Sunday just another Sunday

Got to sleep in a little this morning which was nice, Andrew had Bella sorted and breakfasted and let me rest, how sweet is that. Must say that we were all rather tired after Saturday, emotionally drained and exhausted. Bella has a bit of a cold so we weren't sure if we would make it to Richie and Val's BBQ but Bella picked up during the morning so the decision was made that we would go.

Glad we did as we had a lovely time catching up with our mates, and meeting Val's friends from Mauritius what a funny bunch of guys they were, very genuine and down to earth and great to chat with.

Had a few quiet glasses of Bella and just sat and relaxed for the day, chatting and laughing at the boys and their antics. Thrown in with the kids and it was a good day, so good in fact that we didn't get home until 7.15pm. Long long day but loads of fun.

Goodbye to a Beautiful Lady

Today we farewelled Andrew's Nanna Topsy Tenni as she was fondly known as, Rosina Evelyn Tenni. A beautiful lady, nanna to many and great nanna to many more. Bella fondly called her "Old Nanna" and that brings a smile to my face.

Was a lovely service, very touching and very appropriate. The girls did a wonderful job as pallbearers, Andrew and his cousin did the offering and the older grandkids did the responsorial psalm. Andrew's mum and aunty Glenis did the eulogy and it was truly touching, and to hear so many wonderful things was beautiful. There was a slideshow with Unforgettable playing and the photos were wonderful to see, the one with Bella and Grace and Nanna was just beautiful and bought a tear to many an eye.

Anzac Day

Today we remember those that have come before us, fought for us and made us who we are today.

I have said it again this year, but next year we are going to go to the dawn service, I have this need to go you see. This year it was not to be as Andrew had to work, but hopefully next year we will actually get there.

Apart from watching the march on TV this morning, I had a quiet kinda day, did a bit of housework and tidying up and then played with Bella for a while, we did some puzzles and some cutting out, Bella's new thing is cutting out, there are scraps of paper everywhere at the moment, I must say though she is getting very good and extremely accurate.

Tonight we went out for dinner to Joondalup Resort with Andy, Jackie and their boys Leo and Patrick, the kids were very well behaved and made the most of the desert buffet, chocolate overload anybody. Seems funny going to an all you can eat buffet when you can't really eat very much at all :)

Tomorrow we have Nanna's funeral at 10am, have the tissues packed, clothes are ready. At the moment I feel strong but know that tomorrow will be hard day, especially for Andrew and his sisters. Bella knows that Nanna is in heaven and that she is with Steve Irwin and that they are smiling down at us.

The Anzac Biscuit
Previously known as an Anzac wafer or Anzac tile, the Anzac
biscuit we know and love today is a far cry from what the Anzacs
ate ninety years ago. The Anzac biscuit was originally intended as a
bread substitute for soldiers fighting inhospitable conditions. The
biscuit was made to have a long shelf life, meaning it was
notoriously hard; in fact they often adopted the affectionate
nickname of ‘bullet-proof’ biscuits!
Andrew Robb’s favourite Anzac biscuits are still his mother’s
(Marie) recipe.

1 cup of traditional rolled oats 125 grams of butter
1 cup sifted plain flour 1 tablespoon of golden syrup
1 cup castor sugar 2 tablespoons of boiling water
3/4 cup of desiccated coconut 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda
Directions:
Combine a cup of traditional rolled oats, a cup of sifted
flour, a cup of castor sugar and 3/4 cup of desiccated
coconut in a bowl.
Heat 125 grams of butter and a tablespoon of golden syrup
over a low heat until butter is melted.
Mix 2 tablespoons of boiling water with a teaspoon of
bicarb soda and add to the butter mixture.
Stir into the dry ingredients.
Form the mixture into balls on a greased oven tray.
Press balls flat and bake in a slow oven (150°) for twenty
minutes or until golden brown.
Loosen biscuits while still warm. Allow to cool on tray.

Poppies
Red poppies were the first signs of life in the fields of northern
France and Belgium after World War I. Arising from the blood

drenched ground bright red poppies were growing where four

years of war led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers,
including 45,000 Australians. The poppy came to symbolise their
blood. The poppy is also the symbol of regeneration, of new life, of
hope for the future.
Since 1921 wearing a poppy has enabled Australians to
show they have not forgotten the more than
102,000 Australian servicemen and women who
have given their lives in wars and conflicts during
the past 100 years.

