My holidays have started today! Unfortunately, even though to most a holiday is meant to go hand in hand with sleeping in (in my case sleeping in is 7am - still an extra two hours though!) today, tomorrow and Sunday I have to still get up around 5am but it is all for a good cause.
Today I got up with DF to take Jed for a walk, and then do final cleaning before I meet my parents at the airport.
Tomorrow I am going into work to make the mini custard tarts and ice the mini cupcakes.
And on Sunday I have to get up and make sandwhiches, and then bag a spot at the park so no one else takes it! We are getting there two hours early, because several things are happening in the area and we believe there will be massive amounts of people there. Puts a bit of a damper on the day, but oh well.
Most people have RSVP'd. I have heard from other people that a few are coming who have NOT RSVP'd (which actually annoys me - how hard is it to send a text message??? or a facebook message? or, I know, CALL! Bah!) Anyway. So all up I believe around 45-50 people are going to be there.

If you haven't heard, parts of Australia have been covered in dust storms (that aren't usually).

Google Image 'Dust storms Australia' and you will find some interesting pictures.

It was worse in Sydney and Melbourne than in Queensland, where we live, but my car is covered in a layer of dust, and I was coughing a lot on the day and the day after. When you were outside it was like you were breathing in chalk - eugh!
But, because I have never been in a dust storm of that size and severity, I thought it was beautiful. Everyone was complaining about it, which I suppose is normal, but honestly, it's not something you see every day. I thought it was particularly cool. It's not often the sky is a browny red colour all day, and it's not often you can't see 20 metres in front of you.

Anyway. That's all for now. I may or may not blog for the next week. Enjoy my absence! lol.

A few weeks ago on the way to DF's sisters wedding, my car overheated. Well, the temperature gauge went right up to high. We were going quite fast and had the airconditioning on as well. We pulled over and DF goes to me "Have you checked the oil lately?" to which I reply "Umm... that would be a no..." (we live on a hill and there is no level ground. when i am at work I always forget to do it. also, i had only gotten it serviced four months ago...)

Anyway, it cooled down and we were able to drive on, but the temperature remained at a quarter to high the entire way. When we got to DF's sisters house we checked everything and it was fine The only thing I noticed was the thermal fan didn't click on after a few minutes running idle. BUT, the car had cooled down considerably as well, so it wasn't a proper test.
When we drove home, and since, the temperature hadn't gone up again.

So yesterday I took the car in for it's service and mentioned it, and the mechanic rang me later to tell me the radiator is blocked and that is what caused it. Because it's aluminium apparently it can't be flushed (I looked it up after DF and his dad both told me I was getting ripped off, and it turns out it IS actually true!) so it needs replacing. Also my battery is on it's last legs.

So I know DF can do all these things (replacing them), but the issue is TIME, and I don't want to be stuck without a car if the battery dies. DF has a lot of work on at the moment and I don't know when he will be able to do it all. Also, the mechanic has fairly good prices, he does not charge huge amounts for labour. It is $280 for the radiator and $105 for the battery.

All up I will be paying around $40 for labour. I am fine with that. The mechanic is a good guy, never does anything without asking me first, and lets me know in advance if he is concerned about anything. I think it helps that I know slightly more than the average girl about cars (atleast, I know where everything is )

So anyway, more expenses! But atleast this time, car repairs comes out of our bills account. Phew!

I ask this because as of this moment, 7 couples that are our friends have all had children in 2009. Because we're all, to a point, open about our finances, I have a good idea where everyone is financially.
A lot of them are actually not doing that great, and all for different reasons.
The economy is partly to blame as one couple lost BOTH their jobs when the wife was 5 months pregnant.
Another couple's bundle of joy was rather unplanned, and until the time of the discovery (that would be in the form of morning sickness) had lived a complete and utter party life. Think big boozefests, weeklong holidays on tropical islands, attending every single music festival under the sun and generally wasting every cent they made. Oh, the father made ridiculous money owning a spa business, but was ridiculously matched in the way he and his partner could spend it.
The next couple you are probably familiar with, DF's sister and BIL. The sister doesn't like work that much (cough cough) and the father, while a hard worker, liked to up until recently, spend a good amount of money on his car. Coupled with the fact that the BIL is self employed, things aren't exactly great at the moment.
Another couple had a boy in high school, and now 10 years later are the parents of a set of twins. Double trouble.
And one of our closest couples have had a lot to deal with in the past year have virtually zero dollars in the bank and are living with the wifes father. This is the only couple who could not control their situation and I feel for them greatly, they are a couple who given the chance would manage their money well and put thought into their financial moves.
I've already mentioned the gambling addict in a previous entry, and the other couple I don't know particularly much about except that they bought a house in the peak of the housing boom in an apparent 'up and coming' suburb, which now has possibly bottomed out because it's right next to an airport.

