Bridget's profileThe Diary of Miss JPhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
|
November 26 The one taking things easy With not many working hours this week, I have been spending a lot more time reading than anything else.
Yesterday, I finished reading the Nicholas Sparks book that I had only started last week and so I feel as though I am on a roll with my reading.
Having read the last page of the book yesterday afternoon, last night, I started reading the latest Dan Brown novel, THE LOST SYMBOL and I have been lucky enough not to have heard anything about this book so I am getting involved in a storyline that I know absolutely nothing about.
It is a big departure from reading a romance novel to a fast paced action novel but it is good, as it gives me variety.
Having grown sick of reading similar storylines in the RED DRESS INK books, I have settled on reading the books I bought for summer and I am thinking that the next book I will get my mind into is EAT PRAY LOVE and then finish with the new Daniel Silva book THE DEFECTOR.
Like Dan Brown, Daniel Silva writes fast paced novels and so I don't really want to go from one fast paced novel to the next so I think the biography would be good as it would break up the flow.
Once I get to the end of the Daniel Silva novel, I have no idea what to read next but I have been thinking of checking out some Library books. With the opening of the new city Library coming in December, I am so looking forward to the new chapter of borrow books from this new Library and using the facilities on offer.
Apart from reading, nothing too exciting has been happening as I have been trying to keep low to stay cool while waiting for Friday to roll around.
With summer less than a week away, today has been a very humid day with the temperature in the low 20s but with scattered showers.
As it is, tomorrow, I have some of the day planned already including lunch with Belinda. We haven't caught up since last week and so it is going to be nice to see a friendly face over lunch and also have a look in the shops.
We are meeting at The OK Pie Shop and then maybe do a spot of shopping (or in my case browsing) before Belinda has to pick up Mitchell and Abby from school.
I am looking forward to having a relaxing day and hoping that the rain stays off ...
With summer nearly here, school holidays isn't far off either. Belinda said they start on December 11th. Once the holidays are here I doubt I will be seeing much of Belinda and so the weeks are slowly coming to an end where we catch up weekly.
Being out tomorrow will give me an excuse too to look around for a Christmas present for Geoff ... and maybe look for something for the wishing trees at either Target or K-Mart like I have done for the past few years. I think I will leave the buying until later in December though.
So, it has been a good week where I have taken things easy inbetween waking up and going to work ...
Bridget J November 23 The one organising Christmas
Although summer is about a week away, I have started reading my summer selection of books I have put aside for the warm weather.
I finished reading the book YOU HAVE TO KISS A LOT OF FROGS and I have started to read the new Nicholas Sparks novel, THE LAST SONG (which has been made into a movie and is due out next year).
I only started reading the book on Friday and so I haven't gotten very far into the book but I should have it read in no time as I have a lot of time free this week.
Apart from reading, Christmas is slowly creeping up and I only organised the Kris Kringles on Friday.
I thought that I should get them out of the way so everyone knows who to buy for this year. I only got around to doing it because on Thursday when my parents came home from being out in the afternoon, my father announced that "I have made a declaration and we are going to have Christmas lunch at one of the hotels because it is not fair on your mother to do the cooking on a really hot day and we don't have the room in the house for everyone".
All I could think was "fair enough" but I wasn't hopeful that he would get a reservation at this time of the year for any of the hotels as I was sure they would of been booked out months in advance.
As things would go, I spent Friday morning phoning the local hotels and seeing if they were going to be open for Christmas Day. Everyone I phoned were going to be closed - and I phoned all the one's that were in town apart from three. As I had no luck what-so-ever, I phoned my father at work and told him and I said about phoning the motels and only one had Christmas lunch and they were booked out. He also suggested two hotels out of the town and so I called and one was totally booked out and the other was closed.
I also phoned a restaurant who had advertised for Christmas and I picked up their menu on Saturday and I knew straight away that they were out of the running as my parents would never pay over $50-00 a head to eat out.
On Saturday, my father called one of the hotels he didn't want me to call and found out they had openings but it was quickly crossed off the list as being to expensive at $50-00 a head and so it was decided that my mother would cook and we would have the meal at my sister's (Annette) place instead.
On Saturday my mother was saying about getting a marquee in the backyard but for some unknown reason this was crossed off the list too.
I suggested not to have the marquee and just set up the table outside under the trees near the car port but my mother knocked that idea on the head as she said you wouldn't know what the weather would be like on the day.
We have a back verandah all filled in but it is impossible to sit there because it is filled with boxes from when Katarina moved from a shared flat to her boyfriend's place.
It is more like a storage area than anything else.
I was thinking of suggesting going to the Lakes area but my mother is instant on a proper Christmas lunch with roast meat and hot vegetables as I suggested having a barbeque or having cold meats and that is when she said "I want hot vegetables" ...
So, Christmas is going to be looking like this if nothing changes. My mother is cooking the meat, my sister is doing the vegetables and also the dessert ... end of story ...
As for the Christmas tree. I don't know if I want to put it up or not. I just find it a waste of time if we are not having Christmas home and the only presents to go under it is the Kris Kringle gifts and I am sure that my parents will leave everything to the very last minute like they always do - and buy the night before.
At least I know this year I won't be getting another towel set as I said to Annette that Geoff has to buy for me and I suggested either the new Bon Jovi cd or the Harry Potter movie. If I didn't make a suggestion I don't know what they would of ended up buying me.
I wished I didn't suggest these ideas as I was going to buy the new Harry Potter movie on the weekend as it is going cheap at under $25-00 and the same with the Bon Jovi cd.
As for who I am buying for, I got Geoff and I am thinking what can I get him. I am not going overboard but I want to get him something decent. Knowing he is a AC/DC fan I have been playing with the idea of buying him something along that lines but it will depend on the prices. I also phoned Annette to see what he wants or needs and she said she will get back to me with some ideas.
With the success of Kris Kringle last year, it seems to be here to stay - and Katarina has even introduced it to Mick's family as they have a lot of people to buy for too - and mainly adults too.
I can understand buying for kids but it is a different story when adults are involved.
I am actually looking forward to Christmas only because I know I will have two days in a row off from work - which very rarely happens.
The days will be spent at home but at least I get to unwind over those days without thinking of work.
Last week I had Thursday and Friday off work and I went to the movies on Friday and saw NEW MOON. Katarina bought two tickets on Thursday and we were both going to go but at the very last minute Katarina pulled out because Mick (her boyfriend) called saying that they had problems with a loan application and for her to get the required paper work fixed - as he was at work and he couldn't do it.
So, Katarina got her money back and I went to the movies alone ...
As for Thursday, I had the afternoon out where I had lunch with Belinda and had a five minute catch-up session with Tracey. I thought that I would make it Jesters in time but Tracey was nearly finished there as she arrived early and so did her cousin. Lucky I wasn't going to eat as I had just finished breakfast and was dropped at the plaza just after 10:00 ...
As for this week, I am seeing Belinda on Friday but the rest of the days, I have Wednesday free and the other two days are work days and so I will be using Wednesday to get things done that need done. I just hope that it is not going to be a really hot week when I have to be out ...
Enjoy your days
Bridget J November 17 The one thinking: "remodelling" This week has been so much better than last week - and the other good news is that the summer heat wave has come to an end - for now.
With the Vertigo episode from last week feeling like a long time ago, I am still (a bit) on edge when it comes to going to bed at night and wondering if it will come back that night or the next morning.
I was fine when I was sitting up or on my feet but the moment I laid down all the problems came to haunt me so on most nights, I really didn't want to sleep or even have a rest in the afternoon if it meant laying down for any period of time.
It is only this past weekend that I have gotten back to normal but I had my script filled "just in case" and with fingers crossed I hope not to open the new box of tablets any time soon.
With the fact I was feeling so fine on Sunday - and with the day off, I ended up going to the movies, where I saw 2012 ...
With the movie being over 2 1/2 hours long, I had very high expectations on how fast paced and action plus this movie was going to be but unfortunately I found the whole storyline drawn out. Did anyone feel the same about this movie? If I had to compare it to THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, I would say that THE DAY AFTER ... was a lot better movie.
Apart from 2012, I still want to see THE TIME TRAVELLER'S WIFE but it is moving further and further down my list of must see movies.
This week also sees the release of NEW MOON and I am thinking of seeing it on Friday afternoon.
My toss up was between Thursday and Friday and Thursday seems to be taken up with playing bff for the day with coffee with Tracey in the morning and then an afternoon of shopping or browsing with Belinda ...
I am looking forward to the day out as I didn't see anyone last week and I am long overdue for some catch up time with friends - and checking out what is in the stores ...
Some things I do know that are out (and that I want) include the new Bon Jovi cd (The Circle) and their book (When We Were Beautiful) along with season five of GREY'S ANATOMY ...
Why is it that everything that I want is released all at the same time? I wait forever and then everyone releases something about the same time.
I have to admit I haven't heard the Bon Jovi cd let alone the single but still want it ... I don't know about the book though. I really don't go for biographies on the band but the pictorial book that is available looks really good - and would make a good Christmas present - along with the cd - so maybe I might hold off and let someone buy me something Bon Jovi for Christmas - if I can wait that long ...
I am also pleased with the fact that I wound up reading the final pages of the Red Dress Ink book YOU HAVE TO KISS A LOT OF FROGS ... Having been on a diet of nothing but 30 something rom-com novels over this past season, I am going to ditch my plan to wind up the month with another Red Dress Ink book and turn my attention to the books I bought for summer.
Starting as soon as I pick up the next book, I will be reading Nicholas Sparks's new one (The Last Song). I was actually tossing up between Nicholas's book and Dan Brown's and I have settled on Nicholas's book ... Sure his books have romance and tragedy entwined but they are nothing like what I have been reading over this spring ...
