merry Christmas its Christmas Eve

It's a month since I last posted to the site, far too long, but the time has just flown by.

To friends and Family who are reading this, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very safe and Happy New Year.

Great excitement as Fergus and Zac anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. Fergus is counting down and is excited and Zac copies and follows Fergus! it was my Mum's birthday on Monday, I took her to Shelley and Malcolm's for afternoon tea and I think the boys had eaten some jumping beans..

Fergus and I went to see Madagascar 2 yesterday - it was fun, the city was very busy and I didn't think we could manage a long wait to see the Myer's windows.

I finished work last Friday, just had the last minute things to shop for, the weather warmed up on Sunday and Monday and it's looking good for today and tomorrow. This evening my mum and I are heading off to Shelley and Malcolm's for a Christmas Eve dinner, I will stay there tonight so will be part of the fun tomorrow morning...Darrin and Candice will be there this evening - Candice is blooming! looking lovely and looks pregnant. I will do my own thing tomorrow on my return from present opening! Probably spend time with friends.

So nice not having to work! I go back to work on the 19th January until 17th April. I am hoping to start planning more of the holiday while off work, look at all the places and people I want to visit.

I will close this post there and wish you all a wonderful Christmas - I hope to be in touch with many of you and visit many of you in 2009! love to you all xx

Big News this week!!

Grandma & Zac Fergus & Zac Fergus

Back again, not so long between blogs this time. Time is flying by. Big news this week. I have booked my holiday for next year - I leave Melbourne on 20th June flying into London. I managed to get on the same flight as my friend Rose, which is good, as it's 27 years since I flew into London and it may be a bit strange. Rose was there just 3 years ago. I am really excited - I will be away for 2 months, haven't got plans yet for the trip apart from the first 4 days which will be in London. I will then be staying with friends and moving around. I will be going to Scotland to visit my Aunt, Uncles and cousins. Perhaps a trip to Spain with my cousin. it will be fun to explore - all on a budget of course as the dollar has dropped.

The other news is that I have had my contract renewed and after a month off in January will finish on 17th April.. I am enjoying the work and really pleased that it is being extended. I will then be waiting for the new baby to arrive. Candice's Mum, Dad and Grandmother will travel over after the birth. it will be lovely to see them again a wonderful time for us all.

I am having a quiet week this week, last weekend was busy and this one will be busy too as Rose has her party on sat evening.

We had a lovely warm day today - a great change after the winter weather last weekend - the heating was back on

I suppose I should think about writing Christmas cards and doing some shopping as it will soon be here, Fergus is counting down!

Til next time...

More news from Trish

Can you believe I only have one month of my contract left! The time has just flown by. I have been busy as usual. The 60th Birthday Party was great fun, I didn't take my camera with me so no photographs.
Next week on the 29th November I have another friend turning 60 and her party is right here in Mordialloc. I am looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her next week. There will be lots of friends there.
I am still enjoying the work on the 36th floor!! but as I said only one more month. I am looking forward to the break I can spend some more time with Fergus and Zac.
Darrin and Candice are heading off to South Africa on Wednesday. Candice went for her 18 week scan today.
I have joined a group on facebook called "I am a Newell" - will be fun to see how many Newells join the group.
Well Christmas is getting close and soon I will be celebrating one year of blog writing! I will be spending this Christmas eve with Fergus and Zac and waking up early on Christmas morning will be fun? Fergus has been at school almost a year and Zac will be turning 2 in February.
I managed to get to a scrapping session last Thursday evening, but only got one page done.
That's about it for now looking forward to the weekend as usual :) Catching up with friends - perhaps see Jimi Hocking http://www.jimihocking.com/ and celebrate another birthday on Sunday evening.

Time Flies when you are having fun!

I have been busy since I last signed in. Lots of socialising and of course work! Work is going well - still enjoying the view from the 36th Floor, Today was beautiful, as the sun shone on the cars winding along the roads it looked like snails trails. That lovely silvery track that snails leave behind them. I had my hair cut and tipped this evening, all ready for the party weekend.
Tomorrow evening I am going farewell drinks, an ex colleague Basil, after 20 years at you know where, he has been asked to finish up! it is sad, but he may feel as I do now in a few months time! It will be great to catch up with my ex colleagues and other people I have worked with over the years.

