I Wish He Wasn't So High Up...

We noticed a koala in a tree outside today.  I wonder if you can spy it? (Double click to enlarge any of the following photos)

My dad has been complaining the last few nights about a koala making an awful racket so we knew there was at least one about.  (Have you ever heard a Koala? If not, you wonder on how such a lovely cuddly marsupial could ever make such a noise.)

Monet was rapt to see one in the wild, rather than at the zoo. (I hope you can spot the koala at the top of the next photo - I was trying to be artistic!)

I am hoping he'll get down that tree some time soon (he is soooo high up!) so I can get some cute shots.

I don't think I will be able to get any photos of the Bandicoots that live in my parents garden however.  Sorry about that.

All. Systems. Go...

We're cracking open a bottle of Moet tonight.  Oh how we've been waiting to drink it again.

And why should we be drinking that lovely champagne?  Lyndon's work visa came through last night!!!  

*Melody drops to the floor*

For the past six weeks (since he first applied), we've been checking the emails religiously.  Every hour.  Waiting to see an email from the new company with the subject line 'Your Visa'.  It was I who checked the inbox last night and just about collapsed to the floor.  

So it is all systems go here.  We've signed up with a real estate agent to lease this place out (it'll be on the internet next week!!), the removal company are ready to come and pack our gear on Wednesday and we'll be leaving Cairns late next week, heading to Victoria to stay and visit with family and friends.  Lyndon will be out of the country in a couple of weeks time (Monet and I are to follow a few weeks later).  As I said, it is all systems go around here.

We must have felt it in our blood yesterday as Lyndon and I lashed out and bought a new suitcase each.  A notarised document we've been waiting to arrive from the UAE embassy arrived yesterday via the post.  (The notarised document lets Monet and I to be sponsored by Lyndon when we arrive.)

It has taken a very long time to arrive to this point.  It has taken over 10 months from the initial application form until now.  Now it is all systems go.  

I need space to breathe.  I need to sip and enjoy that Moet!!  We've deserved it, to say the least.  Gee, what a year so far and the year isn't out yet....

What a Surprise!

How surprised we were to receive a belated birthday card (from a lady who has known me since I was 1 year old), in the mail for Monet the other day.

How surprised we were to open the card and find a crisp $10 note in it.

How surprised (I wasn't), when Monet chose to buy one of these with her money.

How surprised I was when she chose that one over another one, which would have given her change to buy a lolly pop with.  

What a surprise!

Snippets.

It has been a few days since my last post.  I just thought I would write down some observations from late...

Monet and I are more alike than I previous thought.  We both hate bugs.  We hear one flying through the air and we huddle.  And shudder.  And give a little squeal.  Bugs in Far North Queensland, I have to tell you, are about the size of your thumb.  Too big for my liking.

Sometimes Company quotes surprise you.  We have been figuring out what to do with my/our beloved car.  I know I would like it when I am down at our parents place before Monet and I head off overseas (about 6 weeks after Lyndon goes).  There were a couple of people lined up from back 'home' way whom we thought we'd fly up and pay fuel for back to Victoria.  But the quotes we got back from Car Transport companies are less than what we thought, so we figure we'll do it that way (and save 4000 kilometres on the odometer).  

I have discovered the delights of tea.  I'm in love with a good brew.  From a pot.  With proper loose leaves.  *I know*  I am surprised myself.

I loved the final of Project Runway Australia, but was disappointed to read that it was edited beyond belief.  Doesn't matter.  I was still happy that Juli won.  Lyndon loved her.  I loved her work(wo)manship.

You won't believe how dirty your walls are until you give them a good wash down with sugar soap.  My kitchen walls are gleaming. 

We are organising removal quotes for the coming week.  It is 'Operation Clean Up' this weekend.  But in all honesty, we don't have that much stuff.  Once I was a hoarder (ask my family!) but now I donate so much to the local Op Shop (or tip), I find it cleansing for the soul.  

I feel the need to 'eat out' sometime on the weekend.  We had Lyndon's mother here last week for seven nights (and how lovely it was).  We ate out for five nights, for two breakfasts, one lunch and two take out nights.  Last night was the first night Monet didn't ask me why we weren't going out for dinner.  If you are ever up this way and need a recommendation to a lovely meal, please email me.  

My daughter sings Madonna songs constantly.  It makes me smile.  It is a nice change from her singing theme songs from her favourite tv shows.  Trust me.  It is.

Monet also surprises me and herself at times.  As being a big four year old, I had her immunised yesterday.  I had explained the day before that she was to get a needle in her arm and why she was going to have one.  I had a dreadful time convincing her to a) get out of her bedroom, to b) get in the car and to c) get out the car.  There were tears.  A lot of them.  No amount of bribing worked either.  But I got her in the Medical Center.  And we sat patiently and we were called.  And she had simultaneous needles given in both arms and she didn't even whimper.  I was so proud.  And so was she.  I took her to K Mart and she chose herself a bloody 'Polly Pocket Runway Pets'.  At least it wasn't a Bratz doll.  She knows I hate Bratz.

Cairns weather has been a great treat this week.  We've been haunting the balcony again in the early evenings and having a 'sipper' (mmm, Four Sisters pleazzeee).  I know I was meant to spend my last weeks in Cairns doing this, as silly as that sounds.  But it feels right.  True. 

I cannot wait to move to Abu Dhabi.  The more I read about it, the more excited I become.  I hope it lives up to my expectation now...

Any snippets in your life I should currently know about?

A French Parcel from the USA...

I love getting surprises in the mail.  Not surprises as an unexpected bill (hate those!), but parcels or cards or letters.  

Imagine my surprise when I collected from the post office a parcel, especially for me, from the lovely Katherine over at Kitten's Lost Her Mittens.  It just happened that I posted a comment on her blog and ended up being the lucky recipient of a prize she was giving away.  It arrived on Monday.

It is a gorgeous French (oh to be french!) Marie Claire magazine full of ideas on making, sewing and decorating for little kids.  Katherine was also kind enough to include a pack of (much appreciated) 10 Claude Monet postcards from his Waterlilies collection.  

My Monet recognised the Claude Monet paintings straight away saying they were paintings from her garden! (So she says!)  I guess she can say that, after all, I did make her stand on the famous Japanese bridge that goes over the waterlily pond!  

It really made my day, so thank you Katherine.  I felt very lucky.

Speaking of parcels, Auntie Kimbofo, there should be something heading your way in the next week or two!  (I just bought it on the net and is getting delivered straight to your place.)

When was the last time you got a nice surprise in the mail?