake.

JEN & JACK EXPLORING CINY AND HOLLIE PLAYING

KAI ASLEEP

CINY & HOLLIE

CINY & KAI

CINY,KAI, HOLLIE, JEN & JACK

KAI,CINY & HOLLIE

We arrived at the beach car park and only had a short wait until Jenjen and Jackjack arrived. After slip, slop, slapping we strolled down to the sand where I sat with Kai as he was asleep.  Jen, Jack Ciny and Hollie headed straight for the water, which looked so calm and inviting.  Jen and Jack went exploring looking for pretty shells whilst Hollie sat on a little sand bank in the shallows.  She hates being dirty and was freaked out by the feel of the sand trying not to put both legs down at once. So Ciny brought her back up to the wall where I was sitting to play in the sand.  Kai woke up so I suggested we drag the stroller down to the edged of the water to take both babies in the water.

KAI & HOLLIE

HOLLIE & JACK

JACK, NANNY, JEN, KAI & HOLLIE

NANNY & HOLLIE

UNDER THE PIER

HUGE STAR FISH

HOLLIE TAKING HER HAT OFF

HOLLIE DOLLIE

At first neither of them liked the water and just wanted to be held.  It didn't take too long though and they both took off exploring, chasing Jack and each other.  We found a  huge star fish and heaps of little fish swimming around.  then I spotted a jelly fish heading straight for the kids. It seemed to tumble to move along the bottom of the sand.

After we all had fun we headed back to the wall for our picnic lunch.  I had made sandwiches for everyone,  Jen asked me to make microwave popcorn (which I burnt)  and Ciny bought hot chips.  The chips went down quickly with all the kids diving into them. The kids started throwing their crusts from their sandwiches to the seagulls, then did the same with the chips.  Some cheeky seagulls tried to come right up to the box and help themselves.

TWINNIES EATING LUNCH IN THEIR PHIL&TED

SITTING ON THE WALL FOR LUNCH

HOLLIE JEN AND JACK EATING CHIPPIES

MAKING A SAND SKIRT FOR HOLLIE



KAI BEING A BIG BOY STANDING UP



It was such a good time we didn't want it to end. So Jen invited Ciny back to her house for afternoon tea once she had picked up Millie and Joshie from school.  I had a few things to do in the time between, so we headed off to do those and Ciny headed off to the school.

Then we all sat in Jens backyard enjoying afternoon tea whilst all five kids had a ball playing.

FRIDAY FROLICS WITH FLOSSY

This is week two of my FRIDAY FROLIC WITH FLOSSY.  Today I left home at 9am and headed for Mornington where I decided to check out a few op shops.  The one I went to first had the doors open and I was about to step in when a lady said to me they won't be open until 10am as she was sick and waiting for someone else to arrive.  It was a pity as I saw something in the window I would have liked to purchase.

                                       wall plaques

So I headed to Mornington/Tyabb Road in search of Vinnie's and the Salvos.  At Vinnie's I found so many things that took my fancy but settled on a couple of plates to go with the one I already have as a wall plaque. Then saw some beautiful cups with saucers for a project I have in mind and a pretty candle holder.

cup & saucers

saucer

                                     candle holder

Further down the road at the Salvos I found 8 brand new matching chicken cups. I thought these  would be perfect for Easter with little eggs in them for the grandkidlets.

                                      chicken cups

I had another op shop I wished to visit but had a doctors appointment at 11am so had to head off to that.  My doctor manipulated my back into place so hopefully I will get a better sleep tonight.

After this I headed into the CBD to claim my doctors account at medicare and bought the little Easter eggs at Kmart. Then I went home for lunch and a few hours with Brubear before he left for work.

In the afternoon I drove to Jenjen and Jackjacks for dinner then we all went to a chocolate Nutrimetics party at the Juniors house.  This is a new line just released, it smelt devine. We all enjoyed marshmallows dipped in chocolate for supper. Mmmm!

So it has been a really fun filled day.  Where will you take me next Friday Flossy?

WHERE'S WALLY/WALDO?

Life is like a big WHERE'S WALLY game you soon learn you are just another face in the crowd.  As the saying goes put your hand in a bucket of water, pull it out and there is no evidence you where there. 

Yesterday as I sat in my doctors waiting room one of my favourite customers who used to stop to talk to me on a regular basis when I was working actually sat next to me.  His wife went into the treatment room then for further tests.  I made eye contact with both of them and smiled BUT they both looked straight through me. I was just another face to them not the door greeter who they used to stop and talk to.

This is not the first time this has happened I have run into other customers since leaving work less than two years ago who used to stop and have a good chat with me when I was on the door.  Is it the uniform that makes the difference or they just don't remember?  Maybe it is the uniform as even when I have visited my former work a lot of  my colleagues look right through me also.I usually have a good memory for faces and can pick someone out that I knew years ago when my children were young.  So it is sad when other people don't remember me.

Apart from a few work friends I keep in touch with and my face book friends I have learnt my true friends are my family.   They are always there for me no matter what through thick and thin.  I would be lost without my husband, kids, grandkidlets and my wonderful sisters who all mean the world to me.

Even the person who I have known for over 20 years has virtually abandoned me.  The last time I saw her was before Christmas and now I come to think of it I was the one doing all the visiting last year.  She has not come to visit  right through out my ordeal in January/February.