The big news is - Candice and Darrin are expecting a baby in April next year, What wonderful news, I am so excited - another grandchild. I saw them on Sunday and we spent some time at the Mornington Food and Wine Festival. I saw the pictures of Baby Smith! After I left Mornington and I went to see Shelley, Malcolm Zac and Fergus, I do miss seeing Fergus and Zac now that I am working full-time.

Tomorrow evening is the 60th birthday party! I will report back on that next time It's going to be hot on Saturday here in Melbourne and that may mean I have to revise my party frock! What is it with Saturdays? Last Saturday was hot I had a lovely long lunch at the cafe-bar in Mordialloc, I sat outside looking out on the creek with boats going in and out of the bay it was quite delightful.

Haven't been doing much dancing lately I have had a lot. I joined a new group called "the Celestial Teapot" - its a free range brain group on the Peninsula,. Not sure if I will continue with it. I don't think I am skeptical enough!! More about that later..

Work, Work, Work!

Well it's been two full weeks at work, and most importantly one pay day. It's amazing that when you have more money you spend more money?

I am enjoying the work, it's great not having to worry about the library service or any of the other things that I had to deal with before leaving my last job. I was on my own last week on Mon, Tues, & Wed, that was unexpected, but I coped and dealt with 'things' as they came up. I do love working on the 36th Floor I can see all the way to the Dandenongs and it's quite spectacular watching the rain come from the hills over the city. Well thats the good things, the downside is the full time aspect, oh well next job will be part time. I do miss the time at home, I have been quite tired but I guess that's just getting back into the swing of it all.

I saw Zac and Fergus today and will see them next Sunday as I am looking after them while Shelley and Malcolm go out for lunch. It's Shelley's birthday on the 15th October and Mike is taking them out for lunch.

I talked to Darrin this evening, they are getting excited about their holiday to South Africa, they are leaving for Capetown on 20th November

We changed our clocks early this year, I lost an hours sleep but it was lovely to have a longer evening. It was a beautiful day, time to get the bikes out I think! Will I have the time (and energy)?

Went dancing last night - great fun, so good for the soul - Looking forward to a friends 60th birthday on 25th October he is having a great local band called The Substitutes - playing 60's British music.. will be great!
More next time!

Time Flies!!

Wishful thinking!!

I didn't think it was almost a month since I last posted a message. I was showing my blog to my Mum today and couldn't believe the date. Well the good news is that I have a 3 month position starting on Monday. I am looking forward to it in a way I suppose however it is full-time and I will miss spending time with the family. I will miss Zac as I have spent a lot of time with him - over the last few months. It is school holidays next week and I won't be able to take Fergus to movies as planned. I know I can catch up at weekends. I was going to catch up with Candice on Tuesday, but again it will now have to be over weekends. Next position will be part-time - I have learnt heaps about applying for jobs, non responses, internal applicants, jobs withdrawn after the interview, interview styles and tactics!!

I have had a second bout of whatever I had before that gave me a high temperature etc. I am feeling much better. I decided to cancel all engagements this week!!! No dancing, no lunches, no visiting Zac and Fergus and hopefully I will be fit and ready for work on Monday.

I have been out dancing each weekend - good for the soul - so will miss it this weekend, probably wiser to get well. The weather has been mixed, warm and windy and then back to quite cool.

The bikes are still wrapped up although the weather was warmer last week I wasn't feeling up to bike riding, hopefully it will be out soon.
The position is with a Govt dept and will be good experience for me

Til next time.....

And it's still cold!