Naturally having so many children born in our circle has sparked talks about children with DF and I. We've talked many times before about it and before everyone started popping out kids we'd both agreed that children were on the cards before DF turned 33 or 34 (He's 29 now) and I would be 26 or 27 (22 now). If circumstances allow, obviously. Why that age? I am one of those people that believe you should still have energy to throw a ball around with your kid after work - I'm not saying in your late thirties or early forties you can't do that, however I do think you'd have just the teeniest bit more energy comapred. And I guess I just like the idea of having kids around that age. Having experienced life a bit but still have life to give.

There are things that we'd both like to have achieved before this though. They aren't the typical things though.
I have friends that have had children while attending uni part time, so that is not a problem for me, I know it can be done.
Personally I'd like to get to a stage where I am physically fit and what I consider to be healthy. While I have friends who think I am the healthiest person they know, I guess I have a high personal standard or something. I am lax at some things, and not terribly fit. I'd like to lose a few kilograms before I have a baby, so that I know I can do it afterwards. Is that a weird thing to do? I'm fine maintaining my weight, I have for several years, but while I am at a fairly healthy weight I could stand to lose a bit.
The number one thing DF wants to do is stop drinking. At the moment he has a beer or two after work every night, and probably a few more on the weekends. I don't mind, he pays for it out of his portion of money, and it doesn't render him unable to drive each night during the week. But I think he wants to do it because it has become a habit for him, and he doesn't want to have a habit like that when raising kids.
We'd like to build a fence around the property. We have quite a busy road near our house, plus a fence was on the top of our list when we got Jed, so with a baby it would be even more. Luckily the only money we'd have to pay out would be for the materials, and the hard part would be finding the time for DF to do it.
And lastly, I guess the most important, is money. I can work from home for one of my jobs - and if we tried we could trim quite a bit of fat from our budget. So the question is, how much would we want to have saved?
We've tossed around numbers for a few months now, actually probably over a year, and have settled on 30k. Why? It's a little less than my annual wage ($38k) and for some reason that amount just feels safe. This would be on top of mortgage savings and our emergency fund.
So I realise children cost a lot and all that. We will be probably not buying a great deal of items for the baby in the first two years of it's life (yay for hand-me-downs!) I would want to stay home for atleast a year, if not more.

So my question is, how much would you want to have in savings before you decided to try for a baby?

or, how much DID you have in savings?
Did you have a lot? Did it make things easier?

Did you have nothing? How did you make things work?

What else would you want to have done?
Is there anything you will have wanted to achieve? Is there anythign you wished you'd done differently? Why?

I realise there are two extreme points of view out there in the world on the subject of having children. One group thinks children are a gift and that things like that can't be planned, and the other thinks you should have all your ducks in a row before you consider bringing another human being into the world. I think it'd be safe to say the majority of people on this site think the last option is the safest!

Yep, I have, for this moment, decided that I will attempt university next year.
So I realise that this is a complete change of heart from a couple of posts ago. Since then I have realised one thing: I don't actually want to be a baker (I would rather be a chef of some description - which is completely different and I don't intend to follow that dream right now). So I realised I kind of pranced around that aspect last time.

So I think I might start this studying business either in February 2010, or the second semester of 2010. Even if I do a couple of course and realise I don't like it, I will be alright with that, because at least I would have given it a go.

