A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Tuesday 21st May 2013

Outside my window...There's a big empty space where our alfresco dining table and chairs plus loungers used to be. I should explain if you haven't visited here before that we are in the process of moving back to the UK, so all our belongings and worldly goods are sailing home as I type. 

All that remains outside this particular window is the bricked in BBQ and a few potted plants. I've still got a few herbs and strawberries in pots but they'll be adopted next month. Thankfully there are lots of plants in the garden so we aren't devoid of greenery.

Unfortunately all the trees in and around our plot are still losing their leaves. This makes it a constant battle to keep them from falling into and worse still sinking down into the depths of the swimming pool.

The magpies are very vociferous this morning. They've been in deep discussion with each other since first light. I can't help but wonder what they could possibly be saying to each other.

Muffin is also sitting with her nose in the air...making sure nothing passes her keen sense of smell. She doesn't seem to have noticed all of our belongings have disappeared. She's still got her bed and her bowl for her mealtimes so everything is hunky-dory in her world! Bless...she has no idea she'll be going on a long journey soon ^..^         

I am thinking...where oh where can my reading glasses be? Last week they dropped into the pool but I managed to fish them out but on our dog walk on Monday morning I went out with them but they didn't return. I'm going to walk the same walk tomorrow in the hope that by some miracle I find them. This would be incredible because as I mentioned all the leaves are still falling so they are probably well disguised by now. Thankfully I've got a spare pair otherwise I would be in trouble!

I am thankful...that the English Football Premiership season has finished. No more 2, 3, 4 or 5am disturbed nights due to the boys getting up to watch their team play 12,000 miles away/

They'll be able to actually go to the ground and watch them play live! 

The last match was played last Sunday night and at 3.00am there was an almighty loud roar from the lounge. As you can imagine I thought the house was coming down and woke in a cold sweat instantly...as you can imagine I will not miss that!  

In the kitchen...there is none of my usual cooking equipment. They are all within in a 40ft container on sailing on their way back to the UK. It's amazing that I don't seem to remember this fact numerous times a day! I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a particular cupboard or drawer to find something I need only to stare into a large void! Don't get me wrong we do have a few rental things but it's only the basics. 

Some meal preparations have been a trial but so far I've managed. 

I am wearing...A warm fleece to snuggle into...leggings and Ugg slippers for cozy toes (and a thermal vest...but that's just between you and me..shhh...don't tell anyone else)   

I am creating...I've got a little surprise in the making, although I haven't actually got to start it yet! I won't say anymore because I'll hopefully show you later this week. It's perfect in my mind...I just need to get it out onto the paper...tomorrow may be the make or break of the idea. 

I am going...to try to maximise my last few weeks here in Melbourne. I'm not going to think that once I leave I'll never come back because as I've said before...never say never! Who knows? ;D

I am wondering...what it will be like to return to our family home. The one that we haven't lived in for so long. I think generally it'll all be good but obviously they'll be a transitional period where everything will be topsy turvy. I've got lots of plans which I'm looking forward to...one being that I can set up a completely new art studio...oh my heart does a little leap just at the thought! 

I'm reading...Fractured by Dawn Barker
Fractured is an intensely powerful story about a family torn apart by a terrible tragedy that pivots on the events of one day, all the pieces of the jigsaw gradually fitting together as the story builds to its devastating and inevitable conclusion. 

Anna and Tony Patton seem to have it all, great career, a loving marriage and now a beautiful new baby son, Jack. But six weeks after Jack's birth, he and Anna go missing and Tony is plunged into a nightmare. As he desperately searches for his family, it becomes clear that he has been overlooking just how hard life came be with a newborn. 

I obviously don't want to give too much away except to say I read this book with a few days! I've passed on my recommendation to a few people and so far every one of them has reported back that they couldn't put the book down. 

About the Author:-

Dr Dawn Barker is a child psychiatrist who works with families affected by mental illness. She grew up in Scotland, and studied Medicine at Aberdeen University. In 2001 she moved to Australia, completed her psychiatric training and began writing. She has published non-fiction articles on parenting and child psychology for various websites and magazines. Fractured is her first novel. 

I am hoping...that Mufftypup has a good flight and sleeps most of the way so that she doesn't fret. It's certainly a long way for a little pooch to travel all alone. I'd love her to be able to sit with us and I know she'd love to meet all of her fellow passengers. I can just visualise her walking up and down the aisle seeking as much attention as possible.

I am looking forward to...seeing all of the members of my family. I haven't been home in three years so there's a lot to catch up on. 

Around the house...There are empty rooms. As I mentioned here we have shipped our own furniture back to the UK in the hope that it will be there ready to welcome us when we return, so in the interim we have rented furniture. It feels like we are on holiday yet again! It's amazing just how inventive I have had to be...especially with flowers. I realised that I didn't have a vase to put them in, so I recycled interesting plastic bottles by cutting the tops off! I have to say I'm so pleased with myself as they have worked brilliantly.  

A favourite quote for today...

One of my favourite things...(I always have difficulty with this one because I've got so many favourite things) It's difficult to think of something else as I pop another chunk of chocolate into my mouth...whilst finishing the best book I've read for some time so other than the obvious chocolate and books I think I'd have to say my family and friends. 

I'll be so sorry to leave the friends I've made since being here in the land of Oz, but I will treasure our friendship and hopefully with the internet's help I'll be able to stay connected. As to my family it will be wonderful to reconnect with them and get back to where we left off! 

    

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still appropriate! : D

A peek into my day... 

We are having fantastic autumn weather here in Melbourne and I'm making sure that I appreciate it! 

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous week and hopefully the sun will shine for you....keep smiling!

 I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful week everyone...whatever you have planned.