Happy Christmas and Boxing Day!

December 25thish and beyond. The blog that I was afraid would wreck me.

Long time no blog. Was able to chat with our families on one Christmas or another and that was nice...and goodness knows I have a lot of pent up words...but I just want to wish you all a Joyful Holiday and a Happy New Year. We had all intentions of calling our friends and we just blew it...

I am holding on here. The internet was supposed to be hooked up on the weekend of our move, but they were no showers, so we had to wait until Tuesday. Then the laptop is having issues and won't maintain a charge with the battery so it just wasn't conducive to blogging, nor my exhaustion.

We took the kids to a "tacky lights tour" on a block in a neighboring neighborhood. We are not sure if they deem these 'Tacky Lights Tours" like ours in the U.S. or not...Anyway, we stumbled upon a pretty yum Italian Restaurant as we waited for darkness to fall, suffered thru an evening Muffin Meltdown (she is just exhausted and I think stressed from all the changes...I can't go there or I will be a sobbing mess...holding on by a thread here).

It doesn't look like Christmas here and our neighborhood doesn't have many outward signs of Christmas. I didn't even see the Christmas Beetle...Our little area is pretty un-illuminated. A house a few streets up has a few and a many "Santa Stop Here Signs". We got one of those. Viv picked the place to pitch it and the owners had left a door decoration...Thank you very much!

OUR TREE.

We went to get a tree...Our closest Kmart and Target were sold out of artificial trees and I had seen a tree stand not far away...We just missed the cub scout sale and the elf delivery service ( they put it up and pick it up, HELLO, great elfin' business idea!) I was going to pick one up with the kids one day but it was pouring here in Seattle-Sydney.  Also, unless Christmas Tree Sales people took pity on my a**, how would I have gotten a tree loaded and tied to the top of my Ford Wagon rental with my little ones? When we finally got to the tree venue, there were two traditional looking live trees left and we picked the best of the two. They had some tiny blue spruces for $100...and a couple poinsettias. Since they are so poisonous and likely pricey I didn't even ask. I kind of like the Christmas hygrangeas! Just funny seeing people buying them for Christmas and not Easter. There is some little native flower they call the Christmas flower. Our Christmas hosts picked some from their back yard and just scattered them along the dining table. Ta Da! Pretty little flower.

A little more details about the tree:
Fiber optic lights on our tree called "fairy lights". They are white and are kinda like lightning bugs on your tree. Sort of grows on you. Blink. Blink, But may have to give warning to anyone who is coming that may be epileptic. I think the fact that they are white make them a little less tacky than multicolor, but I am not having colour wars here. Because I have come to embrace the colored lights,too. Yet, my favorites are the blue ones. I have always liked them,and shall have them one day.

The tree skirt is really a skirt of mine scrunched up around the front of it, one of those long, flowy numbers that if you had the figure for it, you could double as a dress with a really cool leather belt...

Muffin colored a star yellow that we made from cardboard to top the tree. Voila, finishing touch!

It turned out better than I hoped. I just wish that I could, one year, have a chance to really decorate with all the ornaments given through the years, etc. It just feels so temporary all the time for me at Christmas. First in the little house because there was so little storage and stuff was in a unit and we just got new often...and then we finally had all the Christmas boxes together in the attic of the Pink House. But that was a temporary reunion. It's all in storage somewhere. Bahhumbug. They are just things.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Not much to report. The kids were both up late. The power was out for a while early evening and we stayed up late helping Santa...We had to put out all the hidden gifts from the kids grandparents etc. There is a mountain of cardboard packaging here. Earlier Muffin and I made gingerbread boy cookies from a package and used a glass as a rolling pin....They were thick, but not bad tasting and she got to eat some and leave one for Santa. Happiness.

CHRISTMAS DAY ...and it's Baby's First Christmas and it's in Australia...

The Greenwich Ferry has a deal with ole St. Nick to come visit on the ferry boat from  Sydney and deliver each child a gift. His arrival was set at 8 am.  It's a neighbourhood exclusive and a pretty cool thing. We are not on the wharfside of Greenwich, therefore, we had to drive over...The realtor for our home informed us of this event and we had time to let Muffin open a few gifts and her stocking, and sweet baby boy to get some brekky and head on over to the wharf. Yeah, we were the only people with kids still in their Santy Jammies. Kids were dressed and some dressed up in "sundresses". I still think going out as soon as they wake up practically qualifies for public jammies. And they were themed. And my kids were adorable. I know...some of you are wondering and the answer is " NO" or better "HAAAAILLLL NO". I did not wear PAJAMAS with all those strangers, thanks be to God. Some of those ladies were all dressed already and had on lipstick. Really? Did they sleep? Get up at 4 am? Not watch their kids tear through their gifts? Yuppy-ville. How do people do it?