Seems a while, I guess most of my time has been taken up with applying for jobs, attending interviews and being sick!! I though I was over the cold and cough and here I am tonight shivering away and an interview to deal with in the morning...Will have to visit the Doc. On the jobs front, my favourite job was the one at the goldmining company.. I had good feedback after the interview - but the board met on Thursday morning (when I expected to hear) and decided that the Librarian's position would not be replaced~!~!!. I am still lwaiting to hear of the other interview I attended almost two weeks ago - I was told it would take 2-3 weeks as it Vic public service.
When I was feeling very fit on Wednesday I took my self off dancing, it was great. I danced til midnight, the bewitching hour!
Yesterday was a little warmer and I went to the city with a friend, we had lunch, a wander around SouthBank, Movies - A great Film called The Visitor . We then went to Springvale and had Vietnamese food.
Today I spent some time with Shelley and family, both boys are doing really well, Fergus won another award and school and Zac goes to his 'school' child care on a Monday. According to Shelley he loves it. he was showing me how he could jump during the week. They are a great joy.
I caught up with Candice Monday last week - Darrin has been working a lot of overtime as he has to take some leave in November as they are off to SA for a wedding.
I am starting to think about a holiday next year to Britain and perhaps a side trip or two to Europe. it 's good to start planning early! I am lucky enough to have a friend over there that I can stay with.
I am off to bed now as I don't feel that great and I need to be fit for tomorrow
Til next time.....

Still cold here!

I can't believe how the time has flown since I last updated my blog. I think its due to the weather. It's been cold. I have been busy with job applications. One has resulted in an interview - which is on Monday - the jobs are there it just takes time for the whole process. As much as I am enjoying being at home - it would be good to have some work (and paydays!) Apart from job applications I have been busy with 'other' things. I looked after Zac yesterday - we walked to the beach and the playground here in Mordialloc. Zac would have loved to paddle in the water! I went to see "Mama Mia" which I loved, great fun. last week we headed off to Phillip island for the weekend. Very relaxing. I went dancing last night with some friends - was good to catch up and have some fun. It's a lovely day today - although cold, the sun is shining I am off for my walk and then I have 3 more applications to complete.

It's been freezing!!

It's been cold here in Melbourne - it's nice not having to get up early in the morning and brave the train trip. I am still job hunting - I had an interview last week first one for quite a number of years! Unfortunately I didn't get the position but the experience was good.
I was busy last week, mostly social occasions, lunches and a dinner out with an ex work friend, so that was fun. The weekend as usual flew by, no bike riding this weekend it was too cold on Saturday and Sunday I took a trip up to the city and caught up with some friends at the Transport Hotel. I had lunch in Mornington on Thursday that was lovely except - dare I say it it was freezing!
I saw all the family last week - that was good. No photographs this week - didn't have the camera out. - til next time...

A new financial year

A new month and a new financial year and doom and gloom in the newspaper!
I am job hunting - I will keep you posted - I hope to have an interview soon.
Last week I looked after Zac for two mornings as Shelley had some work. He was as good as gold - loves to dance whenever he hears music, he is so much fun. Fergus started school holidays on Friday. The weekend flew by Went dancing on Saturday evening that was fun and Sunday was a lazy day spent indoors working on the resume.
not much news this week.

Back again

I did mean to update my blog last week, but the week flew by and it didn't happen. I had a lovely time in Queensland with Sally & Bob. We walked, talked, sat around in the sun drinking coffee, drank copious amounts of red wine, Sally & I scrapbooked and I didn't have to cook! The weather was quite a bit warmer than Melbourne. The photograph was taken on Coochiemudlo Island. We spent a few hours there it was beautiful, so peaceful.
It was Fergus's birthday last week - he was 6. Nice not working I was able to spend some time with him on his birthday.
But it's back to reality and job hunting. This is now my priority. It's a bit scary thinking about it all as I haven't applied for a job for quite some time.
The weather here in Melbourne is dull and cold, but now that we have passed the shortest day of the year we can look forward to Winter. No long walks last weekend - Sunday morning coffee at the pub with the newspapers was much more appealing, plus a glass of champagne brightened up the wet morning.



