Zonta- Birthing Kits

 

Spent two hours on Saturday morning folding black plastic for birthing kits. Something so simple but it means somewhere some woman will not have to give birth on a dirt floor. I felt guilty that I didn't really want to go, but was so glad I did, the last time I went I promised myself that I would make the effort to go every year from now on if I am in town as it is an annual event. Got to catch up with a few good friends as well so that is a bonus.

Cake Transportation

It was someone's birthday at work so I volunteered to make the cake, then remembered the next morning I was riding into work, fortunately it fitted in my bike basket in the back, I put a towel and bubble wrap underneath so it didn't get too shaken up. I didn't have to worry about the icing melting on the way in as it was minus 5 that morning and was about minus 2 when I rode in!

Ukulele Lessons

I had my first Ukulele lesson at CIT on Monday night and I had a great time, it was lots of fun, the teacher had us practicing 6 cords to start off with and just single strums and by the end of the lesson we were playing and singing about 6 songs that had either 2 or 3 chords in it.

 

There are about 12 of us in the group and I really enjoyed myself- only problem is  the teacher said for his class it is compulsory that you have to sing along with the playing- which is okay if I am with a group, then I can remember the tune and follow along but if I have to sing by myself which I do when I practice at home- I can’t stay in tune- but who cares- I am having fun! I am just going to make sure I sit next to Albert each week- he is in the Rugby Choir so he can carry a tune and I will just follow him! All this multi tasking must be good for my brain!

 

I have been practicing every day- I am not sure what the kids think- probably that there mother is mad, I also got a strap fitted for my ukulele and I brought a little stand to keep it on so it is easy to pick up and play any time of the day you have a spare 5 minutes.

 

 

Ukulele Course

Here is a picture of my tenor ukulele- I am just about to head off to Woden CIT for the first of my 6 week course for beginner ukulele players- should be fun!

Using My Lemons

I have a dwarf lemon tree growing in a pot, this is it's third year and has produced quite a crop this year. I have had to start using my lemons as I have plenty of ripe lemons, they have such a lovely yellow colour, so used them on my leg of lamb that I had cooking in the slow cooker, also used rosemary from my garden. Later in the year I should have my own garlic to use as I have garlic growing in the garden this year. I also made lemon slice for desert with ice-cream but didn't have a chance to take a picture, as the missionaries arrived early for dinner, and by the time Bill and Lachlan had two serves and one of the missionaries had three helpings there was not much left to take a photo of!

Cute Dog Shots

Took these pictures during the week. In the top one, Jack had made himself at home in Benji's basket, so that meant if Benji wanted a basket he had to use Jack's- just a tad too small!

Sunday morning Jack hopped up on my lap and helped me catch up on my journal - he is just like a hot water bottle, he is quite happy to stay there for ages and rests his chin on the desk!

In the final shot, not quite so sure that he is happy up in this spot- Bill decided to put him up on the speaker- don't think he is quite game to jump down so had to sit very still till I convinced Bill he needed to come down!

Fun at the Playground

On the walk we stopped off at one of the playgrounds and Charlie and Mia had great fun on the see saw and whirly girly thing! By the time we got home Jack was pretty filthy so we had to give him a bath- he was not all the impressed but Mia had great fun bathing him and Charlie filled him up with dog treats.

More Charlie and Mia

 

Next we managed to find a few things to burn in the fire place- Charlie loves a good fire, we put Mia to work trimming some of the plants around the garden- Bill was a bit worried she would cut all the trees down! We then took Benji and Jack for a walk and found some ducks to feed along the way.

Charlie and Mia Come For A Visit

We got to have Charlie and Mia come for the day as it was school holidays. First of Charlie discovered our piano and all the different tunes he could get out of it-that kept him amused for quite a while! Next job was to help me assemble the trolley I got from Costco- Charlie thought that was lots of fun and did a great job.

Sunday Night in Sydney

 

Sunday night we walked up to Darlinghurst and had a very expensive anniversary dinner at No Names Restaurant. It was an old Italian Workers Café ( run by Asians, no Italians in sight!) Laminex tables, bowl of bread, free red cordial, and a limited selection of menu items. Bill had the chicken schnitzel and I had a veal stew, both very nice but I couldn't finish mine! With a large salad to share it came to a grand total of $31- just the type of bargain Bill likes! We then wandered down to Circular Quay and had a gelato and enjoyed walking around the harbour on a mild night for us! The next morning we enjoyed a lovely buffet breakfast then walked down to Glebe to pick up some telescope bits and enjoyed the sights of Darling Harbour and the lovely weather before heading back to Canberra.

 

 

Weekend in Sydney

 

Finally something to put in my blog- I am in trouble with my mother for being slack with my blog- at least I have more stuff in my blog than she does in hers!

Bill and I went to Sydney for the weekend and celebrated out 25th Wedding Anniversary- my how time flies. No matter how many times you have been Sydney Harbour certainly is spectacular and this time it was no different and the weather was just lovely and clear. It was 18 degrees, cool for Sydneysiders but for us Canberraites it was almost tropical.

 

We spent Saturday night with Bill's cousin and had a lovely time catching up with family. On the Sunday morning we went in to the John Laffin Memorial Lecture at Randwick Army Barracks. The first talk was by Michele Bomford who had written a book about the Battle of Mont St Quentin on the Somme during WW1. She and Bill had been in contact and in her lecture she talked about Eric Frost (Bill's grandfather) and showed some of his photos. It was very interesting and quite special as Eric's daughter (Thela) was there along with his grandson (Bill) and granddaughter (Jocelyn).

 

Bill had taken off Monday so he and I stayed in the city at the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Sunday night to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.