i've had 'work' done...

I present my new look blog!

Thanks to yet another cool blog trick from SIL Karen, I have this happy new layout. Theres a link on the left hand side, 'cutest blog ever'. Theres lots of free backgrounds to choose from and other blog secrets. I did really want to create my own background, but even after I thought I followed their directions, it looked all wrong. But I am really happy with this look and, as always, I still customized my header, and now have a 'signature' at the end of each post(another one of their tricks).

Onto other things...

Here is a phone camera photo series of a bike ride around the block...

The mosaic house...

These seed pods are like snow at the moment, amazing on a windy day too as they fly around..

This is on one side of our house..

This is the front of our house, our front fence..


Talk soon...

life in ballarat

...is good...

I have now worked 3 shifts at Store and think I am really going to enjoy it. The boss is great, she is friendly and funny. I always enjoy working alongside my boss. The main issue I have, is where do I use my staff discount first. I'm eying off some new cannisters for coffee sugar etc - but not sure whether to go for enamel tin which are timeless, or modern cannisters. I also like there array of magazine holders - weaved, leather, fabric - as I was given a stack of my fave mag 'real livivng' and they don't get tossed! I love all the kitchen gadgets. I'm also considering decking out my pantry as I'm sick of twisted up bags of stuff and stale biscuits. And I do envy Karen SIL beautifully organised tupperware collection. Hmm.??..?.

So here are some photos. Leia Martin blog is so neglected, will have to think up some stuff to put on there soon.

We have lots of dandelions through out of lawn, hard to be annoyed but such a pretty thing...

Clinton put me onto these 50 cent mini profita rolls - they are delicious!! They are a perfect little treat - 2 bites, you just have to say no to number 2 and 3...

**I guarantee to have some waiting for anyone who comes to visit me here in Ballarat.

Next, the war waging in our backyard.... Lucy Vs The Wattle-Bird

I'm trying the get a picture of just how fearless this bird is. The best I could, red circling the bird...

It has no issues with Oodle or the dogs, and will happily swoop Lucy if she is sitting at my feet. They are both as stubborn as eachother, neither will give up! Lucky Lucy isn't that serious about catching it, think she enjoys it.



Cheers...

may i help you....

Today I start my new job, as a retail sales assistant at a shop called "store". Its actually titled a storage superstore. Its basically every type of storage device plus other stuff like kitchen gadgets, stationary etc. It was started by the same guys that originally created Officeworks, which was later sold off to coles/myer. They're mainly across Melbourne and they're a very stylish store and if you're excited by all manner of containers, and the organisation they bring, then you'd really like it. Check out their website to see what they're about. I'm doing 3 x 5 hour shifts, which we'll be a nice start until Bain starts school next year.
And yes we're loving Ballarat! Its not so cold, and we have increasingly, beautiful sunny days. Jon is very busy getting the stores running properly, but we still have time to take Bain for bike rides around a little lake at the end of our street and knick off to Torquay for his 2nd cousins little boy, Kane's, first birthday - and it was just over an hour drive!!! Our neighbours are very nice and let me know if I keep driving up the road at end of our street, I get to the state forest(like 3mins drive) and can let the dogs run free.
Bain is enjoying his new kinder and making lots of friends, who most will be going to the same school next year. One of the Mum's wants to organise a play day with all the kids starting school together. They're a friendly bunch. Bain also does a day in a care, at the uni childcare centre - got to love a non-for-profit centre!! He started here before kinder was organised and he seems happy to do it aswell. Figure after a term off he could do with a catch up. We saw one of his friends at the supermarket last night, they were so excited to see eachother.
I really love the house we're in. We spend heaps of time outside, specially the front area where it gets sun nearly all day. We enjoy watching Lucy, our black and white cat get swooped by the wattle birds that live in our big native trees. They are so fearless, but don't seemed bothered by the dogs or us, if Lucy is sitting at my feet they'd still go her. Its great area for playing too. Bain is learning frisbee after watching his Poppy play it on my b'day weekend. He is getting pretty good.
Another thing about Ballarat before I go, is its large amount of Op-shops and recycled clothing shops. I hear there is a tour you can do. I'm looking forward to exploring them.

Cheers for now...

hello there... long time no post..

I'm back.. sort of. .I'm at the library as I just couldn't wait. Here are some pics of interest...

Goodbye Proton. Most of you will know about my stupid, stupid first week of driving in Ballarat. Lost and not paying attention lead to this below. Thankfully no one was hurt!!!!!






It was written off but has now been replaced by a purple Barina. Its quite daggy - but Jon's tried to cool it up with stickers. Not sure if its working.


Here is the A to Z project - starting in Ky but finished in Ballarat.


Think I'll be saying goodbye to photo-project due to lack of interest. But wanted to share the work I had done.

My $2 garage sale couch - mmm brown velvet....




And presenting my new shabby-chic deck couch. Perfect for our little enclosed deck area....

...we enjoy using it for sunny Sunday morning reading the paper with a cuppa...


some pics of new house, more to come...


driveway/entrance - we're on a low lying block.


side door which is really our front door.


front veranda, due to high fences around entire fence line, we have a completely private yard, around whole house.


Bain did a free Bunning's kids activity of planting herb seedlings, so we've extended on and put in lettuces, cherry tomatoes and spring onions. Bain loves watering them.