Evil Oddie

Last Sunday I decided I was going to put up the Christmas Tree. I cleared a spot in the Lounge Room and went into the garage and fished out all the Christmas Stuff.

I got out the tree and remember that its not a very big and it was really cheap. Meh, its still a Christmas Tree. I love Christmas!

I got the tree up after much struggling and slamming my head into our DVD tower. I put the tinsel on and most of the baubles.

Then I remember that it was my nephew, Corey’s, birthday. So I downed tools and called him to wish him a Happy Birthday. I had sent up his present, long cargo pants, during the week. He said he liked them, but I think he’s just a polite 17 year old. Honestly, I’m probably really biased, but Corey is just a fantastic young adult. And he’s a spunk too!

My sister, Sally, got on the phone after Corey. She asked me what I was up to and I told her I was putting up the Christmas Tree. She told me that it’s apparently bad luck to put up the Christmas Tree before 1 December. Doh.

So I haven’t finished putting the tree up… hopefully I’ve bent the back luck rules!

I left my job on Friday 16th November.  I didn’t have a job to go to.  Not that I find it hard to find a job, but it was more of a you guys have just screwed me over and I’m so not a happy camper about this, I’m leaving.  It was really sad though.  I already miss quite a few of my old work mates…. *sob*

In the meantime, I kinda had two offers but they didn’t work out.  One really cheesed me off.  They told me that I had the job but had to have a discussion with all the Directors in regards to my offer.  They asked me not to accept another position until they got their offer to me… Sure, no worries.

Got a phone call yesterday, they’ve decided not to go ahead with the position.   Erm, thanks.  So I’m back to the drawing board of applying for jobs… So I’ve pretty much wasted a week because of these guys.  Grrrrr.

Lesson learnt: don’t trust anyone til you’ve got the offer.  You snooze you lose.

Glen’s Aunty Joy & Uncle Len went back to NZ this morning after a 3 week holiday.  Last weekend, I had to go back to the DFO at the airport to take back some shoes that I got for Glen, but he didn’t like them.  I invited Aunty Joy to come and she accepted.

Aunty Joy was after a special outfit for her 80th birthday next year.  We went into so many stores; I found out that Aunty Joy is very selective on the clothes that she wears.  I thought she looked great in a couple of things, but she wasn’t happy.  We both loved Table Eight but we found an outfit at Jacqui E.  It’s a long black skirt with silver flowers and wispy bits at the bottom and a lace top with a  cami underneath.

It is nothing like what Aunty Joy normally wears, but I think she loved it.

My Mum & Dad came down on the weekend to see my niece, Katarna. She lives down the Gold Coast, so Mum had arranged to pick up Katarna at Movie World on Saturday. We got there about 11am. Seeing I had my breakfast before 6am, I was a bit hungry.

We went and bought tickets, which I thought was a bit of a rip off seeing that there were heaps of rides that weren’t running. As soon as we went through the gates, there was a toilet stop and then straight to a cafe. The food was fantastic. I ate all of it! That’s pretty rare cause I’m not that big of an eater. The chic who took our orders, obviously didn’t get Dad’s main order but got the side of chips that he wanted. It must’ve had something to do with the blaring music they had playing.

After that, Dad & I went for a wander, while Mum & Katarna went shopping in all the stores. We wanted to see the Police Academy Stunt Show (which was great) at 1:30pm. The lady at the Cafe said to line up early as the seats go fast. So we got there about 12:30pm as the doors opened at 1pm. Mum & Katarna weren’t there. I went searching. They walked straight past me down the main drag. I had to make my way through all the people to get to them.

Once I had caught up, we went and lined up for the show. The pre-show entertainment was great. This guy was just communicating with a whistle.

After the show, Katarna and I went on the Wild West Falls. I got absolutely saturated. It fully looked like I had wet myself. Plus my hair was drenched and my polo top was entirely wet too. All Katarna had was wet hair and a wet bum from the seat. The wind picked up and I was freezing. The next thing we did was get an ice-cream – good idea Mum… I stood in the sun cause I was covered in goose bumps.

