More company!

We've had lots of visitors since moving to Melbourne and this guy is the latest one to sleep on our air bed...

Carl has been at sea, fighting pirates since February and the Canadian war ship he's been calling home docked in Melbourne for 6 days. He was lucky to get 6 days off the boat and we were lucky to have 6 whole days to catch up with him and show him this amazing city. Carl and Steve have been friends for years (before I even met Steve). They worked together at Cycle Smith in Halifax and have been buddies ever since. We haven't seen Carl since we left Montreal, so it's been great getting to hang out!

We've been doing the usual stuff...eating, shopping (mostly motorcycle and bike shops...you know, boy shopping!), drinks, and touring the city. The weather has been awesome and Carl is pretty easy to please. After that much time on the boat, he was just happy to eat McDonalds and Subway again!
If you're wondering about the photo of me above...the light festival is on downtown. These lights make a musical vibrating noise based on the human body that stands in front of them. It's pretty cool to compare the different sounds that different bodies produce. When there are lots of people trying it, it makes quite the musical production!

A campfire in the city...also part of the light festival. It made me want to go camping!

Other than hanging with Carl, I've been keeping busy with cutting, gluing and laminating, in preparation for my first day of work on Monday. I *love* my new laminator! It's freakin' awesome! One of the best things I've ever bought!
I visited my new work on Wednesday and did a tour of the classroom. That just got my brain buzzing even more, thinking about all the things I want to do and make. It's going to be really exciting!

We're off to enjoy another beautiful day in downtown Melbourne and one of my last days of unemployment!:)

Yippee!

We finally have internet at home again! Lots to post...will be back soon!:)

More good news!

I got a job!!!!

Yippee!

It's a position as a kindergarten teacher, working with children between the ages of 3 and 5. They want me to plan and implement a kindergarten program, with emphasis on preparing children for school. There isn't really a strong program in place at this stage, because of lots of changes over the last few months (the centre has recently sold to new owners) and it will be my responsibility to organize the room, plan the programming and activites and organize whatever resources will be useful to the program. I think it will be challenging and a wonderful opportunity to use my creative side. I haven't been able to stop thinking about all the ideas floating around in my head, since I had my interview on Friday. I found out yesterday that I got the job and have already snapped into teacher mode...looking at stickers when shopping at the grocery store and getting excited about all the great kid stuff at Ikea!

Can you tell I'm excited about this opportunity?! :) I start in a week, so that gives me one more week to rest and relax and then jump right in. It's very close to home (only a 20 minute walk from our house) and the people I met seem really lovely.

I think it's going to be really awesome!

Mmm...candles

See that shelf tucked in there behind the toilet and by the tub? I had 9 tea light candles in cute little glass holders sitting there. They looked really pretty and I was looking forward to my first candle light bubble bath. Then, I made the mistake of leaving Jesse for a couple of hours to run errands. Big, big mistake.

I came home to find this mess just outside the bathroom door, scattered all over the hall floor...

Yup, 9 tea light candles missing, some metal and oh yeah...

...glass. I knew he had eaten the 9 candles for sure. I had no idea how much metal or even glass he had eaten as well...

I mean, really...candles?? I puppy proof this house like crazy every single time I leave, regardless of if I'll be gone 10 minutes or 10 hours, but never in almost 8 years has he gone at candles...well wait. He did eat a camping candle once, but usually house ones are safe or so I thought. I guess I was wrong...

Steve came home and we decided we had no choice but to break out the ole salt and water. A teaspoon of salt in some water, shoved to the back of the dog's throat induces vomiting. We've done it a couple of times now.

It feels so cruel. Oh, how Jesse hates it, but it's all for his own good. The sooner we get the metal and wax and possible glass out of his belly, the better! Plus, we didn't want to be up all night with a sick dog.

Once we give him the salt, we wait. Jesse was very annoyed at us and chose to ignore the camera in his face. Sadly, it took 3 teaspoons of salt and water to get him to vomit! Could he actually be one of those rare creatures that can even stomach being gagged by salt? I swear, this dog has an iron stomach! Anyway, finally, he was sick. This was after me saying to him over and over in a cute little puppy sort of voice, "Jeddy have a wittle puke." (and no, I didn't just misspell "little"). I wanted to be mad at him for the candles and naughty behavior but I was just too worried about his tummy!

I decided to save you the pleasure of viewing the puke, but be assured...it was insane how much wax pieces were in there!

He's been fine ever since and I've moved all candles to a high position. I'm sure he'll find a candle replacement treat though. Nothing seems safe! Shouldn't be be outgrowing this by now??

Guess what we did yesterday?

Go ahead...guess.




Are you thinking?




Did you guess?




Here's a hint...

This is me studying the evening before for what we were about to do.



Did that help?




Got a good guess?




Ah, you'll never guess!




I'll just have to tell you...




Steve and I spent the day getting...wait for it...our motorcycle learner's permit!

Here we are all suited up and ready to go!

I wasn't at all nervous until the bikes actually came out and then I thought I might barf. But, I didn't. Thankfully. That could have been embarrassing!

