Wheeling & dealing; floods and lost goods, and self-talk

When I packed my worldly goods I was ruthless, asking myself what I couldn't leave behind - what I could not continue on in life without. All of what I packed has sentimental value. Er, perhaps the exception being the 6 rolls of toilet tissue (albeit embossed and 3 ply) Why?? I HAVE NO IDEA.  Perhaps I thought there would be a world-wide shortage of the stuff. WHO KNOWS!
It consists of 13 packing boxes, 7 suitcases, 2 antique items of furniture (of which I stuffed full of lightweight gear hoping they wouldn't notice), and some other (loose) sundry items.  (Bad mistake loose sundry items.)
Has it arrived here in the tropics yet? NO. Is it in transit? I SUPPOSE SO. Does the removal company keep me updated? NO. How long ago was it collected? A WEEK (more by the time I publish this post).  Has it (my worldly goods) and the truck floated away in the Queensland floods and they are not game to tell me because I harass them almost every day? PROBABLY.  Did I look up the reviews on this company before I engaged them. NOPE. What did I discover when I did? AAAAARGH.  Do I have any confidence  that my worldly goods will arrive undamaged or, at all? ABSOLUTELY.  Why??? Because nothing other than that "bowl full of humour" and that "spoonful of optimism" will DO.
So, you will need to stay tuned as to the outcome of all of the above.

WHEELING and DEALING - Now there's a skill I have acquired considerable expertise in over the past 10 years. Or so I thought. Those skills and charm and downright trickery and even begging, mean nothing, ZILCH to these hard-hearted Northern Retail operators.  When I arrived over a week ago, I needed to hit the retail sector with gusto. I needed the following 'starter' necessities to enable me to MOVE IN to my castle.  My 'worldly goods' would be handy too..........

At the Bed Shop I needed a Q bed for myself and guest bed.
Would they cut a discount for me? NO. How about a Seniors Discount NO. Waive the delivery fee? NO.
How about you chuck in a couple of pillows? NOPE. Aw come on.....NO.  If I'm not there to meet and greet your delivery fellas will you still hit me with the $50 naughty fee?  YESSSSS.  Ah. finally, a YES.

Let's head on over and reminisce on the experience at the GOOD GUYS Electrical Store. Stephen was his name........nice too.........my age group - baby boomer.  I thought this was looking most positive.
Can't you cut a little more off the refrigerator? NO. The online special was better! NO.  How about just the trailing $20? NO.  The Big TV - how about just the trailing $10? NO.  Washing machine.......I was wearing him down.......he took the trailing $9 off! A win!  The microwave........took the $7 off but turned it to a $5, the lousy %$#* son of a gun.  How about you waive the delivery charge? NO.  How about you chuck in one of those 5kg boxes of OMO washing powder you have stacked there? NO. Please? NO.  But, these GOOD GUYS will connect my washing machine up for me. WOO HOO.

(PS: I must be totally honest and fess up that everything I have bought to date was on advertised excellent specials and both of my girls were with me at these establishments which added to the hilarity of the purchases.)

Lots of photos next post.

HAPPY BLOGGING

I'll move in to the castle mid to late next week.

Back to the future .... ?

In a recent post I had little inkling of what my future held - and quite honestly I was incapable of seeing past the present day.  Now my mind is starting to unfold and look at possibilities. Slowly - very slowly, perhaps even formulate a list of priorities and possibilities - halve the page into two lists.

I read a cute quote some time ago (I cannot remember where or by whom it was written) but it's recently come to mind and it said: "Happiness can be right back where you started from". Is this me? 'Back home' - where I was born and raised in a regional city in tropical North Queensland? Is this where my happiness lies in wait?  Have I gone 'Back to the future'?  Lots of questions ~ lots to ponder.

Fragrant 'pani's' in Spice-girl's tropical street.     Anyone know this bird??? they are everywhere.

Daughter's street is nestled at the base of a large hilly mass in the outer suburbs and the bushfire came right down to the end of the street.  The awful 'fire smell' was still thick in the air when I arrived.