With the past week being in the high 30s, you would swear that it has been summer but finally the change arrived and the temperatures dropped to a very pleasant 21C ... with no idea what today was ... I even had to pull down my bedroom window for the first time last night after a week of having it open to allow for some air to come in and circulate ... Unlike everyone I seem to know, I don't have one drop of air-con in the house and living in a limestone built house, the heat remains long after the sun has disappeared ... I have seriously thought about adding a fan to my bedroom to allow circulation on hot days but looking at the state of my bedroom walls and roof, a major paint job is needed - along with a lot more work and I was thinking if I was to get a fan, I might as well get the whole bedroom remodelled while I am at it - and so my plan for a simple ceiling fan has escalated to a major remodelling job - that is much overdue ... like the rest of the house - but that is not my problem ...
I am thinking if I have to pay for this remodelling, it won't see daylight until next year - maybe six months in the making going by the way I handle everything ... but I want it done ... including new carpet so if I want it to happen I need to get serious ...
There isn't a lot that I really want but this is one that needs doing but I only wished I didn't have to pay for it ... but who knows what could happen between now and then - as a little birdy told me a secret but it is up to the man of the house on what gets done and what doesn't get done - well in this house anyway ...
Back to the present - as the future looks too far away ...
By spending a lot more time at home this week, I have been spending a lot more time online - in fact, I would say that my life doesn't get too exciting once I get home as I either watch some tv or be online - with majority spent online ...
I have been browsing over youtube clips and yesterday afternoon, I decided to see if any of my favourite ads had made to the internet - or ads that I remember because of their popularity ...
I can understand how people can become addictive to this site if you have a very active memory that makes you wonder if this or that clip is available to be viewed.
It began very innocently when I was watching a documentary on McDonalds and got thinking about their advert that featured the James Dean look-a-like ...
I found that one along with the Shell ad featuring a Steve McQueen look-a-like ...
and found some old Levi ads (including the one featuring Julian McMahon) ...
It reminded me of watching the WORLD'S GREATEST COMMERCIALS when it use to be on tv ... I loved watching commercials from overseas - especially the ones that are humourous ... and not forgetting the send-ups by FAST FORWARD (and yes, you can find them on youtube too) ...
Now why don't they have shows like that on tv anymore?
So, as you can see, my week hasn't been too bad - between being ill, working, reading and downloading youtube clips ...
Bridget J November 12 The one that is nothing like Grey's AnatomyThis week hasn't been the greatest for me. On Monday night, I ended up at the hospital thinking that I had heat stroke, but instead I had been diagnosed with Vertigo. I finished work earlier than planned on Monday as I said that I wasn't feeling great and if possible could I finish work earlier - so I swapped with Joy. All Monday, I felt slightly dizzy but it escalated when I went to bed and laid down. I was fine laying flat on my back but when I went to my side, I felt so out of balance that I felt like toppling over onto my back. I had been thinking of phoning for an ambulance for the day but of course I thought that it was all caused from the heat and keep drinking plenty of water for the day as well as stayed inside all day but once night fell and it was starting to affect my sleep, I knew I had to do something. I had a headache on Sunday and slept for about four hours in the afternoon and after that I was fine - until about 8:30, Monday morning when it was time to head out for the day. Around 11:00, an ambulance was called and when they arrrived, I was checked over for blood pressure and after talking it sounded as though I had an inner ear infection. I was told that I could either put up with it for the night and see a Doctor in the morning or go with them to the hospital. I decided on the hospital as I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. When I arrived at the hospital, I was taken straight to triage and signed in. Already in the waiting area was one person and when I sat down in the same area, I spoke to him and I found out he had been waiting for about 15 minutes. To me this wasn't too bad. As I took my seat, another couple walked in and so it was a rather quiet night in the triage waiting room. I had no idea how long I had been waiting to be seen to but I managed to get through the doors. I was told to take a seat in one of the four curtained off suites and this is when it became a waiting game. A Nurse can in and took details and left, saying "a Doctor will see you shortly". I waited and waited and eventually a Doctor did see me. He spoke to me, examined me and came to the conclusion that I had Vertigo. The whole time I was being treated, I had no idea who was treating me and it got to me. Eventually, I asked the Doctor his name. As for stopping the dizziness, I was told that I could either have a needle or have a tablet. I said, "I don't like needles" and so he opted for the tablets. Eventually the tablet was brought to me and I took it and then I was left alone for what felt like for ever. The Nurse left me after taking the tablet and I assumed that he would be back almost straight away but this was not the case. Infact, it was the story of the night, of staff coming in to see me for five minutes and then walking out without letting me know when they would be back. You would think they would say, "I'll be back in 15 minutes" or whatever, but of course this never happened and so I was sitting in the closed off suite wondering when will someone would return and explain what was going on. I wasn't even given details on how the drug was suppose to work or how long it would take. Finally, the Doctor returned and he asked about the effects I was having and I said I still felt dizzy and light headed and he suggested to try to the drip as the tablet didn't seem to be working. I wasn't too happy in having a needle embedded but if it was necessary I wasn't going to turn it down - this time. As I was laying down on the bed, I turned my head away as he prepared my arm for the stint and I was waiting for what seemed like for ever for the prick to be felt. Finally it went in and another Nurse came in and completed the set up of having the bag running into my arm. The most annoying thing for the whole time being there was that I seemed to be in a desperate need to piddle every half an hour or a bit more. With so many runs to the bathroom while I was there, the Nurse who seemed to be incharge asked me to give a urine sample so he could have it checked out. I was happy to be told that there was nothing wrong. I put it down to the fact that I had been drinking all day and that I was way past my bed time and the fact that I wasn't the warmest person in the room didn't help either. With the hot weather, I went up to the hospital in 3/4 pants, shirt and sand shoes and slowly as the night progressed and the air conditioner was running the temperature dropped. As I laid down and allowed the drip to work, I could only close my eyes and try to relax. It was absolutely impossible to fall asleep as the noise level was endless. If it wasn't staff chatting, it was people walking around or it was house keeping being busy. Finally, by 4:00am, I was checked over and I told the Nurse that I was feeling fine and so he got the Doctor who said that it was okay to leave - if I wanted to. I could either spend the night or go home and I decided on going home as I knew that I would get sleep at home. When I left by ambulance, I my mother said to call her when I am ready to come home and so around 4:00, I phoned. Prior to leaving I was given medication and was told to see my Doctor within the week and that was it. I ended up making an appointment with a Duty Doctor at my clinic for Tuesday afternoon and I was given a little bit more information about Vertigo and a script for more medication if I needed it and I filled the script yesterday afternoon after having a bad experience when I woke up in the morning. I even called the ambulance once again around 7:00am and they came around but said to me that the hospital won't be able to do anything for me and it would be best to stay home and just relax. It seems as though the worse experience I get is when I wake up. I was so dizzy when I woke up yesterday morning that I couldn't read the clock and when I walked from my room to the bathroom I had to hang onto the walls and furniture as I was so out of balance. With all this going on, I called in sick for work and said that I will play everything day by day. This morning was the best morning I had so far since Monday morning. I was slightly dizzy when I woke up but I had no problem getting out of bed and I wasn't feeling nausea unlike yesterday. I was happy about this as it meant that I could go to work instead of having another day off. I was a bit unsteady on occasions through out the day but I was fine apart from that. I had hoped that I would be back at work sometime this week and so I was happy that I got this far so quickly as I honestly thought I would be off for the week. My big test is on Saturday night when I have my nightfill job with a lot more movement involved. I am sure if I take it easy, I should haven't have any problems. This afternoon I had to fill the fridge and so it meant moving my head from being down to up and I was fine - no dizzy sensation and this is what I am worried about with the nightfill role with a lot of head movement. With such a good day health wise, I accepted to work another four hour shift for the late afternoon and so things are back to normal ... for the time being. Bridget J November 06 The one not dressing up On Tuesday while out with Belinda, we went looking for ideas for her sister's late Halloween party (happening next Friday night).
As things would go, on Wednesday one of the girls at work asked if we could swap shifts and because of this, I won't be attending.
I was actually humming and harring about going but in a way I was looking forward to going and seeing what I have heard about endlessly.
I spent Tuesday looking around and found nothing but as things would go, I found something ideal for the party yesterday while walking around the shops.
Belinda said I could still pop in after work and have a look at the house as so much effort goes into the annual event but I really wouldn't be up to it.
Belinda has settled on dressing up as a bride (all in black) and bought material for a veil while we were out - so she thinks she has to go for the look.
I was thinking of going gothic. I looked on the internet for ideas and I liked the idea of wearing red - but of course I couldn't find the ideal red dress for the party ...
I still didn't find the ideal red dress but looking on an outdoor stand in front of a shop I saw the ideal dress in black and fuchsia and I thought that would be ideal ... but I am sure it would of been a bit too tight ...
The again maybe I might be in vogue if going by what I saw in the supermarket this week is anything to go by.
When should someone stop dressing in gothic attire?
I saw a woman in her 50s with a red leather knee high boots, black lace tights, very short dress. facial piercings and a lot of dark make-up.
It got me thinking that this is what the current generation will be looking like when they are in their 50s if they don't grow up ...
I actually spoke to the woman as she was taking a seat near me and I commented about her boots as I really liked them (but the rest of the attire, I kept my mouth shut).
It was the boots that I first noticed as they are platformed knee high boots that are really eye catching but I couldn't believe the rest of the outfit as I continued to get a look at the girl who was wearing them. Infact I was quite shocked to see a 50 year old in the clothes.
She said that she got the boots from Adelaide along South Road in a warehouse. I am sure there are a lot of warehouses along that road.
With my roster being available, I have a busy week coming up with work which is really good as it will pay for things I have had to buy because of the unexpected.
I had to get three pillows dry cleaned this week and I was quite shocked to find out that it would cost me $15-00 each per pillow. It is ridiculous paying to get something cleaned that costs the same amount or a bit more to buy new. I had to get them dry cleaned or buy new pillows and I opted for dry cleaning thinking it would be more practical.