After that, we went to the Kids bit. Katarna got onto some car thing and Dad and I just sat down. My feet were killing me (damn plantar fasciitis) and Dad’s back (he had spinal surgery last year) was aching. We decided that after Katarna was done in the kid section, we were going home.

Katarna wanted to go on the rollercoaster. Seeing that was the reason I was there (M&D can’t do rides & Katarna needed to be with an adult for the rides), I went on it with her. I’m not so good with heights, so I was freaking. This rollercoaster goes from like 30k’s an hour to a stop. Damn it hurt my back – I wasn’t ready for it. The second time around wasn’t so bad.

Mum & Katarna went into a shop and Dad and I waited outside. Once they were done, we went home. We got to the car at 5:30pm.

I had to go to Melbourne for work.  It was only a day trip, but I enjoyed it.  It was my first trip to Melbourne.

I was supposed to catch the 5am flight down but unfortunately, QANTAS decided that they would cancel it.  Gee ta…  So I needn’t have got out of bed at 2am to catch this freaking flight.  So I made some new friends while waiting.  There was an old couple whose flight to Sydney also got delayed.  They were flying to the US and were supposed to meet the connecting flight there.  Luckily the follow on flight was leaving 5 hours after the original flight landed.  We got talking and the lady said to me, “Gosh you look shocking”.  Thanks love, I’ve only got to go do some work stuff when I get to Melbourne.  So glad I’m not in the running to get a man.  Love you Glen…

I have to say, when I got my breakfast on the plane, I was extremely happy.  It was the best breakfast I have had in quite some time.  I had an Egg on an English Muffin (I pulled the bacon off – I don’t really eat meat), I had yogurt with berries and toasted muesli, orange juice, water, cuppa tea and I saved my muesli bar for later. It was the best thing about my flight.

When I finally got to Melbourne (at 10am), I had to rush to do my work thing before noon.  I waited and waited in the taxi line.  Then the taxi driver I got couldnt speaka da english so well – so I kinda hoped he knew where I needed to go.  It turned out well thank god.

Once I had got the work thing done, I grabbed a random and asked for directions to St Kilda.  I had done some research about Melbourne Op Shops and I heard that Sacred Mission on Grey St was good.

The directions I got, go over to the tram station (the stations are not like the ones in Brissie), get one going this way (see the lady waving her arm in one direction), get them to open the door and ask if they stop at Grey St.  Ok sounds easy enough.

I walk to the station (its a set of lights dammit), a tram stops, the driver opens the door.  I ask him, “Does this stop at Grey Street, St Kilda?” Next thing I know, this bugger has closed the door on my head.  I said “Guess that’s a no.” My opinion of Melbourne people was not very high at this point.  I said to myself, if the next tram driver does this, I’ll get a cab.

The next tram stops, I ask the driver the same q as above.  His answer “Sure does love.  Hop on and I’ll let you know when we are there.”  My faith was restored.

When I got to Grey St, I walked the wrong way. Doh.  I called Glen. He told me that yes I was in fact going the wrong way  and he even told me what stop I had got off on the tram.

I got to the Op shop. OH MY GOD!! I was there for 2 hours and didn’t get to look at everything.  I got lots of brand name stuff and I only spent $26. WOO HOO!!

When I realised the time, I had to quick foot it to the airport.   I ran (well walked quickly) to the main street and hailed a taxi.  He told me that I had heaps of time before my flight… He said he would go the “quick scenic route”.  It was great, he was pretty much giving me a tour.

The flight home was really turbulent.  We went through lots of thunder storms.  The chic next to me was not doing so well.  I asked her if she was ok and if she wanted to hold my hand… Well, her nails were digging into me… But she felt better…

Glen’s Aunt & Uncle were flying in from NZ at 630pm so I hung around to pick them up.  During the wait, I went to the DFO and finished off my Christmas shopping.

Glen and I went up to Bundaberg on Friday for the weekend (an extended weekend actually). We left home about 5:30am on Friday to beat peak hour. We thought we were having a great run up until we hit roadworks at Gympie. We must’ve waited at least 15 minutes til we could drive through. This was only the first of many stages of roadworks on the way up.

We stopped at Mammino’s at Childers for an ice-cream. They are fantastic! So creamy! I think they are better known for the ice-cream than the macadamias which is what put them on the map originally.