ROSEMARY
The Ancient Greeks believed rosemary made their memories
stronger. This idea has been carried on today when people wear
sprigs of rosemary as a symbol of remembrance for those who have
died in wars.

Great Weather for Ducks

Another wet and miserable day here today, well in between the beautiful rays of sunlight it was. So Bella and I decided to do what all good people do in weather like this, head to Brighton and feed the ducks. Bella had a ball and the ducks were mightily impressed too. So we stayed until it started to pour again and then we had a race back to the car, headed to Coles to pick up a few things and by this time it had stopped again, which was good so didn't have to run back to the car with groceries again.

Bella had been going a little stir crazy being cooped up at home with me, so tomorrow we are off to Go Banannas or Bannanas in Pyjamas as she likes to call it, with her friend Jed so they can have a bit of a run around, she has swimming lessons in the afternoon so should be tired tomorrow night :)

Saturday 19th April - My 40th Birthday Party

YIPEE It's here at last have been waiting all week for today to arrive, very excited to be able to celebrate with all my wonderful friends. This morning I did another clean of the house, and am sure on Sunday will wonder why did I bother to wash the floors like I always do everytime we have visitors at least I got all that done on Friday.

Fiddle Faddled all morning really putting stuff away, taking phone calls, my friend Helen dropped around to see if I needed a hand with anything, which was really lovely of her, we had a coffee and a chat as we do. Bella had a Birthday party for her friend Mia at 12pm so we had a nice shower together and washed our hair and got ready for the party, I dropped her at this one, the first ever drop and run for a birthday party (I was a little bit nervous that she would not cope but that was silly) she was fine and why wouldn't she be surrounded by her friends, party food and a princess jumping castle. While she was there I went and got a few things at the shops and the rolls from the bakery, had some lunch and a bit of a chill out in front of the tv. Picked her up from the party at 3pm and headed around to Stacey's so she could straighten my hair for me, she did an awesome job once again of my curly mop. Have a mild panic that it really is cold and everyone will be too cold, Andrew says don't worry they will just have to drink more.

Fast forward to 5.30pm mum and dad arrive with loads of food and we have a bit of a photo session and then my friends started to arrive. I have been told on good authority that Bella was greeting people at the door and asking where their present was haha!! That's my girl, never the shy one at all.

I had an absolute ball, I think back to 9 years ago when I first moved over here and I had no friends and now here I am surrounded by my nearest and dearest.

We had so much food it was great, thank goodness for slow cookers we had lots of great dishes and everyone really enjoyed all the food.

There was a bit of dancing going on in the lounge well into the night, the frozen Magherita's and Pina Colada's made an appearance together with ample amounts of Sambucca, heard there were a few sore heads on Sunday morning.

Check out the food!!!

Must add in here that Bella decided that it would be a great night for a sleep over at Nanny and Poppy's and was very quick to pack her bag when they were leaving, what a girl hey!!!

My night

finished around 2.30am when the last of my guests left and we headed off to bed, only to be woken by the mobile going off 10 mins later, sadly it was a message from Andrew’s sister to let us know that his Nanna had passed away at about 1.30am. As sad as it was to hear this news we were happy to know that she was no longer in any pain and was at last at peace.

Matchbox 20

Oh my god how fantastic were Matchbox 20 on Tuesday night, would like to thank them for having a concert in my honour for my birthday :). Andrew and I caught the train to Burswood which was good, have to say that this time they had traffic guards when you got off the train so you could actually cross the road, a big thumbs up for that one. We caught up with Rich and Val where the food was, whats with the no alcohol thing outside was looking forward to a quiet drink or two to celebrate. Anyway we went inside and saw the whole of Thirsty Mercs set my goodness they were really good, have not seen them before and was pleasantly surprised!!!

Matchbox 20 came on next and from the first song until the last 2 hours later we were thoroughly entertained. Had excellent seats just behind the VIP and with a walkway in the front, unobstructed view and room to dance what else could you ask for. Throw in a few jokes about the Dome itself and the whole crowd was in hysterics, I really do wonder what would happen if 12,000 people all sucked in their breath at once.

HIP HIP HOORAY ITS MY 40TH BIRTHDAY TODAY

Contrary to popular belief (that being Andrew) I don't think I turned into an old hag overnight, what do you think? Not too bad for a 40 year old hey :)

Start to the Week

Today Bella had to go and have her modelling photos redone as there was a problem with the storage card and they lost all the photos from yesterday, kind of good as she actually looked even cuter today (if that is possible :) than she did yesterday.