Sometime I will be buying season five of Grey's Anatomy that is now in stores. I saw it yesterday as I was heading to morning coffee. Although I didn't see all of season five, I feel as though I have to buy it to go with the other four seasons I have on dvd. I must admit I haven't even watched season four that I have had since last Christmas. Then again, I haven't watched any of the final season of Battlestar Galactica either. Just haven't been in the mood to do so.
In fact I haven't been in the mood for a lot of things - like reading so I am still reading the same book for the past three weeks. This is not me.
With November now here, I have this last month to get to the end of the book and then get stuck into the books I have bought for summer including the new Nicholas Sparks book. I don't know which one to read first.
Belinda said she is really enjoying reading Nora Roberts. She got sick of reading mystery novels and decided on reading romance novels and discovered Nora Roberts. She has read two of her series of books and I found another series that she might like. I haven't bothered with Library books but on the occasion when I go in I have a look at what is available - but don't bother borrowing.
This week my nights have been spent playing music on my ipod and watching some tv. Last night it was about me!
With hot weather expected this weekend I thought it was a wise choice to visit the bathroom and whip out the shaving gel and defluff so I won't look too feral when I pull on 3/4 pants over the weekend. I also had a facial and used the new face mask from Avon that I bought recently. I had ingrowns visible around my nose/mouth region from the waxing on Tuesday and I thought that the mask would be good for it - as I usually get good results from using a mask to reduce pimples. Anyway. I hadn't opened up the bottle before and I got a bit of shock when I squeezed some onto my fingers.
The colour alone was very off putting as it looked like chicken-poop! I got the courage up and applied it and I thought I was going to be in trouble as I started to get a bit of stinging sensation but it calmed down and I applied it to the rest of my face. It said to leave on for 15 minutes and so while I allowed it to dry, I sat in the lounge and watched the remainder of the news. When it was time to take it off, it came off very easily compared to the Mary Kay brand I always use but apart from that I don't know if I will buy it again so at the moment I will be moving between the two brands. I rarely do facials - only when I feel as though I need one.
I have been thinking for ages of getting a professional facial done but I still haven't done it.
What would you know. I just received a call asking if I could work for the day. I knocked back about seven hours of work because of my afternoon appointment. If I didn't have an appointment I would of gone but I really would like the day off - and besides I very rarely knock back any hours. I just would like to have the day off as I don't get a lot of whole days to myself. As it goes, last weekend I picked up additional hours of work and so any day off is appreciated. Of course I feel as though I should say yes and the money would be really good but if you don't look after yourself who would?
So, with the afternoon clicking to lunch time, I will end and enjoy my day away from the computer and I can now relax as I have finally composed an entry for the week.
Bridget J October 30 The one eating somewhere new This afternoon I caught up with Belinda for lunch.
Yesterday a new bakery opened its doors in town and it specialises in Greek baked goods and coffees and of course the Aussie meat pie ...
I phoned Belinda last night to see if she wanted to try this new bakery in town as I said it had just opened its doors and I was thinking of heading to The OK Pie Shop but thought that we could try this place instead.
Having no cultural background in anything Greek when it was my turn to order I went for what looked good and not how to say the name of the product on the shelf.
It is so embarrassing trying to pronounce something and you have no idea how to say the word and sometimes it pays to be the foreign tourist - and do what they do and point at the menu board or at the product ...
This seems to be the general rule working a KFC. When we get people in who have very limited English, they point at the menu board and then you go from there. I just can't believe I can do the same trick in my own country and get the same results ...
Anyway, I have no idea what I bought but one I will not buy again as I found out that it was loaded with ginger. Ginger goes a long way and this is why I am not particularly fond of gingerbread men.
My main meal wasn't hard to order as I asked for a turkey, brie and cranberry baugette ... something I could pronounce with no difficulty.
The bakery has a selection of bagettes and focaccias and of course pies, pasties and sausage rolls and with it being a hot day (30C), I wasn't in the mood for something hot.
They had some focaccias and bagettes made up like an Italian gourmet focaccia but once I found out what was on it, I decided on the bagette.
I must admit I was disappointed and could of gotten a better bagette or focaccia from Sambi Jays but at least I tried the place. The pastries varied in prices from $1-25 up to $8-00 but nothing like you see at the OK Pie Shop. If you wanted to you could pass this new bakery off as being a bit more up market than the usual places around this town.
I think the place would be good for a coffee stop over but not as a place to have lunch.
Sitting at one table, I couldn't help but have a look at what the people next to us ordered and looking at the pie, it didn't look too appetizing and so I was glad I didn't order the pie. It is the thing with buyig a meat pie, you just don't know how good it is until you take the first bite and sometimes they are good and other times, they are the worse thing ever ... Being someone who never eats sausage rolls, even they didn't look good ... instead of being thick and meaty, they were thin and very short in length - and I wouldn't of been satisfied having bought it.
I think the next time Belinda and I will be eating out we will be trying another new bakery/cafe but the one Belinda wants to try is on the highway just outside the northern entrance to the township. I think it has been opened for about a month and I see it every time I head out on Wednesday mornings as we drive past it on the way to the local hospital.
I don't know if we will be having lunch next week as we are catching up on Tuesday morning but things could change.
Over lunch, Belinda told me that she has an invite for me.
Every year on Halloween, her sister Carolyn and her girlfriend, Margaret have a Halloween themed party. I saw Margaret in KFC recently and I asked her about how things were progressing with the party and then the next time I saw her she cordially invited me and now I have an official invite. It is going to be held on Friday the 13th as they are going to be away this weekend and at the time I didn't know what my work commitments were but now it seems as though I might be free for the night.
I have never been to a Halloween event as Halloween isn't a big deal in this country but this party seems to be worth going to and of course you can go in costume which makes it a bit more fun too.
Having heard about this costume party, and Belinda saying how she is thinking of going as an escaped mental patient, I have been doing some soul searching of my own. I don't want to go all out incase work beckons but I don't have anything to really wear in my wardrobe and so prior to going home we had a quick look in the Salvation Army store. I didn't find anything but at least I know not to go back there again ...
Work definitely takes priority over all else and it seems as though Coles is giving all its casual staff on night fill the run around. For some reason we have all been rostered to work only Monday and Saturday nights starting this week - which would of been nice to know before showing up to my shift last night. With this change in rostering, it looks as though I have Friday night free - unless I get a call in from either Coles or KFC ... Working casual, it is best not to knock back a shift as you don't know what the following week will be like ... so I have my fingers crossed that I can have an uneventful Friday the 13th ...
As for this week ahead. I am going to enjoy the next two days - also known as the weekend for some ... I have three hours at Coles tomorrow night and then all day Sunday off before Monday rolls around ...
I haven't had a Saturday afternoon free in ages and so I am looking forward to actually sleeping in tomorrow morning.
I had a bit of lay in this morning and didn't get out of bed until 8:00 but that was only because I didn't need to be out the door until 11:00.
I actually wore my new pair of sandals for the first time today and the buckle on the left sandal had to break - so it looks as though I need to get it fixed ... I don't have the receipt anymore so I can't take them back and get another pair - which really sucks ... The sandals are not too bad but I wouldn't be able to wear them everyday ...
With today being 30C I had the opportunity to get out my summer clothes for a change which was good and also pull out the sunscreen ...
Unfortunately the hot weather is leaving us all too soon as tonight grey skies rolled in and tomorrow we are looking at 22C ...
At least I have a feeling of what to expect over summer ...
Bridget J The one in the candy store
What a relaxing week it has been ... I spent the start of the week home and then Wednesday afternoon with such a nice day upon this town, I suggested that we head down to the beach town of Port MacDonnell for a look-see but ended up going to Penola instead. By the time I was picked up from work, it was about 3:00 and I thought that we could drive down to the beach and have a look around since I had no work planned for the night, but the moment I was changed and seated in the car, I changed the destination to Penola as I thought that the drive would be about the same distance and I really wanted to have a look in some of their shops and especially go to their lolly shop TOFFEE AND TREATS. I thought that by the time we got there we would of had enough time to look around but in all honesty we only browsed in one shop as well as go to the lolly shop. I had never been in there before but I knew they had a large selection of lollies and chocolates to choose from. I even text message Katarina to ask her if she wanted anything and she text back to tell me to get her some fudge. As I stepped inside the shop all I could see was a wall of glass containers holding various lollies - some I hadn't seen in the local shops because they only hold a select few to choose from. I have always heard how in the "old days" kids would go into the shops and say that they want this and they want that and I felt like doing the same thing but I didn't know what to choose ... While I was deciding on what to buy for me, I walked around the shop and looked at various stands and looked what goodies they held. I saw a lot of lollies that my mother eats - hard boiled lollies, licorice to name a few. I asked about the fudge and I was told where to look for them and I couldn't believe the selection they had and because Katarina said she wanted fudge I had to decide on which one to buy her. I saw Kaluha and Mint and I saw one that I knew Kat would want - Caramel - so I found her choice but didn't find anything for me. In the meantime I kept picking up packets of gift wrapped lollies and chocolates and adding some to the shopping bag, not really caring what price I was going to be paying (as we don't have a store like it in town). By the time I came to pay, I didn't add anything to the shopping list for myself. My mother got most of the lollies apart from a giant frog and a bag of jubes (for John) and two fudge bars for Katarina. My mother ended up with licorice, caramelised popcorn and fairy floss (two bags). After walking out and buying a cool drink at another shop, we had just enough time to browse through one shop and that was it as the clock was nearing 4:45 and most shops close their doors at 5:00. We also had to travel back home and so it was a very short stay and I only wished I had a bit longer there. People complain that the town is more about antiques and wines but it is nice to step out your own front yard on occasions as I am always seeing the same shops every time I go out. Bridget J October 25 The one getting a second chance As luck would have it I received a call from the same guy who I spoke to about working over summer as I think he forgot he called me ...
