Taree

Thursday I drove to Taree to be with Simmone Mark and Hamish in their new home, which is a total mansion and only what they deserve. I overnighted with my friend Bunge and it was great to see her and where she lives. The country around Niagara Park is stunning and Taree very beautiful with the blue blue ocean. Id forgotten you cant argue with the ocean, until I went for a swim. It was cold and exhilarating and exhausting.

While there I went on a walk with Mark and Hamish through a brush that had a colony of bats nesting. I got this awesome picture of a tree trunk and ended up falling over and covered in bat shit. The look on my nephews face, as I was going down, was priceless. Then I had to lay face down on the back seat of the car so I wouldn't get the seats covered in bat crap. It was really funny and I didn't hurt myself at all, so the big boy upstairs is looking after me.

Hamish did some trolley surfing in Woolies and also owned a fish "Reg" for 24 hours, while I was there.

Navmans now in my life and constantly tells me where to go and its just so damn easy to follow. Now I can take a job driving taxis in my spare time.

Portraits

Trying to be creative.

Old Parliament House

Mate! I had some fun today. I went to see the National Portrait Exhibition at old Parliament House. First up, the exhibition was AWESOME and made me cry pine and lament all at once in front of some pictures. The pic of the boy with dreadlocks (Demons) was my pick for the winner. After that I walked around to sit in front of Gough Whitlams Portrait for about 15 minutes and put my right hand under the seat to find out why it felt so solid. Cruised off and took a pic of the staircase which had a nice light wash. Then onto door M8 and took a portrait of myself in the reflection of the door, cos Im mates with myself now.... No one was around while I was taking these snaps. Then out of nowhere this Security Guard comes walking really fast towards me so I diverted quickly onto the veranda. We had a bit of cat and mouse until he finally caught up to me and started saying nice rain blah blah then telling me that the kids at school used to call him WOG. Like my dad says "i was wonderning if I had a face like a cow" and feeling a bit uncomfortable by this time, so started walking off. He calls out to me don't forget your husband! What the Kernell was all this about?? I'm thinking then it dawned on me that they must have seen me on the security cameras acting weird like. Even though I couldn't see the cameras they must have been watching me all the time. So if anyones got nothing to do in the next few weeks, we could really have some great fun there. Childish I know, but bloody funny too.

Link to finalist http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/nppp/photos.php

Down .9kg - maybe thats why he thought I had a husband......

Lorraine West and Ernie Samms

Full on today - Weigh in (down .8kg), down to the National Library with Dougalls' and Screech Owl to see the Afghan display. Many beautiful quotes there but this one really touched me.

"My friend, in a far away country your face begins to fade, but your name keeps me alive." Of course, I let it all come down...

Then off to Big W to do battle with the digital photo printing. While there I thought I saw a man I knew and called out in traditional Katherine style "Ern!!" well he turned around and looked and kept walking. I wasn't put off my this brush of (well, I never was good and picking up on subtle) and called out louder. He kept walking so I ran them down and said "What you mob trying to snob me????" Luckily it was Leesas (Moo's) mum and dad other wise its would have been the biggest shame job out. Thanks for the Iced Coffee and chat guys. Made my day!

Reliquished

Today my old branch let me go. I'm now officially in ICT Applications and Development Branch. Yes, Ive had a section done on me. A Section 25, in fact. You can hardly see the scares. This is all Australian Public Service talk, if you wondering what I am on about. I'm very happy too. Renewed vigour is whats going on here tonight. Simmone Mark and Hamish are in Glen Innis tonight and will be heading of on Friday for Taree to their new home. Simmone said of the it feels like the air conditioner is on all the time down here. God, I laughed.

Pic I took at the botanical gardens last Sunday.

Mondayitis

Back to work tomorrow after a couple of weeks of random select. I feel.....cant quite identify it, maybe restless, listless lack lustre???

Saw this fantastic bark on my walk tonight.

Slashin good time

Today I cut up my Mobility Parking Permit even though it had another couple of weeks to go before it expired, I always dreamed I could get rid of it before then. I'm pretty chuffed. See when you dream and believe, you can achieve.

Started out at 7am with a walk around Burley Griffin with Ori and we had a lot of fun. Watching Ori try to pick up a worm with some sticks in a chopstick formation was hilarious, as was his "Rose Pose" (Titanic).

Miss the family on these occasions very much.

My mate Doris, took me out for tea and it was nice to celebrate my birthday together. Thanks Doris, much appreciated.

Hottie

Jen is still at the coast and I am missing her. Nanny and Poppy brought this BLING collar for her for Christmas. She better not start acting like Paris Hilton when she gets back.

I'm over Summer. Ready for Autumn my favorite season. Favorite because the country becomes a wash of colour and slowing down from the frantic pace of Summer and Christmas.

"These old memories do not flow readily; as Hazlitt said of the germs of original ideas, one must dig them out of the hidden recess of thought, and bring them struggling and deformed into the day" - quote from Mirror On The Wall - novel.

Also got a copy of The Ladies of Missalonghi today to send to my mate Jennifer in Ireland. There is something about Colleens writing that stays with me for a very long time. Ive read only two of her books but each of them have had scenes that have been replayed in my mind over the years.

I walked for an hour this morning. Not bad for an old Sheila who is turning 47 tomorrow - well I reckon (lol)