Steve was a natural and me, well, clearly I still have a lot of country girl in me because I freakin' LOVED it! Once I was actually on the bike, I completely relaxed and enjoyed every moment! I just wished we could ride faster (don't tell my Mom I said that!)! We had an awesome time and the instructors were fantastic! We had to pass a written test and a road test to get it.

We are officially legal to ride on roads and streets, just with a big "L" for learner plastered to the back of the bike. In 3 months we can go back and be tested on the road again and then move up to our probationary license, which is just a normal bike license with conditions (same as when you first get your car license). Then, after a year, we'll hold a normal bike license with no conditions. Not sure when we'll go back to get the probationary license, that will all depend on when we get bikes. We have 15 months to go back.

So, no, we don't have bikes yet, though we have been looking. I need a job first! I do have a job interview today though, so maybe we'll get them sooner than later? Who knows...

Good News!

I haven't been able to do my regular daily updates because we don't officially have our internet hooked up until the 23rd and the "borrowed" internet that we sometimes use is on and off. My apologies to all the people I owe emails and facebook messages...I'll get caught up once we have our own net!

So...the good news! I received the written notice that I'm officially qualified as an early childhood teacher in the state of Victoria! Now, the job search can really begin! I'm very ready to get back to work and out in the real world again!

The house is going well. We're really getting settled in. Our new neighborhood is beautiful and the people are super friendly! We've already met our neighbors and I've had several chats with people in the park while walking Jesse. I want to post pictures but not until we get our curtains up. I know, I'm a perfectionist!

I've been doing a little gardening. We've had great weather lately, sunny skies with highs at about 14 degrees. Chilly but refreshing and perfect for yard work. The yard has definitely needed a little TLC! I weeded out the front garden yesterday and love the lavender that's growing in it. It smells beautiful when you come to our front door! Unfortunately, I pulled out what I thought was weeds, only to discover they were strawberry plants. I'm not very educated in what's a plant and what's a weed! Lots to learn! It looks like someone at one time put a lot of love into the little garden. I found lots of pretty labels buried in the dirt naming all the plants that were once planted. I also found lots of cigarette butts and beer bottle caps. It's funny to think of all the different kinds of people that have probably rented this house over the years!

Once we have internet again, we'll also have a phone, but until then, I'll post when I can! Hope everyone is happy and well!

Guess who is 32?

Happy Birthday Babe!

We're in!

We've moved into our new house! I'll do a better update soon but for now I'm "borrowing" someone's internet, so I'm not sure how long it will last! I'm really liking it here. It' SO quiet! Yesterday was a loooong day of moving and unpacking but way worth it! Waking up to a kitchen and bathroom that are functional is great! Steve and I are off to get groceries and make a much needed Ikea run for storage (there are no built in closets). Hopefully, I'll be back soon with photos of our new digs! Enjoy your weekend everyone!:)

Toot, Toot!

That's me tooting our own horn! Can I just say, we ROCK at moving! I started packing yesterday morning and after 2 full days of sorting, organizing and packing, we are all packed up, with some stuff already moved over to our new house! The mini movers are coming tomorrow morning to move all our big, heavy stuff, but we're taking the little boxes back and forth in our awesome Yaris, that fits an insane amount of stuff (seriously!), to help save money. There's lots of cleaning to do tomorrow at the new house and lots and LOTS of unpacking but we'll be sleeping there tomorrow night. It's amazing how fast things came together! I guess when you move 4 times in two and a half years, you get pretty efficient at it! :)

Weekend Highlights

Rej and Clo arrived on Friday night and left late Tuesday afternoon. Monday was a holiday here and they took Tuesday off work, for an extra day. Steve also got the day off and we all enjoyed 4 days of...well...this...

...riding the tram.

...watching this guy make this...

...candy!

...drinking hot chocolate at cute cafes.

...shopping and checking out the Melbourne fashion.

...seeing hens at the Vic Market. Only $12.50 for one! I seriously would love to have chooks that lay fresh eggs!

...drinking beer with friends.

...goofing around.

...seeing the city sights under rainy grey skies.

...feeding this bushy tailed possum apple.

...eating the best pizza ever!!!

...and more eating. We ate a lot. Great restaurants!

...testing wine at one of the 85 wineries in the Yarra Valley. We visited the oldest vineyard in the Valley. We also did some cheese testing...goat cheese...yum!

...wondering around. Exploring.

...breathing in the beautiful views and smells of the Yarra Valley.

...but mostly just having fun catching up with each other and hanging out.

I wish I had more time to give more details of our fabulous weekend, but we're moving tomorrow!!! It's all happening very quickly and there's a lot left to do! We picked up our keys last night and the mini movers come tomorrow. We'll still have this place until the 23rd but we want to get settled in the new house as soon as possible. I'm still waiting on the papers about my qualification equivalency but I phoned and they said I will have them by the end of this week. That means, hopefully, I'll be working before long!

Moving also means no internet for 20 days, while we wait for them to hook it up. I don't understand how it takes that long to get internet when you move! What ever will I do without internet for 20 days...???

What a relief!