Anyway, I discussed with him my plans of why I sent in my resume and because I didn't do any research I asked the simple question of what hours were on offer as I said I wanted to have a change in work over summer. I was hoping to hear some decent hours but he said it was all based on productivity level so depending on how you perform depends on how many hours you get a week ... and it could be anything from three hours and up ... which does not suit me at all ... so the interview process ended there and then!
It would be nice to have another job over summer but still keep the other job which is so possible as we have staff who are studying elsewhere and they only work at the store over the summer holidays ...
At least there is no more wishing that things would be different ... and so life continues ...
When I finished work on Thursday, I checked my phone and I had a missed call from the bookshop.
With the shop only being a short walk away instead of calling, I went there thinking that they had a book for me. Sure enough they did but not the book I had ordered. I was given the book and the conversation continued about the bookshop's 10th birthday next year.
Kerry-Anne is looking into trying to get some of the ex-volunteers involved in the shop's birthday celebrations. I don't know exactly what the plans are but there seems to be a cake involved ...
I haven't been there for over a year now and walking into the store the other day, was very welcoming which is so different to what I normally experience.
In away, it seems as though time has stopped when I go to the bookshop as there is always the same people there - although I do know they have taken on a few more volunteers but everytime I go there I always see the faces of the people I have worked with. I really wonder if some of them are trying to get out of the unemployment rut or if they are just comfortable being where they are.
I have definitely moved on and have been grateful for what the bookshop has given me but I much prefer the working life and the freedom that is not associated with being on benefits. It has been a long time coming but it is so much better as I can march to the beat of my own drum ...
While chatting away with Kerry-Anne and everyone else, she mentioned something she found on the internet.
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster ...
I have to admit I have never heard of them as I usually visit the same sites or come on-line and search for what I want - not venturing into other things for the fun of it.
I am just wondering if anyone has heard of this site too.
I had to google to see what there is as she was saying all these things about this religion and I got really interested and had to find out more.
I noticed they are on facebook and twitter but link here on spaces.live.com ...
It seems as though this is a little community that nobody really knows about when it comes to blogging as everyone has heard of myspace and blogspot but I have heard spaces.live mentioned ...
I guess this is one of those blog pages that have fans but not big enough fans to make an impact that gets noticed by the media ... which is good as it proves people don't always follow trends ...
I actually came here by word of mouth ... I never knew of blogging before coming to this site and I am treat it as an open journal and thats it ... allowing some of my thoughts to come out ...
You can not tell everyone everything ... that is what secrets are for ...
One thing I will let you in on ...
On Friday night, I had my nightfill job cancelled and got a call from my day job to see if I wanted a shift for the night ...
Having decided on having tea out and then going to work I went to the Mandarin Restaurant and while walking along the main street heading to work, I did a bit of window shopping and found a birthday present for Veronica. Her 21st is this Saturday night coming. I saw in Priceline's window a box set of mini-perfumes from Revlon and thought that this might be a good gift for her.
Yesterday morning before starting work, I spent about half an hour in the Library reading and then remembered the perfumes I saw and went down to buy them ...
When I walked into the store I picked them up and decided to keep on looking around and then came across some candles - all in pink varieties and I thought this would be a better option as Veronica was having a pink themed birthday ... so I got them instead ...
I will only be there for about half an hour before going to work but going by what Katarina said about Veronica I think she will like the candles - wrapped in pink paper to go with her pink card!
I think the next thing I will be doing is getting ready for Christmas.
I had a quick look in K-Mart on Thursday and saw some $4-00 and $2-00 decorations and I am thinking of buying some of them for the Christmas tree.
This year I will be putting it up compared to last year as we are having the entire family around for dinner.
I haven't started shopping and it isn't going to be all out this year as we are doing Kris Kringle again ... which I am looking forward to.
That has to be organised by the start of December I am guessing - plenty of time ...
Are you thinking of Christmas yet?
Bridget J
October 21 The one not thinking I received a phone call tonight and I wished I had time to think before I opened my mouth.
Last month, I submitted my resume for a Christmas casual job and I got a phone call from their rep asking if I am still interested in the job.
Without thinking I blabbed on about my two jobs and how I hoped they would be able to work around the hours - not thinking that the reason I wanted to get the Christmas casual job in the first place was so I could have a break from my current job and work elsewhere for a few months.
Ahhh ...
It didn't come to me that I had this on my mind when I submitted my resume ...
So, I didn't get an interview as they wanted flexible people ... and I can't call back as the rep was calling from head office and he hung up on me over my dribble of being unflexible ...
If I had the call a week after submitting my application I would of been in a better frame of mind but it seems as though some people think you remember every single application you submit as they might think that they are the only people you contacted in the past x amount of weeks etc ... not realising that your life moves very quickly ...
Then again, if I did take up the offer, I don't know how things would of faired as I have just put in for some holiday time for January.
I did this on Monday and I am taking two weeks off over summer. One week in the middle of January and the other in the middle of February. I can not afford to take two weeks off together so this would have to do.
In January my father has to go to Adelaide for an eye test as he has something growing on the back of his eye so he has to see a specialist and so my parents are driving up for two days.
I am seriously thinking of going up there too but going a few days before they do so I can have a look around and play tourist. In December, the zoo will be receiving pandas and I really want to see them and so January might be the time when I get to go.
If I want to do what I hope to do, it will be an expensive four days away but I want to get out of town and just relax and not think about anything.
If I took the job offer thinking why I wanted the job in the first place my plans for a summer break would be put on hold for another few months and I need a break sooner than later ...
Oh well ... next time ...
As for my last blog, the photo I added to my blog appeared in Tuesday's local paper. The report said the fire started from a disguarded cigarette and $20,000 damage was caused.
This week is all about work, work and more work as I looked at my diary and I only have Sunday to myself for the entire day. I am so looking forward to it. Next week might be a bit quieter as I have only three shifts in the day and the rest will be made by my night job ...
It is money I need - if I plan on getting out of this town for a break ...
Bridget J October 16 The one in action Coming home after buying tea tonight, I noticed thick black smoke bellowing from the roof of a house near my street.
At first I thought that someone was burning some really bad wood with such black smoke streaming across the sky until it occurred to me that the house was on fire!
My mother's first reaction was to get home and then go over and have a closer look - after calling 000 ...
I thought that was so typical ... have a sticky beak and let tea go cold.
As for myself, I thought that I could eat my meal while my parents went across the road and watched the fire brigade and police and ambulance service show up.
While eating away, I thought "I could take some snap shots and send them into the local paper" and so nearing the end of my meal, I placed away the ends, pulled out my camera and headed out the door - all in the name of "15 minutes of fame" ...
I stood on the corner of my street and took a few photos and then went home and finished off eating.
After eating my meal, I pulled out my memory card and looked over the photos on the computer and then uploaded two shots to send to the paper.
I thought I could share with you one of the photos ...
Here I was, thinking that I was going to have a normal night at home ...
As it is, while blogging away this story, the Editor replied and my photos might appear in Tuesday's paper and also on the web ...
Maybe this could land me another job ... maybe not!
Bridget J October 14 The one in the midst of birthdays Last night didn't go as planned but it was still a really good night out ...
With all the rain that was about yesterday afternoon, I phoned Joy to see if she would like me to pick her up from home. Because of the really bad weather at hand, she said, "that is too cold for me" and so I said that was fine.
As I had Katarina in with going to the movies and having tea, I called her up to let her know what was happening and she said that Helen was going to join us.
That was fine with me as I asked Katarina to invite her anyway.
We still had tea at Belgornios and when I said to Katarina that we were going to eat around 5:00 she thought it was a bit early but I had to remind her it takes about 20 minutes to cook a pizza.
As it was, I arrived about five past and Katarina and Helen had found themselves a table and was chatting among themselves.
Nearly as soon as I joined them the menu was been looked over and we all settled on half-and-half. I decided on paying for the pizza and also the drinks thinking that it was my idea that we all went out to tea. I didn't mind paying as it wasn't overly expensive with one large pizza and three cool drinks plus a cappuccino.
By the time we finished eating the pizza and had our drinks we had about a 30 minute wait till the movies and so we just sat and chatted a bit more.
As for the movie, it was definitely funny ...
We saw JULIE AND JULIA and although I didn't know anything about Julia Child, I really enjoyed the movie.
Probably if it was all serious, it would of been on the dull side but it had its very funny moments that had everyone laughing. I like those movies where you don't know what to expect and come out very happy with your choice.
From watching the movie based on a blog, I could help but think how obsessed Julie was with blogging and wanting to know how many people were actually reading her blog. On occasions I wonder if anyone will comment back but apart from that, I can step away from the site and get on with life.
They also previewed two movies coming out next year and both look like excellent movies.
The first one is called VALENTINE'S DAY with Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Patrick Dempsey (the list goes on) and the other is DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker.
There are a lot of good movies coming out and I am just glad that I renewed my movie membership card only last week so I can get movies at a discounted price.
As for the new work shoes ...
I wore them today and I should of gotten the size up as they are tight around the toe region and I ended up with pins and needles in the toes and pain rushing up the legs - which is all a sign of too tight of a shoe.
I thought that I might have luck in getting them exchanged for the next size up but since I had worn them, I could not do anything about them as they wouldn't be able to sell them. With this in mind and knowing how much I spent on them, I might keep them for a bit longer and try and wear them in but not wear them all day if I don't need to. With that in mind, I will be back to my other shoes for a night in the supermarket.
If I could of sat for some of the time I might of been okay - but who knows, they might stretch.
This morning before the hassle of work, I finally settled on a birthday present and card for Tracey. Her birthday is today but I won't see her until tomorrow morning at coffee. I am thinking of ditching lunch and having the time to myself - but I will play it by ear.
