Mookah Skirt

You may remember a few weeks back that I made my own skirt? Well at the same time, I ordered via the net a skirt made by my long time (school) friend, Leisa of Mookah fame, which is a business run by her and sister Nicole.

Anyway, yesterday my skirt arrived on my doorstep and I love it.

(I'm getting good at taking my own pics of skirts - NOT.)

The skirt is perfect for our current climate here in the UAE - made from a light grey fabric with a screen-printed flying bird and insect, A-Line with zippered waisted. I'm sure it will be a firm favourite and will be in high rotation in the months to come.

If you like it, I suggest you visit the Mookah online store, or drop by their blog page to see what projects the sisters are up too.

Street Par-tay

Yesterday we attended a 'street party' in the honour of nothing or no one.  Surprisingly, we all enjoyed ourselves.  

Our 'street' in the compound, is a 'dead-end' one with 26 villas lining it, 13 on either side.  The eight villas, up the end, have been occupied by the tenants (most people have the rent assistance as included in their work contracts and it seems the only owners of villas in this compound are owned by Nationals), for about 8 or so months.  The remaining villas (of which there are 6 vacant ones - we have no one living directly on either side of us) are occupied by people who all work for the same company Lyndon does.  We all arrived around the same time, from September to December.  It is a case of the street being split in too - that end and 'our end'.

It was someone from one of the tenants of 8 months+ who decided it would be a nice idea to get everyone together from the street and meet the ones they wave to.  (ie - likes like me)  We know quite well the people from 'our end' of the street, mainly because we all come from the 'southern hemisphere' and our husbands all work for the same company.  

I learnt yesterday that our street has residents from France, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, England, New Zealand, USA, Australia (hel-lo!), Jordan, Norway, Sweden, Canada, India.  We are multicultural are we not?

I befriended an older French couple, mainly because the woman produced some wonderful salads and desserts for our BBQ late lunch/early dinner.  Oh my.  How one does love french cooking.  The lady gave me the recipe for these fabulous vegetables she produced onto the table to eat.  So very tasty.  Mmmm....  (Hopefully I can remember it when I decide to make it.)Her crepes were to die for too!  *heehee*  They were a lovely couple (he was a French Seaman after all) and it is now nice to know who I am waving at when they drive past my front door (if I happen to be outside!)

Monet had a good time, mainly playing with her little friend Holly from down the street.  

Someone had organised a clown to attend to play some games which got all the kidlets involved.  I have to say, she was rather a bossy clown, but dam it was hot yesterday so I am thinking that running about and trying to organise kids, whilst wearing a big clown suit would have been 'horrid'.  Glad it was her and not I. 

 

We had chats with neighbours, met a few new ones, enjoyed the ABBA dancing from some 'European' dads and the children from the street (very humorous, let me tell you!)  

I think everyone is keen for the next street-do, but with the heat being turned up over the past week, I don't think it will be happening for quite some time.  

A Cut and A Meeting

Somebody (not me) got a new haircut.

Cute hey? *snort*

That same somebody also got a new nightie and decided that 4pm would be a good time to wear it (pity the bedtime wasn't at that time!)...

That same somebody has a new b/f. He is MB from House&Baby.

'We' met face-to-face on Tuesday in a sunny Melbourne suburb. H&B has written about the event here and I echo her words because she sounded different to the voice I had of her in my head. It was also very surreal to be in H&B's home and to meet her two lovely boys. I knew I had the right house because of reading about the new fence they built yonks ago.

I was also fortunate to meet Stacey from Sheeps Clothing. I didn't realise she was going to be there for a little while so it was lucky that I was wearing one of her clips! *heehee* I know it was the first thing she checked out. *heehee*

In other news, Monet and I have a week left of being in Australia. The count down is definitely on.

Winter?

Monet and I are now on the Final Count Down to our date with a silver jet.  Two weeks today we would have been already reunited with our Lyndon.  We are missing him terribly but knowing that it isn't many more sleeps helps a lot.  He feels the same.  Five weeks apart is just too long for all involed.  But we are coping and we are all safe and well, besides being a little cold.  Well, Monet and I are a little cold, not Lyndon.  

It is icy cold outdoors today.  None of us would be at all surprised if it actually snowed (remembering we are eights day away from Summer here in Australia!)  I have friends camping this weekend near Cape Liptrap and I was planning a visit, but I have had second thoughts.  

Monet and I have spent the past week at both sets of (Grand)parent's homes.  We have spent time with Monet's cousins...

and visiting one of my old friends in Inverloch, who has a dog Monet quite adored...  

This week Monet and I are venturing to Melbourne and popping in to visit H&B which I am looking forward to, and having a shop in Chadstone with both of Monet's Grandmothers.  

