Year to year

Yesterday was our 2nd wedding anniversary, as most of you know (thanks for the anniversary wishes!). Here's the plan...Steve and I are going to take a picture on our anniversary, every year, in the same pose. Then, I'm going to put each picture in an album that we were given as a wedding gift and see how we change from one year to the next. I think it'll be pretty cool to look at the album on our 50th wedding anniversary and see how we have looked every year on May 28th! So, above is the picture taken last night, just before we went out for dinner (such a nice restaurant and the food was wonderful!) and below is last year's picture...
...and below this is where it all started. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of wedding pics saved to the laptop, they are all just hard copies or negatives, but this will do for now...

Welcome Jeff!

So, Jeff has joined us on the other side of the world. One down, only how many to go? He got here on Friday night and is staying with us until he gets an apartment. We went for drinks Friday night and saw a little of the Brisbane night life. Saturday was spent walking around the city, sight-seeing. Then, last night Vic came over to our house and we had a bbq. Today, Jeff and Steve did some exploring and I did some shopping. I FINALLY found a decent pair of black dress pants at a decent price. Shopping really is crap here. My overall opinion hasn't changed on this. I'm not sure what's in style right now in Canada but I'm sure it's better than here! Usually when I go shopping, I love everything. Here, no joke, I have to REALLY look to find something worth buying. AND that's not just looking for something cheap, it's just looking for ANYTHING. Anyway, enough complaining...I did get a couple of cute shirts and the pants today, but who would think it'd be so hard to find a simple, cute black cardigan?? Everything here is WAY oversize and frumpy. Okay...onto the pics...here's a few from the weekend. Oh and by the way, I think Jeff brought the rain with him because it's rained pretty hard for the last 2 nights and it's raining tonight.
The Three Musketeers.
Of course, the beautiful Jesse.
Steve at his work. We stopped by for Jeff to see his future place of employment.
Saturday morning breakfast. That was some good juice. Orange, carrot and ginger juice, straight up, nothing added at all. And brekkie was only $4! That's awesome for here, seeing as eating out is pretty expensive! We went to a cafe that Jeff read in his book is one of the best breakfast places in Brisbane. It wasn't too bad. It was called the Fat Boys Cafe.
Tough guys.

A weird yellow bug on Jeff's shoe.

I'm sorry, he's just a beautiful puppy.
Jeff has a really nice camera...Steve wants one...

Ooops...for some reason I posted this pic twice but what usually happens when I try to delete one pic, is all the pics get deleted, so I'm leaving it. Anyway, welcome Jeff! It's nice to see a familiar face!

Budget

I read this while reading an article about emergency funds, which by the way everyone reading this blog better have one, or like us are building one now...get on that...Anyway, I wanted Cari to read it, but if I email it to her she'll just leave it for later then never end up reading it. So I'll paste it here.

"A budget can improve your marriage. A good budget is not just a spending plan; it's a communication tool. Done right, a budget can bring the two of you closer together as you identify and work towards common goals and reduce arguments about money. That's got to be good for your sex life!"

I agree with this statement with all my heart. Some of you who know me well, know that I am a budget Nazi, I am proud of this fact, and in time it will serve us well. Cari is very supportive of my obsession, but now and again I think she would like to jam the budget so far up my ass that I'd be pooping numbers for days...


Steve (is that a need.... or a want?) Dickinson

Our day...

Today was one of my favorite days since we moved here. I think just having Jesse here with us made it perfect. We woke up early (we always do...for some reason, it's impossible to sleep in past 7 here!), had breakfast and headed out for a long walk around the city. The weather that we have here at this time of year is perfect for Jesse. He couldn't have arrived at a better time. It's always sunny and warm, but never hot. We walked all around the city, including all along the waterfront and we picked up lunch and ate at the Botanical Gardens park. It's insane how much attention Jesse attracted! Everyone stopped to ask about him and pat him! Jesse was a gentleman with everyone, including the little girl who's idea of patting was a little rough. Anyway, after our walk, we came home, relaxed and then made a homemade soup for lunches this week and buckwheat pancakes for brekkie. It makes following this strict food diet so much easier if I plan ahead! Anyway, after a very yummy dinner, that Steve made, we headed out for yet another walk in the park by our house. I wasn't joking when I said that it's our goal to get Jesse skinny again! I think Jes had a good time. I know I sure did! I don't want to go to work tomorrow:( Steve has tomorrow and Tuesday off and it's going to be hard to get up and go! Below are some pictures from our walk...




