Supper Out at the Legion

Tonight in honor of Grandma, Bryan suggested that we all go to the Legion Hall for supper. Since Grandma loved going out - and going out to the Legion was one of her favorites, we chose there.

There was a specific time table we followed -- couldn't get there at 6 when the doors opened -- that would have embarrassed her. Couldn't go too late because the good salads would be gone. So 7pm was the decided time for the group of 11 of us to meet up there.

As we walked in, Jaeda and I were on the outs -- everyone else seemed to know someone and was hugging, so Jaeda joked that maybe we should be hugging, too. Eventually they found a table big enough for all of us.

Ordering was another story -- then dad ordered wine -- asked for the best red they had -- eventually got to a merlot. Ended up being a whole whopping $7 a bottle. Not a glass, a bottle. Nice change from Sydney prices. Dinner was a bit of a debacle. No one got quite what they ordered, when they should have gotten it, from the baked potatoes running out to the steaks being cooked a bit more than we would have liked -- and taking a good hour plus to come out. But gave lots of time to chat. LOTS OF TIME.

And in the end.... What did the bill come to???? A grand total of $106. For 11 people to have steak and side dish with salad. Unbelievable!!! And I have the photo to prove it.

Jump to the Future

Star Date June 16, 2010

Sounds like a Star Trek episode. Almost feels like one.

Two months of no blogging. And now I am in a completely new house. New country. New time zone. Without a husband or children. And its really weird.

After much pushing and prodding to bring the blog back to life, it is back online.

I have arrived in the USA safe and sound. Touched down on Monday in Chicago. Hit the road Tuesday morning at 8.07am. Arrived in South Dakota by 9pm at the Atteberry Farm. Hit the couch for a quick sleep by 11.30 and was up for a day of sorting by 8.30 on Wednesday with everyone.

Its been weird. Not something I can put into words quite yet. The house doesn't look the same. Definitely doesn't smell the same. Doesn't feel the same. There is a void here that won't be filled again. I know this is the last time I will be here and it really bring conflicting feelings out. The memories are strong. They make me smile, they bring tears to my eyes. I can't imagine what they are doing to mom and all her siblings right now.

Went up to Grammas grave to see her for the first time. That is when it really hit me that it was real. It was so strong it physically knocked me over. I couldn't stand up after sitting down with her. I have never felt that way before. Something just kept drawing me back down.

I am glad I am here though. Being with everyone is helping. And I know that is part of what I need to help me to move on...

Boys vs Girls

Isn't that the way it always happens? Boys do one thing, girls do another?

Jim is the first to point out that I am the first to ADMIT that I am NOT an outdoorsy girl. If there is an option to do the lazy, relaxing weekend option vs the outdoorsy, rugged option – gee, guess which one I would pick….

Jim felt like going to Balmoral Beach and was trying to drum up support for his choice. Not my idea of how I was wanting to spend my Saturday. And I had already told Mom I was going to take her into the city to the Rocks Market to pick up some gifts for people back in the states (wonder who they are…), get more coffee pods and a couple of other things. So I had an out. Anything that has the word shopping remotely attached to it will attract Emmalee's attention, so she chose to avoid the beach. Which left Andrew and Dad.

So, we split up and Andrew, Jim and Dad went off to Balmoral Beach for lunch of fish and chips at the beach. And the girls headed into the city for some shopping. I think both groups worked out quite well. Mom made out well at the Rocks Market – she got a cool sweater that can be worn 7 different ways and some other things. We got our coffee pods and walked past a St. Patrick's Day parade that was just starting out.

GMOTUS and GOTUS head to New Zealand

Another early flight – Grammy and Grampy are determined to make sure that I don't get my beauty (or my un-grumpy) sleep while they are here. Had to get them to the airport and Jim got the kids to school again.

One week touring the South Island of New Zealand. A few less suitcases, a cell phone with instructions to buy a SIM card upon landing so they can contact us from over there and an itinerary based on weather. What more could they ask for? And what could possibly go wrong? Stay tuned…

GMOTUS and GOTUS Have Landed

What is up with these early morning flights? Had to set the alarm at 6.30 to go and get Grammy of the United States and Grampy of the United States at the Airport. Left Jim with the kids to get the off to school for band, with an 8am drop-off. Not too bad – he could get into work by 8.30.