A kid's Christmas in the tropical North Queensland. Grandson Jack, a real water baby.

Christmas was WONDERFUL. Being "home" for Christmas with my family was...... very special. Seeing the excitement of Christmas through a child's eyes is magic.
I was a very busy girl catching up with people, and my dear friends' wedding on 12/12/12/12 was beautiful.
It was a wonderful day. A real tropical affair.

Something else quite exciting happened too, but you'll have to stay tuned in if you want to know what ...... next post I'll tell all and there'll be a few pics too!!

~

So after 21 days up in the tropics I am now back in the Hunter Valley to carry on with some medical procedures that were in the works for some time. It is nothing serious, but it will keep me here for a few weeks, after which time I'll be heading back to the tropics - back home - back to the future, to get on with the exciting thing that happened.
Needless to say the Team are so excited to see me, but they are still coming to terms with Mother Jana's passing. But the Team, and humans will be OK - eventually, time is a wonderful soother.

I doubt I will make midnight tonight - I will try though!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE IN OZ

and an early NEW YEAR'S GREETING TO EVERYONE ACROSS THE BIG OCEAN.

A tribute to Mother Jana

As I write from the tropics this is not the post I expected to be doing.
I have already finished a post and have it in 'drafts' but, if I do not do this post now, right now I will never do it and if I never do it I will be sorry, and it's certainly not in full but only in summary.
Yesterday 'other half' rang me and I learnt that Jana, Mother of The Team and AKA Princess, Pretty Girl, Sweetheart, Darlin', my Cheeky Chicken unexpectedly but instantly died of a massive heart attack. She was following the boss and the boys to the river for a swim. She did not make it. There was no warning. She just fell over and was dead.  We are all in shock, Alpha male Fred rarely leaves her grave. The boss is inconsolable and I am in denial, not good positions for any of us.  This little lady is worthy of a post titled "This is Your Life".  The courage and bravery she has constantly shown throughout her life is not even a tiny bit short of astounding. Another time perhaps, but not today. I am totally unable today.

I was about to choose a selection of my favourite photos of Jana, and there are many beautiful and more photogenic ones than the single photo I've chosen to honour her. There are lovely photos, poignant photos of her on the blog in "A Dog's Post Script" but his photo for me shows the window to her beautiful soul.

R.I.P

Jana 

"little big heart"

12 Jan 2000 - 16 Dec 2012

Back from my break with life's changing journey

Quote: 

Life is its own journey; presupposes its own change and movement, and if one tries to arrest either, it is at one's eternal peril.                                   Laurens van de Post
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As I pondered writing this I'm-back-from-my-break post, a sense of pensive sorrow fell upon me, and I truly wondered where words would take me. My 'break' has been tiring rather than restful - emotive afore tranquil.

Farewell walk 2 days ago, a stunning morning in the Upper Hunter - is this symbolic of my 'road ahead'?

So as not to bore you with tedious detail and extraneous prattle, suffice to say in simple terms that I have parted ways with 'other half' and am in the unenviable and utterly unappealing position of middle-aged 'single female'; no fixed address, no dogs, and no hint or notion of what I wish to do with the rest of my life.  Although I am completely acquiescent of my situation, I am none-the-less for now, .... aimless, purposeless and I hurt.   Heavens ......a drifter? I always  imagined that being a drifter allowed one the freedom to be a romantic; an idealist, a utopian, a dreamer! No, I'm afraid the pragmatist is too strong within me. But, still.....

The most important things in life will accompany me as I set forth:  my suitcase filled with everything I have learned ~ a box full of integrity and good intentions ~ a trunk-load of middle-aged common sense ~ my pockets overflowing with the love of friends and family who matter ~ a cute pair of shoes ~ my pink laptop and CAMera ~ visitation rights to The Team ~  and God willing good health.  Mandatory-requirements-under-circumstances: quality chocolate with a bowl of humour and a spoonful of optimism.

