Happy New Year!

It is New Years Eve and we're ringing it in early compared to usual...I guess this year was really only 364.5 days long for us! We've had great fun having the kids here for the past two weeks and I'll update with details eventually, including photos but right now I'm going to admit to being a bit tired. Marlee and Blake are on their way to the airport with Mike as I type and Laura is stretched out on the couch watching a Bondi Rescue marathon (which we're both enjoying). I can't find any reference to fireworks here in Perth for midnight but it could happen. We've seen fireworks a few times and it's always a surprise...I start thinking "who is beating a drum" and when I finally walk out on the balcony to check, behold! Fireworks. Black eye peas are soaking overnight so we can ring in the New Year with some good luck. Happy New Year everyone, and Happy Birthday Mom!

Ahhhhhhhhh................................

Daughter, snowstorm in TN, flight to Australia...a sad confluence. I am sad but still retain some small hope that she can actually make it to Knoxville for the 2nd flight I've booked for her. Woke her at 5AM in hopes she can make it through on the freeway. Its usually about 1.5 hours and she's got 6 hours to make it. *fingers crossed* Updated Sunday AM Oz time: She made it! Oh happy day.

Got that sorted

Got asked today to stay on part time till the end of Feb (or as long as I'm willing) doing project management and documentation. And more importantly, today they bought me the software I need to actually make my documentation good. Geek happiness! So I'm motivated and ready to keep going for the time being and I'm off from Dec 18 till Jan 5th to spend time with the kiddos. I'm sure a move like this requires passing through a number of set stages - excitement, anticipation, frustration, adjustment, homesickness, irritation, through to adjustment and acceptance. And I'm getting there. The fierce homesickness has passed, I'm eager to have the kids here to play with, the weather is cooperating (other than the bush fire smoke now and then), work is settled, and I'm firmly planning to head back to the states in 2.5 months. I told Mike the next couple of months work are for my shopping/plastic surgery fund :-)

Starting to count down :-)

Kids arrive in t-minus 10 days 16 hours and counting. Yay! I've got four more days of work, the company Christmas party, a couple of small get-togethers, and a whole bunch of planning to get done but those things all serve the valuable purpose of keeping me busy while I wait. Who knew I was such a doting Mom?

Survived!

Apparently the fastest speeds and highest winds they've encountered in the Flying Fifteens on the river in years. I loved it. Laughed, swallowed half the river, have a wicked forearm bruise, and hoped I get asked back :-) It was seriously rough but I was fortunate in that my skipper was kind and didn't need to win. We never set the spinnaker and chose to tack rather than go for some of the nasty jibs. Had four plus inches of water sloshing around inside the boat more than once. Had great views of many other boats going over. This is one of those boats where you anchor yourself in by your ankles and hang out over the side the entire time. This is not a posture I'm used to. Forget Pilates, go sailing! Now I understand why wetsuits, long sleeves, life jackets, etc are required. At one point I asked if perhaps a mask and snorkel would be appropriate what with the waves coming straight in my face. I hurt all over and have downed two Advil, but it was a blast.

Its snowing in Houston

But not here :-) It is really starting to feel like summer and I am basking in it like a lizard. Locals are looking at me like I'm crazy and saying things like "But its HOT outside" and I'm saying "Isn't it great!". Color me surprised. I always knew I preferred to sweat than shiver but didn't realize how much pleasure I could take from the thermometer finally hitting the high 90s. Mind you the mean average humidity in December is around 52%. That old saw about how "its not the heat, its the humidity" is so, so true. Today we got up crack o'dawn and met my Aussie breakfast girl gang near the house. Had a nice walk to the restaurant and some great conversation. My friend Sally has decided to campaign for public office. She's creating a new party. The Party Party Party. I am nominated as her science and technology minister. My future stretches out before me :-) Spent the rest of the morning getting the grocery shopping done, a bit of housework, some lovely book reading, an early dinner, and then met some Aggies for an outdoor movie up at Edith Cowen University. A summer phenomena, the outdoor cinemas in parks and university campuses are a great take off on the old drive-in movie concept. Giant movie screens set up within enclosures with canvas sling back deck chair seating. Tonight we picnicked by a lake on campus for an hour before the movie then went in and enjoyed the show. I got as much pleasure out of the experience of watching a movie outdoors for the first time in forever as I did from the very cute show itself (Stone of Destiny - google it). Tomorrow I have foolishly committed myself to sailing on a Flying Fifteen - a two person racer. Got a call out of the blue tonight, said "ok", and the next thing I knew I had a call offering me the use of a wet suit, life vest, booties, admonitions about sunscreen, hat stability, bringing my sailing gloves, etc. To the point where I finally had to ask "am I pretty much expected to die?" It appears that is not actually the intent but I'm supposed to turn up at 12:30 and can expect to be released by 6:30. Egads. Watch this spot for futher updates, or obituary notices....