he's making a list, he's checking it twice

which is exactly what I should be doing instead of catching up on you all in my bloglines. Because, only two more sleeps and we are off for two weeks at a beach house. Everytime I think about it I get a silly grin on my face, and often even do a little dance which luckily you won't have to witness! Phew! But what have I done in preparation? zilch, zero, nothing. Oh, wait I bought two new books last night to take with me.... So, I am quite sure I will be in a flap tomorrow about what I should or shouldn't be taking, how many books will I need, what will we have for lunch christmas day? or even dinner on Christmas eve? um, not sure yet! But I am so excited, more excited than I have been in ages - I really do feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. And, I'm even looking forward to starting a brand new year, with new challenges etc. I wish I could show you how I've achieved so much this year like my much revered and talented pal, aunty cookie. But the truth is I've never been very good with resolutions, and much of this year quite frankly was sh*t. Yet, I can see how it's making me stronger and I have lots of faith that good out weighs the bad, so maybe I will get around to making a resolution or two. It might depend on how much champagne I've had, and whether U2 are playing in the background... actually that probably will be exactly my new year's eve, so I better start making resolutions soon! Finally, if you have been able to read all this dribble I want to say thank you for reading. And thank you to all of you who have left comments and made me feel part of the blogoshpere. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays etc to all of you. I look forward to catching up again in 2007. And pyglet if you read this, good luck with the new baby. And Amitie, thanks heaps for my little Chrissy present too.

The Case of the Good Book

I love a good mystery, and even more than that I love a good book. So, heaven for me is when I get to read to my heart's content and watch a jolly good murder mystery. This week has been heaven. Even though, Miss L is already on holidays I managed to read not 1 but 3, yes three good book's this week. Then Friday TV provided a good Miss Marple mystery ( I adore Agatha Christie - murder mystery in a book!) and last night was an episode of Midsomer Murder. All in all an exceedingly good week me thinks. And not a stitch of crafting done! I really felt like the lady of leisure indulging my reading and tv self so much in one week. The only problem being that after three good reads there is a lot of pressure on the next book to be good. I will know within the first page or two. Like my third book this week, (A Place Called Here by Cecila Ahern) when I read the back cover it seemed okay, but as soon as I had read that first page I was hooked. Dinner waited and waited. Miss L's bedtime came, and went. I read and I read and I read until R pleaded for the light to be switched off so he could get some sleep. As soon as I woke this morning I picked it up and the day breezed by until I finished it in the early afternoon. There is such joy in reaching the end of a good book, having lived the story and been completely oblivious to my surroundings. But as soon as I close the cover I get antsy. Coming back into the real world can be a sharp jolt to the senses and I often then feel crestfallen that little cocoon of story is gone. It wouldn't be so bad if there was a good murder mystery to watch tonight but alas, no such luck. I have several prospective books by my bedside, and I'm anxious that one of them will have the hook. So once again I can drift off into another world.....

tis the season to be buying

So, I've been busy, no not crafting but buying. Making sure everyone on our list has an appropriate gift. I always have grand plans to make gifts, but before I know it December is here and the grand plans are nothing more than dreams - again! I have only a few more gifts and I'm done for another year of present buying - I think a drink will be called for to celebrate the occassion. To add to the logistically nightmare Christmas shopping is, Miss L has also already finished school for the year. My sister and I used to love that being at a private school meant more holidays, but now I'm cursing the fact! Thank goodness for school holiday programs to take some of the load of 'mamma look at me, mamma help me do this, mamma what can I do now, mamma can we go somewhere' etc. etc. I'm sure you get the drift. only 7 weeks to go before school starts again - not that I'm counting!!

If you are still hunting for a suitable gift I have put some of my handmade bags up on ebay just click here to see them.

And finally, Mrs Davey tagged me, so here goes with the data:
4 jobs I have had...
1. mcdonalds
2. after school carer
3. wedding coordinator
4. food & beverage manager

4 movies I could watch over over
1. Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version thank you)
2. Possession (also a favourite book)
3. any Harry Potter
4. Wallace and Grommit (any again)

4 places I have lived apart from where I live now
1. Cambpelltown a suburb in Adelaide
2. Parkside another suburb in Adelaide
3. Toorak Gardens another suburb in Adelaide
4. and yep you guessed it, Norwood, yet another suburb in Adelaide

4 tv shows I love
1. The West Wing
2. Desperate Housewives
3. Midsomer Murders (I think Decetive Barnaby is pretty cool!)
4. Dancing with the Stars

4 places I have been for a vacation
1. New York
2. Bologna, Italy
3. Rome
4. Paris

4 Websites I visit Daily
1. Bloglines (75 feeds keeps me busy!)
2. Flickr
3. Ebay
4. um, not sure, wherever someone's links take me!

4 Favourite foods
1. Tom Yum
2. Chicken Rice
3. Chicken Marengo that Dad makes me
4. Mum's cherry cheesecake

4 places I would rather be
1. Bologna, Italy
2. anywhere in France
3. the Shangri La in Singapore
4. the Hyatt at Coolum (preferrably the Spa)

and instead of tagging anyone, because everyone seems to have been done, I give you
4 random facts about me
1. i grew up blonde but am now chocolate brown
2. i'm scared of heights
3. but I love flying
4. I've never been to Bali (very unAustralian!!)