We have just enough time to get through the unwrapping madness and playing to get Huckleberry down for a wee nap and the rest of us ready to roll to Christmas lunch with the DeAngelis family. Felt a bit inadequate. Brought a bottle of red and white and a yummy bakery cake looking like a Yule log.

So, Christmas lunch with the DeAngelis family was wonderful except that baby boy had a fever and was a slug. He was pleasant but pretty much a noodle laying on us. I had packed the Panadol, but somehow in the confusion of bringing all our stuff in, that bag was misplaced until we walked out again. So we dosed the little guy for the ride home. He was also exhausted because I had to wake him to take him to the "party" as I called it to the eldest to entice her away from her Christmas Booty. Why so much stuff to take? Two kids, summer in Australia=bathing suits, sunscreen, hats, swimmy diapers, towels... in addition to everything else. They had a traditional meal with a turkey and lasagna since they are I-talians. Some people do a BBQ for Christmas. The luncheon was held at friend A's sisters home. They were fun loving, easy going, welcoming and just wonderful. Muffin went swimming on Christmas with their crew of cousins and held court at the kid table talking about that taboo subject she so loves to giggle about: "poop". We don't know why. You'd think she was really potty training.I just ignored her, figured she'd  likely stop sooner if I didn't say anything than if I did. So she was dressed like an angel in her red satiny dress and  had a potty mouth.

We also got to try PAVLOVA for the first time. It is scrumdeliumptious! We are so grateful they had us over. Each family brought gifts for the kids and that was just overwhelmingly sweet and generous.A & M gave us a huge welcoming basket to Australia. Lovely. They are so nice.

We missed our families greatly. Can't even go there. Just wasn't the same.

Now that wasn't so bad, I thought I'd be sobblogging so I have been taking forever to get this little postie done.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday, celebrating however you do, and that Santa Claus was good to you. Goodness knows, he was good to our two!

XO

Valerie

My Apologies to Australians

Dear Aussies,

Please know that we are enjoying your country and that I, the blogger, am only relating experiences and comparisons as a way to connect to my family and friends and anyone else in the blogosphere so interested in this online journal. My intention is  never to harm. That being said, I never thought of myself as a majorly patriotic person, though I love my country. Therefore, I never thought I would be deemed an Arrogant American, so if at all, I come off that way in past or future blogs, call me out, comment if  you wish, just know, I am just discovering the world in which I am living and know that this is a unique experience for me, just my opinions and experiences.

Though there is so much to love here, and I am so sure I will want to return when our kids are older, there is always no place like home. My favorite things so far: about Australia include: kindness to children, activities planned for children, wonderful ways to get around a city with ease, trains, monorails, taxis, ferries, beautiful ocean views and beaches, harbors, koala bears, the awesome flora and fauna., the wine....I am sure I will be adding to the list.

I will be mindful to be respectful of this country that hosts us, in our temporary home, where we will have kookaburras, lorakeets and big A. bats in our backyard!

Yours Truly,

Valerie

For those of you not AUSSIE, who may come visit AUS, here are some tidbits for you:

Kookaburras are related to kingfishers and eat meat...the owner of house we will be renting feeds them sardines. Watch a youtube video of them. They are beautiful, big, belly laughers!

Read up on the spiders. I hope I don't have anything to report on spiders. They have some creepy ones.

Asians here love our white babies. Seems so funny, because I am the white lady that loves those Asian babies! (thought my babies might be "Made in China", so maybe that helps with my love for them. Just so cute. Think my Vivi needs an Asian baby doll so we can play...She already has an African American, though I would like to replace that one because its expression is not pleasant.

Hockey Fans

Just an FYI that The MAN went to a clinic here Sunday.(Of course all of his equipment is in the ocean somewhere). Said it was great ice. Had to go out a ways, but there are several rinks nearby for him to try.

Feel free to share the blog with the Coug's, Cougs!

Hope you all have the happiest of Holidays!

XO

I am a NEB

NEB-NOSE! Not an uncommon expression in Casa Mac and I mean the seniors. But my father in law and I are self-confessed and professed Nebs.
Here you go, definition of neb and it's usage per "Pittsburgh English" on wikipedia.com.

• neb v. "to put one's 'neb' [nose] into a discourse or argument intrusively or impertinently; to pry, to nose around; hence v. phr neb out to mind one's own business"; n. busybody^[5].

Geographic distribution: Pennsylvania (see above citation).

• neb-nose or nebby-nose (also nebshit) n. the kind of person who is always poking into peoples’ affairs^[5].

Geographic distribution: Chiefly Pennsylvania (see above citation).

• nebby adj. given to prying into the affairs of others; nosy^[2][3] (McElhinny 1999; Wisnosky 2003; Johnstone, Andrus and Danielson 2006).

Geographic distribution: Pennsylvania, especially the southwest portion of the state (see above citations).

Origins: Scots-Irish (see above citations).