I phoned Belinda yesterday and organised to catch up on Tuesday and then later on I phoned her back to cancel out on her as I got a phone call from work to see if I wanted to do an afternoon shift on the day. I said "yes" and with work from the two jobs coming my way, I have a full work schedule until next Friday. I don't know what nights I will be working next week but I am hoping I have at least Friday night off - but I doubt it. Like I doubt I will have a Saturday night off.
I also bought myself a diary for next year and I am seriously thinking of taking a week off even if I don't go anywhere as I would like a break sometime. It would mean a week without pay but I think I could live with it, I just have to get serious about putting money away, instead of putting money away and then raiding it a day or two later because I wanted something. I think if I do take the time, I might chose the second week in February when school is back and it is still hot.
That is several months down the track but I think I will put in for holidays at the start of January.
I will take time off from both jobs which I am sure would be no problem as it is plenty of warning.
Then again maybe I should give a warning sooner if going by what I have been seeing lately.
Shops are starting to get their Christmas trees up and also bringing in Christmas stock. This morning while buying Tracey's birthday present the shop was starting to put up their tree and I said "isn't it a bit early?" and the assistant said they always put the tree up in October! I can understand putting it up in November in time for the Christmas pageant, but any sooner and it is ridiculous! So, that is two shops with trees and Christmas ideas in the window.
At least this year I know that we are going to be spending up big on presents as once again we are doing Kris Kringle.
I only have one more birthday present to buy and that is it for the year. I have Veronica to buy for as it is her 21st coming up at the end of the month. I still don't know if I will be going to her birthday but I will buy her something - PINK! to go with her themed birthday!
I just want birthdays and Christmas to be over with ...
Bridget J October 13 The one watching the rain My life is all work and no play and it is making this girl BORING and over tired and wanting to get out into the real world ...
Over the past week, I have worked six days straight and today is my only day off until next week. I hate these weeks when I am working everyday between the two jobs I have. It makes for a good pay week but it absolutely knocks me dead and all I want is a complete day to myself to recharge.
Yesterday when I rocked up to work, the store manager was in and he spoke to me on the side saying how he will shortly be training me up for the Cleaner's role - as if I need any more work on my plate. I would love to knock him back but I will only be a relief cleaner for when the permanent cleaner needs or wants time off. I haven't done cleaning before and I really don't want it based on the really early morning starts and having no vehicle of my own but with it being relief I shouldn't be called upon a lot. Fingers crossed.
If last week was anything to go by, I don't need anymore doors opening up. Last night, I could of had a second shift for the day but I decided on turning down the offer. It was a good choice too as I ended up going out for tea with my mother as part of her dart's club wind-up. My parents were going to go but John opted out and so my mother asked me. It wasn't a late night as we got home around 9:00 andthen it was straight off to bed for me.
I tried to sleep in this morning but with activity streaming through the house it was near impossible and so around 8:30, I crawled out of bed and took my morning shower and then got ready for the day ahead.
I had been looking forward to having today off all week. It has been raining continuously before I got out of bed and so I have spent most of the day home apart from 30 minutes down the street doing some grocery shopping - and picking up a new pair of work shoes.
I have been thinking of buying another pair of work shoes so I have a choice of what to wear to work as I get sick and tired of pulling on the same shoes everyday. Having seen Katarina's shoes, I thought that they looked okay and decided that my next pair would be like hers. They are a slip on shoe that looks like any other casual pair of shoes but of course they are steel capped - just like my current pair. I don't plan on going overboard with work shoes but having two should keep me happy for the next 12 months - when I think I would get bored with what I am wearing on my feet.
It seems as though my spending is continuing on but at least I can claim the money back when tax time comes around again ...
Tonight, I have an evening out. I was originally going to go to the movies with Joy from work and then it has blown into tea and then the movies and I have also invited Katarina along - as she has the night off too. I thought I could make a night out instead and invite another face along.
We are having tea at Belgiornos and then will be seeing JULIE AND JULIA. I have been very unsure about this movie and so I have my fingers crossed it is going to be worth watching. I said to Joy about going halves in a pizza but now with Katarina joining in we might have to change our option - or just add to it.
As for catching up with friends ...
I called Belinda this morning to see if she wanted to catch up on Friday. Speaking to her on the phone she said she has a meeting after playgroup and doesn't know what time that will end and so I said about catching up next week instead. Thursdays are a no-go for catching up as that is the dayBelinda sets aside for work commitments. This week I will be having the day off and I plan on seeing Tracey some time. Tomorrow is her birthday and so I want to catch up on Thursday and maybe have lunch with her. That part hasn't been finalised but we will definitely be having morning coffee as she always has morning coffee before going grocery shopping.
For a change I don't have work this Thursday (in the day) and so I have sometime free and I am hoping that the day is a lot better than it is now. I really don't want to go out in the pouring rain but sometimes I do, just to get out of the house for a few hours.
We had a wonderful weekend and it felt like the beginning of an actual spring, but then yesterday it started raining and it hasn't changed. I guess we will have to wait until November to see more warm days with blue skies.
I am not complaining but I seem to have days off when there is a lot of rain about.
I am still pacing myself and getting some reading done although I have not been reading as much as I thought I would be. I don't mind as I seem to be reading as a way in keeping myself busy before heading off to work.
The town is getting a new Library and it should be opened by the middle of December and I am really looking forward to it and I am hoping that they will have actually room for people to sit down and read instead of having people squeeze through to browse books between the shelves and the seats. It is shocking as you feel as though you shouldn't be reading books in the Library as you feel as though you are in peoples way as you always have to move either your legs or a bag or something to allow people through the narrow walk ways.
At least I won't be back in there until tomorrow - after (maybe) a morning coffee ...
Bridget J October 10 The one wanting reality tv out of my life My tv seems to only be switched on for celebrity "news" and the only "news" worth reporting seems to be about Dave Letterman's sexcapades and the hesaid/shesaid saga of Jon and Kate (minus 8) ...
Who really cares that Dave Letterman has had office relations with his staff! I find the whole news story cringe worthy, especially considering the facts that Dave Letterman is old enough to be my father and who in their right mind would want to know what Dave Letterman does with his clothes off?
He is about as sexy as Hugh Hefner and Larry King put together!
If it wasn't for the girls of the playboy mansion, NOBODY would be watching the show on E! and as for Larry King, he reminds me of a toad!
I can not find anything sexy about these three men let alone be interested in what they do once they pop that famous little blue pill!
As for Kate and Jon (minus 8). Having tuned into ET to catch up on some real Hollywood gossip and see what movies are coming out, I was completely lost and at the point of not knowing what to believe when it comes to their story!
In reality it should be nobodies business but their own about the breakdown of their marriage but because we are living in a celebrity obsessed world, we just can not get enough of hearing the details and deciding who is right and who is in the wrong.
This is celebrity gone too far when they go on tv shows and air their laundry for all to hear just so you can either join the "I hate Jon fan club" or not! I just want it all to go away so we can get back to what these entertainment programmes are all about - no reporting about lives of reality tv stars who are famous for being - famous!
It is like the story of the Kardashian's! When the programme first started airing I had to ask myself, "what are they famous for?" and I am still asking myself this question! Why is it that people find the Kardashian's entertainment and what makes them so famous that they need their own tv show?
It is the downside of having payTV - you get pulled into knowing who the non-famous celebrities are from seeing their faces on entertainment news programmes and seeing their faces on their reality tv ads that you see when you are watching something that you are interested in!
I sometimes wonder why there is an E! network in the world of payTV. If E! is about celebrities why do they have to pull into the world of the reality tv star? Honestly they are in a lower class of celeb than the soap stars. It is always about making money for the people involved but nothing else - and I think that there is a conflict of interest happening too - especially with Ryan Seacrest being a reporter on E! and him being an exectitive producer of the Kardashian show. They always have snippets of all this Kardashian related and you wonder how much of Seacrest is influenced in putting snippets to air on the E!News segment! I guess he has to find a way to pay for his pearly whites and suntanned complexion!
With all this said, my tv has been on the off mode for the past few days (and nights) but hopefully by the time I switch the tv on again these people and stories will be long gone ...
In fact, I am sure that the story doing the rounds here in Oz about the "racist" act on Hey, Hey ... has bumped off some of the top stories in the world of celebrity especially if the show gets a mention on news and chat shows (The View) in America. I never saw the programme and I honestly don't understand what the fuss is all about! Then again, listening to what people have been saying in the media, I think that Australians live in a world where we see the funny side of things or look at the performance and not worry about the colour of someone's skin. To me, from seeing the shorts on the news, all I see is an impersonation of the Jacksons ... nothing more and nothing less and all they did was dress the part. Who would of believed they were the Jackson's if they didn't get into costume? Nobody! I am sure there are people who are just to scared to say what they really think without them coming across as being racist.
As for Joy's comment on The View about our treatment of Aboriginals. It seems as though Americans put Aboriginals in the same category as the African-American. Unlike the African-American, the Aboriginals are the traditional owners of this land, like the North American Indian, and so if Joy wants to have an arguement about the treatment of the Aboriginals, she should put it into the same text as the ways in which America is treating its traditional owners. I don't know a lot of American history but I know for a fact that the North American Indian has faced their hardship in the hands of the white American.
Wow!
I think I should stop reading papers and turn off my tv for awhile longer.
Bridget J October 06 The one enjoying the dayYesterday was the last public holiday until Christmas and I didn't spend it doing what I had hoped to do.
We did not venture out of this town, in fact, if I didn't go to Harvey Norman, I would of been home for the entire day.
Oh yes, a day without work meant a day of shopping.
I only went looking for a new set top box as Sunday saw the introduction of channel 9 Adelaide being available through the digital network in my region. I wasn't happy with my set top box when I first bought it last year as two channels conflicted on the same band and so you could either have one station or the other, not both and the same story happened on Sunday so I thought I will buy a new set top box and solve the problem once and for all.
