Orange Sky In Morning

At 5.30 this morning I woke to the news that Sydney was blanketed in a dust storm, David told me the sky was orange. Had to wake the kids so they could see it too. Felt very sorry for those who had to go out in it, traffic reports were saying that visibility was very low. Was so glad that I have today off.

Last night we had severe weather warnings, high winds, storms and hail expected but nothing about dust. It started raining just as I was leaving the Southern Highlands and I was accompanied by storms all the way home. After a day of hard physical work, I was tired and concentrating on the wet road didn't make it easier. I pulled in at Pheasant's Nest and climbed into the back seat for a nap. Woke to the sound of thunder (or was it snoring) and buoyed with Coke and chocolate drove the rest of the way home nice and refreshed.

HA HA Got YA!

We picked up our new kitchen dresser today, it was in 2 units and very heavy. After taking all the drawers out to lighten it we got it into the house. We noted some minor damage on the bottom unit before my Dad and David carried the second part in. When I got back inside I was informed that they couldn't put the top part on because it was too tall. I asked if they were kidding, they said no and asked if I had measured it - umm no I had only done the length. Dad said it would work if they cut the legs off. I asked again if they were kidding, was told no they weren't so I asked what we were going to do. That's when they said "HA HA GOT YA!". David then said to my father "Now you are in trouble, why do you think we are standing where she can't get to us".

When they put the unit up, a little of the laminated wood came off from the damaged section, David thought it wasn't an issue and just needed gluing. When we started putting the knobs on the drawers we noticed they were really rough and pitted so I bagged them up to return to the retailer, only 3 knobs out of 13 were as they should have been. At one stage it also occurred to me that I thought the unit was supposed to be lighter than our existing one, this was much darker.

When I got back to the supplier, I realised I was right, they had given us the wrong colour. The salesman there told me that they will happily replace the handles or the whole unit, very pleased with the service he gave me.

BUT on the way home I decided I was going to have some fun with it. David was out so I went over to my parents with the knobs, showing them what they were like. Told them I had taken them back to the supplier and was told to "Like it or Lump it" and that it was no longer their problem. Dad got all serious asking me which shop it was HAH! It was my turn to say "HA HA GOT YA!" Felt good too.

What the?

Tonight we had the presentation night for my husband's soccer, my husband no longer plays but keeps a hand in the comp. Last year he took over running the comp when the founder passed away but it proved too much, he was doing everything and then copping the flack due to on field antics by players. There wasn't a day go by that he wasn't doing things for the association, you name it he did it, mowed and marked the fields, account keeping, registration, banking. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave. Not only did it wear him down, it took time from the family, lots of time, it was very frustrating. He finally said enough at the end of summer comp, and there was talk of the comp shutting down because no one else wanted to take it on, apparently they had lives and wives who would not stand for what I had been. Ended up he was replaced by an 8 man committee.

He is still keeping his hand in, he arranged tonight, from venue, food, trophies and prizes. He took a lot of time choosing the right trophies and having them engraved. One of the first ones to be given out was the best player trophies for each team. I was dumbfounded when one player took a trophy and started trying to scratch the name plate up on the floor, the trophy was for an absent member of his team. He kept looking up to see anyone was paying him attention, before running over to the stage and smashing the trophy on the edge of it. No one knows what his problem was, maybe he thought he should have won it and this was his way of throwing a tantrum, a great way for a man in his 40's to act. I know he didn't get the attention he was obviously after, everyone virtually ignored him so he went off back to his table. It did make me cranky knowing all the work David put into getting these done and for the player who rightfully won it.

For the 3rd year running our son won one of the door prizes, there's a large selection of prizes and winners can take their own choice. Thomas chose a single burner gas stove, something we already have but as he said it is better than our cheap version. Last year he got solar lights and the year before a blender.

Last minute invite to a concert.

This afternoon Thomas came home from school telling me his friend asked if he would come and watch him play keyboards in a performance at a local club. It was an annual concert put on by the school showcasing performances by music students from each year. Had intended on leaving him there and picking him up later but when I paid for his ticket I decided to stay as well. So glad I did, the show was great, such a far cry from the "band" that was at my school. I'm not in any way musical but I remember the band as being off key, flat and monotone, I swear the music teacher was tone deaf. The same music teacher who was made our cooking teacher and readily admitted that she couldn't cook and would be very capable of burning water.

The performers tonight were very good, the only criticism I have is that they needed to turn the vocals volume up, the kid's voices were often drowned out by the music.

