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The Family Bandwagon

Our family is spread out across the country and across the world, and what better way to keep in touch than a collaborative digital journal?

Sunday 26 April 2015

Church St Chatter

Another fortnight since a post.
Apart from dancing, Clive and I had a two day trip to Swan Hill last week. Went up Wednesday as photos on FB show, stayed with Clive's sister and brother in law and had dinner at Murray Downs where we hoped to dance but it was cancelled at the last minute so no dancing. We do Rock and roll on Tuesday's. Not as much variety as ballroom but no travelling needed so we can have much earlier nights. Up to advanced group now.
I've been making felt flowers after we had a workshop at Spinners. Also starting with organising for next year's Deb Ball (need a new photographer) and that went well.
Mum bought a Nutribullet when they had a buy one get one free deal so she bought one for me as well. Yet to try it.
Managed to get Mum transferred to my doctor as she has been very unhappy with the doctor she was transferred to when her doctor retired. I've booked for a flu shot on 5th May. Have heard of several people having a reaction to it so hope any adverse reaction is short lived.
Garden is neglected but I did plant some snow peas, spinach and onions. Zucchini plants are still trying but their coordination is off so I get a batch of female flowers then a batch of male flowers but that doesn't get the fertilization happening. Also found some old marigold seeds so they went in the front just before we finally had some rain. Weather has been beautiful apart from lack of rain but is cooling down now so heater is on.
Still attempting to declutter and I have drop offs at the op shop occasionally. I also buy at op shop so just hope it at least balances out.
Dayna, I saw there is a Dance sport group at Cardiff Uni. How much is dance and how vigorous is the sport? So many dances that we can go north and not know half of the dances so not sure how I'd go in Wales but I'd be interested to see what they do.
Quiet night in tonight. First Sunday in three weeks without a dance afternoon.
Josie and family had a great time in America although Mason was sick when he had the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
We have a blessing ceremony for Ryan Chatham on the 9th May (Chris and Emma)
Planning an afternoon tea here on 7th June for Mum's 90th birthday.
Look forward to news from all of the family.

Monday 13 April 2015

Gordon St Gossip

It's been a big couple of weeks.

I took on an illustration job for d'Arenberg (along side my usual GDD stuff..) - they sent me a wine to drink, and then I had to draw something that I thought the wine represented. Payment was $500 worth of d'Arenberg wine. Nice reward, but it did mean all my spare time was taken up working.

We also had school holidays, and Chez has done an amazing job of keeping the kids entertained while I was at work. They did a bunch of activities (there was some good stuff on at the Marketplace - craft activities, a treasure hunt, digging for dinosaur bones) and nearly got eaten by a T-Rex ;)

Last weekend as well as the Easter fun times we also went on a trip to Hepburn Springs and went on a 1.5km bushwalk. The kids had great fun, even when clambering over trees that had fallen over the path. We got out to the spring but sadly it wasn't working, plus it was overrun with wasps. Then another 1.5km walk back, but the kids had plenty of energy and played on the playground.

We also checked out Scienceworks, which was good. The kids entry was free during the holidays.

Chez won a 1kg Easter Egg for giving feedback to the Marketplace about the aforementioned activities. Turns out that's a lot of chocolate (apparently we're all about chocolate and wine these holidays) so she's put some in biscuits and some in muffins. Another activity for the kids.

Then yesterday was an Iaido seminar in Melbourne, which turned into a very long day - I left home at 7am and returned at 8pm I think. A bunch of my students graded, and the Hokushin Victoria associate had it's AGM, the result of which is I'm now President.

And that's about it. Ossie's had school followed by soccer training today, and Chez took Lily to the gym. We're getting back into routine.

Who's up next?

and now the Torana

Had a visit from Ted Smith again to see the Torana. He brought his son to advise me although they aren't interested themselves.
He said to keep the plates as being original is a bonus and the car still having original books, mileage and a known history is all to the good. I should ask $13000 and certainly not settle for less than $10000, even without a roadworthy.
He said to advertise in Just Cars which I can do online for about $30. Ebay isn't a good idea as you get cranks and bogus offers.
Good to have the advice. A couple of people ( at the carwash and battery place)have asked if it was for sale but with no price mentioned. I think over $10000 would put them off.
Ted commented that if Barb and Rudi had said no to the Buick, the other man there would have pulled out his chequebook.