I am hoping the weather cheers up, these cold grey days are doing my head in.  Tracey in Townsville (about 400-odd kilometers south of Cairns) is sitting beside her air-conditioner today and here I am, sitting snug by the Coonara trying to defrost my frozen toes.  

I know where I'd rather be if given a choice. 

Yep, that's right, with Lyndon.

Ladybird, Ladybird...

When staying at Lyndon's parents house the other night and enjoying the lovely warm evening, Monet and I were playing (?) in the backyard.  She was busy riding the trike they have available for the grandchildren to use, when she spotted a Ladybird in the grass.  

It ends up there were more than one.

Dozens in fact.

Monet collected as many as she could, happily placing them in the trike's 'bucket' and rode around, taking them on a little ride until they flew off to their homes... 

So in her Nanna and Poppy's garden there are many Ladybirds to be found.  At her Grandma and Grandad's garden there are little fairies to be found.  Including this big one...

Gee she looks happy doesn't she?  *smirk*

In other news, guess who gets to spend the weekend in Melbourne (with friends) beginning tomorrow, without a little somebody???  Meeeeeee......yippeeeeeeee.......

401

Very typical of me, but my last post was actually my 400th post on this version of biglittlesister.  I also forgot to wish my sister's partner a Happy Birthday for the week just past.  I hope I am excused - I have had a lot going on. (As if *you* all didn't know!)

We spent last weekend in Melbourne.  It was nice to do a spot of shopping in some half decent shops, but since when has Melbourne become so blue, tight jean orientated?  *blah* Living in Cairns I swear you can get away with wearing anything, anywhere, but since Melbourne is so fashion savvy it was a good excuse for us to buy a few new threads each.  We really liked the new(ish) DFO at Spencer Street.  (We liked it soooo much better than the Morrabbin Airport one we used to visit when we lived in Melbourne three years ago.)

Much to our delight, the weather was 'pleasant', even though the skies weren't blue.

  

It was nice to wander along Southbank again and meet up with friends at the Riverland Bar, down below Federation Square along the Yarra.   We like that outdoor bar so much, we visited it both on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

We met up with even more friends at a pub in Richmond and enjoyed a dinner out in a Beer Garden.  Monet and I didn't stick around too late as the Cox Plate had been run and there were too many horrible drunk people around, otherwise we had a rather good time.  

All up it was nice to spend a couple of nights in the town we once called home.  We stayed at Oaks on Market which we had stayed at once before.  It is in a good position, is reasonably priced (including buffet breakfast) and we will stay there again down the track.  We also had this view from our hotel room.

As much as we love Melbourne and as much as we tell people how much we are Melbourne people at heart, we know we're not ready to move back there.  Obviously there are other roads for us to travel at the present and according to this article in today's The Age, we've made the right decision.  (You have no idea how many people have asked Lyndon to 'take my business card with you' and asked to pass on their resume.  It is making us think the past 10 months have honestly been worth it and we got in at the right time.)

Today, Lyndon arrived safely in Abu Dhabi.  He is currently amazed by it all (the shops, the compound we'll be living in, the city, the palm trees, the current beautiful heat).  He has already told me how much he thinks Monet and I will love it.  I know he is right.  And I can't wait to get over there too now!

Monet and I are now at my parents.  I'm keen to have a drink in honour of all the good things life has in store for my little family at present and to celebrate over 400 posts!  (Any excuse, I know!)

Busy...

I have a busy week coming up. I probably won't get around to posting another 'post' until next week sometime. 

We're attending a wedding this coming weekend and our holiday is rapidly approaching so things here have been busy, busy, busy!!! We've got friends and some family too are coming up for this wedding which we're all attending so it is an exciting time.

Monet has a new cute dress and shoes to wear to this wedding...

Lyndon has bought a brand new suit and shirt...

I have bought a dress that I purchased in Brisbane the other week...

I'll post again when things settle back down a little.

Oh, I never said, the wedding we're attending is OURS!

Another Addiction

Have you been wondering where I've been?

*probably not*

Lyndon's parents have been in this corner of the world since Saturday so I'll be using that as an excuse, but if the truth be told, it's because I have been here...


...*I know!!*

I always said that I wasn't going to join Facebook. I wasn't keen on people 'finding' me and I wasn't too sure about the whole 'privacy' thing. But after receiving invite after invite from friends, I bit the bullet. And now I'm addicted. It's all rather silly really the Facebook thing so I do prefer to blog. After all, this is my home here.

On a good note I have hooked up again with a couple of people from Primary school (!!), from Uni, from work, from blogs (you know who you are), a bosses daughter who I took to Robbie Williams back in 2001 because no one else would go with me and some good friends from Victoria who we left behind when we moved to FNQ.