I also walked out with a new deep fryer. I actually bought it for my mother as she said awhile ago that she would like a new one to replace the current one that has been in service since the 1980s. There is nothing wrong with the old one, she just wanted a new one. She said that she would like a round one like we have currently and while I was looking in Harvey Norman I saw exactly what she wanted and after a bit of thought, I bought it for her.
So, yesterday turned into an expensive shopping day.
As for my old set top box, I thought about placing an ad in the local paper, but then I thought I could go to the local pawn brokers (who ripped me off last time) and see what they would offer. I was told I would get $10-00 for it as they sell them for $30-00 and with that in mind, I walked out with the box in my hands. I was thinking of at least $20-00 but she said that people are wanting high definition set top boxes. I didn't care, as I was happy to take the item home with me knowing I could fetch at least $30-00 through the classifieds.
I immediately went from the pawn shop to the local newspaper and paid nearly $15-00 for an ad that will appear in tomorrow's paper.
I have an asking price of $25-00 but I would settle for $20-00. I am sure it will sell and I said it would be ideal for a second tv, especially with the problem of not being able to scan all the local tv networks in.
I have work tomorrow but I am sure messages will be passed to me once I get home.
Between the ad and the selling price I am only making $10-00 anyway, which is the down side to selling something but at least I get the money and I could determine the selling price at the end.
My mother is giving the deep fry to the migrant centre who are always looking for things for the skilled migrants who enter this region. I could of done the same but I would like to get something for it besides it is not as though I haven't donated goods before.
This little spending spree placed a bit of a dampener on my other planned spending spree.
I was in Target for about 30 minutes on Saturday and I saw a couple of books and a bag for summer which I thought I could pick up later in the week. I seem to be on a bit of a book buying frenzy for summer. I don't really need any books but I see some and think they would be a good read.
With books and bags being something I can live without, I can easily put them aside for another week or not worry about them what-so-ever. Unlike the set top box situation which had driven me crazy since I bought it last year. I should of taken it back but I thought that I could live with the problem - until it got too much for me on Sunday ...
I don't want to throw myself into debt and spend what I know I can afford.
With that said, I ended up having lunch out.
As I usually work lunch hours, it is always so nice to have an actual lunch when everyone else does and with plans to go to the movies in the mid-afternoon it gave me an excuse to eat out.
With the movie cinema and the Italian restaurant, Bellgiornos in the same complex, I thought I could treat myself to lunch there for a change. I hadn't had their pizza's for ages and the previous week I had been having sandwiches at home, and the previous day we had been living on home made sausage rolls. There is absolutely nothing wrong with home made sausage rolls but having them for lunch and tea, I didn't want another dose for today's lunch - or another sandwich.
I phoned Kat to see if she wanted to have lunch with me and she turned me down which was okay as we were meeting up for the movies.
It allowed me then to have lunch when I wanted lunch and not bother with times.
With the movie starting around 1:30, and after a bit of a looking around the shops, I headed to lunch at 12:00 when lunch officially began.
I knew that it would take about 20 minutes for the meal to cook and so it gave me time to wait for my meal and then to eat it without being rushed.
While sitting at my table, alone, I noticed groups of people streaming though the door and people coming in in pairs and it made me wonder how many people actually dine out alone (apart from myself). I know for a fact my parents don't like eating alone and I think this sums up most people. I sometimes don't have a choice and I honestly like dining alone as I don't have to try and make conversation and I can decide on where I want to eat and what time to be there. I like the idea that you are not waiting on someone, you can make your own decisions.
I actually ordered a pizza and with time on my side, I ate it in no rush and had only a cool drink on the side. I was thinking of getting gelatti afterwards or a coffee, but didn't. I was happy with the pizza and cool drink on the side.
While I was nearing the end of my meal a group of 50 somethings were just about to eat their meal and they asked Debbie (the waitress) if she could take their photo. With her comment of saying she was too busy with other customers at the counter waiting to be served, she had to decline and so I thought I could go over and tell them that I would be happy to take the photo. The offer was accepted and so I took the snap shot and then went back to my seat and finished off lunch as the group were commenting about the photo.
The good thing about having lunch near the main street was that it gives you the excuse to go window shopping to waste time between doing what you need to do and it also offers you a reason to walk after lunch of pizza.
I had enough time to walk to the main corner and cross the street and then make my way back to the cinema half an hour later. I had a look in my usual shops such as The Bling Box and also browsed a couple of magazines in a newsagency before heading to have a quick look in Rockmans to see what summer arrivals they had. It was a good enough walk to waste time and get in some fresh air.
When I walked out of Bellgiornos, I didn't realise that it had been raining as you don't hear it as voices carry through out the building and it blocks out the world from the outside.
Getting back to the movie theatre, I looked at my time and I had arrived 10 minutes earlier.
When I walked in, I thought that a lot of kids were going to be seeing the movie as Kat and myself. G-FORCE. With it being cheap seat Tuesday and the school holidays, it was expected and I really didn't care. As it was, we had a nearly full cinema with mostly family groups and so it wasn't too bad and the kids were not disturbing anyone either - which was the best thing as some groups are rather annoying at times.
So, today turned into a good day of lunch out and movies and tomorrow it is back to work as usual.
I turned off my phone as I thought it was going to go off and sure enough when I turned it back on again, there was a message saying not to worry about work tonight. The day just got better!
I got a call back an hour or so later asking if I could come in tomorrow instead so, with two days of no work, tomorrow is back to normal with work commitments everyday until next Tuesday ... and I don't mind that at all, especially with no accountablity to Centrelink
It is like the smell of fresh air ...
Bridget J October 05 The one living in a "Little Village"Yesterday, I was reading the Melbourne Herald Sun and I came across this article. I thought it would make an interesting blog.
 Welcome to Little Australia
IMAGINE our nation as a village of 100 people. What would the mix be like?
We've shrunk a population of 22 million, living on a 7.6 million square kilometre continent, to the size of a village, keeping all the population ratios intact.
The result houses some interesting inhabitants who sum up he diverse character of our nation.
So take a journey around this special place we call Little Australia.
THE PEOPLE
IF Australia was a village of 100 people 20 would be under the age of 15 and another 67 would be aged between 15 and 64. And 13 villages would be aged 65 and over.
THE median age of the female villagers is 37 and the average male slightly younger at 36.
FIFTY-ONE of the villagers are women or girls and 49 are men or boys.
THE average age expectancy in the village is 84.1 years for women and 79.2 years for men.
THERE are two Aboriginals and one gay person.
ONE FIFTH - 20 people - have one or both parents born overseas. But the parents of 56 were born here.
ALL but two live in private dwellings, with 82 in one-family households. Nine live alone and nine in one-parent families.
JUST under half of villagers over the age of 15 (49) are married.
TWENTY have no children and 36 have had a child.
TWENTY-TWO will never have children. Sixteen will have only one child.
ONE speaks no English at all. Another 83 speak only English at home. The most common non-English language spoken is Italian, followed by Greek, Cantonese, Arabic and Mandarin.
FORTY believe some ethnic groups do not belong in the village.
TEN have outwardly racist views.
THE village is also home to 200 kangaroos.
HEALTH
THE average villager will consume half a tonne of cheese, eight tonnes of fruit, 10 tonnes of vegetables, 165,000 eggs and 18 beef cattle in their lifetimes.
FIFTY-SIX rate their health as excellent or very good. Another 28 say their health is good.
THREE suffer from undiagnosed diabetes.
BETWEEN 12 and 15 villagers suffer from asthma.
EIGHTY-FOUR - most of them women - report having had a severe headache in the past 12 months.
FIVE describe themselves as having some sort of disability.
SEVENTEEN will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.
LESS than a quarter of the adults smoke. Most say they will give up one day.
A QUARTER of those over the age of 25 are overweight.
ONLY one woman but 12 men in the village are colour blind.
ONE PERSON will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30.
THIRTY-NINE admit having tried marijuana and 18 have used the drug in the past 12 months. Ten admit using hallucinogens and nine say they have used amphetamines. Only two have tried heroin.
FINANCES
ONE person controls about 20 per cent of the village's wealth.
THE average income of working villagers is $1197.50 a week.
THREE are unemployed.
TWENTY are having difficulties paying off their immediate debts. And 39 villagers owe more than they did 12 months ago.
THIRTY-TWO are paying off a home and 27 rent. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1400 and the median weekly rent is $190.
THE average credit card debt in the village is about $3100.
ONLY eight will leave money to a charity in their wills.
LIFESTYLE
THIRTY-NINE describe their lives as "very happy". And 56 describe life as "happy".
SIXTY wish their sex lives were better.
MOST villagers aged over 18 gambled or bought a lottery ticket in the past three months.
TEN of the villagers consume 80 per cent of the beer drunk in the village.
NINETY have at least one digital camera.
NEARLY 60 have internet connection and at least one car.
TWENTY-FIVE subscribe to pay TV.
SIXTY-NINE would describe themselves as Christian - although only 10 go to church regularly. Eighteen say they have no religion. There are two Buddhists and one Muslim.
EIGHTEEN villagers are members of voluntary organisations or charities.
THE average female villager spends 514 hours a year doing domestic work.
SEVENTY-NINE travel to work or school by car and 11 take public transport. Twelve ride a bike or walk.
THE most popular male sports to participate in are golf, cricket and tennis. Females prefer aerobics, lawn bowls and netball.
THE villagers spend an average of 84.4 hours a week on leisure activities. The males only spend 2.5 more hours online than women and 1.5 hours more watching TV.
THE women spend an hour more a week reading and 1.6 hours more listening to radio.