I shall be spending Christmas up in tropical north Queensland with my daughters. (You may remember my many posts written from there when I was on my extended holiday back in May/June) 

I will be on my way in 3 days.  Amid heartache and sadness, 'joy' too lurks in nooks and crannies. It has been more years than I care to remember since I have been 'back home' and shared a Christmas there with my daughters, and this will be my first with my grandson. This is wonderful, this is joyful, this is so overdue.

Another joyful event is the marriage of one of my oldest and dearest friends two weeks before Christmas - the ceremony will be at 12 noon 12/12/12. 

It is humbling to be part of your sometimes hilarious world, sad world, happy world, exciting world, brave world, personal world, photo world and everything else in between. 

You, are truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your precious and amazing world for it in turn has enriched mine; and, for your friendship.

I have all good intentions to do a post before Christmas, from the tropics but if I am unable to, I wish you and your loved ones a truly blessed and happy Christmas.

                                                                                                                                 

All changes, even those that may be longed for, have their melancholy;

for what we leave behind us, is a part of ourselves.

Anatole France

A Dog's Post Script

Taking a break ....

Having lived much of my life in 'cyclone country' and, many years ago on a Christmas eve, experienced first hand one of the biggest cyclones to hit our east coast I understand the drill, the preparations and, the potential devastation these monsters can wreak. 

Many of us have blog friends (some mutual) on the east coast of the US and it has been a harrowing time over the past couple of days for so many people during the passing of this awful storm Sandy which has left so much damage and heartache in its path.  
All of my blog friends are safe and well and my prayers and thoughts are with those who were not so lucky and are now left to face the days ahead.
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Like so many other bloggers I am taking a break from posting - possibly for several weeks. 
It is time for me to put my complete and total energies into some other matters for the time being. 

I doubt I will be able to stay away and not visit your blog though, and hopefully leave some awfully clever or cheeky comments. (I'm not that disciplined to stay away altogether!)

Take good care and I'll leave you with a couple of pretty pics.

(Two parrots I haven't shown before)

Male and female "grass parrot"

HAPPY BLOGGING

A dog's Post Script

Salons ain't salons

Whilst reorganising my photo files I came across this one from my trip to Cairns Nth Qld (in May/Jun) during my Townsville stay with my daughters.

It is the most fun, clever and unique Hairdressing Salon I've ever been into.

Do you know of a salon just as imaginative and creative which could feature on your blog?

HAPPY BLOGGING

A dog's Post Scipt

About a man ... someone I knew ... a tribute

Four days after being admitted to hospital for the last time 9 years ago, from his 22 month  battle with prostate cancer, the man was ready to die; he said he was, he said he wanted to, he said he was tired of trying to live, he said he was tired of hurting. He said he couldn't understand why his God whom he loved with all his heart and all his soul wouldn't take him home. The man's big strong heart kept pumping and refused to let him die, and there was not a switch to flip, or a tube to pull, or a knob to turn to end the man's hurting. It was whispered to the man that it was OK to let go, to not hold on any longer and it was then that he whispered to his wife, his beloved "I am ready, but there is no room for me yet". These were his last coherent words, said with calm and certainty. He continued to breathe for another 12 days. Then the man finally died in the arms of his beloved.  The man had said he was not afraid to die, he just did not want to leave his beloved.    
The man and his beloved had a story - a love story,  and it lasted twenty years.

So the man's beloved honours the anniversary of his passing by writing something each year and carefully places the writing in its special place. Some things the man's beloved will share, others she does not. The man's beloved is very fortunate and blessed as those who love her, let her be how she must be at any time, but in particular on September 16 each year.  She will go about her daily business on this day and pause, and gently close her eyes and remember - she will remember their love story; and the hard and difficult  times, and the happy and good times and then fiercely she will hold all of it tightly to her, lest the memories ever fade, ever dim, even the tiniest little bit.

I will go now and bring in all of the dogs bedding - it is wash day.

 I won't forget to empty the vacuum cleaner, or put the rugs back down or start dinner. 

I will return to the present and embrace and celebrate - life.  My new but different life.  My life.

But just for one more indulgent time I will gently close my eyes .... and remember,  all over again.

Goodnight sweetheart - goodnight.