The Dinner...Part 2

So...where was I?

O.K. we are seated at our table....near Big A's favourite Premier.

The room is full.....the blue light cast an eerie glow over us....it looked like approximately 40 or more tables of 10 ghosts on each!

Entree was served fairly quickly after the opening speech and a quick howdy from the Premier - oh and a massive suck attempt at racial correctness by thanking whichever Aboriginal tribe's land the casino has been built on - I'll bet they were thrilled - I was.... *ahem* ....I have a big dose of Indigenous Australian (Tasmanian actually) in me I'm told - so that sort of weak attempt doesn't impress me that much.

Entree for Big A was lamb fillets on top of some sort of mashed something (I'm not 100% sure!). I had smoked salmon on top of what tasted like potato salad - it was nice - the first time I'd eaten spuds in nearly three weeks by the way!

The awards were going on the whole time.
It was great to see so many young, and not so young people recognised for their hard work.
The most touching award was for someone that had achieved despite adversity.
The lady that won the award was truly inspirational. She suffered two strokes at the age of 40 - and was severely impaired by this.
Despite this she has completed several VET (stands for Vocational something something!) courses.
She was unable to speak (overcome) so her friend spoke for her.
She should have received a standing ovation, but no-one stood up.
They should have.

In between entree and main course we ducked outside for some 'fresh air' - it was fresh alright - bloody freezing!
We started chatting with a man outside, he asked Big A where he was from, what he was doing etc. Big A explained that he had just completed an adult apprenticeship etc. The guy was very interested, in fact it turned out that he was in charge of one of the training places that promotes adult apprenticeships etc.
This led to him grabbing Big A's details.
He wants to run a feature story on him/us in the local paper.
It will be a 'balls and all' story on how hard it was to decide to take on the apprenticeship, what the boys thought at the time, what I thought (umm hello - it was left up to me to decide, Big A just couldn't make the decision himself)...and so on.
Cool!
As long as they only want a photo of HIM!.....!

So next came the main course, the whole dinner was one of those alternating arrangements where the dishes are served chicken, fish, chicken, fish around the table - if you don't like what you get you can swap. It saves time I guess.
So Big A ended up with my chicken baked in cashews, I had fish on potato mash with broccoli - I can't remember what sort of fish it was - but it was nice!

The awards continued.
We already knew Big A wouldn't be receiving one - he was pleased! He could relax.

We had some good discussions with the GM of his company. He repeated many times that if Big A is ever offered another job elsewhere, or considering applying anywhere else - PLEASE COME AND SEE ME FIRST!
That's always nice to hear.
He also said that Big A is next in line for a management position (or words to that effect). Big A admitted that he felt he was a few years away from that yet.
I don't think so.
He was born to boss people around and is very good at it!!!
I mean that in absolutely the most complimentary way!

Dessert arrived and of course Big A wanted his sticky date pudding.
I got the cheesecake - but it had almonds all over it (I'm allergic).
I swapped with the guy next to me - he wanted the cheesecake - his wife wouldn't swap hers with him - so it was all good!
The pudding was very nice - but having eaten nothing but salad, tuna etc etc for the previous fortnight or more I couldn't fit it in!

The awards finished with an overall winner announced.

The band cranked up and many got up to dance.

Our table just danced on the inside!

We have another few drinks, then decided to hit the casino - yay!

I found my 'lucky' machine while Big A went to play roulette.
Lucky it was!
I actually won $70
Big A won $100 or more!
If this had been 12 months ago and we were dead dead broke we would have lost!
Or most likely not gambled at all.

We headed up to our room at approx 1.30am.
Small Man was up - Z17's phone had rung earlier and woken him up - some guy from the wild party Z17 was invited to - but he chose to come to Hobart with us *gorgeous*.

