Two dorrar shops

At the risk of appearing like a power blogger (many entries in few days) I am at it again. I wish you could've been there last week when I shopped at one of my frequent outlets. It's one of those super-sized $2 dollar shops where everything is an absolute bargain and a must-have. There's a big one in Sydney just outside the Town Hall station. The activity that occurs around this corner is unbelievable. As I was browsing for Australia Day paraphernalia I was noticing others in the shop. An Asian tourist buying Aussie souvenirs wearing an "Italia" t-shirt. Her friend with diamonds as big as her mobile phone. I noticed a black African man talking with a new found friend. He started a conversation with her after noticing 4 pairs of bra’s in her shopping basket. She swore by them – at $6 a “set” you can’t go wrong. Her only advice was that he “buy a size bigger than what she normally wears because they are small sizes”. Something helpful for all the 20 customers who were crowded around. I got into the long line to pay for my koala coasters and plastic flags and the girl behind the till tallied up the items in her head and announced the total with fingers. I had 4 held up to me and a timid ‘four’ whispered through a Nordic accent. As I left and crossed the road there were a couple of American missionaries working the crowd. I thought I was free when the man turned green and I could cross over. Not so. I could here indistinct language projecting out of a megaphone similar to what we used to use at Primary School sports’ days. I heard enough “* ***….*..*..repentan**…**…*……..Go*……****…* ***lvation…**” to know this guy had a very different view to sharing his life with others than I did. Sydney's a crazy town but this whole experience only cost me $4 and some really good advice about lingerie.

Weekend of the backyard

We've turned into thirty-somethings, DIY, home improvement junkies. This is our backyard and we love it. The best is yet to come with a house extension making use of half of this space in the form of a pavillion room and deck. It faces north so the sunshine is always glorious. Today we purchased a Japanese Maple ('cause I love sushi) and a Magnolia tree (because I've always wanted to go to inner Asia). The landscape designer in both of us is frantically drawing plans of how it could look but we'll definately keeping the lemon tree (that was in the pre-nup) and the herb garden is yet to find a permanent home. Michael can't wait to cut down 2 big trees to make way for the property development. It's in his blood and he has got a uni degree in annililating natural landscapes and tall timber. 

Our sista Carmel (see green jacket below) gave us these deck chairs for our wedding present. We took possession of them this weekend and they were worth the wait. We've had a few sessions in them already. 

Here's a few snaps from our holiday which seems like 2 years ago now. This is a balmy night in Perth on the river. 

Our last night in Perth on our recent sojourn. Twilight dinner at Jo Jo's with Ma and Pa. Very nice. 

A cafe a day for us on our recent holiday in Albany. Here's Elizabeth loving her latte. 

Here's my other boy. You can find him now at www.inspireeducation.com.au 

 

Beautiful girl in her new beautiful jacket. 

Here's where we spend a day. The absolutely gorgeous Little Beach near Albany. 

Poor bugga

Here's my boy. Proud as anything at the my op-shop purchase for him from Subiaco's 'Save the Children'. Some poor bugga probably hocked it after the infamous Eagles loss in the semi's last September. 

 

Aussie Aussie Aussie

I'm sure you're as frustrated as I am that the software we us to upload photos on the blog is busted. I can't show you the little cup cakes I made yesterday that had deep blue icing and remarkably resembled the Australian Flag. My obsessive compulsiveness came to the fore.

We had a bit of a bite with our friends the Colmans after the BBQ for 20 got cancelled due to a bout of gastro in the host household. No worries.

M quite rightly says that the benefit of the Thursday holiday will not be fully realised until Saturday. Bring it on tomorrow. I slept for 12 hours the other night in very adolescent kinda way. Fell asleep watching the tennis in bed, woke up at 11pm to change out of my work clothes and opened my eyes again at 9.30am.

Oh the bliss.

Spur Steak (and Ribs) Ranch

Last week we accomplished one of my long term goals. On Thursday night we ate at Spur Steak Ranch a few suburbs up the road. If you are saying this out loud, you need to pronounce Spur with your teeth clenched a more like "Schpur" with a touch of Texas twang. I don't know why it became such a icon in my head but kids do eat free on Monday and Tuesday nights.

We were greeted at the door and the waitress asked if we wanted a window seat. That's funny because it overlooked a really average intersection on Australia's Busiest Road...Victoria Road.

I couldn't go past the Cheddamelt on the menu. A well-done steak (even though I asked for medium rare) with a slice of chedder - you guessed it - melted over the top.

Enough on that. We had a nice weekend down in the country. It was a Barr family tradition to gather at the Mittagong pool for a big relative shindig. The ritual ended in 1987 and someone thought 2006 was a good time to revive it. It was a nice day. Matt, Sarah and us stayed down there at the pub in 'first class' accommodation. It was more like first star but that was the charm of it.

I'm in project mode at the moment. I've got some restoration projects (more roadside furniture I couldn't leave alone) and some sewing projects. I've made a deal with M that any furniture ie. an art deco lounge suit that I find on the side of the road during collection, MUST go back on the side of the road collection in 6 months if I've not begun the restoration process.

Deal.

The Year of the Skirt

I've been on a blogiday - that's a holiday from blogging. That's because we were in Perth and Albany for Christmas/New Year. Now that we're both back at work the time after work has been for washing, ironing and sleeping. (I'm wanting to develop my sleeping side more).

I'm at NCLS for another 3.5 weeks and then I'm off to GJU to become a barrister. That's what Michael says. It's actually Gloria Jeans' University to become a barista. My emotions are all over the place about this. NCLS is very pressured with much to do and I feel like I'm letting the team down by leaving. On the other hand, I'm going with their absolute blessing and I think the cafe will be a good thing for me.

While in WA I bought a whole suitcase of clothes and fabric. Yes it's true. Mostly op-shopping and bargains. This is going to be the year of Rachel as fashion designer. That'll be my spare time career.

It's also going to be Year of the Extension. We have plans in place to make our home more guest-friendly and the goal is to have Christmas drinks at #23 this year. It could end up being a 'slab party' if we get caught up in council.

That's a quick update. We're back.