 I feel like a neb, whilst (there I go again!) reading others blogs.
I am more interested in peoples real lives than fiction on tv even if it is smut, reality tv!

Recent new NEB finds:

"Underage and Pregnant" sort of  like our 16 & Pregnant. I think it is British and not Australian, but I haven't nebbed that out yet and I have only snuck in one episode. Here is my review: I actually liked these kids better than the US kids featured in the similar show, because they just didn't seem as spoiled as many o f the US 16 and preggers girls. Though I drew some icky sense of comfort that it isn't just America where this is pervasive problem. Though I admit to a full on addiction to that American show, I keep saying I am going to write Dr. Drew and say  "Will it take the death of a child before you all require that these girls and fathers who are involved take a parenting class?" I have had near miss strokes seeing all of the  toys and blankets in the cribs of babies and other stuffs that I thought were commonsensical, and if not commonsensicle (like that one?!) Isn't that what parenting books and classes are for? I know it all doesn't come naturally...Geez, I had to have my sister stick my second in the high chair. Duh. It was out, he was ready. Just for a short period but  I hadn't thought to do it, yet. He was using the Bumbo...but the high chair gave him safety and support and me some freedom to move around. Another place for baby to be while I did something. That is another thing I saw, unattended babies in Bumbos on counters...not non-mobile babies,active ones...and don't even get me started on how many times I thought baby Leah might go out that second story apt. window! Goodgugamuga! Sorry folks who don't know what I am talking about...but I know some of you do...you might have a little neb-nose in your psyche,too!

Met a dad at playgroup today at the school I was checking out...super nice, super smart guy. Some people on this earth are so cosmopolitan! I mean, I have traveled. been to places like Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic, a brief tiptoe into Germany and now Australia. I am sure it has some affect on me...but I am just so continental and ordinary and not international and extraordinary:) So he tells about his wife..she is an author and I look her up and I am sure she is super smart, too. They met at UNI @ Northwestern in Chicago...but both have international backgrounds. People are so darn interesting. Wow, I live a boring life. But this is what he said that got me interested in his wife: Before birth of son, she took off two years to write and cranked out 12 books. Multi-genre, also a playwright and poet. I love her, I hate her! Now, really, how cool is that? I admire that a lot. How do people do this? This blog is the closest I have come to writing a book in years and I have always wanted to write a book or many...Discipline, desire. So the information was given to me, I just took it to the next level. Neb-nose:)

We got to neb around the school a bit,but I was invited to come take a peek and come check out the playgroup...an invitation of sorts to neb.  But both gentleman who volunteers at the school and participates in the playgroup and a parent were very talkative and forthcoming with information without me asking a thing.. Not sure how I feel about the school and def. didn't get to see the academic parts of it...but though it deems itself a democratic school, the lack of supervision while kids ran about the campus bothered me a bit. Here is an example: Though the whole school yard is in a residential neighborhood and fenced in, the children seemed to have liberty to be all over during outside time without adults. I recognize there are benefits to allowing children to work out problems. I really do. However, the young buck who had climbed to the top of the swing and sat there for a very long time without ever thinking to come down raised my eyebrows a bit. I wasn't sure if I should involve myself. I don't blame the boy for his attempt. Totally normal thing to try to do. But I think most adults would require the child to come down. The fact that no teacher saw him at all, and a fall could result in death and possible injury to another child or chook (yup, they had chickens running around), just made me a bit uncomfortable. The teacher was inside her room, though it was opened to the outdoors.

Interesting things about the school:
a.If a child is interested in a specific topic, say a preschooler asks what the last number is, they get an expert in mathematics (the guy I hung out a bit with this morning, in fact) to come talk to the kids. Studies are directed by student interest.
b.The students hold weekly meetings as a whole student body and make the rules...and change them as they see a need.
c.No shoes are required. Kids just running around without shoes. Not usually a big deal, so much,I like freedom of the toesies. But there is  more dirt/mulch than grass and remember there are at least 4 chickens on the loose on campus. Do the chickens poop in the chicken coop? Think I can ask the director THAT ONE with a straight face? Because seriously, it does matter to me. Yeah, think that one might ruin our chances of admittance. Though, again, I will give it a chance. I may go to playgroup there some more,  could even see volunteering to help out the teachers as I would love the distraction and something else to do besides home stuff, that I have to do, but don't so much get great enjoyment from doing. Yet not so sure this is the place for the Muffin. Cluck cluck. All my hens (sister hotline) and friends discuss. Share your thoughts. Please comment!

Toodles for now!

Val

Aladdin is not just a Disney Character or Our First Trip to See a Doctor (partial repeat from Facebook status, peeps!)

FYI- This was in my drafts, so it is a couple weeks old, let it slip by me. Was probably planning to edit it before publishing! 