This picture is what Brisbane looks like at the moment. Very brown...
...This picture is what the parts of Brisbane that use recycled water and can actually water the lawn look like. Big difference! You are only allowed to water outside if you use recycled water. I saw a sign today saying that the water supply is now critical. We have been asked to limit our showers to only 4 minutes, which I find pretty much impossible!



Hope everyone is having a nice long weekend in Canada!

Look who FINALLY came home!

Jesse arrived at our house today around 3:30 p.m. I had butterflies all day waiting to see him. I woke up at 7 a.m. because I was too excited to sleep. It was so nice to see Jesse again. He has gained A LOT of weight. I was actually pretty upset when I saw how much weight he gained, but I guess that's to be expected. He has probably been eating cheap crap food for 4 months and hasn't had a bit of exercise in a month. It's our goal to really get him to shed some pounds over the next few months. Other than that, he was a little stinky but basically the same ole dog. He seemed happy to see us, but again, as I expected, he was a little overwhelmed by his new surroundings and was more interested in the yard than us, at first. We we're worried that he might have picked up some bad habits but he seems better behaved than ever! I think he may have actually realized that he is a dog and not a spoiled human! I'm wondering if they were really strict with him...Anyway, I'm not complaining. He hasn't barked AT ALL (which shocked us, we were thinking he would be used to barking), he's been listening SO well, and he even turned down a treat! (this worried me at first but I think he may have actually got used to not having treats in the kennel and quarantine). We're taking advantage of the new and setting new rules. Jes isn't allowed inside the house, past the tiles in our kitchen. He can go on the entry tiles (this is where he'll sleep at night and he can go in the yard and under the house). It's taking some patience on our part but he seems to be catching on quickly. He really seems to love the yard and seems to be quite content hanging out back there. We took him to the dog park up the street and a short walk, which he loved as much as he ever did! I'm happy that he still knows all the same things that I used to say to him. I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk and he got so excited and starting whining, so I was happy! Same ole Snugs! We're really glad to have him back, safe and sound. Tomorrow, he'll need a good bath, a good hair cut and a manicure, but other than that, he seems good to go. Phewf! Of course, some pics...The above one is what dropped Jesse off at our house.
A sleepy puppy. He really only just settled down a little while ago. I'm curious to see what he'll be like tonight. He's been used to a new schedule.

He loved his toys! We brought some of his toys from Canada and he found his favorite ball right away.

On his new bed. He really likes his bed, I think he got used to being on a dog bed at the kennel.
It's cute, he likes just hanging out in the yard and he watches me in the kitchen. I took this pic from the kitchen window. See how dead our grass is? The drought is really showing these days.
This is as far as Jesse is allowed to go in the house. He's not allowed on the hardwood. Just the tile and his bed. It's mostly because that's our renting rules but also, it will help with the dog hair and keeping our house clean.

Welcome home Jes! We really missed you!!!

It's A Boy!

Nope, this is not our baby....Sorry....We're not read to jump on that grenade quite yet. This is a pic of my brother and his girlfriend's baby boy.... To be honest, the pics freak me out, I'm used to seeing the black and white ones that you have to be some sort of starving artist to make out what's what.....these pics you can see everything....

Anywho, Congrats are in order, the Dickinson name will live on!!!

Steve (Dirty Uncle) Dickinson

3 more sleeps!

Everything is booked! Jesse gets dropped off ,at our door, in Brisbane, on Saturday, around 2:30 p.m. Three more sleeeeeeps!!! Yippee!

It's official...Jesse's release date has been set!

So, blood tests came back negative, Jesse has been cleared and is to be released from prison this Saturday!!! Now, we just need to get ahold of the pet relocator in Sydney and get his final plane ticket booked. If all goes well, Jes will be at our door on Saturday afternoon. Yippee!!! We really are in the home stretch now!!! Too bad I can't let Jesse know that somehow...

To all the Mommies out there...

...and especially to our own Moms...Happy Mother's Day!!! We miss you and love you lots!! Hope you have a lovely day!!! We're thinking of you and just want to say thanks for everything you do for us! We're so lucky to have such terrific Mamas!:) Here's a few pictures of our Moms...the first one was taken at our wedding...hence the wedding dress!

Steve and his Mom dancing at the wedding. That's one snazzy lady!
And my Mama, taken at my bachelorette party dinner. She's looking radiant in red!

The countdown to Jesse's homecoming!

