Still Here…..

You may be forgiven for thinking I’d left the blogosphere for good, and I wouldn’t blame you at all, but it’s been all on for young and old. So much has happened in the past month that the only way to tackle it is via the trusty bullet point. So here we go….

• We moved. It is a really nice house. Very quiet, lots of space and a bathroom each. Doesn’t that seem incredibly self-indulgent and almost like we are movie stars or something? Three bathrooms. I’m not used to such extravagance.
• I was very sad to leave my other house. I lived there for nearly six years and there were a lot of memories contained within the walls…both good and bad. You get used to things, don’t you? The way the floor in the living room creaks as you go to get a drink of water at night. The moon shining through the jacaranda tree. The noisy miner (Aussie bird) that used to look at me through my study window. I cried a bit when we left. It has been such a difficult year I just wanted it to end with a bit of peace and quiet and no more upheaval but it was not meant to be. Change is good for the soul…I keep telling myself that.
• We have opened a new shop in Glebe. It is a record shop, bar and grill and looks quite groovy. It is called The Record Crate. It will have it’s own blog and Facebook page and so on which I will let you know all about once I have it all up and running. We have high hopes for it. HIGH. It is our last chance to make some decent money in Sydney. I am crossing everything it is possible to cross and hoping like I always do.
• My Mum seems in better health although she may have to have a hysterectomy in March as a precautionary measure. It hasn’t been completely confirmed yet.
• I got my son an iPhone 5 and I have never seen anyone express such joy and gratitude over a gadget. I had no idea he would be so thrilled with it. I remain the only one in the family (the dinosaur) without a mobile phone and I am determined to keep it that way. I like the look on people’s faces when I say I don’t have a mobile. It’s as if I have just admitted to having leprosy or something.
• I am doing a lot of writing. A lot. My depression has been shocking with all these changes and the writing is really getting me through it. Hey, maybe something that is actually publishable might come out of it.
• Three of my most beloved goldfish died during our move. Sometimes they don’t survive the transition. It’s a bit of a shock for them. Farewell my dearest Lois, Marvin and Clancy. I will always love you.
• My sister is still with her husband and they have just bought a new house together. I don’t know what to think anymore. My attitude towards her is one of suspending judgement or even the slightest of opinions. It is probably the best way to keep my already precarious mental health intact.
• The guy who installed my Foxtel (cableTV) was the nicest guy. He was Muslim and we chatted for over an hour about Islam. He taught me a lot. He was so gracious and kind and family-oriented. So interesting to talk to. He didn’t charge me the full fee for the installation and I cried after he left. Unexpected kindnesses always make me boo-hoo.
• I’ve been thinking about those little kids killed in Connecticut and I just don’t know how their parents and families are coping with the grief. I just don’t know. How does one bear such sadness? It must almost be impossible.

Here are some photos from the new neighbourhood.

There is a nice seedy pub round the corner with topless barmaids. I thought that kind of thing went out in the ’80s. Shows how much I know. They have jelly wrestling on Tuesday nights. If it’s raspberry flavour I might sign up.

My neighbour has a garden full of hydrangeas. I know they are somewhat old-fashioned but I love a good hydrangea. I am enjoying watching her pottering about in the garden.

CHIMNEY POT!!! You know all is not lost if there is still a good chimney pot or two to check out. Chim chim cheree!

View from my balcony where the lorikeets roost at twilight. They are such dear little things with their twittering. Already I am looking forward to seeing them each day.

Captive Kangaroo. My neighbour has this kangaroo tied to a tree in his front garden. I don’t know if it’s because he really loves kangaroos or if it is some kind of special kangaroo deterrent like a guard dog. Either way, I laugh whenever I see it!

My new local park at night. It is very peaceful. People sit at the picnic tables at dusk eating the Portuguese chicken that is famous in the area. There is a nice sense of community.

And finally…this is the view from our new shop. You open the front doors and WHAM – there it is…… Centrepoint Tower. Makes you feel like you are a part of something.

Hope you are all well.