There was a couple behind me who constantly talked all the way through the first couple of songs, I asked my son if he knew who they were. He told me that one was the Deputy Principal! I couldn't believe the disrespect they were showing, to both the performers and to the parents who paid to see and hear their children. I was about to turn around and say something to them when the lady next to them did it first. They were at least quiet during the performances after that but would start up between each set. Was glad they didn't come back after intermission, the lady next to them was to, I heard her say that she was glad they went and that she told them to go outside if they were going to keep talking.

This week is turning out to be a real social week, tonight yhe concert, tomorrow a farewell dinner for a couple of workmates and Friday is Presentation night for David's soccer. I'm taking the opportunity to dress up in the dress I bought for the wedding on both occasions.

Unproductive day off

I feel so guilty I should be up doing things, the house is a mess but instead I am here in front of the computer. Maybe I might guilt myself enough to get up and do something.

I really need to clear the dining table hotspot off so I can unload the content of a couple of horrible cupboards onto it. The cupboards were old glass fronted office cupboards that DH brought home after the office he was working in refurbished. One is missing 2 glass doors, which happened when they were left opened and a running child ran into them. Luckily no injury to child, just cracked the toughened glass at the hinges.

They are being replaced with a dresser that may or may not go with our other furnishings. I've been looking for one for ages and when I saw this one I knew I had to have it. If it doesn't match, all I have to do is change all the rest of the furniture (insert evil laugh). Best thing was it was half off! David doesn't think all my junk will fit in it, if not it's a good excuse for decluttering. Can't wait till it arrives sometime this week.

Recently a Psychic predicted that there would be travel coming up for me soon, telling me I already knew what it was. At the time I really couldn't think of anything, though I knew there was something coming up for work which meant that I would be travelling further than usual each day. But that was supposed to be sometime later in the year, but yesterday my manager told me that it's next week and that there will be accommodation the first few days. Wasn't expecting that at all, even though it's a lot further, driving time will be less than I am doing now. It can take me up to 2 hours getting the 40 km to work and this is twice as far but should take just over an hour. David of course is not happy with me working so far from home so I've left it up in the air whether I am going to accept a permanent transfer.

I have made a little headway, got a load of washing on and one in the dishwasher also picked Cassie up from work but really I should get on with it.

PS Remember my post about having a giveaway? I haven't forgotten just haven't had much time to myself. I do have something in mind - as soon as it's made I'll post it.

Wedding outfit Blues.

I left the transformation of the dress til the last moment, in true style - the results were not good. I started by cutting the scarf in half and hand stitching it to the under bust seam so the fringing hung down from that. After that things went awry, it didn't look right when I stitched it to the arms and neckline, would have needed too much work and time I didn't have to set it right. It would have worked if I bound the neck and armholes with bias, something I didn't have so I gave up on it. Completely ruined the scarf, no real biggy but the dress survived. I thought I might wear it without the shawl I used last time but I wasn't happy with how it looked, the back looked like I had a hunch. I was getting despondent seeing as it was past midnight and the wedding was set for 1pm the next day. So I made the decision to get up early and go shopping for a new dress.

The next decision was where to go, Penrith or Parramatta? We live about halfway between both places, I didn't bother to even think of looking locally as I had already tried for the last wedding and found nothing. I asked myself where to go several times and each time the word Parramatta popped into mind. So first thing Saturday morning I raced to Westfield, well not raced, don't want to see what I look like on speed camera shots. I got there before the stores opened and got a park right near one of the doors. First shop I noticed was City Chic, a shop that has clothing sized 14 and up. I wandered around window shopping until I noticed David Jones was opened so went in there to look. Tried on one dress that kind of fitted but was an ugly colour (shop assistant told me it was nice and also tried to sign me up for an AMEX card - yeah right!)

By the time I got out City Chic was open and I went in to see if they had any dresses, tried 2 on, one fitted but made me look much to booby for a wedding, the other was gorgeous. I didn't even look at the price tag until after I told the lovely sales attendant I wanted it. It wasn't cheap at $179 plus $30 for a shrug to cover the strappy shoulders but it was gorgeous so I almost didn't batt an eyelid as I handed over my debit card. I was just so pleased to have an outfit by 9.30. I then went to Kmart for some underthings and took a look at the shoes before telling myself I had pairs at home I could wear.

On the way back home I decided to go all out and have someone else do my hair and makeup so called into to see my niece. She is a great hairdresser but is at home with her babies, does family and friend's hair for pocket money.

Got home half an hour before we were to leave but got a phone call asking for transport to the wedding, was so happy that all I needed to do was slip into the outfit and put shoes on, we were out within 2 minutes.

I got lots of compliments about how nice I looked at the wedding which made me feel really good.