So, we still haven't got the results of Jesse's blood work back yet but we're pretty sure it'll be fine. Therefore, we are going ahead and planning on him arriving at our door this Saturday. Only one more week!!! Today, we went to the pet store and bought all the stuff we need for Snugs when he gets here. It was an expensive trip but I think we're all set for his arrival. The pic shows all the stuff we got him. It's great because the pet store here sells BARF food (raw food) and even has raw turkey necks and raw bones and it's a good price. One bag of food costs $16, but that is enough for one whole week. The pet store here also sells Sentinel which is extra great because it saves us paying for a vet visit when Jes first gets here. The lady that worked at the pet store was terrific and knew what she was talking about. She also recommended getting a flea bomb and spraying it in our yard because apparently the fleas are at an all time high here because of the drought. This also explains the flea bites that I'm been getting on my legs and arms. Holy crap flea bites itch!! I had to go to the pharmacist and get pills and cream to help the itch because they were actually keeping me awake at night! Steve and I sprayed our entire room down in a tea tree and water solution and that seems to have helped. We just have to be very careful with Jes because if they are that bad, they'll really love him! We also picked up a fence that we're going to use in the yard. Once we get Jesse's pad all set up, I'll post a picture. Hopefully only 6 more sleeps until we get Jesse back!!!

A big thank you!

Just want to send out a HUGE thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes, snail mail cards, ecards, facebook greetings and birthday blog postings...it was very nice and helped to make my first birthday, so far from home, very special! It was a little weird to celebrate a birthday here. Technically, I got to have 2 birthdays...my Australia one and a Canadian one! hehe:) Anyhoo, thanks to my super amazing husband, I enjoyed a very relaxed and very pampered day. It started with breakfast in bed and he surprised me with a 2 and a half hour spa retreat getaway, which included a one hour massage and a one and a half hour facial. It was my first ever facial and it was AMAZING! This is where I went... www.fortitudevalley.ellabache.com.au . It really was so nice!!! Then last night we went to one of my favorite restaurants, The Pig and Whistle... http://www.pignwhistle.com.au/EagleStreet/about.htm , which is a restaurant/English pub. We actually ended up meeting up with Vic and a couple of guys he and Steve work with and enjoyed a few too many birthday drinks, but had a great time, all and all. Definitely a good birthday. Now it's on to thinking about Steve's birthday because, as I LOVE to point out, he has his 30th coming up in just one month and 2 days!! Above is a pic of Steve and I on Friday night, toasting to my last few hours as a "mid twenties" girl....

...and here's me, all ready to enjoy a night on the town as an old lady (Late twenties!!) Ahhhhh!!!
Thanks again for everything everyone! I missed you all and wished you could have been here to celebrate with me!!

Just for laughs...

Tonight, just as we were finishing up dinner, the most GINORMOUS grasshopper, EVER, flew into our house!!! Being the big wimp that I am, I put Steve in charge of handling it. Being the big wimp that he is, the whole "Operation to remove grasshopper" was quite the ordeal! It was freaky...that guy could move fast and at the most unexpected moments!! Below is a video I took of Steve vs. the grasshopper...

Moreton Island

Yesterday, Steve and I woke up early (5:45 a.m.) and caught a 7:30 a.m. boat to Moreton Island. There's a resort there called Toomalanga, and there's lots to do! The boat ride there took about an hour. It was really nice but a little chilly, first thing in the morning. When we first got to the island, there was a pelican feeding going on, then we went for brekky (all you can eat buffet...yum!) and then walked down the beach to the place where all the shipwrecks are (see pics below) and did some snorkling. The whole island is basically a beach, so the sand and water just keep going and going. We also ate lunch on the resort and almost fainted at the price! Two orders of fish and chips cost $48!!! Next time we'll pack lunch! After lunch we just hung at the beach and did some swimming, before catching the boat back to Brisbane. All and all a great day! And, as an added bonus, it's yet another long weekend here (Labour Day weekend), so we're both home today, relaxing and doing a few things. Gotta love 3 day weekends!
It was pretty windy on the boat!
It was also sunny, which helped the chilliness!

The boat we took there.
This is a harpoon, used for killing whales:(
The pelicans were very cool and much bigger than I realized! I think if I had to pick a bird to like, I might pick pelicans. Their eyes are very cool.
This wild hawk wanted in on the free food.



There were lots of boats around. There's not so many nice ones in this pic but there were lots of beautiful boats out! Man, people spend a lot of money on their boats here!


Can you believe that this HUGE boat goes right into shore??
I think it would be cool to drive the beach, but you definitely need a 4 wheel drive.
The wrecks. They are half in and half out of water, so it made for very cool snorkling.
Steve was REALLY excited about going snorkling at the wrecks!