Went to Kmart and bought a small baby doll for the doll house conned again wasn't I.

Stopped into mum and dads and worked out the food for Saturday "my party" which should be good, then stopped in at Helens to get the passport application signed as we need it for tomorrow's appointment.

At the moment have just gotten off the phone with the debt collection agency and we are going to take MA Hills to court for his non payment of bill. The despicable piece of crap that he is, makes me sick to think that he has been to our home. Oh well he will get his.

Tonight off to a Wyndham thing so that should be interesting.

Tomorrow is my 40th Birthday yippee for me :)

Birthday Collage

Hope this works

Super Sunday

Managed to get a bit of a sleep in this morning and was woken by Bella telling me to get up cause daddy had made breakfast, so she took me by the hand made me close my eyes and led me to the kitchen where indeed daddy had made a lovely breakfast of pancakes and coffee for mummy :). What a super duper daddy to do that for us this morning.

Bella had her photoshoot for modelling today, she was an excellent girl and loved having her hair and makeup done, nothing like posing for the camera.

This afternoon we had a quiet one and then at 3pm was time for Jesse's 2nd birthday party but just before I left had a call from modelling saying that Bella's pictures hadn't come out, crap so tomorrow I have to dress her up again, she will love it no doubt.

Had a short stay at Jesse's party looks like he loved his present, and was good to catchup with everyone again, but Andrew has a lot of work to do so we didn't stay long. I have to stop in there tomorrow for Bella to pick up her piece of birthday cake.

That's it for now

Saturday Saturday!!!

Took Bella to dancing this morning then went and bought a birthday present for Jesse at Kmart and decided to grab a couple of coffees to go, so went and dropped in on Andrew at the workshop, gave him a lovely surprise and a much needed boost. He is working incredibly hard at the moment, long hours and all the rest.

Picked Bella up at dancing, organised for her photo shoot tomorrow and then went to Ocean Keys to find a book, which wasn't there unfortunately, I am hooked, hooked I say on the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, really loving them. So will have to wait or borrow the next ones from the library next week hopefully. Stopped at Coles bought some cheap rump steak, great timing for my birthday party and then went to Liquor Land and bought 8 bottles of Red for said party. So have had fun spending a bit of money today :)

This is a picture of Australia as drawn on the little etch a sketch Bella has, she has done a wonderful job don't you think.

Andrew has arrived home from work its 3pm and I am going to go and spend a bit of time with him, hoping to take Bella and Ruby Lou for a walk soon.

New Hair Cut

This is a picture of me this morning. Looking slightly daggy here, then again there is something about posing for yourself in front of a web cam that makes you look very dorky indeed.









This is me this afternoon, loving the colour, the length and the style


















.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK??

I love it and think Stacey is just the bestest hairdresser ever

Last Day Term 1

Yes can you believe it, I can't where did the last 11 weeks go. Bella was eager to get get to school this morning, think it has something to do with seeing Ryan and her new friend Dion from Mr Bushby's class (or Mrs Bushby as Bella says). Lucky I checked the school program cause after getting her all dressed and ready in her warm uniform (just ironed) I discovered that it was a MUFTI day today and she didn't have to go in uniform. So we took a while and decided on jeans and her nice shirt, lucky we did cause there was only 1 other little girl in her uniform, knowing Bella she would have been really upset.

She is practicing her alphabet and her brain box work is going really well, we go through it everynight now, she is loving me reading to her and has really been reading her teddies a story at night too.

I have been a little worried that she is going to fall way behind by having 6 weeks off school, but I am sure with a bit of work from me and Andrew on our trip she should be alright. I am hoping that her friends won't forget her and she won't be left out on her return, I am thinking that she could send her teacher some emails while we are away with pictures of where she is and what she has been doing.

Well I have had a busy morning tidying the house and have just returned from the grocery shopping, had to buy a few bits and pieces for the boys for work, below is a copy of the list they sent me, cracked me up.

• Bin bags
• Toilet cleaner
• Gatorade
• Small tin of milo
• Fly spray
• Vegemite
• Plasma tv
• 8 seater spa
• Soft serve ice cream machine
• A limo for each of us
• Office

I am thinking that my apprentices are a tad to cheeky sometimes, okay so I did indulge and buy them a big tin of Milo :rofl:

We have had a big week this week, and have lots of orders on the go, this is very good to hear as the start of the year was a little quiet, but seems the quiet time is now well and truly over.