I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Got a great parking spot. Waited for them and finally see them wheeling the trolley with three big suitcases, two roll-aboards, 1 HUGE Rubbermaid tote and a couple of small bags with them. All to fit into my Holden Astra. ALONG with them (and me!) Luckily with a little engineering and tight squeezing we made it without leaving anything or anyone behind.

We even made it back to Northbridge in time to say hello to the kids before the 9.10 bell rang. They were quite excited to see the grandparents before school I think.

Got home and the unloading began. Out came all the goodies I had requested. And all the goodies Debbie had requested were sorted out and bagged and ready to go to Maggios for our coffee date with Debbie. Had to have a breakfast and coffee to start out the trip for Mom and Dad at Maggios. Debbie said it was like Hanukkah for her getting all of her Clinique and Kindle goodies as soon as Mom and Dad arrived.

Came home and finished unpacking and rested up for the rest of the day. Of course we had to be at school for pick-up or the kids would have not been so forgiving. Then off for pizza at Borussos for dinner. Funny thing was dad was so tired he could hardly hold on to his wine glass – and he had hardly anything to drink – it was just tiredness and jetlag. Had to tuck them into bed just after 8.15 – had to give them props for staying up that late!

Time Sure Stops for No One

Here it is Friday the 16^th of April. And I haven't blogged in over a month and a half. Can't say its because there has been nothing going on. More like too much going on and not enough motivation or desire to keep up with it. So, guess while Jim is watching 'Friday Night Footy' I'lll try to catch up at least a little bit. Or until my fingers give out.

Since January the owners of the house have been trying (to no avail) to sell the house we are renting, which has meant open houses and inspections. Not happy places for me. At all. So I haven't been in a happy place to feel like writing for blogging. Just trying to get by day by day. Still no resolution on that front. In fact, the agent has requested two more showings, to which Jim has said no. So we are at an impass. Not sure what is going to happen now. Whether they will insist we show it or we will have to ask to move on to other residence (since we figure at lease end we will be kicked to the kerb anyway!)

Let's see… since March 5^th a lot has happened… kids have finished their first term of school. Andrew has gotten his first reconciliation, and Mom and Dad finally made it over to see us. After the cancelled trip in December, they made it here March 19^th not too worse for the wear. Can't say how they'll be when they leave tho!

Harry Connick Jr.

New Orleans meets the Opera House. Quite a combination. You can take the boy outta the bayou, buy you can't take the bayou outta the boy.

After Andrew's reconciliation, we raced home, did the gifts, got the kids jammied up and had Debbie come over so we could go see Harry Connick Jr. at the Sydney Opera House. It was our 2^nd show there and the 1^st for mom and dad. We just squeaked in for time – left mom and Jim down at the bar to get a drink while dad and I went to grab the tickets at will call – and came back to slurp the drinks down before rushing back to the Opera House for the 9pm show. He was the only act with a brass and string band. And a grand piano of course. Our seats were dead center, but pretty far back. Still quite good. Especially for last minute booking over the weekend.

He started the set with just singing and having the band accompany him. That was good. He's a pretty funny guy when he talks and tells stories. Then he went over to the piano. His piano playing is amazing. I just don't like it when he goes off on one of his tangential riffs for ever and ever. It just goes on and on and on. Seriously dude, bring it back in. I was getting bored. His playing is great, but the riffing just gets to be a bit much.

He brought in a New Orleans trumpet player to play with him that I just loved. I like that type of nightclub sound. Then he brought out his daughter who is hardly older than Emmalee. The thought of being able to say that you sang at the Sydney Opera House when you were a pre-teen would just be amazing. And then of course I was sitting then just adding the years to Emme's age thinking of how big she would be when she got to be that age and it was just killing me!!!

The show was good, but not a Josh Groban show. I think I would have liked Harry Connick Jr. better in a smaller venue like a nightclub or a jazz club. Maybe its just me. But that is just the way I was feeling.

I do know that Mom and Dad said they enjoyed it – and 4 days into the trip they were able to stay awake for the whole show!