We all crashed big time.
I was a bit cranky - I was freezing - Big A was hot (flu) - there was NO ELECTRIC BLANKET - wtf ???? Oh, yeah, great it said in the housekeeping notes you could request one - just great at 1.30am - what were they going to come around and remake the bed at that hour??
So I had a hot shower and warmed up first.

We woke at 8.30am.
We had booked breakfast downstairs for 9.30am.
I managed to almost completely pick up all of the clothes off the floor, pack up my hair doing stuff, and sort out the boys before breakfast.
Breakfast was buffet style.
Pretty much everything you can think of.
I had scrambled eggs, a poached egg, bacon and grilled tomato, followed by a big bowl of fresh fruit.
The boys had pancakes and croissants, Z17 had a big bowl of fruit.
Big A had bacon, eggs, hash browns, baked beans, croissants - you name it - he ate it! God he can eat that man!

Finally packed and ready we left the casino and went to visit my Grandma and Pop.
I was looking forward to seeing them!
I walked into the lounge only to find Mum and my Step Father there - pleased to see Mum........as far as my Step Father goes I have a job to look him in the eye - or want to speak to him at the moment - but that's another story.
Grandma and Pop were thrilled to have us there. Pop was propped up in his chair, wearing his Navy beret. He has told us some awesome war stories over time.
Grandma, Mum and I went out the back to have a smoke look at the garden.
We stayed about an hour, then it was time to head home.
Big A's flu was really getting to him by then.
So I drove most of the way home! Through Hobart - in the hire car!
We stopped three time on the way back - once for a toilet and smoke stop, once for a drink stop, once for a milk and late lunch for the boys stop.

Home again and time to get Z17 ready for work, and return the hire car.
Big A was in bed at 6.30pm!
He had to work Sunday.

It was a great trip - rare for us all to be able to go together.
Small Man was knocked out completely - but he enjoyed himself.
Big A is still coughing - he really shouldn't have gone to work Sunday, but there was no-one else to replace him.
He's off this weekend so can rest.

G
xxx

The Dinner....

So the day went like......
Packing and ready to go by 11am.
Would have been earlier but Big A decided to come down with the flu the day before :-(

The hire car was a good size - a Camry (screams old people but a good size for two big boys in the back!)....
One stop at Big A's favourite takeaway - Epping Forest - where he feasted on chicken dim sims, garlic chicken ball thingies, flathead fillets......I had a chicken salad wrap - I'm exciting like that!
Stopped for a ciggie break half way at St Peters pass.....
Arrived in Hobart at around 1.45pm....just in time to check in.

Big A was feeling pretty ordinary by then.....
Our rooms were adjoining with the boys which was cool!
We chilled out for 30 - 45 minutes.......got the laptop plugged in and cranked up....
Then grabbed our gear and headed downstairs to the pool/gym.
Big A had a sauna to start with while the boys swam....
I hit the gym......well the exercise bike, then the rowing machine.
They swam for ages!
By the time we finished/showered/changed it was around 4.30pm.
The dinner started at 7pm.

We logged onto Domino's online and ordered the boys pizza for tea - they were starving after all that swimming!
While they waited for that I showered and applied another coat of my moisturising bronzer - a light gradual tan that removes my ghostliness just enough.....
The pizza arrived!
I blow dried and straightened my hair....
Time for a ciggie break.....
Back upstairs to put the face on....
I was in 'evening' mode so it was liquid eyeliner...the works....
Then time for the curlers....I know, straight then curly.....go figure!
I curled the bottom 1/3 of my hair...
Sort out the appropriate 'gut busting' underwear for under the dress.....
Time to get the curlers out/dress on.....
Not really liking the shoes by then, but could never allow myself to commit the sin of wearing open toed shoes with stockings...nuh uh!!

In the mean time Big A is showered and dressed...men!!!
6.4opm - I'm all ready to meet the other guys for pre-dinner drinks at 6.45pm...