Today, I took the kids to the medical centre for a 345 appt. and was home by 410 (walking/strollering) with a stop at the paper store and 7-11 and 15 floors up an elevator! Tell me again, why am I moving to the suburbs of Sydney?! If we don't like the burbs after a year, we are coming back! I miss a yard and sense of community...but wow...its rainy and yucky and that was so efficient and only had a small sprint where we didn't have awnings from the buildings protecting us from the rain!

I had to pay out of pocket and then we submit  it later. It was only $60 per exam. Seems one could afford not to have insurance in this country, but they do have National healthcare. It seems reasonable even though, tbh, not my favorite thing taking my babies to a GP, that is a little like urgent care (Richmond's Patient First) but not nearly as nice.

Sidenote: Saw Dr. ALLADIN Matters. He was nice enough. He wore a flannel shirt and a tie with GUCCI written all over it.

#oneshouldnotmixtieswithflannels.

I  wonder if this means:

a. he is in very poor taste

b. drs. in australia must not make any money and as part of national healthcare it is not as lucrative as other places.

c.maybe he lives in the neighborhood we are going to be renting in and is house poor?

d. he might be car poor, too?

e. all of the above

f. none of the above, who cares what the doc had on, it was a rainy day, he was trying to be warm and cozy and look professional.

Forgot to mention it was, of course, a plaid flannel? Is there any other kind,except in sheets and pajamas?

Oh yeah, and said both kids have virus'.I just wanted to be sure there was not an ear infection in the mix. Recommended Panadol for kids ( I just bought it the other day for when I am out of gool ole american generic Tylenol, and I have taken it before when in Ireland, I believe.) and Zyrtec for my baby. Yes, Zyrtec. I told him I'd hold off on that. Antihistamine for my little fellow isn't appealing to me and I don't think our physicians at Pediatric Associates of Richmond would have the same recommendation (how I miss you, my favorite nurse, Jan and the fantastic care our kids received there). He wrote it as a prescription because pharmacists don't like to give it to kids. Neither do American mums, doc. Milk either for a baby under one. Seriously! 

Anyway, so I decide to try the Panadol. It says the flavor is Cherry Vanilla. Weird. He makes such a face and he takes his vitamin D and other meds like they are candy. Well, I try it and it is reminiscent of medicine tasting like medicine trying not to taste like medicine when I was a kid. In the '70's. Funny, there are so many things here that make us think '1970' Not sure how to pen it, type it, pin it, but it's a look and a feel... 

For the record, the little girl will never take this medicine and I am getting ready to place an order for American Stuffs We Want and NEED to be shipped to us. Can't be any more expensive than the overprice on the stuff we don't want, but NEED:)

A whole new world. 

Randomness

So we tried the passionfruit! Why did I forget to get more on this weeks grocery delivery? It is yum. Kinda tastes like gewy/gooey mango with a bit of crunch as you eat the seeds. You cut it in half and scoop it out. All three f us gave it a  yum. Mr. Huckleberry would,too, I bet. We'll have to let the little guy taste it next time.

Christmas Party at Luna Park Follow Up. So, this is the real deal. Cool park on the harbor--a la the end of the boardwalk in OC. We bought Muffin some FAIRY FLOSS, did I mention this already, what they call cotton candy, on the way out. One of the first people I meet asks if I am pregnant. Nice. I have lost weight especially in the middle, was wearing SUCK ME IN UNDERWEAR and a black dress. I think I might have seen that skinny biatch in a commercial the other day. Oh well, I'll take my Renaissance body (thanks, mom for that one)with this face and my manners over her skinny, okay looking mean girl grown up self any day. The worst was she did not apologize. Seth was wonderful and later told me I turned very red. Even worse that she did not apologize as she had to have seen that or maybe she is one of my favorite kind of biatches in the world--the narcisstic kind. You all know one. We all know some of the same ones, but we aren't going to name names here! Wouldn't matter, they still wouldn't see it. even if they read it. Ha ha ha ha. Kinda like a Mrs.or Mr. Always Right. I'll go into that another day.

Party on: Some were dressed as flappers and 1920's men with hats and suits, others just dressed up in their "smart casual". They had waiters with trays as you entered like 5 or 6 each side with drinks. Bar food, apps kind of. Live band, I met another wife who burned me up the whole time. Better than being alone, I guess. She was nice, just intense and with party noise and the fact that she speaks Australian I had to listen very intently. Then, our babysitting time was up and we got the train home. we did try to ride the ferris wheel first but it was just taking too long, tho the line was short. The Man offered for us to walk across the Sydney Harbor bridge. I declined. No, thanks. Besides that I was blistering (not hot, not mad, literally, a blister cause my shoes were made for standing not walkin.  I DO NOT LIKE HEIGHTS. The walking area is caged. I AM not a WILD ANimAL! Well, I am, but not that wild. He must have really wanted to put me over the edge (hahaha) with height and claustrophobia issues! So, while not opposed to walking and exercise, God knows I need to have as much as I can so BIATCHES like the one tonight don't call me pregnant.... I had to stick with  my no. The other thing about that dealio. The Man says I missed talking to some of the nicest people. Oh well, hearing about the possums in my new friends house was interesting. Thanks for putting that one in my head. She lives in the 'hood we are moving to..and she had a possum in her house and he pooped in her shower!. I was grossed out this summer by the baby possum swimming in our "pooool" on vacation. The Muffin of great memory was talking about that a couple weeks ago...("And Daniel got it out with a net.") Couple more things: I already had a big A Headache and I am realizing I am often getting awful headaches in social situations. Is that a symptom of SOCIAL ANXIETY or just STRESS? Even wedding day, migraine from hell. Not fun. Wish I could have a do over.