Stay in touch for more news on the job front

Flying Away

The suitcase is packed almost ready to leave for Brisbane. It's very foggy this morning and the airport was closed at some stage for incoming flights.
Farewell drinks went well on Friday evening, a chapter in my life is closed - I miss my friends and colleagues, but not the work. Had a quiet weekend, the weather was beautiful. On Sunday we had lunch at the Micawber Tavern in Belgrave. A friend was celebrating her birthday, it was quite foggy when we left Mordialloc but by the time we reached Belgrave the sun was shining and it was the perfect winter day in Melbourne.
That's it for now

Moving closer to the first day of Winter

Pictures of Shelley Fergus & Zac taken earlier this month

Almost two weeks since I last posted a message. Good news is that my Mum is well after her brief stay in hospital

I finish work officially on 30th May. Having drinks after work at the Panama Dining room for friends and colleagues that I have worked with over the years. It will be fun to catch up with everyone. I have been fortunate to work with so many lovely people over the years. I have some wonderful memories. No news on the job front as yet.. but then again I haven't really looked for any work. I did start my job Search program last week and that was a positive experience. I have another appointment tomorrow.

The weekend flew by, we did have some good weather and Brett and I went out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. We rode towards Springvale road past the Mordialloc Wetlands and through the Waterways housing estate... There were a number of birds in the wetlands including a group of Pelicans, quite magnificent birds.

Next Tuesday I am heading up to Brisbane to stay with Sally and Bob for a few days - I am looking forward to the break away from Melbourne. Also the weather will be a little warmer during the day and I can leave the winter woollies behind. Sally and I usually spend time scrapbooking, I am looking forward to that as I have fallen behind with my scrapbooking and the photographs are piling up!

Hopefully will send next post from Brisbane,

I'm Back!

It's been a while but I am back... I am trialling Virgin broadband so expect to see my blog updated on a weekly basis.
I am moving along with my 'new life'. I picked up all my boxes and gear from work on May 2nd - that was an emotional event for me. It was sad to walk out of there after 18.8 years. Brett came with me and we went to the Old Colonial in Brunswick for a celebratory drink and a game of pool. The euphoric feeling didn't last too long however and it was a kind of flat weekend. We did have a lovely lunch out on the Sunday with Brett's family.
I wont go back over all that I have done since my last post. I had a nice Mother's day good to see the family and spend time with Zac and Fergus.
Unfortunately my mum ended up in hospital yesterday and is having some tests done. I will keep you posted.
We have had some grey weather lately and haven't managed to get the bikes out although it hasn't been all that cold. Today is beautiful clear blue sky a glorious autumn day.
I had lunch with two of my ex colleagues last week at Dante's (almost my favourite restaurant) We had a good laugh talking over the 'good old days' at the BSL!! Almost 60 years of service between us. I wondered if anyone's ears were burning.
I start my job search program next week - looking forward to it. I will keep you posted on that too - til next time ....
I will keep you posted... don't forget to comment back to me

Melbourne's Great Weather

What a beautiful week so far... Cool crispy nights and warm, sunny days once the cloud has lifted. the bay has looked magnificent this evening as I went for a walk. That's the fun thing about not working I can go walking at the time when I would have been travelling home in the train - probably strap hanging. The week has flown by. Brett and I went to the peninsula Jazz Club session last Friday - the band wasn't so good as the previous time - it was good to have a dance.
Last Sunday I went to the fete at Fergus's school, another beautiful day. Fergus had a great time on the big slide. Doesn't seem that long ago since Greystone Park Primary School fetes!!! looking forward to the weekend - not the weather according to the forecast it's going to change.
Candice arrived home last week from Capetown
It 's 26 years this week since we arrived in Australia.....

Time flies when you are having fun!

Is it two weeks since I updated the blog? I must be having fun. On a serious note, my position at work has been made redundant and I will sign the papers on Monday. My final day will be 30th May. Not sure what I will do then - in the mean time, I have been busy. As I said in my last blog post it was school holidays and during the second week of the holidays Fergus and I headed off to Geelong for a day. We caught the train to Southern Cross station and then took the train to Geelong. It was a beautiful day and we had great fun. We went on the beautiful old carousel and then Fergus had great fun on the 'Bungee jump'.