So we trot downstairs,
I have a quick scotch and coke - was actually nervous for some reason....
Big A had already said "I hope that little f*cker isn't going to be there".....
We go and find our seats in a big room, with blue lighting and little stars on a backdrop - eerie but pretty.....on our tables are our programmes for the evening.......

And guess who was sitting at the table next to ours?
That little F*cker - the Premier of TAS - ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

We were sitting with the general manager of Big A's company and his wife, another manager and his wife, another manager and his wife, and another adult apprentice and his wife. Good job I'm so posh eh! Ha ha ha!

This is getting long......will post part two later!!!


G
xxx

Bad Mother...Bad Blogger....tsk tsk

It all started Wednesday night.....
this week has been too, too much.

Z17 went to work at 5.30pm.
I dropped him off.
All fine.
I started getting tired at around 8pm.
I had been busy packing the order, tidying up after the lunch Tuesday, organising ads, sending out a bazillion emails for work, delivered an order 20km away......
I fell asleep on the couch.
That was fine.
Big A was home.
I thought it was about 10pm.
It wasn't.
I woke up at 11.20pm - just in time to receive a message from Z17....."Where are you?".
PANIC.....OMG....

I WAS LATE TO PICK HIM UP!!
Big A was on the computer, and thought I'd already gone. I was half asleep and dazed and in a panic. Z17 was in the car park waiting for me!! big A saved the day and went and picked him up. Didn't I feel terrible.......

Thursday was equally as ridiculous, delivering orders, picking up hire cars, taking Z17 to work experience and collecting him (yes I got it right...), I also met him for lunch as he seems at a 'loose end' there. They don't seem to offer to go for lunch with him or anything, not like the last place he went to. The only lunch options he has is HJ's - ummm reckon he's a bit over that!
And a fish and chip shop up the road.....I also had to scrounge the op-shops in between to find some shoes for the dinner......found some!

So Friday went smoothly, we got away in good time, didn't forget anything much......except the camera....
We were all ready, dressed up to the nines.....
No camera.
The photo's on Big A's phone weren't the best, not bright enough.
BUGGER.
Cos my hair turned out really well.
The dress, well, it looked o.k.
It fitted at least.
Didn't like the shoes I bought once I got them on.....but needed shoes with toes to wear stockings.
So maybe I'll put it on again and take a photo.....if I don't fall asleep on the couch.....

PAH!

G
xx

The Six of Swords card suggests that my power today lies in transition.
I have what I need and am willing to trust the process order to move on,
seek refuge or new opportunity.
I'm not willing to remain where my perceptions are invalidated but being vulnerable I must rely on guidance to move in a new direction or trust that I can make it or be led to security and new hope. 'Wherever you go, there you are.'
I am empowered by perseverance and my virtue is survival.

So true!

G
xx

The Frock...

It Fits!!!!

and is far more beautiful than the photos.

It's actually sheer, beaded black fabric over heavier semi matte white satin lining.

I hid in the wardrobe and tried it on...just in case!

It does have some seam allowance if I'd needed it....but my little bit of weight loss (so far) has gone a long way!

I'm stoked :-)

I was very good today, while the team were eating my gourmet sandwiches, home made sausage rolls, chicken nibbles and quiches - followed by vanilla raspberry swirl cake, and chocolate mud cake (I didn't make the mud cake), I ate the fillings out of two sandwich quarters, left the cake!

The meeting with our new state manager went extremely well - I met her for dinner last night also (chicken caeser salad for me!). She is giving us back all of the houses that the Almighty took away earlier in the year - sucked in biatch!!! AND she is looking into returning KB to me as a senior - which is what she should be - not an area manager (as she was forced to be) - which means she's back on my team, and I get paid for looking after her (which I've done for the last 12 months for free).....life's good!


G
xxx

Almost Frocked Up....

I think I've found the right dress,
well it looks perfect - unless it was trick photography!

All it has to do now is FIT!

Ye-es I did buy it from eBay,
No-oo I couldn't try it on,
Ye-es it is being express posted today,
so it'll arrive tomorrow.
Ye-es the dinner is Friday night!!!!