DEAR HIGHER POWER, IF you help me get my waist back I promise not to be a skinny biatch..If I still get headaches, I will seek help, if it is not just self conciousness that is not helped by random skinny biatches who don't know basic manners....The End.

Oh yeah...THAT Woman, says, "Oh, it does take a while doesn't it?" If I were not all shades of red and seeing red this is what I WISH I had said back to her, this is what I told my MAGIC MIRROR on the wall,who daily says I am the fairest of them all: " Actually, I was already overweight and have been for some time. But I can lose weight, you can't change BIATCH." (thanks, to THE MAN for that one,  it's a spin off on one of his lines). TA DA! I am going to start saying what I think. Eff it!

I will end this by saying the babysitter had Huckleberry baby asleep in his crib, Muffin on the couch (better than not asleep and we had no expectations for her to be asleep), cleaned up the toys and did the dirty dishes we left in the sink. I can't wait to have her again. 'Sides she kissed the Huck as soon as she picked him up the night before 'cause as all of you who know him, know, he is a squeezable one.


IKEA
Our Saturday adventure is a trip to IKEA. It's like all the others, except it is attached to a mall and the prices, they are Australian good, and they have a Family Club or something for discounts. I have never noted that before in MD/VA Stateside. Also, no wonderful cinnamon buns or soft served ice cream. We did have lunch there. Fountain sodas with "FREE REFILL". No ice. This was all pretty uneventful except Muffin could not be checked in to the play area because not yet potty trained and she played hard and unfairly in the kids set up rooms. She entered a tent and 3 little girls scrambled out. Ikes. I am thinking her monster might have invaded her body of late. Quite a handful. We got a few things, like a bathtub for the baby, a playmat for them both, a stool because I am dying lifting the girl up to the sink to wash up.  We picked out some stuff and will go back next weekend to order as they deliver the next day and we need it delivered to the new house.


THE MALL (which includes IKEA, mentioned above)
So, we happen to hit the mall on a day that Dora is there to visit as a meet and greet. Muffin was so excited and I got a fabulous picture of the girls together. Wish we got Huck,too. He loves his sisters Dora pillowcase, looks like he is kissing her, and loves her little Dora doll. If anyone sees the corresponding Diego...pick one up for us. I asked Santa to bring him a doll...and as many of us know, his Dad liked dolls and G.I.Joe's and such as a young buck,too.

Things that were different:

Wonderful family restrooms. I mean, automatic door so you don't have to hold a door whilst (new favorite written word, don't know why) pushing the PRAM. All these sink and diaper stations with paper to cover the changing area like those potty seat covers. I will take a picture one day, really. Several rooms with curtains for nursing. A gated play area with toys for toddlers. A television. An adult rest room. The Man says all it is missing is beer! So, the lady next door to me was just laughing at me/with me...I had no clue that the counters were dipped like little u's for the baby to lay in while changing them. I had the boy up on the high part. Made so much sense once I saw it all in action.

People use shopping carts throughout the mall and take them into the parking garage. You can park for three hours free and get one extra hour validated by movie theater if you have seen a flick.

There is a butcher, a seafood store and a two grocery stores attached to the mall, but only Target and Ikea as big box stores. Not any of the department stores. Sort of strange looking to go from clothing stores, shoe stores, raw meat...

Target-- Sort of small and you know it wasn't a happy shopping trip with two kids in a double stroller thru small spaces, a toddler that wants to stay in the toy aisles, etc. and a man who doesn't really like to shop and is HOT. 

We did get a toy to keep the baby in, sort of like the exersaucer, and it was on sale! We got some coloring books, because I have not been able to find them. "Capunzel" and Australian Xmas colring book with Santa riding on a kangaroo. I wanted to buy construction paper...but the pack was $24. Not super sized. A normal pack of Crayola construction paper. Who asked for paper from Santa? Yup, Muffin only asked for pencils and paper. Hope he brings it and hope he gets a better price. A new movie,since we only have Nemo and Capunzel. We got Beauty and the Beast for a little variety. Though I did just download a season of Superwhy to add to her season of Dora and The Wonder Pets. We can hook the ipad up to the tv and its just like having it DVR'd.