                                                 WHERE'S WALLY?
So I guess I will go back to being a face in the crowd like where's Wally.

WHO AM I?

I was adopted into my present family well over twenty years ago when a little girl fell in love with me at her Grandma's house. She asked if she could take me home as she loved me so much.  Since then I have stood motionless overlooking everyone that enters my room. The little girl, her brother and sister have all grown up and now they bring their family to visit me.  No one ever speaks to me or probably never notices me looking at them.  If I could speak I would amaze you by the stories I could tell. Not once have I complained of sore feet or legs from standing in the same position. I knew one day I would be called upon to perform an important duty but until that day arrives I will wait patiently.  Can you guess who I am?


Bruce did our grocery shopping on Friday this week due to road works out the front of our house.  I usually write him a list of what I can remember we need and down the bottom a list in RED of items we don't need. As Bruce has a habit of doubling if not trebling up on things due to a fear that the shops might be closed and we will not be able to purchase thing as as we run out.  The family joke that they could do their grocery shopping at Nanny and Papa's as we have a STORE ROOM with two shelves stacked full of grocery items. Occasionally we do run out of things but very rarely.

Anyway Friday afternoon I went to the toilet and noticed our basket which holds our spare toilet rolls was empty.  We only had one roll on the holder which I didn't think would last the day, checked the store room to see we didn't have any spares.  So I sent an sms to Bruce at work saying we were onto our last toilet roll and he replied OK Darling. That one roll did last until Saturday morning luckily.  Then I remembered our little friend on the window ledge so brought her down to use her toilet roll. We were saved until we could get to the shops.

After lunch we had a few things to do down the peninsula then went to the supermarket where Bruce lived up to his reputation by buying not one packet of toilet rolls but two packets of 18 toilets rolls.  So now we have 36 rolls to last for ages, don't think we will run out again. LOL!

So did you guess who I was?  Yes that's right I am the toilet roll doll with a pretty dress filled out by a toilet roll.  We have taken you for granted over the years but thank goodness you were there to rescue us, we really appreciate it. How many other people had a Grandma with one of these dolls?

Unfortunately when I gave her a bath she lost half her hair. Poor toilet dolly.

FRIDAY FROLICS WITH FLOSSY wk 1

As Jenjen and Jackjack don't have any activities Friday morning Jen suggested I come to her house for dinner Thursday night then drive myself home.  That way I can use her car to go out by myself Friday mornings.  So today was the start of many adventures in Flossy.

Week one of Friday frolics with Flossy took me op shopping.  I decided to drive into the cbd to go to Savers for a look around.  Both the girls went there earlier in the week and bought a few bargains.  I was on a very tight budget as I only had about $12 in my purse after raiding my money jar.

So I took the escalator up to the top floor trying to find some pretty cups.  I was unsuccessful with that but did find a few other things I thought looked pretty but couldn't afford. After a really good look around I took the lift back down to the ground as I hate going down escalators. Then walked back to the car which was parked over near the beach.

I then drove to the Salvos where I found a lovely fairy plate I fell in love with.  It had a price tag of $3.99 but when I went to the register the girl said its half price Friday.  So I got a great bargain for only $2.00, wow.

                           fairy plate from the Salvo's
After this I hopped back in the car to drive to Vinnie's op shop.  There I found lots of lovely things but settled on two skirts for the pretty material for my sewing. Then back in the car and headed off home.  It was a quick adventure but I feel like I achieved something.

                         skirts from Vinnie's 
Thanks Jenjen for the lend of Flossy.  Looking forward to many more adventures in her.  I wonder where she will take me next week?

GO-TO-PERSON

My eldest daughter recently did a blog referring to me as her go-to-person.  I seem to be a go-to-person to everyone and enjoy being able to comfort and give advice where needed. That is my excuse for being a BIG CUDDLY PERSON as there is more of me to cuddle and make you feel better.
There is nothing like sitting down over a nice hot cup of tea and sorting out problems or at least trying to find a solution. Both my daughters come to me for a shoulder to cry on and a chat when they need someone to listen to their worries.  I wish my son would do the same as I know he has things he needs to get off his chest but prefers to keep them to himself, which doesn't do his health any good.  My second eldest sister emails me when she is feeling down and wants to vent her problems. My eldest sister tends to keep her problems to herself and has sleepless nights as a result. I have a friend who only seems to contact me when she has family troubles which makes things a bit awkward, as this makes me feel used.

I have always been a good listener and not so much a talker. I am glad people feel they can come to me with their problems as they say a problem shared is a problem halved.
Recently I emailed my two eldest sisters saying I need some sisterly love as I had just received bad news.  They both rallied to my call and helped me tremendously but little did I realise they both had issues which they were dealing with at this point in time.  After I realised this I felt selfish for asking them for comfort.   So where does the GO-TO-PERSON head when they need their own GO-TO-PERSON? Everyone else seems to have their fair share of troubles and I have tried seeking the help of my friend mentioned above. this never works though as she always turns it around so it becomes about her.

I don't want any of you to stop coming to me as your GO-TO-PERSON so don't think I do. It just at times I need a shoulder to cry on also and would love a big bear hug.  I wish my sisters lived closer to have some sisterly love but distance makes it a virtual hug which is nice too.

So to all my lovely family and friends who do use me as your GO-TO-PERSON   
     
                 (((HUGS))). <3 <3 <3  I LOVE YOU ALL