So this afternoon entails me heading off in a minute to Stacey's for a haircut, colour and a bit of straightening, then to pick Bella up from school, go and have my passport photo taken with my fab new hairdo, and get Bella a pair of shoes for going out, as she only has summer ones that fit anymore.

Tonight will probably be a quiet one, Andrew will no doubt be doing some design work sitting at the dining room watching the tv in between, and me well who knows probably asleep on the lounge :)

OW my head hurts, went to bed with a headache and its still here, nurofen are only just taking the edge of it. Maybe I should go and have a nanna nap before Bella finishes school this afternoon. I have so much to do though and am waiting for the boys to email me their timesheets for the week, so I can pay them. Have organised mum and dad to take Bella for swimming lessons this afternoon, they still love taking her and do so every couple of weeks. She is a real little fish and at the moment is a "dolphin, not far off becoming a "shark" but she doesn't want to because dolphins are nicer. I can't believe tomorrow is the end of the first school term, its crazy how quickly the days are going, Bella's favourite person at school is Ryan and they are pretty inseperable, I have heard they have had a kiss or two oops!!! Andrew is off to pick up a new car, lucky we have cousin Tony the Holden Dealer to take care of our car needs, he is bring up a car from Harvey for Andrew to "try out" and will worry about finance later, that's my kind of shopping . Andrew's old car will now be Andy's company car, not that its old but its just worked out that way. One thing I love about being part of a "big" family is there is always a cousin that does something handy or has another cousin that can help out, makes me laugh coming from such a small family myself. Everyone knows a relative or distant relative, you get comments all the time do you know _ _ _ Macri, hillarious geez they could never say that about the Treloggens. So I have tried to ring the FS a few times and its constantly engaged, and now I got through and they can't see anyone until July, that's no bloody good as I am away until September I've just been checking out boozle.com.au to find some specials for my birthday party, Boozle is the brain child of our apprentice Brett's best mate, and is definitely very handy when looking for specials. About Boozle Boozle.com.au searches 1000's of liquor stores in Australia to find you your favourite booze at the cheapest price, and at your closest outlets. Boozle.com.au searches Beer, Spirits and Pre Mixed but as yet does not include wine. Users can search for drinks by type, brand and size, then simply select a suburb and Boozle will produce a list of prices from least expensive to most expensive. Boozle.com.au is a free service for both the consumer and the retailer. Our goals are simple, to ensure alcohol consumers always get the best price available, and to ensure retailers are rewarded for providing the lowest prices.

Welcome to my blog

Well it had to happen one day didn't it!!!

Well I suppose it's about time that I actually write something I have been thinking about it for way too many days now, yep that's the usual procrastination coming out in me. I do it with stuff around the home, with things for work all the time. So here's to no more and actually doing something haha!!

Am feeling better after my incidence of slap cheek, am happy that my face and body is no longer bright red and burning, kept getting asked if I was sunburnt or if I had been running
Am glad that I followed it up with the doctor and had the blood tests to check.

Also glad that I had tonnes of blood taken last week and have been tested for lots of things, my thyroid is playing up again, alas its my fault because I can't remember to take my tablets, I should know better by now. The only thing that is not good is my hormone levels, but I know that already also. Have a referral for another FS as I want another opinion on whether there is anything I can do, or if they are prepared to work with me. Procrastinating on this one as I swing from desperately wanting to do it to not really wanting it anymore. I know deep down I still have a deep desire but then I think of where I am now and whether I really want to go through with it all. And once again it goes round and round and round in my head.

What else am waiting for our travel agent to get back from holidays, seems she is always away , so then I can book and pay for our big trip, the 2nd July is not that far away now. I need a new passport but am going to get the photos done on Friday, as I am getting my friend to cut my hair, so I want a nice picture and not my everyday hair pulled back look, I want to look great

Well have been on the phone and booked passport interview for next week, 10.15 on Tuesday yay!!!

Our trip is a big one and we will be gone for 8 weeks, its scary, a bit daunting and hellish exciting all in one.

Andy started working for us this week.

Oh well that is about it for now I better go and clean up the house a bit, do some actual work.

Next time I will write a bit more about our holidays.

Can't wait for school holidays next week, will be fun to have a bit more time with Bella.