We got to Bundy about 1030 ish. We stopped off to get keys from Mick and then Glen dropped me off at my eldest sister’s. That was the last I saw of Glen til this morning.

I hardly ever go shopping, but when I’m with Sally, I go nuts. On Friday, we went to Chemist Warehouse, Essential Man, Vinnies on George St (I love going Op Shopping) & Jake’s Candy. That was all before picking up her kids from school…. Yikes…

On Saturday, Mum drove down to spend the day with the Family. We went shopping… We went to Lushus Cakes, Rivers Outlet, King Kong, Sheridan Outlet, Wallace Bishop, Strandbags, Kleins & got something to eat while we were at Sugarland. Please note that I am only listing places that we made purchases from… We were so exhausted we got chinese for dinner from Rich Aromas – it was fantastic!

On Sunday, Sally & I had to go to Bunnings. Sally had her shower as soon as she got up. Her daughter jumped in the shower just before me. She was in the bathroom for an hour and fifteen minutes – her shower went for 45 minutes. I would hate to think what their water bill would be if they lived in Brissie. I have no idea why she took that long. She hadn’t washed her hair or shaved her legs or anything. Everyone kept giving her the hurry up though… Next time I’ll just turn off the hot water system – that’ll get her out!

When I finally had the chance to have a shower and get ready, we went shopping… We went to Bundy Brewery to get a carton of Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Priceline, Newsagent, Dimmies, Bunnings and got some battered chips from Busy Bee on the way home. We forgot to get some groceries, so we went out again… lol…

I love going home to Bundy, it has a slower pace and it just feels like home.

On Wednesdays, I work at home for Ingenuity.

I went upstairs to get some lunch out of the fridge and re-heat it. As I turned the corner, I noticed that there was a “tail” sticking out from next to the fridge. My heart lurched… I’m not so good with snakes.

Me, being the inquisitive person that I am, move closer. I still can’t see anything. A bit closer. Its going in futher into the nook between the fridge and dishwasher. Ek. I have to get closer. Yay! I can see a leg!

It ended up turning it’s head around. It’s a Blue Tongue Lizard (I have named him Lizzie). Kaos has caught a couple of Blue Tongue Lizards, and then brought them home to show her Mum & Dad. I thought that this is what had happened again, and there was no way I was going to grab a hurt Blue Tongue.

I went downstairs and asked Pete if he wanted to come have a look at “something”. When he finds out it’s a Lizard, he’s not so keen. I talk him into coming and having a look. Pete was peaking. I got him the broom to be his “protector”. He walked behind me and then he had the broom.

Lizzie started to move. Pete being a gentleman, tells me he is happy to climb on top of our bench and give the broom to me. I decline and say I’m fine. Pete has started to climb on top of the bench. He sits on the bench and I walk right next to Lizzie getting my lunch and making Pete a coffee. Pete is getting quite uncomfortable being in the same room as Lizzie.

I decide I have to get Lizzie outside or Kaos may attack him. I get some ham out of the fridge and make a track outside.

Pete and I went downstairs and left Lizzie alone. After a while I came back to check on Lizzie. He was still there. I came back a couple of hours later, and Lizzie had made his way outside.

I have just got a message from Pete. Lizzie’s back. Pete’s peaking again. Only worse. He’s home alone with Lizzie. Although I think its hilarious, I’m a bit worried that Kaos will get Lizzie. Our msn conversation:
Pete says:
hey… i found-out how the lizard got in… he came through your kat flap… i just went upstairs to make myself a cup of coffee and he was sitting up against the inside of the cat flap looking like he wants to get out again
Oddie says:
are you ok?
Pete says:
yeah… im all good… i’ve just closed the door at the top of the stairs and closed the door to the office… so i feel a lot safer
Pete says:
i just won’t head back upstairs again today
Oddie says:
I dont want kitty getting him
Oddie says:
can you open the door or something
Pete says:
kitty’s outside at the moment… i let her out about 20 mins ago
Oddie says:
sweep him out with your protector broom
Pete says:
i can’t open the door because he’s at the cat flap which would mean i’d have to get within arms length to get the door open… and i’m not really comfortable sweeping him out… besides… what if he just comes back in again?
Pete says:
glen just sent me a web link giving me a little more info about them… and you’re right, they don’t run very fast
Pete says:
but they do bite if you scare them or try and pick them up
Pete says:
unlike myself… when i get scared i just drop to fetal position and cry whilst rocking back and forth
Oddie says:
Glen said maybe RSPCA will come out and move him for you