Doesn't seem as nice as our Target, but I really did not get much opportunity to scope it all out.

Last thing, on Target. Damn it. Target has the cozy coupe for like 100 bucks. Yes, I just ordered it for $129 free shipping and yes, no way we could guarantee they'd still have it when we can get back there without kids, so I guess, I'll toss it up to I paid for the shipping and I already told myself I spend twice for twice the use..both kids can use it. But I think we will sell it before we return and get the little Miss a pink one and little Master a red when we return. But she may be too big for it by then anyhow.

COSTCO
 No parking. Not kidding. The Man parked behind the store...everyone was doing it...after several parking garage attempts. I stayed in the car with napping bambinos. He came out with a book/toy for kids, sunscreen, Heinz ketchup, and that's all I remember. Said you could not even get thru the food areas. But we have heard they have Kirkland baby wipes and may try it one day when they first open in the morning. Complete chaos.

 Huckleberry wants a cracker! So I thought I'd swept up all her crumbs, but I did not see the ones behind the curtain. My boy spotted that food as if he is being starved and was munching on some Ritz crackers. He so wants more food. I still need to look up introducing him to meats, milk, etc. I just don't know if the baby food here I can do...lamb, tuna...I got a couple ones with chicken. But I haven't tried them yet. H-berry was without cold for several days and now has it again and is just getting his appetite back again.

Who's Counting?Yes, the Muffin. Well, she has been counting, but she noted that we have lived in the "little house", the "PINK HOUSE", this apartment and the house with the pool. That's four houses daddy. Broke my heart a little. Not for her wonderful natural smartness, but the little miss is def. feeling the changes. Might be contributing to her terrorizing us. Just kidding. When she is good she is sooo good and when she is difficult, oh so difficult.

Talked to a sister today, speaking of counting. We have officially been here a month. I said 23 months to go. It brings tears to my eyes just writing that. 


Still on counting. The Man is celebrating 4 decades today and we are having SUSHI delivered. Muffin and I made brownies...and got him a nice bottle of wine and some moisturizer with sunscreen and antiaging ingredients (tho he has beautiful skin). Happy Birthday to my husband. I have known of  you for most of those years and been in some sort of relationship you for over half that number. Happy Bday, baby! Love you!

Things to know for your trip to OZ:

-Uni- not one, Bill, ha ha ha...Uni is university. Example in a sentence: Erin attends Maryland Uni. Sounds funny, huh?
- The right lane is the fast lane, tho you will feel like it is the slow lane and it is the pass lane. Hard to reverse all of your thinking.
-Though there seems to be a lack of cured bacon yumminess, they seem to add bacon flavor to lots of things, like, potatoe chips, cheetos, etc.  Found a chip brand called "Smith's" that seems pretty good. But you all know I don't generally buy chips unless we are having company--chips is another lips to hips that I avoid having in the house. Also, the little Muffin lubbbs chips and hard to keep her out of them when we have them.

Seasons Greetings Sydney!

I may have to post the video to email and facebook of this beautiful Christmas light show on the front of St. Mary's Cathedral. Truly, when the woman next door told me about it coming soon, I did not get it. It is so neat. We can go on our balcony and watch it. It will be coming soon to some kind of media near you and I will see if someone else may have posted on youtube. Messages like the title of this blog, and Peace, Love and doves and butterflies and pictures of the Madonna and Child. It is groovy!

Things to Know for your visit to AUSTRALIA

Money...have a coin purse. There are no 1 dollars and in fact they have a 1 and 2 dollar coin. And remember nopennies. They have a national rounding system:) ALso, please note that their bills are plastic. It is so weird...like very thin and laminated paper.

Uggs, I think they may be called that as nickname for UGLY, since Aussies like to shorten and nickname everything. I know, I know, I have been told they are super comfy and I believe it. i like the baby ones best, but at 60 for growing feet, i'll pass. I would do that for walking shoes, but just for cute boots? Nah. I am too practical.  I think you can get a better deal at Nordstrom on sale then here. It is a tourist attraction here, in the little kitschy stores everywhere! So buy your UGGS at home. Not too many deals here, fo' sho!

Slip Road- We think this is a ramp to get onto another road, but it is sometimes just a connector. Hard to figure out, but Thank Goodness for navigation systems. Lifesavers, for sure.

Been a while, this one is IN REAL TIME:)

It has been a rainy, gloomy time and hard not to let the mood go with the weather, especially when you are living in a 2 bedroom apt and to take the kids anywhere, I'd have to navigate the crowds, cover them up with a blanket and maybe rig a poncho around them or a big umbrella in the middle of the double stroller. It wasn't the worst timing since I'd been a little under the weather,really and so had little Huckleberry. He seems all better...I am still getting there. We had some short adventures.