SEVEN DEADLY SINS
GREED
The highest wages in Australia are paid in the ruggest Northern Territory. The NT also has the highest Gross Domestic Product per capita of any part of Australia. And Northern Territorians spend more on gambling per adult than other Australians.
Sydney has the highest housing costs compared with income and highest average income compared with people living below the poverty line.
The Kimberley region of WA has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation.
ENVY
Most household crimes and home break-ins per capita occur in the Northern Territory. But NSW has more car thefts per capita.
WRATH
The Northern Territory murder rate is the highest in Australia. South Australia has the nation's lowest murder rate. More assaults occur in Queensland and the NT than any other state.
SLOTH
NSW politicians were rated the laziest in the world in a recent survey. They sat for only 48 days of parliament in 2008. Victorian politicians led the way in Australia with 66 days of potential bill changing.
GLUTTONY
Perth has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia. West Australians are the highest water consumers per capita in the nation. People in the Northern Territory comsume, by an enormous margin, more alcohol per capita than in any other state.
LUST
Canberra is believed to have more prostitutes per capita than any other Australian city.
PRIDE
Queensland is the fastest growing state in percentage terms. It's also sunny, attracting many residents from the colder, southern states.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, OECD Global Report October 02 The one making room for time What a busy week it has turned into.
Looking at my work schedule from the beginning of the week, you would assume I have got a lot of time to spare, but as the week has progressed, I have managed to turn a quiet week at home into one full of work commitments.
It isn't a bad thing considering that there is a pay cheque waiting at the end of all this work!
I was rostered to work at my day job over three days and that has turned into a four day work week and my night job has turned from a two day week to a four day week (then back to a three day week), giving me something to close to 30 hours for my time away from home!
I have been wondering how I would go if I was given full time work and I am convinced I wouldn't like it at all. I am sure I am not the only person who likes the fact that you are tied to a 9:00 to 5:00 job and you only get to do what you want on weekends - or in the evenings.
The downfall I find with having a casual job is that you don't know when you will be rostered to work and with the night job, I am not exactly the world's most active person at night. It is my time to relax and unwind but I have no problems working at night as once I get going I am fine and I could keep on working with no problems what so ever!
Today, I have the day free with nightfill taking up the evening. This is going to be from 7:00 to at least 10:00 and the same with tomorrow night. I don't mind as I don't have things to do during the evening so I don't care if I am working or not. Some people would rather have nights free but I really don't care too much.
With the day free, I have managed to spend some time in the grooming department as well as getting my small pile of ironing out of the way. This afternoon, I am going to the movies with Kat and will be seeing UP! It was actually a toss up between UP! and G-FORCE and we are goin to see G-FORCE next week. I am also thinking of seeing MAO'S LAST DANCER, having read the book but after reading the review in the Melbourne Herald Sun, I think I will give it a miss!
This weekend I will be working and the only time to really do anything will be tomorrow and then late Sunday and by that time I will not be in the mood to really want to do anything.
Once work gets underway, it is non-stop until it is time to clock off. No more sitting around and waiting for things to happen.
Apart from movies, nothing is on my agenda.
I played catch up with Belinda on Tuesday afternoon and gave Abby her birthday present. While Abby was at dance, Belinda, the kids and myself went as far as Target as I wanted to check out the manchester sale that was happening along with seeing about some clothes I had a quick look over earlier.
I didn't buy anything but Belinda found two pairs of summer pants for herself and a top for her youngest daughter, Georgia and she bought the PlayStation game that Abby wanted out of birthday money and a voucher she received.
My reading has come to a near stand still as I haven't been reading anything while home. I am have been on the same book for the past two weeks but I am not too perturbed as I am still sticking to my reading plan. I have only got three books for my summer reading having bought the new NICHOLAS SPARKS book last week.
I am still deciding what I want to do over summer. I have been thinking of having a week off but I still don't know if I should or not. If I did have the week off, it would mean no new money flowing through my bank account for the following week and it is nice to have that money available. I am sure over summer I won't have a too busy work schedule and so I think I could cope with not having any time off, it will mean doing what I am doing now and appreciating the time I do have off - especially full days to myself.
Monday is Labour Day here in South Australia and because I don't work on public holidays, I get the entire day off and I just happen to have Tuesday off too and I am going to enjoy it! Belinda and her family are heading to Ballarat until Wednesday so I won't be seeing her on Tuesday but it allows time for other things, like maybe an afternoon movie session - who knows!
I was thinking of seeing if my parents would like to head over to Portland, Victoria for the Monday but I don't know if Victoria has a public holiday. I just feel like getting out of this town. If we do go over, I would be paying all the way and I really don't want to be put in that boat. I haven't spoken up as I think they would rather stay home and get some things done like maybe gardening and other home matters that I don't care for.
With lunch rolling near, and nothing more to blog, I will end here.
Enjoy your free time
Bridget J September 26 The one finding her destiny Around this time last year, I attended my first psychic fair (see blog dated 5 October 2008).
As things would have it, the fair is back this weekend and once again, I paid my $5-00 entrance fee and had my tarot cards read by the same person as last year - Morgan.
It was no coincidence as I picked up her business card and last night I phoned her to see if she was going to be in town. As luck would have it, she had just arrived at her motel five minutes previously.
Morgan asked if I could phone her back around 10 minutes later once she had herself settled to arrange a suitable time.
I called her and arranged for a 9:30 session but later on she phoned me and gave me session times and since I was her only booking, I settled for 9:00.
I arrived at the hall five minutes before the official opening time and as soon as I saw Morgan, she recognised me from the previous year. To me this was a good thing as sometimes you wonder who people remember and who they don't and it is nice to be recognised - no matter what the occasion.
I eventually took a seat at her table and it was down to some business.
As I was the first booking Morgan said that I could possibly get two readings done depending on the flow of people. The session was originally for the standard 20 minutes and this time I made sure I took out pen and paper before she started.
I said to her how I wished I had taken notes last time and how I went home and wrote down what I could remember. This time I thought that I could be prepared but once again the reading went so fast that it was near impossible to even jot down notes but the cards reflected upon what was the discussed last year.
The two cards of focus that I revealed included destiny and growth out of a possible nine.
Another card that came up included bliss which she defined as being more than happy and joyful.
The first reading focused on destiny and like last year, the same story manifested with dealings with relationships instead of being too focused on my job prospects.
Morgan said that I was making excuses about relationships and that I should stop arguing with myself and get what I am meant to have - no what I think I should have as I will continue to make excuses and remain in this single life for ever.
I could totally understand this.
I have always wanted to get myself at the point of being stable before committing myself to a relationship and that has involved getting myself a good financial position and being employed.
The whole year has been about getting working and keeping work and getting enough hours to afford a decent livestyle and of course along the way things such as relationships have been negelected totally because I have been just so run down that all I want to do is spend time at home or if I do have days off, it is playing catch up with my friends and not making any room for new things to come in.
She said I will need to make changes that are positive by giving up something to allow other things to happen.
When she was talking about giving up on one thing to allow another to happen, I knew exactly what she was on about.
It always comes down to two things, work and relationships.
It seems as though I should stop chasing this fantasy of having a full time job and focus on other matters such as relationships. I have always had this notion that I will be so much better off having a full time job and be at the point where I will be able to live a lot more freely and get to the point of relationships etc.
I have know forever that I have been too focused on this one thing and that other things have been pushed to the side and that is when she said that I will always keep on making up excuses of not being ready for it yet!
Morgan was so right on the ball that I just wished other things would come up but of course they never did.
On the second reading the relationship card came up again and this time he came up in a set that had children attached. She said to me, if I would get involved with someone who has kids and I said "probably". Looking at my age group a lot of people in my age group do have family attachment. I asked if this guy was divorced or just a single father and although she could not answer that one she said he definitely does not have a wife! Sounds good so far!
The second reading I chose "bliss" as the card to have read although my first choice was "growth" but when she said that double cards rarely came up I had to see what that was all about. My double cards was "bliss" which was one card that came up when I originally sorted the deck. (I don't know if this is what you call it).
Yes, it looks as though all my happiness will be found and remain so once this relationship falls into play.
This mystery guy seems to be everything that I have been needing in my life but haven't looked for.
I know for a fact that he is not under my nose as my whole friendship circle is full of women who are in perfectly healthy marriages or relationships and are way too busy playing housewives to bother with worrying what is happening with the single girl. Having been the single girl forever I think they just think of me as someone who is not interested in meeting anyone!
I am interested and I am not bordering on entering a convent - ever! I just have a set idea of what I want and as I am not out there it is really hard to meet people. My only social outings are to the movies or having a day of shopping with Belinda or coffee with Tracey and these are not the places to do meet and greets! And don't get me started on "office romances" - I would never go out with someone I work with - even if I was working where staff is 100% legal! I don't like the politics involved!
When I am out with Belinda or having coffee or eating, I do check out the guys. I don't know if it is me but I don't seem to be attracted to any of them. I don't see the "wow factor" in a lot of people I see in general. I don't know if it is because I have watched one too many Hollywood movies or that I just don't find guys such a turn on compared to other girls. Maybe I am just too "high maintenance" and want something that does not exist and "plain guys" just don't cut it for me!
This reflects perfectly on what Morgan had been telling me during the entire session.
I keep making excuses.
At one point she asked me if I believed in Guardian Angels/Spirit Guides. I have always thought at this and I have always come to the conclusion it is up to you on how you live your life based on your choices, not what another entity wants you to have.
Somehow this changed into a short discussion about "The Law of Attraction" (aka The Secret). I said to her how I had actually looked over the book but I could never get my head around it as you can have all these positive thoughts and wants but it doesn't mean they will come to you. I said I have all these great positive thoughts but I keep on getting negativity in my life and she put it down to the fact that you want things but subconsciously you are pushing them away and this is why negative people come into our lives etc.
It makes perfect sense, you want something but you don't really want it and so someone is there to stop you from having it.