I'm sure Facebook is a passing phase in most people's lives but it is all in fun for the time being. I recommend it, you'll never know just WHO you will find!!

Oh, and I have been awfully addicted to this too... *sorry*

What are you addicted to currently?

Update...

It is nice not having an agenda this afternoon. I feel as if Monet and I have been going 'flat-chat' since last Wednesday. For me to be tapping away on my father's computer and Monet to be lying on her Granddad's big comfortable armchair watching some children's programs is a good thing. Trust me.

Don't get me wrong, we've had a terrific time seeing familiar faces.

Early Sunday afternoon, I drove us down to Melbourne. We stayed at our good friends, who lived literally up the road from where we lived 18 months ago in South Melbourne, so we were in old territory. And it was lovely. But I don't miss it. Not at all in fact.

John and Suzy were very happy to see us and welcomed us into their quaint little townhouse, like it was only yesterday that we lived down the road. John made sure I sampled some of his home made brew (very 'hoppy') and he is becoming quite the expert on brewing his own beer. It was quite nice and it was a pity that Lyndon was not there. (He and John are good mates!)

Monet was quite excited on the prospect of caching a tram into the city center, so we did. We ventured in, rugged up against Melbourne's cool winter weather. We went to a new bar which had recently been opened on the Yarra River, just under Federation Square. I have no idea what the bar is called but when I say it was very Melbourne, I mean just that. We sat outside under big black umbrellas with gs heaters pumping warmth onto our faces. We met a few other old friends there (Heidi, Pat, Anna and Trav) which was really nice. But we all missed Lyndon of course but he was there in spirit (and Monet is so much like a mini-Lyndon it's not funny!)

Monet honestly had a terrific time being pampered by everyone else as we sat and downed our glasses of beers (water for Monet of course!) When the gas ran out of the heaters (the bar had about 20-odd of these gas heaters and because they were literally on 'full-bore' they slowly began to run out of gas bottles!), we ventured up to (another) bar in Federation Square. Yes, we enjoy our drink and enjoy the company of one another. And Monet is so 'bar-savvy' there was no complaining or whinging or crying or grumpiness. She was a model-child. Everyone said so. *heehee*

When we finally left the city at 9pm, to return to John and Suzy's, Monet fell asleep in the taxi and never woke until 7:30 the next morning. It is hard work entertaining everyone and being that model child.

Monday morning saw Monet and I bid goodbye you our friends and ventured over to the other side of the city to my girlfriend and her two daughters. I met Kristen through my South Melbourne Mother's Group and her and her husband recently built a home in Point Cook where they now live. It was lovely to see her there, out of the confines of the small apartment they once lived in, in inner city. (My old apartment block was opposite that of hers.) Her daughter, Eden, who is Monet's age greeted us with such excitement it was wonderful to see. Our two little girls are growing up so quickly it was good to see them playing (and eating) together, like they did 18 months ago when we lived close by.

Monet and I drove back to my parents place on Monday afternoon, exhausted. Simply exhausted. It took a big sleep in yesterday and a day of doing nothing to recover from our 'catching-up'.

The next few days will be basically unplanned, popping in to see Lyndon's parents most days but basically spending time here with my parents.

It is bloody hard work having a holiday like this. Trying to divide your time between people who all say "we want to see you!" and having a relaxing holiday is not easy. And being away from Lyndon, whom Monet and I are both missing. Sometimes I have to take a step back and 'enjoy the moment'.

I have taken many photos of our 'holiday' so far and will be sure to post some for you loyal readers next week, when we are back home... But we still have another holiday to be had before then, as we are meeting Lyndon in Brisbane city on Sunday for 4 days, and we're looking forward to that! (And for all you folk not living in Australia, Brisbane is basically halfway between Melbourne and Cairns. A 2-hour plane journey from each city.)

Chilly Toes

Melbourne greeted Monet and I with a chilly 12 degrees and an icy Arctic wind on Wednesday afternoon. And the weather hasn't changed since. It is still cold and icy and currently about 8 degrees Celsius (if that) outside, but that is okay. I wasn't expecting it to be warm and we kinda came prepared.

My mother and Monet have just made a cake together and Monet's Grandad is doing a fine job of putting Monet to sleep in the evening, by reading books to her in front of the fire. Yes, we are having a fine time away from Cairns and it's current 27 degrees and sunshine. But without Lyndon of course, (that's the downside).

