Let's hear it for Robert Burns!!

25th January is Robert Burns Night! We attempted to celebrate it in the traditional way but added a bit of South African flavour to the event. What you see in this picture is the Haggis being braai'ed rather than boiled! Tasty, very tasty it was! Especially as it was accompanied by the traditional neaps, tatties and mushy peas! Then of course you have to toast the Haggis and Robert Burns - many, many times. This must be done with Scottish Whisky! Supposed to be lots of Burns Poetry reading, piping in of the Haggis and general merriment to be had in honour of ol' Burnsy!
We addressed the Haggis in the traditional way. Lack of a piper meant we played the music off of an Ipod. The merriment was a resounding success! To Robbie Burns I say!!

Top of the morning to you from the Top of the World!

It's Monday. Here I sit. Two weeks left until we return to South Africa and I'm not quite sure what to feel. I'm excited about seeing my family and friends again. It's going to be sad to leave Australia and the Taylor's though. I've lived an idyllically, blissful life the last few months. No-one would want that to end.
I've got grand adventures ahead of me though. New country to explore and find my place in. New career- my dream- to start. New friends to make. Lots of newness. I sense great things ahead for me and Bruce this year.
I'm focusing only on positive thoughts and things this year. I will not allow negativity to touch me. It does no good. As the Carpenters sang 'I'm on the top of the world!' and I can only go up higher. I'm going to reach my perfect weight. I'm going to live my dream. I'm going to have money to make myself and everyone around me happy with. Life is wonderful!

Lots of stuff going on!

It's all happening! Non-stop action round this household the last few days. I'm another year older - WOOHOOHOO - and had a marvelous birthday! See me above about to tuck into my Birthday Dessert. The bird's nest looking stuff is actually toffee - with a candy floss texture! the rest is three different flavours of sorbet with a berry coulis and they wrote happy birthday around the plate in Chocolate Sauce! Very Yummy! I shared it with Bruce! Lucky Fellow!
Bruce's birthday tomorrow. He finally made it to the big 30 and I've lots planned for him. Bwaahaahaa!! He has no idea!
We went to a Pub that likes to call itself Irish for dinner with Oldies (love this Aussie word!). Had a beef steak and Guinness stewy type dish. Food - Very palatable. Service - none. Company-outstanding!
Oh yes and I caught up with an old friend on Saturday! Rusty hasn't changed a bit. Silly sausage that I am I forgot to take a photo of us having our first drink together in 9 years. No, we didn't fall off the wagon - that is how long it has been since we have seen each other. And apart from his lack of facial hair he is the same ol' Russ I remembered! Finding more and more that true friends do not become any less dear even when time, distance and life separates us. Good to know considering my current path!
Guess what? I'm happy!

I love birthdays!

Always have! Always will! Tomorrow is my birthday and even though I'm far away from most of the people I love I'm still looking forward to it! I can never understand how people don't look forward to their birthdays. The number is never important! I don't care that I'm going to be 31 tomorrow.
So don't forget to wish me!!

Saturday and only 4 weeks before we leave Australia and head out into the reality of the world. Been an eventful week. Lay under the stars on Tuesday and discovered where to really find the Southern Cross. The Planetarium is an awe inspiring place. I left feeling very small in comparison to the grand Universe above and around little old earth.
Yesterday we caught a Ferry out to a place called Stradbroke Island. Wandered around a place called Point Look out. So beautiful! There is something about the sea. It has a calming, hypnotising effect on me. I could watch it for hours. Another example of a mass that makes one feel like Thumbalina. Sea, I respect you!
We saw some Sea Turtles, a pair of Sting Rays and I spotted some dolphins. One day I will fulfill my dream to swim with these beautiful creatures.
Let me not forget the Nude bathers. A couple somehow found their way on to a deserted beach and either were unaware that they could be seen by the walkers exploring the look-outs from the pathway above or simply didn't care. I didn't see it this part myself but apparently at one point they were getting rather rambunctious - to put it politely! Good for them I say!

So all in all it has been a week filled with humbling excursions.

24 Hours Addict!

My name is Ninny and I'm addicted to 24! Yes that's right the TV Series. Started watching Season 4 last night. Jack Bauer rocks! I even dreamed about it last night. The superb thing is that when you own the boxset you don't have to wait too long to watch the next series.
Even you have never watched it consider this a warning!

Lazy Days!

Biblically Sunday should be a day of rest. Traditionally it is a day that most people don't go to work - unless they own restaurants or 7-eleven shops that open 7 days a week. I remember a time when everything - except restaurants - closed on a Sunday, or if they did open they closed their doors by lunchtime.
I haven't worked in an amazing 7 weeks but it hasn't been long enough for me to forget those Sunday blues that used to get me down lower than a bug caught in the slimy, oozing web of a cave glow worm. All stuck, sticky and no way out. That is what it felt like knowing work faced me the next day.
I don't want to feel that feeling again. I like waking up everyday knowing the day belongs to me! Mine to do with as I choose! Mine, mine, mine!! BWAHAAHAA!
Later People!

A Mole, a Hog and a Ninny meet again!

It's been 7 years since we last met but it could have been yesterday the way we just picked up on the familiar banter like no time had passed at all.
The bottle you see in the photo is the first of 6 bottles (or was it 7?) we finished before climbing into bed in the wee hours of the morning. We did have some help from a Ferret and an Architect though.
Isn't there a song about old friends being the best?
Hopefully it isn't another 7 years before we see each other again! Aren't we all so beautiful?

So here we go again!

Been a while since I did this blogging thing and now that I'm back I can't fathom why I stopped. It's not like I haven't had the time. In fact for the last 6 odd weeks - or is it longer - I've had nothing but time on my hands. I've read more and written more than I have in years. I could get used to this life. This housewife like existence - except in my case there is very little cleaning (I sometimes help hang out washing, do some ironing and make my bed), very little cooking (I did get to take over the kitchen one night but everyone loves to cook here so why not just let them) and the most important thing of all is I am nobody's wife. The rest of it is what I'm talking about. The waking up when I wake up - no alarm clocks for me. The reading my book in the middle of the day or till the early hours of the morning. The shopping trips. The coffee shop visits. The boredom. The free time. No boss. No pressure. No Stress. I love the life I lead.
I know it must end as all good things do but I have a few weeks still at the very least. In the meantime I making plans. I've started writing to Editors. I have a few short stories to sell. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can make a living from writing. All it takes is some discipline and just to keep submitting. I will not take no for an answer. That's not an answer!
So welcome me back! I'll catch you again tomorrow.