We signed a lease today on a house! It feels really good to have a place lined up! It's close to Steve's work (only a 12 minute walk), it's on a quiet, cute little street (which will be a nice change!), it's situated between two great parks, is close to the tram, and has cute little cafes and restaurants right around the corner. I'm really looking forward to it! We get the keys next Wednesday and will then move over our stuff over slowly. We don't have to be out of our current place until the 23rd of June.

Now, it's off to enjoy a long weekend with these two trouble makers...

Gee, I really hope they know you have to wear clothes in Melbourne. You can't get away with those crazy Queensland shenanigans down here! ;)

That's a wrap!

I *love* wrapping presents...

...and I especially love making my own bow-like-brooch-thingies. Yes, that's what I call them!

Too bad it's not Christmas, cause maybe then I could get a job as a gift wrapper in a mall to kill some time! :)

Yes, it's Mom!

I posted this picture of my Mom here and anonymous, who I'm guessing is my sister, Carol (?) asked if I was sure that it was Mom. Yup, it is!

It really is!

Cross my heart!

Either that or I have about 25 pictures of some random person hanging at the beach...

The Dandenong Ranges

Last Saturday, Steve and I both had an overwhelming urge to get out of the city. We'd had kind of a crappy week and felt like getting away. We took a drive to the Dandenong Ranges and visited a cute little village called Olinda. We had lunch and poked around the little shops. It was very foggy and since you're up in the mountains, the cloud cover was all around. It was pretty cool but very chilly!

We went to one adorable little shop and Steve found a hat he liked and I found a scarf (the most amazing green color!). We decided to grab some lunch and go back for them. We went back about 45 minutes later and they were both sold! What are the chances?! You snooze you lose, I guess! Wasn't meant to be.

We found a little candy shop that had lots of Canadian treats. That's always fun!

Steve got some ginger ale and I went to take a taste and almost gagged. All I can think of is having the stomach flu when I smell or taste ginger ale. My mom always used to give us flat ginger ale when we were sick. Did you guys have that too?

Of course, Mr. Dickinson picked himself up some hot sauce!

We drove through a town called Sassafras (I just love that name for a town!) and stopped in a town called Ferntree Gully. We went to the outdoor market there and bought our fruit and veges for the week. It was really cold! Felt like Canada, for sure!

After our first little adventure outside the city, Steve cooked up some lamb for dinner and we relaxed with a glass of wine. We felt refreshed! It's funny how just getting away for an afternoon can be all you need to pick up your spirits!

If I can't bake it...

...I'll blog it! I'm on a bit of a baking break at the moment. Well, except for the gluten and dairy free cupcakes I just made and the dairy free ginger snaps I made 2 days ago with spelt flour and the stuff I'm going to bake tomorrow for when Rej and Clo visit. But, really, other than that I'm not baking anything with wheat, dairy or sugar. My poor body needs a break! I've been doing a bit of a detox since Monday and while I feel like I've been run over by a garbage truck today, I think that's actually a good thing! That means it's working, right? Anyway, I can't stop thinking about banana bread! Oh, how I love it! But, it gives me such a bad tummy ache and makes me feel so terrible. Yet, I seriously can't stop thinking about eating it!!! I'm like an addict! Especially since I worked out how to bake it just right in my temperamental oven (Oh, the wonders of wax paper!). So, being the kind person that I am...I figure just cause I can't enjoy it, doesn't mean you can't! You can thank me later...hehe;) Here's the recipe...let me know how it turns out!

Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar (I've used as little as 3/4 cup and it still turned out)
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, banana and vanilla. Mix well with electric mixer. Sift together dry ingredients and add to mixture, alternatively with milk, beating until well incorporated. Pour into a greased bread pan (I line my pan with baking paper to keep from burning but that's only because I have a poopy oven!). Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 175 Celsius). And, enjoy. Oh, yes, enjoy! Enjoy a warm piece, spread with butter and a cup of tea and think of me! :)

PS. I'm not sure where this recipe originally came from. I know my Mom makes it and my sister and my grandmother. For some reason, I think maybe it was my Aunt Pearl's recipe...? Either way, it's yummy!

A taste of home...

I know you're probably getting tired of hearing me say this, but lately I have been feeling a little homesick. I'm really, really hoping I can make a visit happen this year. Cross fingers! I was going through old photos and came across my pictures from one of the last times I visited beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada. Seriously, who couldn't see these pics and not miss it?

Black-Eyed-Susans. What a name for a flower!

Ah, beautiful wildflowers. One of my favorite things.

The old barn on my Grandmother's farm. Walks through the fields behind it are something I miss too! Nanny's house has always been a place that's easy to relax. Cares just seem to get left at the door here. Perhaps it's the molasses cookies that help melt the stress away!;)

Seriously, it's gorgeous there. You should visit.

There's just something about farm markets (that's right...farm markets...not called farmer's markets where I'm from) at home. And, they always serve ice-cream. Grape nut and moon mist ice cream to be exact. Does it get any better than that? I don't think it does.

I miss walking the beach with this lady (my Mom)...xoxo.

Have you heard of the famous 3 churches in Mahone Bay? They are very photographed.

Canada flags!

Such a peaceful place.

Ah, will there ever be a place as sweet as home?:)