Preschool Shopping with our Relo Specialist whilst kids stayed home with a sitter.Interesting. Don't really feel like going into it all, but my favorite place I liked because the Director was so very warm and one of the teachers was,too. She also had a DIET COKE on her desk and I felt bonded immediately! (Holler at you, Kelly, my City of Richmond teacher-friend and Ken, nicest PRINCIPAL ever, though you don't know about this blog, I will still raise my Diet Coke's to you,too. XO!) It was in this cute community called Lane Cove that neighbors our community, and is the home of our Government Council. She was a little Jennifer Martin-like for those of you who know her. Not as beautiful, sorry Heidi, Jennifer is tall and beautiful and so sweet! But just real and normal and nice. She has her own  two year old at the center. I remember when my sister Janice was looking for childcare and I told her about Jen and thought there would be no reservation about her once she met her and there wasn't. (Ask Janice about Jennifer getting on the ground with ONE OF HER KIDS  TO JOIN THAT CHILD IN A FULL BLOWN HISSY!)  I imagined that one day I, too, might have a little preschooler at ImagineNations in Owings, Maryland.  My life led me away from Calvert County. and it took forever before I even had a child. (I even interviewed with Jennifer once, but I just could not afford to make a salary that was not paying for my degree and my master's which I think was still in the works, though honestly do not know if the job was offered, just knew I couldn't do it... Always hated people complaining about daycare prices. The majority are underpaid no matter what YOU pay.)

I digressed again. The eve before the planned trip, I stumbled upon a preschool while window shopping online. The site was beautifully done and looks like a latidotty expensive private school, but unless it's in Greek, the fees are less than some places that I will never return to...one even in the same nice area that just had an odd, stinky kid smell. Not that of dirty nappies, but that squirmy unbathed smell...anyone know what I mean, jellybean? Grossness. I bet there needs to be some ear cleaning there. But gag me with a spoon, this Monkey Mama can only do those of her own and her kids, which you all know I do like a fetish. Ha ha ha! They offered that cool concept "Occasional Care",too, but I shall pass. Anyway, I know a website is an illusion anyone can create, but I can say honestly and not critically, many websites here are not as modern as ours and some places just have very basic info. So after my adventure with Jennifer (I will back track on that later or in another post), I went back to this website which I still had opened on my Magical Green Ipad. I call, though it is late and the after care lady says she will pass a message to the Director. I read newsletters, etc.on the site. It just seems lovely, homey, really. The director calls me the next day (this morning). She impresses me by phone and I hope I didn't ruin my chances because after she requested an email from me for contacting me and letting her know my interest, so she can give it to the preschool teacher. I sent her a lengthy one..She offered  for me to visit their playgroup, but she is not doing school visits now so that the teachers and children can enjoy their last week together of the term. Oh how rosy are my glasses being polished?! She said that I could peek in. She would not say they were fully booked like most people say in their first sentence, but that they were just about sorted out for the next term, but to please call her back sometime between Dec.19-21st. Yes, I will , if I am still smitten with the school (link to come later) after I go Wed. Hells yes! We are going and I even got my relo. consultant on board to go with me,. She is one of those not shy types...

So, here is the letter I sent to the Director. Ikes. I am really opening myself up here. Be gentle on me folks. It has a few mistakes...but I was doing this to the tune of cartoons, and two kids playing...

Hello Juliana,

Per our discussion, I am sending a note of interest in your preschool for my daughter (MUFFIN), who will be three 19 Dec. She is bright and vivacious. She is eager to go to school and has mastery of her alphabet, knows much phonics,counts mostly accurately to 20, knows colors and basic shapes. She is spelling and writing as best as her motor abilities let her! She is a beginning reader. (I am a former primary teacher, but I swear, I have not pushed her...she is just one of those kids that absorbs it all easily and loves to learn).

Usually outgoing, we come from a large family of doting aunties, cousins and grandparents...that are all still in the US. She will sing and dance for them. She plays well in independent imaginary play as well as before an audience. She is going to be missing family terribly,and will truly enjoy having a school family. She can be shy around her peers, she also tends to be a bit bossy. It isn't that she doesn't want to play with others...she just likes to direct the show! So, skills wise, no worries. She is caring to other children and her sibling, has a strong sense of right and wrong  i.e.she still talks about a little girl pushing her at a playground months ago and seems appalled that someone would do that.  Notes when things that aren't very nice occur. I think she will enjoy the activities planned and they will benefit her. Socially though, she would truly flourish in a nurturing environment, fostering her independence a bit from Mom and having
something of her own, now that Mom has another baby to mind. Learning to share and solve problems and develop strategies for frustrations.  It will be good for all of us. That being said, (Muffin) is very independent, "I can do it by myself " and has been allowed to help do lots of things at home, especially in the kitchen. She likes to help.

  (Muffin)did participate in a two day a week, play school type environment in the states where she was with kids and a teacher. She was happy to be going and just turned to me and said "Goodbye, Mama "before I even walked her in or signed her in! The only thing I did not like about this for her, was this was not a consistent group of children every week. It was more like a playgroup with adult supervision and leadership.