Last Sunday (6 April) Brett and I took Jarred, his grandson to the Sand Sculpting in Frankston.The theme was Fairytales and Fables and the sand sculptures were quite beautiful.

This last week has flown by. Mum went to Ballarat on her annual holiday with her church group, Fergus is back at school , I am at home catching up on chores and enjoying the beautiful Autumn weather that Melbourne dished up for us this week.

Time flies when you are almost retired!

Another week has gone by since I last posted... Easter was great with chocolate in bed, lazy days, grandchildren and bike rides. Since last posting to my blog a few things have happened with my job. I am still on stress leave, but it looks pretty certain that I will be offered a redundancy. It's great in one respect but I would have preferred to leave on a more positive note.
That aside we did have a good weekend, even though I did feel a little sad at times. The weather was good and we got the bikes out on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we rode through part of the wetlands near Mordialloc and Sunday we rode with friends to Patterson Lakes. We had lunch at the pub and rode home. Saturday evening we saw the film Juno - it was ok, a bit quirky and not as funny as expected. On Monday we did an Easter egg run delivering Easter eggs to the family.
Candice left for Capetown on Tuesday 25th March to be with her family for a few family celebrations. Unfortunately she got mugged her first day back and had her bag stolen - plus money credit cards etc. Thank goodness that no-one was hurt - it was good to get an e-mail from her today.
It's school holidays and Fergus and I spent sometime together yesterday. We went to see Horton Hears a Who. What a great film - quite delightful. We then went out for dinner (pizza by request!) Next week we are going to have another outing, which I have yet to plan.
Dance competitions are getting closer - I have my achievement day on 5th April and will be doing my New Vogue Bronze medallion. Will need a trophy cupboard soon!!

On a sad note, a family friend Irene Frost died this week in England. Irene and Jock have been friends for 30+ years, their children, Debbie and Stuart and Shelley and Darrin were great friends at school. We have many happy memories of times spent together. Vale Irene. I am hoping this blog will enable me to keep in touch with my many dear friends where ever you are located.
It's Friday and the weekend is ahead!!! Enjoy

New week in the life of Patricia Newell!

I didn't update my blog last week. I had a bit of a stressful week at work. Suffice to say that this week I am not at work. (I wont bore you with all the details) The last couple of weeks have just flown by. We are having very hot weather here in Melbourne 40 degrees the last two days and still very hot this morning - I think there may be a cool change later in the day. So no bike riding for me. We managed to get to the beach over the labour Day long weekend which was great. We went to Rye back beach with Brett's Family. the waves were too rough for me on the boogie board, but Brett and Paul had a great time. Hopefully it will be warm over Easter and we can get to the beach again. This last weekend it was the Mordialloc festival - music wise it was great , the weather on Sunday was just a bit too hot at 40 degrees. The crowd was down I think.
Zac is walking around he is so cute.. Hope to get a new photograph on here soon. Fergus is going well at school almost the end of his first term. He got a certificate "Pupil of the Month" for being kind and helpful. He is kind.. and is very popular with his classmates.. all want him as their friend. My turn to be his friend in the school holidays we will no doubt have an outing and do something together. Brett has a blog - I will post the address soon

What happened to last week!

The week flew by - had a great weekend, Brett & I took off to a small place in Central Victoria called Yandoit. I loved it.. no phones, no electricity - the cottage was beautiful as was the view from our verandah. There were a family of Kangaroos early in the morning. We did a great bushwalk on Saturday morning. Back home on Sunday evening after stopping at Guildford Pub and a music festival at Vaughan Springs.

Darrin and Candice are busy with their house i have posted some photos of the painting and decorating activity below.

Zac's 1st Birthday

It's Zac's birthday today. He had a party this afternoon. It was so good to see him having fun, almost walking, smiling, eating and crying! when grandma accidently kicked him in the face.... What can I say. Luckily he quickly forgot the pain and in no time at all was smiling once more... other photo below

Darrin and Candice had settlement on their house yesterday and already they are prepping and sanding ready for starting the painting tomorrow . Check in next week for photographs of the house + renovations.

After the party Brett and I got the bikes out and went for a ride...not so warm today quite windy.