She'll be right!
If it doesn't fit I'll either - a) make it fit or b) go to 'town' (eeeerrk) and buy something else.
Not a bad buy for $30 eh!!! It's BRAND NEW!!!

G
xx
These are the photos from the listing - no, I didn't take them - I would no sooner fly to the moon that do listings with photos all sideways and stuff!!! But I love it when other people do it!

Oh My Goodness!

I am so overwhelmed!!

Thank you so much to everyone for your comments!
I will try and respond individually as soon as I can.

What a boost,

I came on from driving all day delivering orders, delivering and collecting 17 year old son to and from work experience (after another late night at HJ's last night)....to so many wonderful and inspiring comments.
It's amazing how the words from people I've never met (except Toni!) can lift your spirits.

Truly Awesome!

Love to all,

G
xx

OMG OMG OMG!!!!

It's all happening!!!!

We ARE definitely going to Hobart next Friday.....

Not only are Big A's work paying for our accommodation, but for a room for the boys AND a hire car....OMG!
Because apparently as it's a work trip we have to be in a R.T. supplied vehicle for insurance purposes.

We are now staying at Wrest Point - which is great - they have a swimming pool, health club, mini golf etc

AND Big A has to wear a SUIT - lah dee dah.....

So that means the old girl is going to need to frock up too......
Will have to ponder the wardrobe.....hmmm...

So now just need to sort out Z17 for work...or not work as it turns out....
Find a suit for the Big A.....
etc etc.....

It must be 'dress up' time.

Z17 has work experience tomorrow at a computer store (they fix/build/sell etc) and he has to wear business pants, shirt and TIE......good job I'm one step ahead and have all of those things ready for him. Things may get a little interesting in the morning when Dad's at work and Mum is helping 17 year old tie a tie......don't worry, I have downloaded instructions (as you do!)....

How excitement!!

G
xx

Nearly chickened out....

It's hard to believe this was only 5 years and almost 20 kgs ago.........
Taken on Hamilton Island in 2003.
I almost chickened out posting this - but I thought nope - this is my goal!!!


I went from fearless helicopter rides......
To barely wanting to leave the house.....


It's amazing the effect weight gain has on your whole 'being'.
So far nothing I have tried has worked until now.
It is a sensible eating plan.....just very low carb, higher protein - hey you can even have a rasher of bacon!

If anyone would like a copy of the 7 day plan that I have email me (pooky_bear_me@hotmail.com) I'll scan it and send to you!

G
xxx

Survival!

Well I seem to have survived my first few weeks.

It hasn't been an easy ride!

I have had stuff ups galore (not of my doing!),

boxes missing from delivery,

order due to be 48 hours late - then turning up in 24 hours without notice....re-scheduling my ladies only to have to re-schedule them again....

major problems transferring stock (that I didn't want in the first place) to my account - stock kept dropping off the system throwing my account out by as much as $400 (that I would have to bank!)...

etc etc

So many times i have thought - it's a bloody good job I have done this job for so long, and all of these processes so many times in the past - if I was new to this I think it would have done my head in by now....but no...I've made the best of it.

HOPEFULLY this week will run more smoothly, the order will arrive on time and I can get my people into the routine they need.

I have made the decision to deliver their order to each of them.
I did it 'the other way' last time I had a team.
That means specifying a set time each week that I will be here for them to come and get their orders, pay for the last one, get their stationary etc
It won't work now, with Z17 at work, on a roster that changes every week....nope I'd rather drive a few extra kilometres a week and it be done - in my time!

Our new manager CM is a very nice lady - she was working at the same 'level' of management that I do now..
She was trained by my old boss DJ and promoted a few years after I was - he was awesome, a great leader, very fair and always had OUR best interests at heart - I/we have missed him dearly over the last few years. If he trained her - no worries!
She is coming over in two weeks.
he wants to meet EVERYONE - at all levels - what a change - the Almighty wasn't interested in 'the workers'.
She has asked me if it would be possible for me to organise a light lunch - oh and 'keep your receipts, lunch is on me' she said - WOW!! Yes it is possible - goodness me!!

