Change of seasons

It was Sunday that we visited the park and it was quite hot out at around nine in the morning, we had left home at 7.30am and it was comfortable wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I went hospital visiting the next morning in another pair of shorts and a light top.

I like this top but I have discovered that it really doesn't like me, wearing it I feel a bit uncomfortable because it has an elastic waist and it seems to show that I do have a tummy. It is also made from a sheer fabric and so I need to wear black chami under it. I think it is the colours that I particularly like and I usually wear it with light blue 3/4 jean shorts to match.

We left home around 8.15am for the train station and sitting out waiting for the train it was a little cool. Less than twenty four hours before, we were looking for shade but Monday morning I was searching for a bit of sun to warm me. How quickly the weather changes, luckily I had taken an umbrella, as later going from the train to the bus station, I needed to use it.

Instead washing the top and putting it back in the cupboard to select again because I like the look of it and I quickly forget that it doesn't do anything for me, I have put it in the pile to go to an Opportunity shop so that someone else can enjoy it. So far I have two big bags of clothes, shoes and handbags that I don't use any more, now all I need to do it drop them off somewhere, it is on my list to do for tomorrow. Still have lots of clothes that I either don't wear for some reason or they don't fit me right, would love to get down to the Project 333. That is 33 pieces of clothing including shoes and jewellery to wear for 3 months or a season. 

Beanies

In my spare time and while watching TV, I like to knit, then I don't feel as though I am wasting time by sitting in front of the TV.

I also like to see a finished product or object, reasonably soonish, patience is not one of my qualities. Knitting beanies fits many of my requirements, they are easy, I know the pattern, I get to knit, I can finish one in a short time, doesn't take much to sew up (not one of my fav bits!) and lastly I am doing something for less fortunate, so a definite win/win for me.

I have a stack of wool, at last count, it fills a laundry basket, some I have bought and some was from my mum's stash Mum was also a great knitter and crocheter but she would make blankets. Knitted squares to be made into blankets or she would crochet a whole blanket. Not my thing and my squares never seem to look like squares. The other day I was in an op shop looking for some vintage velvet for a project that I have in mind (just another one!) and there were two quite large bundles of wool, I bought them, just cant let a bargain like that pass by. There was around twenty balls altogether for $8, all new still with the bands on, retail would have cost easily $40-$50.I won't run out of wool for awhile, that's for sure.

I use up the small pieces by adding stripes and also to make them a bit different. There is a group that meet for knit and natter at the local libraries around and they knit for "Knitting for Brisbane's Needy, " I have donated items to them before and the above lot will go there too but I have missed this months meet so I'll keep knitting and will have more to add. so far I have knitted sixteen and hope to have doubled that by their next meeting.

I was on the train yesterday and knitting when a lady came and sat next to me (some people opt to sit elsewhere rather than next to some-one who is knitting!)and she remarked that you don't often see people knitting or reading a book on the trains these days, she then got out a book. Most people were on their phones! either checking emails, reading or listening to music.  

OMG! I have just been offered a job!

This was not the topic that I was going to write today but when I got home from the hospital visit, Warren says there's a message for you about a job.

And yes, I have been asked to work as  Teachers Aide for five weeks. Scary stuff but as I have been told, I have done it before just not in Australia!

It doesn't start until next month and I will have to organize to get a Blue card which enables me to work with kids.

Breakfast (but not at Tiffany's)

Damned adverting! Last night while watching the news, McDonald's had a series of ads about breakfast muffins for only $3. It was an early rise for me this morning and I was thinking about breakfast and my usual oats and yoghurt really didn't appeal to me, so I suggested to the man of the house a trip out for breakfast and then a walk in the park. His comment "I shouldn't put the jug on for coffee, then?"

This was breakfast, of course we bypassed the cheap sausage muffin, I had the wrap with egg and bacon and coffee and Warren went for the full meal of muffin, hash browns and coffee. Then it was off to the Centenary Lakes for a walk and to feed the ducks. There was another reason for this as well, I am in a challenge to take a photo a day and there are prompts for each day and today's prompt was "Under my feet."

This is the photo that I posted for the challenge. It is a pleasant walk and when we go, I do think to myself, "I should come more often" There are hundreds of ducks, water fowl, ibis's and we even found some geese on the upper part of the lake. It is part of a 10,000 steps walk and we probably walked about 2 kms, stopping every now and then to throw out some bread crusts. I keep any crusts in the freezer so that if we do go, then there is bread to take and feed whatever birds are around. Even though it is late April, the sun was quite hot when we were not in the shade of the trees.

 Curious geese and they preferred to take the bread from his hand.

 The only pelican that we saw, in the first photo I took, he had turned and the photo was a back view, not a good look maybe he was trying to tell me something.

One fountain and a second in the distance. The beauty of our sojourn this morning is that I have two more photos that will be used for the next couple of prompts of the photo challenge.