Your website is beautiful and intrigued me. I read newsletters,etc. It seems such a warm community and someplace I would  be so happy for her to attend. After viewing preschools in the area yesterday, I got bitten by the teaching bug a bit. I would love to help the teachers out and would be happy to help in ways that I am able, should an opening be available and upon visiting, if we like it as much as I feel we will.  I can take home cutting projects to prepare, etc,help with bulletin boards, anything! I do have an 8 month old as well, so my in-school volunteering may be limited.

As mentioned, she is not consistently using the potty, but has and knows about it. She had initiated potty training and I am afraid I dropped the ball on that one. She was early, I was expecting her brother, we were moving from city to suburbs in the states. Then we had a baby, settled into new home and ...moved here! We will certainly get back on toilet training and since we move to Greenwich in two weeks. It will be perfect timing!

Our email is probably the best way to reach us until December 19th, when we will have moved to our rental home. Our phone number will be:xxxxxxxx
Our present apartment number is xxxxxxx. Please do not leave a message as we can't access the voice mail.


Would you be able to send me information for application?The enrolment info. online is being updated.  I would most prefer two days a week, as I am a stay at home mom and still would like to enjoy time with her before this precious time is up! Are the fees on the site accurate?

Thanks for your time, Juliana. I hope to come to Wednesdays playgroup and will begin to organize that next.

Should you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to call. In case it helps, we will be here for two to three years, so it would be ideal if we could keep her in the same school for that duration.

Very Truly Yours,

Valerie Sxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

So, we shall see how that goes!


TIPS TO KNOW WHEN YOU COME TO AUSTRALIA:

Crackers are called biscuits! I think that is similar to the Brits.
You might have to ask for the Happy Meal Toy for your Happy Meal. at Macca's.
There is a free bus to take you 'round the CBD...Central Business District. Also...buses that are pram friendly. There you go.It's all I've got today.

My Wine for my Whine!

 So, somehow this got lost in my Drafts. It's been a while so I thought I'd give you my dear readers, some food and drink talk.

My wine find from that dinner at Meat and Wine in Darling Harbor some time ago...Come to find out it is Australia's favorite. It is about 20 bucks and yummy. Wonder if you all can find it there and how much it will cost you. We are happy with a 20 dolla' good  bottle. Wine actually is reasonable here. It's the beer.

Here is the wine: Buy a bottle for Christmas and toast us, as we will toast to all of you...

Wirra Wirra Church Block Cab-Sav-Shiraz-Merlot

McLaren Vale

Shrimp Chips. Ever heard of those? Yuuuummmeeee! Neighbor friend had them, Muffin tried and liked. Muffin  insisted I try (sounded yucky). Found in the Asian Aisle of your local grocer.

Pavlova- A dessert you may want to try. Sounds a bit like our fruit tarts. Just got a passionfruit to try...but we keep forgetting to try it. We plan to find this in a restaurant one day.  maybe we'll try to make it once in a house when our kitchen stuff arrives. This dessert is native to Aus, though New Zealand kiwi's like to claim it, too, and have some variations in their preparations.  You can read all about this on wikipedia if you desire. I did, but my memory is not good enough to give you a lesson. You can Google it! We learnt of it on the  MasterChef Junior Chef show here in Aus. You just not believe what these kiddos can do in the kitchen: AMAZING. They even have presentation... I am talking 12 year old's and under.

SNITZELS- have I mentioned them already? It's like a chicken patty? They are big here. But, check out the tip below...'cause they do not call it a chicken sandy, like we do.



Tips for when you visit Australia:

BLT- Not to me! If you ever order anything with bacon, burger, BLT, etc. It is like Canadian bacon and there seems to be no such thing as delicious cured strips of  delight. We plan to doctor up this DAMN HAM when we get in the house and get our KITCHEN SHIT,SHIPPED....I mean!

Dear Dale Bowen,

Remember me? Please send us some of your delicious bacon from your store, Bowen's Grocery. It is one of our favorites. We miss it. We picked it up and brought it to Richmond, we had family bring it to Richmond. Do you think we can smuggle some in to Australia? By the way, we have not seen any cute grocery stores with cows on top of it here. Maybe you can franchise and have one here? The bacon itself will allow you to live high on the hog (hee, hee,hee) for the rest of your lives! We could help you out,so we can be high on the hog,too!

Toodaloo!

Valerie & (The Man) McLaughlin

Facewashers- yup, a wash cloth. Guess you are supposed to use it everywhere since I haven't seen any body washers, etc.You know where I am going here, but I'll try to keep it clean...fill in a body part____washers. Simple fun, huh?

Chicken Snitzels on a Bun is Called a BURGER. So know what you are ordering an all beef patty or a chicken patty a la school lunches, shaped more like a fried fish like you see in fish and chips.

Cheers, Loves!