We've been busy visiting family members and spent yesterday lunch at Lyndon's parents place (Hi Marianne!) where we tuckered into 'soul-warming' soup and then to Lyndon's sister's place for dinner. (Hi Sarah!) Sarah cooked a delicious dinner of a cauliflower pasta, followed by Lemon Tart. Yum-oh! Do you know how nice it is to have dinner cooked for you? (And lunch too for that matter!) This morning we visited an old work girlfriend of mine (Hi Kate!) so to say that in the 48 hours into landing in Victoria that we've been on our toes is an understatement. But I do enjoy being busy.

This afternoon it is raining, but its nice and cosy in here and socks to wonders to warm the tootsies! (Who would have thought?)

The next few days are pretty busy too with visiting friends to say G'Day to, Lyndon's parents to stay at, an overnight trip to Melbourne (I'm currently in country Victoria, about 1 1/2 hours out of Melbourne) to visit numerous friends and family too. But come Tuesday when I am back at my parents for a few more relaxing and unplanned days, before we head off back to Queensland where the sun is shining and there is no Arctic breeze!!

I'm sitting back this afternoon and relaxing and letting my parents enjoy their one and only grandchild who loves all her grandparents dearly. I have time to sit down and think about, not what to cook for dinner, but what beer I should go and buy and share with my father and enjoy a slice of the freshly baked Vanilla cake made by my mother and my daughter. *Heehee*

Small World

Last night we headed up to Port Douglas (again) for dinner with some friends, who are up this way from down in Victoria for a bit of work. We didn't stay the night, I drove home after our meal and a 'catch-up'.

Our friends were staying out of town. (In Mossman in case you were wondering, which is about 10 kilometers north of Port Douglas! They are helping put up tents in a secret location - but I can now tell you where - as Steven Spielberg is filming a big mini-series up here with Tom Hanks in the leading role. All outdoor scenes are being shot up this way and all indoor shoots are going to take place in Melbourne.) They were still some time away when we arrived so we stopped in at a 'bottle shop' to buy a '6-pack' (of Stella Artios in case you were wondering!) Monet and I waited patiently in the car whilst Lyndon went into the store.

When Lyndon returned to the car he brought along someone with him. The guy we used to rent a house from in Rye (on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsular) back when I was 4 months pregnant with Monet. Lyndon worked with 'Jason' for a number of months when he was doing his carpentry apprenticeship. 'Jason' had this grand plan on renting out his lovely beach side house and travel up the coast to 'maybe' work in Port Douglas. Over three years later he is still there. Small world.

We only rented his house for about 7 months before we moved back to Melbourne, as we missed the city-life too much. But we still talk about how much we loved that Rye house.

And we wonder each time we visit Port Douglas if 'Jason' still is up here. Well, we found out the answer last night. And funnily enough, 'Jason' works for a building company that is currently working at Lyndon's work site.

Speaking of small worlds, I remember when I was backpacking around the UK (alone) in 1996/97 I was staying at a little hostel in Edinburgh, off the lovely Royal Mile. One of the girls who was in the dorm with me was taught by my father at one of the schools my dad taught at during his career. Small world.

Have you had any 'small world' experiences, like mine?

The Story of How The Jet Ski Turned Into A Boat

So, Lyndon wanted to buy Monet a 'pool toy', so we stopped at one of those cheap 'Warehouse' stores, which sell everything from 50cent books to $15 towels. You know the kind of store.

They have one whole aisle committed to pool toys. Well, practically one whole aisle. He walked out with a $15 'blow-up' jet ski.

After coming home and blowing it up (lucky we have an electric-type air pump!) he gave it to Monet who thought it was the best thing she had played with ever.... well, for the day anyway! She played with it like you would a rocking-horse.

And she thought it was just as much fun in the water too, with Lyndon helping her and our friend who stayed for a couple of nights whom I will call Joel. (Because, well, that's his name.)

I'm not sure who had the most fun playing with the blow-up jet ski.

I'd probably say Lyndon and Joel. Even one of our neighbours who was laying by the pool asked the same question of who was enjoying the new jet ski more.

Lyndon exclaimed it was the best thing he had ever bought, he was having so much fun. Joel commented that 'imagine how much fun you'd have if it had a motor!'

I haven't laughed so hard in ages watching the antics of all three in the pool with the jet ski.

I especially laughed the hardest when the jet ski actually 'blew up', literally. It was like a bomb went off when Joel attempted (and was successful) in doing a backwards somersault from the side of the pool and landing on the jet ski which was in the pool. He (literally) popped it and the noise was so loud, it was pretty hilarious. I swear most people at home in the apartment complex would have looked up from what they were doing, wondering what the loud explosion was.

So the jet ski turned into a boat.

I think Monet thought that was, if not as much fun, even funner than the jet ski. (And yes, 'funner' is actually a word from the Melody dictionary, if you were wondering!)