I said this is my issue with money. I end up having money and being happy that I have money and then someone comes to me requesting to borrow money to help them out (hello mother) and at the end I am always back to where I have been.
I don't mind helping out but it seems as though I am the one always giving them the hand out and if I ever needed money, they could never return the favour.
This actually came up in the cards as I had a home card appear right next to a "rat" that represents something that takes things away from you.
I was asked if I would be better off away from home and I said "definitely" especially when money matters are concerned. It is the only real downside to living at home. They know you have money and they think it is their right to get their hands to it - too bad that you already paid what you owe for the fortnight. I must admit that I don't buy food (apart from several grocery items) but I do pay board and pay the phone bill which saves them over $1200 a year. I also put petrol in the car every week since I am working and that is saving them money again. With these little things you think they would be ahead on the money front but they are not! I don't know their true finance position but I get this impression that they are living beyond their means if their money is so tightly budgeted that there is no savings what so ever. This is not the position I want to be in but unfortunately I am not much better off than they are so when I give them money it is only because I have money sitting in savings that I know I won't miss.
As teenagers, the ABC had a comedy on called "Bread" and my father use to watch it religiously. It centred on a family who lived together and what money they made went into the family first. We had a big family arguement about something and John had to pipe up about this family who would give each other money from their own pocket to support the other. It seems to be that we should be giving our parents money instead of the other way around.
Belinda knows that I do lend my parents money and she thinks it is so wrong and that parents are the one's who should be lending out the money. I said to her that they borrow the money because they have to and now that I am working and getting a wage above that of the dole, I do go on the guilt trip that they have bills coming in and that I could help pay them if they are struggling their pay week. It is like when I got my tax cheque. I knew they had several accounts and I said I will pay out one allowing them extra money, but still it doesn't get them ahead in anyway and I don't understand it.
Recently I said to John that I will pay the first instalment on the rates and with other bills coming in, he gave it to me to pay. I thought if I did that it would get him in a break of trying to juggle that account and other large bills at the same time and then pay me back.
As for my mother, I seem to be paying for odd things. Like last week, she was meant to get a haircut but cancelled the appointment to give John money and because she needed a haircut, I said to her I'll pay for it. This seems to be the same story everytime she books an appoint or I say to her that she looks as though she needs a haircut and she simply says "she can't afford it". I can never understand why she doesn't just put some money away for things like this instead of always saying she doesn't have the money when she knows she needs it. I guess because she is paying the last person she borrowed from.
So, from knowing this I knew that the cards were right on target.
There wasn't anything I really picked up on that didn't relate to the last reading.
With all this positive attitude vs negativity, Morgan suggested to me to start writing or drawing what I want in life over one month.
She asked if I either wrote or drew and I said about writing and she said to do the list thing.
Write everything down in a positive manner to attract positive things into my life.
I said to her that it is easy to write a list but with so much negativity in my life that I can not get rid of, I don't know what good it will do.
Sure you can say all these great things and think positively but you will still get the negativity flowing through too - even if it isn't in your thoughts.
She put it down to what the conscious wants but what your subconsciously think!
Anyway, I will see how I go with a list but I won't write it here ...
As for the experience on a whole, once again I was glad I had actually done it!
Bridget J September 24 The one at Gloria's Yesterday, prior to going to work, I had coffee at Gloria Jean's (in the local plaza) and saw one lady, Bea who regularly catches the same bus as myself.
As we always say "hi" in passing, I thought that I could join her at her table instead of sitting alone.
It didn't take long to get chatting - well, more like she got chatting about all things.
At one time Bea was talking about her husband, Sid. I always thought that she was a widow as I have never seen her husband, but following her conversation he seems to be more housebound and if he goes out, he takes the car.
I am not quite sure what age they falls in but I think that Bea is at least 70 and I think that her husband might be around the same age if not older.
At one point Bea was talking about Sid and he seems to fall into the category of the aged who have no will to live at all. She even went as far as saying that he has actually said that he just can't wait to die! He has a lot of health problems and so I think that this has a lot to do with it. She doesn't know what would happen if he lost his driver's license but she hopes that this doesn't come.
I think once he loses his independence he would be much worse.
I just don't know how Bea copes with someone who has hit such a low!
She said that he doesn't have friends and his nights are spent on the computer at night til all hours of the morning. She said she wakes up and finds him sleeping next to the computer but I don't know if he is on the internet or what. We always hear how the younger generation like the 20 somethings live online but we seem to forget that there are older age groups who are old enough to be our parents/grandparents to be in the same situation because they have nothing else to do with their time at night.
I set myself limits on the time I spend online and so I am never there after midnight. On occasions I might be online until after 11:00 but that is very rarely and that is only because I didn't realise the time or because I go online later than normal, but I have never gone to sleep with the computer running right beside me.
Apart from this down side of life Bea told me about her family as I said to her how her grandsons have grown so much. I have been catching the bus regularly for over 10 years and so I have seen people come and go and people grow up and this is the case with her grandsons. When I brought up about her grandsons, she said that the parents are having trouble controlling them and she knew from day one that they were too soft on them and now they are realising the mistakes that have been made. I think that one of the grandsons must be 16 now, which was a real shocker but I only see them now during the holidays and if I am on the bus.
Bea told me that the boys are her son's children and how she has two daughters, with one living in Adelaide and one living here.
She even said how her daughter in Adelaide had actually won Tatt's Lotto's first division prize pool. Apparently her partner and herself won over $1.7 million.
I have never met someone who knows someone who has won this much in Lotto and so it was interesting to know how she spent her share of the prize pool.
Bea said that she had a family get together and handed everyone an envelope with a cheque enclosed with something like $10,000 each. With Bea being on a pension she was saying that they gave her the money all in $100-00 notes and having never seen money like this in her life, she ended up in tears. She said she brought herself a new lounge suite. As for her son, her daughter said to him that he can now buy himself a new barbeque! As for the one's who won the money, they paid off their home and also invested money and placed some in their superfunds - and with the downfall of super, ended up losing tens of thousands of dollars. It seems as though they are money poor but rich in assets.
I also found out that she lived in the same street I had lived in - but at different times. Unfortunately she has had more trouble than we ever had, especially having a neighbour who actually broke into her home when she was there.
I couldn't believe it but she said that he was reported and ended up in jail and had actually been involved in other break and entries. I wouldn't know what I would do if I faced a neighbour in the house.
She said that she was shocked to see him and he was shocked to see her and I couldn't help but think how worse things could be - as you hear nightmare stories about home invasions, especially involving the elderly.
Talking to Bea, it gave me an insight into someone I wouldn't know if I never caught the bus and gotten to know people who commute around this town.
Bridget J September 20 The one where things go wrongI thought that yesterday was going to be a good day apart from having a late finish to work.
Instead my evening began to go wrong from the moment I went to get my evening meal.
Usually when I have to work and have a break, I tend to go to Subway. It is easier to get a roll and a ice coffee for the meal break.
Anyway, I had my roll ready for me, and I reached into by bag to get out my wallet, and after hitting the bottom of the bag, I realised I didn't have my wallet.
I knew I didn't have my phone, and after talking to the shop girl, I phoned home and after three seperate attempts and getting no answer, I phoned my sister, Annette and she came to my rescue, by picking up the roll and drink and then dropping it at work for me.
It is the one bad side of not driving - if you get stuck and need something at home, you can't rush off and get it, there and then. As it was, if I did have a car, I wouldn't have enough time to go home and then make it to work on time.
So, my sister paid my meal and dropped it at work for me.
Then, I finished work at midnight, and I didn't see my ride waiting for me. With "The Ice Queen" being on shift too, she actually said that she will wait with me as she didn't like the idea of me waiting by myself at the time. From this alone, I got a big surprise of what a sort of person she really was.
I thought all this time she was a nasty piece but after last night, my opinion has changed. I think from retrospect the pressure gets to her and from this she easily snaps - but away from work she is really down to earth.
Anyway, she waited with me and after 10 minutes, I thought that I could give a call home to see what was happening, and so I borrowed her phone, called home and found out that my ride was "waiting".
I hung up and had a look along the two roads that the restaurant and there was no car parked and then it hit me. She must of been at the supermarket.
I asked S, if she could do me a big favour to go to the supermarket to see if she was there. I thought that I could stay incase she turned up.
Less than five minutes later, my mother arrived and she said that she thought that I was working at Coles. She had a rest while waiting and from waking up she was on auto-pilot and headed straight to the supermarket.
If S, didn't wait with me, I would of loved to known how I was going to get home.
Sometimes it would be good if everyone had a mobile but in the real world this is not so.
As it was, I didn't have my phone on me or money so I was in a real pickle.
I will be working this afternoon and she I will get S a box of chocolates as a big thank you and I will pay back Annette the money to even everything up!
So today should be a better day ... as I doubt nothing will go wrong twice in two days!
Bridget J September 15 The one in an old photo
Last week I was talking to Belinda and she told me how her daughter Abby is playing a farm game on Facebook and if I knew anyone who would like to play it with her. Legally she isn't meant to be on it, but she uses Craig's login details and she can only have friends that she knows. Knowing that Katarina has a Facebook account, I thought that I could ask her if she wanted to be Abby's friend in the game. I thought that since I know Kat's login details I can go looking for Craig's profile and send an invite that way and after finding his profile, I started looking into what he has on his page for groups etc. I never expected to find he linked himself to the primary school he attended - along with Belinda and myself. From this link, I got a bit of shock, not thinking that class photos could be facing me head on. It is okay to find something after you are told about something but not when you are looking but not expecting to find something. As it was, I came across an old school photo from year four. I emailed Belinda with the news and she sent back a comment and has even said she has found old class photos of herself online. Has anyone else found old class photos that they wished were never found? As it was, I actually tagged myself in the actual photo. Who knows who is going to come across it someday! Bridget J |
|
|