Microwaves (as in ovens)

In one of the magazines that I buy regularly, either That's life or Take five, there was an article about using your microwave. It said that most homes have them but don't use them to their full potential, I can put my hand up for that one.

The article went on to list some ways that microwaves can be used and this is one that I particularly liked and have done it a couple of times since reading about it.

An easy dessert. I sometimes think that we don't eat enough fruit, its there in the fridge but snacks are usually some cheese and biscuits, or a slice of bread, even cereal in Warrens case, rarely do we grab a piece of fruit so I am trying to incorporate fruit into our meals or desserst. The dish in the picture was our afternoon snack yesterday, thanks to the idea in the magazine. Peel and slice an apple and place in microwave until it becomes soft, should only take a minute or two, best to do in one minute bursts, sprinkle with cinnamon and some sugar, I added some Greek yoghurt and a passion fruit on top. Warren was impressed and it only took a few minutes and there is our recommended two fruits for the day. While I was in the kitchen and because it was Anzac day I also made these

Anzac biscuits, the batch made 24 so after sampling a couple, the rest went into the freezer. another use for the microwave was to put dirty socks into some soapy water and place in microwave, I think that is not one idea that I will not be doing. 

Anzac Day

The closest dawn service is at Bribie Island RSL, Warren had arranged to go with friends and he made a full carload so I didn't attend this time. He got all his stuff ready last nght and set the alarm for 2.30am, he was being picked up at 3am, the service was to start at 4.20am.

I woke and then went back to bed and was woken at 7am, he hadn't taken his keys, two mornings in a row I had to stagger out of bed! While I was getting my breakfast , I asked him if he wanted some and he said no, the RSL (Returned Service League) had supplied a big breakfast for veteran who were wearing medals on their right side. I said "That's stupid, veterans would be wearing them on their left side!" "Haha!" he replied "They were being sneaky as it was"right" as in correct, not right as in left/right. You know the correct side but anyone trying to get a free brekkie wouldn't know that!"

Warren with his medals after the service this morning.

 
Our son Jason and his boys after the service last year.

Apparently there were about 2000 people there, an increase on last year, numbers have been increasing over the years which does seem incredible but heart warming. Next year will be the one hundredth anniversary of the Anzac landing. I will be going to that one, I must ask my brother for dads medals so I can wear his as well as my own. I have a general service medal which I have never worn, I do wear the miniature one though. The full size one can only be worn at special occasions such as Anzac day services.

One of those days

Warren was going to the hospital today and said that he would leave after 8.30 and catch a train, I needed the car. He woke me at 8am  and said that he would catch the bus, great I thought, and snuggled down in bed. Next thing (it seemed) he was at the bedroom door saying that he needed to go now and could I drive him, he left saying that he would start the car.

Groan, I struggle out of bed and exchange my pj pants for a pair of trousers and decided that the pj top looked like a regular top (no time even for a bathroom stop) and off I stagger to the garage slipping on shoes as I went and picking up my bag just in case I get pulled over. It would be bad enough to be half pj's and  no bra without my license. Luckily I did get back home without the need to show anyone my license. I was also too awake to go back to bed.

I had my writing course this afternoon after two weeks holiday and I was really proud of myself as I wrote up my "homework" yesterday, only had three weeks to do it but finishing it with a day to spare was pretty amazing, I had even printed it off. I started to get ready, I like to combine things to do when I go out so packed my library books and found a theatre program in the bag, that I had collected, I remembered that Warren said that he was interested in going to see Mother Africa so I looked in it. Damn and blast its on next month not August like I had thought.

Five minutes was all that I needed to buy tickets online, yes right, it was more like twenty, then I had to rush as I needed to leave in ten minutes. Lunch!, no time so a couple of savoury biscuits with cheese, changed my T-shirt, grabbed my folder, still had last terms papers in there so quickly moved them to the back of folder. Then I remembered that I need a script filled so got that out of the drawer and away I go.

Five minutes to spare and when it was my turn to read my piece, it wasn't there, no of course not, I didn't pick it up. After class, I was going to the chemist and no script, still on kitchen bench. I did have my library books so exchanged them and I had half an hour before my hair appointment so I dropped into the Op shop I am trying to find some patterned velvet material. No such luck but I did pick a new pair of purple silk PJ's plus some wool.

Got out my wallet, no card, I bet it was at the computer, I had enough money to pay cash for my bargains but not for my hair cut so on the way to the car, I dropped in to tell them I would be late and why, Jan the hairdresser says to me sit in the chair  and I'll cut it now and then you can go and get your card. I have been a customer for a couple of years but she has no details on me at all.

Got home, no card at computer, what now, I emptied my handbag thinking that I had just dropped it in, in my haste to get away. It was in my card holder all the time in with another card not its on slot. Drove back to hairdresser and paid my debts then on to the train station to collect Warren. Gee it was nice to get home and relax.

Note to self, get everything ready first thing in the morning. At least half of my homework is already for next class