My conversation with Glen:
Oddie says:
Lizzie’s back
Oddie says:
And Pete is peaking
Sir Gollum says:
ahaha
Sir Gollum says:
thats funny shit
Oddie says:
You’ll have to get him out when youre home
Oddie says:
He wont sweep Lizzie out the door
Oddie says:
Im scared Kitty will get him
Sir Gollum says:
yea
Sir Gollum says:
thats my thought
Sir Gollum says:
the Cat will just eat it
Sir Gollum says:
Arent Blue Tongues rare or some shit ?
Oddie says:
yeah – they’re protected
Oddie says:
remember the one under the spare bed
Oddie says:
yuk
Sir Gollum says:
or yea
Sir Gollum says:
maybe we should call the RSPCA or something ?
Sir Gollum says:
would hate to have to thing get eaten
Sir Gollum says:
is it RSPCA that do that kinda thing ?
Oddie says:
mmm I dont know
Sir Gollum says:
Im gona give them a call

My sister and her daughter went home on Monday after their stay with Glen and I.  My niece is 7 years old and she has only just kind of grasped the concept of a nickname.  She now knows my nickname is Oddie.  She thinks its cool.  Yeah – I’m with it! mmm maybe…

My niece has been coming and giving me lots of hugs during their stay.  On the Sunday, we were heading out to have dinner, and my niece came up and gave me a hug while we were waiting for Glen.  My sister was standing next to us and we were talking about something trivial.   During a break in our converstaion, we heard a little voice from my niece (who was still hugging me) that was just audible “I love your new cushions.”

My sister and I burst out laughing.

While I’m at the Photography Course, I turn my mobile off. Nothing interrupts a class better than a mobile phone, especially when the person actually takes the call during the lesson. Meh, thats for another post. When I turned my phone back on (Wednesday morning, I always forget to turn it back on), I had a missed call and a message.

I went to receive the message and all I got was “Hi, it’s Chris,” then the phone dropped out (hers, not mine) “Talk to you later.” So I tried calling her back. Her phone went to message bank so I called her at work. I got her boss. Her boss tells me that she’s on two weeks leave. Right then. She gives me another mobile number to try. I call it. My sister answers.

Normal beginning phone call pleasantries.

“I noticed I missed your call last night. I didn’t get your message cause it dropped out.” I said.

“Oh right. Yeah, the coverage at home isnt that great.” Chris said.

“It sounds like you’re driving. Where are you?”

“At Dalby.”

“Where you headed?”

“Brisbane. It’s okay to stay with you for a week right?”

What can a little blister say to her big blister? Chris & her daughter got here at about 5:30pm on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this weekend isn’t great for family fun and frivolity. My Photographic essay is due on Sunday and Sunday is also my field assessment. Excellent…

This morning I had my 3 month check up with Dr Fleming.  It was longer than 3 months but its first time that both of our schedules allowed.  I got a call last night from Cate (Dr Fleming’s Office Manager) to make sure that I would be on time as the Day Surgery Facility changed his theatre times.  Out of all of his appointments that were scheduled for early this morning (my appt was for 7:45am), I was the only one that turned up!  Talking to Cate, people are always running late or just don’t turn up.  At least one of the other people that booked an appt called to say they couldn’t make it, but I still think thats rough.  It’s not like they can call someone to schedule an appt to make up for the gap at 7:30 in the morning for an appt at 8.

Dr Fleming is very happy with the results and the scars.  I asked him about losing some weight / toning up and he said that if I was unhappy with the look of my boobs after, I would just have to put some weight back on… LOL.. Toss up – nice boobs or big bum…  I’ll just have to see what they look like when I’ve toned up a little. 

If you’re in the market for some cosmetic work, I can absolutely recommend Dr Fleming.  Go to www.breastimplantsaustralia.com – he does do more than just breast implants too.