Monday 6 April 2015

Church Street chatter for April

Ten weeks of Sunday practice ended on 27th of March with the Dahlia and arts Deb Ball. Great night. So well organised this year by Kaye. Debrief meeting here on Thursday but she has already delivered notes of thanks to the new MC and to Clive and Carolynn for their assistance. Carolynn was one of three ushers we used to help seat people. The trainers had a Sunday BBQ at their place in Strathfieldsaye afterwards and eight of us relaxed and chattered until 5.30pm.
 Red was the colour since the theme this year was A Day to Remember with the Anzacs as a focus. We had a two course meal that seemed to work well with main before the Presentation and dessert after. Hoping to lessen the effect of a BYO licence. We may limit the size of the Esky's next year. We employed a decorator who provided all the decorations, had a day setting up then came at midnight to help pack it up. Home by 12.30 and the Hall was back empty and ready for the Star cinema again.


That helped me keep up the steps on Fitbit so since then things have quietened down.

Clive and I took up Rock and Roll lessons on Tuesday's instead of travelling to Kyneton. We don't do anywhere near the number of steps but it's been fun. Friends are doing the beginners course now so we go and watch them then have a practice. The more advanced lessons will follow so we'll see how that goes.

The rest of the nights we do the Ballroom Nu vogue dances. Only way I get the steps up. Very social and we've made lots of new friends. Planning to have a lunch here one Sunday now the Deb is finished.

Good Friday was the pancake day. They had 87 people and raised $795 for the RCH appeal. We then went to Denise's for lunch to catch up with Chris and Emma. Baby Ryan is a little doll and very happy.

On Easter Saturday , Clive and I took his grandson Lachie to visit Clive's daughters in Knox. Mandi is over from Perth for a few days and Lachie hadn't seen his aunties or cousins in several years. Surprise when Clive's ex wife and her husband also arrived for lunch. I think Kerri felt Clive was happy enough to put them both in the same room and it was very civilized, . He said afterwards he was glad she had someone else to nag.

Sunday we had a pop up restaurant here for Easter Sunday dinner. I had butterflied lamb and pork, potato wedges, pumpkin, zucchini , salads and chicken nuggets for the kids. Finished off with pavlova and cheesecake .Practice for  Christmas here.Will need to rearrange to fit in 24.  Damien organised a chocolate free Easter egg hunt that the kids enjoyed. They painted the bunnies and eggs as you'll have seen on FB                                                
                                         
 Today I'm getting ready for winter so I've closed off the air con vents and reset the heater clock. Floors all clean and I'll be having leftovers for meals for a while. Clive and Lachie are coming this afternoon to go play pool at the local Hotel. Lachie is in a comp in Mildura so has his own cue and is very hard (impossible) for me to beat.
 So no Easter outings in Bendigo this year for me, but I have enjoyed the time.


Easter wanderings

Happy Easter everyone!

We've had a fairly quiet Easter this year.  Had a few drinks with a friend on Thursday night, so it was a relaxed start on Good Friday. Pancakes for brekki (not home made nor raising money for a good cause... But they were only 2p for four!) and then headed up to Wednesbury for Easter with B's fam. After a traditional Good Friday tea of fish & chips, we played Scattergories. Good fun and exercises the brain. ;-)

Yesterday we went to Ironbridge to see the oldest cast iron bridge in the world! It was built in 1779 and was the first metal bridge ever! It was essentially an ad for the versatility of iron and the skill of the locals. It's now a World Heritage sites in recognition of the contribution of the area to the birth of the Industrial Revolution. Lots of history! And good cupcakes too! ;-)

Today's been fairly quiet - B and I went for a walk along the local canal (I was foolishly trying to catch you lot in the weekend walking challenge).  It was a beautiful day and I took a few piccys along the way. We got back in time for Sunday Dinner - a proper roast with all the trimmings (including vege chicken fillets). Dinner was superbly cooked by Gwen and John and we were joined for the meal by Grandad (who will 104 next month). Thanks to food, wine, age and a general feeling of contentment, everyone dozed in front of the tele for a chunk of the afternoon! That's what Sundays are for, right?

We're on the way home now - attempting to miss the "end of Easter" traffic. If the sun stays out tomorrow, we might head to the Brecon Beacons to make the most of the long weekend.. But then it's back to work on Tuesday!

How was your Easter weekend?