Holiday with my Sister

My sister, Andy, and I went on a holiday together after New year. We left the kids and husbands at home and embarked on a road trip up the coast.

First stop was Morpeth, near Maitland, where we did some shopping. I bought the most beautiful embroidered jacket. We had lunch and were on our way again, only to get stuck in the most horrendous traffic. It took us two hours to travel about 50 kilometres because of road work - and there was actually no road work crews working that day! We finally got to Forster and stayed the night.

The second day we traveled up to Port Macquarie and enjoyed some leisurely shopping and a laze by the pool after we checked in to our motel. We had a lovely dinner at a bar overlooking the river and then retired for the night.

The next day we went to Bellingen, did some shopping and enjoyed the most delicious lunch at the pub. I have never had such divine antipasto. We then travelled on to Coffs Harbour, were we stayed for three nights. We enjoyed plenty of shopping and a little sight-seeing, went to the movies one night to see The Day the Earth Stood Still and ate out for dinner at a lovely restaurant one night. We visited a butterfly house (more in the next post about that). On our last day we also indulged in massages.

We spent day 6 travelling home - a long trip but the traffic was much better. Home after a great trip. I think that I bought more for the girls than myself, but that is usually the way. I kept seeing things that they would love and couldn't help myself.

A great, relaxing holiday :-)

New Year's Eve

We celebrated New Year's Eve at my sister's with a Bollywood party. We had a great time getting into the spirit of things and dressing the part. Most people stayed the night - they even used the neighbour's backyard as a camp area with three tents and two caravans. We got the spare bedroom, so had comfie beds. It was great fun - just a shame those cocktails did me in early...LOL.

Shelby and Tegan looking fabulous!!

Shelby, Tegan and her boyfriend Lucas.

Tony and I dressed to the nine's Bollywood style.

Shelby and a little friend.

Tony, Darryl and Matt Indian style.

Maddie, Katrina and Shelby (in the middle).

Andrea, mum and I.

HAPPY 2009!!

Photo Challenge - ANYTHING NEW

Sorry that I'm late - AGAIN! I've been on a holiday with my sister (I'll put up a post about it in the next few days). I got plenty of new things on my holiday, although my two girls ended up with more than me, as per usual. Whenever I go away without them I end up buying them lots of nice things.

Thanks to LauraBelle of Simply LauraBelle for hosting this round of the challenge. To see everyone else's entries go to The Brenda Photo Challenge Blog.

This is my new bracelet. The amethyst beads are for peace and wisdom, the Capricorn is my star sign (practical and loyal), the jade bear claw is for good luck, confidence, power and inner strength and the female goddess represents love and compassion.

This gorgeous little statue is Jizo Bosatsu, a protective family deity and protector of children.

These wind chimes were made from aluminium from dis-used electrical cable stripped from mine sites in Africa. The stones in the wind chime are made from melting and setting recycled glass and recycled buffing stones. It is a beautiful piece and sounds lovely.

I hope that enjoyed my 'Anything New' contribution.

Drag Races

On Saturday we went to the drag races. Tony had taken the girls before but I hadn't gone. So this was my first time. We set up, went for a wander and watched some of the heats. And then it rained, and rained and rained :-( It wasn't really heavy, but it was enough to make you get under cover and they ended up canceling the meet. Tony went back the next day to watch the rest of the races by himself as we all had other things on.

Us all under cover (we were like this for over an hour!)

Tegan and Lucas

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!

A very quick post to wish you all a very merry Christmas and to share my day with you.

We were awoken at 5.50 by Shelby, who was trying to get Tegan to get out of bed. Guess what? She wouldn't get up. So Shelby patiently waited until 6.30 and then we all got up and opened presents. Shelby was so excited ripping open gifts and finding treasures that she never thought that she would get :-) I think that Tegan is getting a little old for all the excitement (not that she doesn't like presents though).



Tony and I then went back to bed for a little snooze at 7 a.m. and didn't wake until 9.30. Oh dear! We had to get to mum's by 10.30! I had to wash my hair and get things packed and in the car, and then off we went. We were only 5 minutes late.

We spent the next 5 hours at mum's, relaxing with my sister, her husband Matt and son Brett.

Tony and I

Andy and Matt

Mum, Andy and I toasting Christmas
Tegan and Shelby at the park next to mum's

The Christmas table

Andy, me, Tony and Matt

Brett, Tegan and Shelby

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you got to spend it with someone special. Now I'm off to relax before hosting Tony's brother and his family tomorrow, who are coming over for a barbeque.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Shopping Madness

Twas the day before Christmas and all the crazy people flocked to the shopping centre, including me, at 8 a.m. this morning. I had to get some lay-bys out and do some last minute shopping. I'm so glad we didn't plan on seafood this year - the lines for the fish shop were huge and apparently the fish markets in Sydney are bedlam.

Merry Christmas!!

Holidays!!

Yippee! I am into count-down mode. Thirty minutes until I finish work for the year and go on holidays :-)

I won't be back (at work, that is) until January 27th. Five weeks of summer fun. I won't be as regular with my blog, but I will try and share my adventures with you and send warm thoughts to all those of you who are in cold climates.

Merry Christmas!!