On the home front:

Small Man has had a few 'bad' weeks - it always follows the same pattern - he does too much, gets over tired, does a bit more too much (this time it's school work) - then he falls in a heap - ends up with a low grade fever on and off for a few days - it's sad.
So sad to realise he's not getting better.
At the same time I'm pleased he is doing well with his school work - we needed this distance ed 12 months ago - at least.
To add to the disappointment the bloody high school haven't called ONCE to ask how he is, nothing.
Then they have the friggen hide to post me out a report for him - repeating over and f'ing over again "has not attended any classes this term to be assessed" "due to absence" blah friggen blah - I felt like writing on it in big black pen "NO SHIT SHERLOCK!".

But I didn't.

I was alone when it arrived - and sat in the car and bawled at their lack of thought.

I have an appointment with our GP Monday.
I'll talk to him.
He's better than the Paed - just that he 'gets' me, and the boys. The Paed is getting on a bit, and is hard to understand sometimes. Not like I can pop over to Matt in Melbourne for a chat...could email him though....there's a thought....

So that's enough dribble from me for a few days,
lots of other stuff going on - including an invitation to an all expenses paid evening at the Grand Chancellor in Hobart - in two weeks - fancy dinner, accommodation - fabulous!
All for being nominated for Apprentice of The Year - clever boy that husband of mine!

Also a certain someone following a certain diet plan is losing half a kilo per day - and eating twice as much as usual - yes indeed I am!!!
We'll see how that goes.
Big A may have a hot date to take to Hobart in two weeks!
Haw haw!

G
xxx


p.s. Will post a photo of the 'goal' sized me tomorrow - or maybe later - gotta find it!

Free Samples!

O.k. so before I became ridiculously over the top busy - and forced into a life of ultra
organise-ment....(I know that's not a word!)....
I had moments of time to kill online...
What to do when you've only got two games of Scrabble going - and no-one else is online?

Do a google search on "free sample"!
Make sure you select pages from your country (not all companies post overseas)

Ah the stuff I've had arrive over the last month or so.....

Samples of skincare from Janesce - 2 x samples, Nivea Q10 - 3 x samples, Vaseline - 1 x sample (no not THAT sort of vaseline...the moisturiser kind!), Loreal, a vitamin supplement sachet (YUK! green powdery stuff that you mix up and drink), cologne from Joe Malone (I think it's mens actually so it makes a good car freshener!), Palmers body butter, some mens moisturiser, a face mask (can't remember the brand), tampons (Dujour and Libra)....etc etc

I'm still waiting on perfume, washing powder, cappuccino, Sustagen, stationary (sticky notes etc), energy drink (should have got a case of that!) and heaps more!

Some of these have finished (Janesce skincare, yukky green supplement stuff), but most of the others are still going.


One of the sites I used to find free sample offers was shopfree.com.au (OMG I INSERTED A LINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). You don't have to 'join up' to get to the offers - but I would suggest using a hotmail address when requesting samples - increased spam can result!!

Why not I say!

Especially if you have sensitive skin - nothing worse than forking out heaps on full size products - only to find you're allergic.

Anyway,

That's it from me - things should settle down a bit this week - should!
It was so full on last week, boxes missing from delivery, drama, driving LOTS (around 250km) not just for my work, but to-ing and fro-ing Z17 to and from college and work, talking on phone LOTS, forms, forms, and more forms to fill out for work/distance ed etc......bah!
Friday I just went in a heap - felt like I couldn't do a single thing - but somehow managed to get a bit done - not sure how.
I have popped in and read everyones blogs over the last week, just haven't commented much - soz - I'll be a much better commenter soon!

G
xxx