New Beginnings

Spring has sprung, and it's time for new beginnings!

I've spent two days spring-cleaning. No it has nothing to do with the 'Great New Zealand Spring Clean', and everything to do with the fact that hubby is in SA, and I have no urgent assignment to do this weekend. In other words: I have time!

Also, It is very likely that we will have one more fourteen-year-old living with us pretty soon. We're still waiting to hear the final verdict, but we're hoping we can give her a chance to be part of our happy family.

Today Rae, Kerry (a friend) and I scrubbed the walls, de-webbed the ceiling and rearranged the furniture of the spare room.
We didn't like the decor, so off we trotted to the Warehouse, and spent a pleasant hour or so gathering a smattering of red, white and black items for her new room.There must be few things more satisfying than standing back, after a day of hard work, and being able to see the fruits of your labour. Can't wait to see her face when she sees it!

So, in a short while, a new chapter of our life in New Zealand starts. If she comes, we will be complete, and we can really settle into our life here. If we don't gain the opportunity to bring her home, at least we will be seeing much more of her, and her room will be ready.

Now if Dan comes home in January too, my cup will runneth over!

(Online) retail therapy

I love shopping! Let's face it . There's nothing nicer than leaving the kids, cats and co-workers behind, jumping in my little silver Honda Logo, and zipping down to Botany Town centre to shop 'til I drop. Of course the largest part of the shopping (the part Darlingest doesn't understand) is the looking, touching, comparing part. I don't actually spend much money. (Seeing as the budget is so closely monitored by Mr. U-know-who.) But I do linger, and loiter and lust after all sorts of useful, pretty and completely useless doo-dahs. I usually end my morning's shopping by settling myself comfortably at one of the little bustling coffee shops (called cafes here). I order my trim Flat White - like a cappucino, but milkier, and my fat-free, cheese-free toasted pannini. Like a cheshire cat, I sit and muse over my day's purchases.

The shopping I don't like, is grocery shopping. Lately I've found the most wonderful service. For a $7 delivery fee, I can have my groceries delivered at my door! Every Thursday I perch myself on my bed, laptop on my lap, and shop in the comfort of my bedroom. Pictures of the products appear on screen, with prices (and the specials are in red), and I just 'Add' away at the products I want. The running total is shown, so no going over the budget. (Dearest likes this feature!) On Friday evenings, instead of rushing to town after a hectic week, I now know that at 6pm sharp the friendly delivery man will be knocking at the door with my groceries beautifully packed. The best part of this is the promotional products that are popped in amongst the groceries. For Free!

The last gift was a small fridge shopping list. The kids love it. This week's input from the family read:
- toothbrush for Rae - and Impulse
- chocolates - Paul
- socks - Dalla (His brother has been wearing his in the house, and they are now full of holes.)
- undies - Niel (This I'll do in person - and not leave to the online shopper!)
- cat food (we have a new kitten, and two big cats.)
- diswashing liquid.

The list may not be the most profound reading, but it pretty much reflects life on the home front!