Friday, September 30, 2011

Gold Coast 2011 - Day Two

We have had an extremely long day travelling and am pooped  but it was great. We were picked up at the motel by taxi just after 8am and at the airport within a few minutes. After checking in and sorting Lucy's wheelchair we headed upstairs where Mum, Dad and Rob were waiting for us. It wasn't too long before we boarded the plane and I was ecstatic to NOT be feeling nauseous. Staying near the airport was worth every penny. As Lucy has a disability we were near the front of the plane and allowed to use the toilets in business class which was great!! No trekking to the back of the plane and queuing for ages.



Early on in the flight we discovered a very unwell man on the plane and it was in his best interests to get off the plane so we had to divert to Adelaide which added some extra time to our day. This caused us to miss our connection to Cooloongatta from Sydney but luckily there was another flight so we were on our way soon after.
We finally arrived at our hotel at 9.20pm and the first thing I did was go out on the balcony and breathe in the wonderful sights and sounds of Surfers Paradise. It was like going home to the most wonderful place, the views are just amazing. We had a quick bite to eat and now it's time to hit the sack for I am sure tomorrow we will have some mega fun to deal with.




Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gold Coast Day 1

Well not quite the GC just yet but today we set off on our journey. As I am a very poor traveller and we would have had to be up very early in the morning we decided to stay the night at a motel close to the airport. Matt finished school at lunchtime and once ready we headed off. Along with all our luggage and Lucy's wheelchair we travelled by train to the city and then caught a connecting bus to our motel. I was very surprised as to how easy it was and am so glad we did it this way.
We are staying at the Comfort Hostel in Belmont which to say the least is very basic - not even a window to look out of !!!! Oh well, it is serving a purpose.


We had tea at the Hungry Jacks across the road and am now settling down for the evening. We have played cards and are just hanging out  before catching an early bedtime. We will be up early, have breakfast and then be on our way. I cannot wait to see the Gold Coast!!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Is my holiday here yet?

This is what I have been asking myself every day for the past month or so. We are heading to the Gold Coast at the end of the month and I seriously

 CAN NOT WAIT.....

I am sooo ready for a break and change of scenery. My hotel awaits!!!



Oh the sunshine, sea, shopping, eating and the theme parks. I am counting the days.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11 - 10 Years on

I think just about every adult and even some children can recall where they were when the awful events of New York city unfolded. 




I was a thirty something mum with three young kids so I had headed off to bed early (it was nightime here in Australia) the next morning I woke up and could hear James watching the news and I heard a plane had flown into a building in New York. My first reaction was how awful but thought it was a small two seater plane or something that has lost control. Boy was I wrong!!!!
As I came into the family room I couldn't believe what I was seeing on the TV screen. Jess was nearly 11 years of age and home from school sick that day- we just sat and watched all day in utter disbelief.




I know lots of Aussies had still been awake the night before and saw it as breaking news and they said they just sat up all night watching everything unfold.



No - one could believe what they were seeing. How could this happen to a country like the U.S.? Could this happen to us here in Australia?

The pain of loved ones soon became apparent as they searched for family and friends. The heroics of the fire department and other emergency agencies just absorbed us. The looks of victims faces said it all......... How could this be?????



10 years on, those families remember their loved ones and are probably still in disbelief. I hope they know that the world is with them and praying that their grief will never have to be felt by any other human being on this planet at the hands of terrorists.

The world got changed forever, but America and it's allies will never give up and are stronger than ever.



Thanks to god my children get to live in a safe place with democracy.  

Friday, September 9, 2011

Picnik Fun



I have been having so much fun with Picnik lately. If you haven't tried it you really must. It helps to make an OK photo great. There are lots of editing, cropping, framing and effects options to choose from.



So far I have only used the free version but am seriously thinking about paying for the upgrade. 



This picture was taken on the weekend. Mikey turned 20 on Sunday- yes 9/11 is his birthday.....
Both him and Jess have been unwell this past week. They were hoping to have a party for Mikey but it wasn't to be this year.

Anyway he got to spend the day with his family and they called by us late in the afternoon.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Father's Day 2011

We had the most lovely father's day. It was quiet but just what we needed. It started out with us cooking a full breakfast for James and present opening.



Last year when James and Jess were holidaying in Melbourne they visited the zoo and James managed to get this great photo of a tree kangaroo with her baby in her pouch. I decided it would be a great picture for our home and so had it put onto a canvas for father's day.



We just hung around home for the day doing bits and bobs and I managed a small amount of time in my sewing room tracing a pattern for a top.


As we are off on holidays at the end of the month we decided not to go out for dinner on this father's day.

Lucy had fun just jumping in the garden while the sun shined. The hint of spring is upon us and the days feel a little warmer. I think I need to get some sun on my body before we head off on holidays as my skin is so white after winter. I don't want to blind all the Queenslanders with my white as white skin- ha !!!


I love this  photo of my sweetie.


 Jess  and Mikey came over for dinner and we enjoyed KFC and  a lovely glass or two of wine together. It was so nice us all being together and having fun.  They gave James some money for him to purchase his favourite thing - some DVD's.

I hope everyone else had a great Father's Day !!