New week

It was a great weekend, nice and warm on Saturday & Sunday. Saturday morning we took the bikes out and had a long ride before it got too hot. Sunday we got the boogie boards in the car and headed off to Pt Leo with Brett's son Paul, his partner Mel and son Jarred. There was no surf!! The water was beautiful and warm and a few waves came along and I christened my new boogie board. It was very much a family weekend as we babysat on Sat evening. It's great to spend time with the grandchildren.

It's Zac's first birthday on Saturday 23rd February - We are going to his birthday party so check next week for a photograph

Friday - weekend coming up!

I decided to have a couple of weeks off work - one down and one to go. Practising for retirement perhaps!

Yesterday I looked after Fergus and Zac for a short while. Great thing to do on Valentine's day!
I have had a relaxing week. I organised a blog for Brett... perhaps he will start posting this weekend - I will let you know. His blog will be mainly about his book ( see http://www.cbfbooks.com for more details). The weather has been a bit cooler this week - good walking weather. Weekend weather is looking good. The picture was taken at Torquay in January, Brett and I spent a couple of days in Geelong and enjoyed a day at the beach in Torquay.

Sunday Evening

Hi again, it's the end of another weekend! if you do arrive at this blogsite and would like to make a comment or leave a message for me - please do! it's easy - click on the comment link. Write your comment in the box provided (please leave your name) scroll down the page and chose anonymous, you don't have to have a password or sign in (unless of course you do have a google sign in - if so use that)- it;s easy - so don't visit withoug leaving a message....

A New Week

Another week has flown by. Fergus started school last week. Shelley and Candice took him to school. He was quite happy to go I think his Mum and Aunt found it a little emotional! I was there when he got home from school. He was starving - seemed excited about his first day at school.

It was another busy weekend. Brett and I worked his website for a few hours on Sunday finally it is up there on the www and here is the link http://www.cbfbooks.com/. About 5pm we took a break to listen to jazz and have a drink at the Mentone hotel . We then took off on our bikes for a long ride - I think I can take off the "L" plates soon!!

The weather is still hot here in Melbourne - the only rain we have had in the last two weeks or so was last Thursday when Fergus started school! That was the day my car had a flat battery!

Back to work after long weekend

It's a week since I posted. The time has flown by. It was Australia Day on Saturday 26th January - Monday was the public holiday. It was glorious weather a bit too hot for bike riding but Brett and I took the bikes out on Saturday and Sunday evening when it cooled slightly . I am so enjoying my bicycle! It's 25 years since I rode a bicycle - slowly gaining confidence. There are lots of bike paths close to home - I am not too keen on cycling on the road at the moment.

Sunday 27th was Darrin and Candice's second wedding anniversary (see photograph below), two years since my trip to Capetown with Shelley and Fergus. Happy memories. Darrin and Candice have recently bought a house in Mornington and are looking forward to moving at the beginning of March.

Monday afternoon I visited Shelley and Family. Fergus is looking forward to starting school on Thursday 31st January. I will post a photograph of him in school uniform at the end of the week. Zac is growing and is standing without holding onto anything!!! He makes me laugh - he pulls funny faces.

Photographs added

I have added photographs - scroll to the bottom of the blog

Monday!

It's back to work after a great long weekend. On Friday I had lots of fun, I took Fergus to the Aquarium, then onto the movies to see "Alvin & the Chipmunks"
Friday evening Brett and I went to our first Peninsula Jazz Club event. The band was excellent. I tried my hand at fishing on Saturday evening - no luck!! The bay looked magnificent. It was a mild evening, so relaxing watching the boats go to and fro. Was difficult to go back to work today!!
Good news is that I have restored my emails and address book. I have a new external hard drive and everything is backed up!!

My first post

This is exciting - the first of many posts I hope. Please don't hesitate to comment back to me, but remember your comments will be shown to all the friends and family who access this blog.

It's a brand new year 2008 and who knows what lies ahead, I hope it will be an exciting year for all of us. I have plans for this year and all will be revealed as the year moves on! Check here as often as you can