I got a nice surpise this week, our annual payrise.
Because it's a federal wage I didn't think we'd get one this year, I don't know why but I had this funny idea what with the recession and all... anyway! Apparently I'm a moron.

It's not a great deal, 53c an hour, but it's better than a kick in the teeth.

It works out to be around $10 a week or so.

My hourly rate goes from $19.78 to $20.31

I was thinking of transferring it to my personal loan to get it paid off quicker. I owe $2700 now, and should be able to pay off a bit extra at the end of this month because my spending has been low(er).

So, yay for payrises!

And I have been thinking about purchasing a couple of clothing items. We are into the third week of September and I have spent way way less than my allotted fun money each week, so this is really the only reason I have been thinking about clothes.
I am going to put on rotation some clothes I haven't worn for a few years, so atleast I have some things that will 'feel' new. But there are some things I still would like to get:

- 2 pairs of shorts (one pair black, tailored and knee length)
- 2 pairs ballet flats (my staple casual footwear)
- 2 plain black tshirts
- 2 or 3 button up short sleeve shirts

I have a habit of screenprinting on my blank shirts and then not having any plain ones. I realised this last year when I had to go to a funeral and had the choice of a green zombie or a red samurai soldier... (Obviously I went and bought a new black tshirt...)

I am also wanting to get two plain black button up shirts for work. My clothes for my other work, thankfully, are all sorted for the next year.

So, I realised I did not even do any goals for August! And didn't notice until today! How bad is that!?

Anyway, so my goals for September are short and sweet:

[] prepare/plan/successfully throw engagement party on the 27th.

[] buy a new bed before the 25th

[] stay within my personal allowance for the month (and get DF to as well)

[] book 6 monthly doctors appt & get blood tests done.

[] clean out/tidy pantry

[] clean out fridge & get replacement door shelves

[] wash my car

[] get my car serviced

[] water my plants every day

[] make sure jed gets atleast 2 walks a day.

Ok, so I've never done this before so bear with me! Advice would be appreciated if I've left anything important out!

Liabilities:
Mortgage: -$298 438.53
CC Balance: -$2304.55
Personal Loan: -$2739.93

Total Debt: -$303 483.01

euch!!!

Assets:
House (current median market value) $325k
Savings: $8000
Superannuation 1: $15000
Superannuation 2: $8000
Car 1: $5000
Car 2: $4000
Car 3: $4000
Artwork: $5000
Tools: $4500.00

Total Assets: $378 500.00

(I only include the assets that I know would sell, and at the lowest price we could get for them at short notice.)

Total Net Worth: $75 016.99

Well, that's not too shabby for a 22 year old and a 29 year old, yeah?

So, I was just contacted by a friend on facebook that I have not talked to for over a year. She moved inland where the rent is cheaper, with a guy (that I was not fond of) and popped out three kids in four years. Our contact has been patchy since she left school in year 11 (2003). I've tried to keep in contact with her, I really did. I sent her money and stamps and wrote to her more than she wrote back, and visited her early last year once with a friend when she stayed in a place more than a few months. But she moved last year and sent me a card saying she would write soon with her new address, and then didn't. Then I moved (but redirected my mail) and haven't had any contact until now.

It turns out that the guy she was with was abusing her, keeping her prisoner and not letting her have friends, and made them move around a lot. She is safe now, many many hours away from where I live - and he is going to jail next week.

I am glad to hear her and her children are safe, and I do plan to keep in better contact with her from now on.

I know I should not be thinking of myself right now but I really cannot help it. It just brings back too many memories of my own past. Am I horrible if I do not want to hear any details? I guess I should swallow my own feelings and let her vent but it is very painful all the same. She is very blase about it all.

Todays Expenses:

0.50 Can of Coke
2.00 Staff Lotto
26.40 Postage (Present for stepmum & engagement party invitations)

I've decided I might try posting my daily expenditures. I'm finding it hard to get the motivation to track expenses lately, so making a daily post might give it a bit of a different twist. I know a few people do that on here, so I'll give it a try

Todays Expenses:
0.50 - Coke at work
2.00 - Staff Lotto
7.49 - Chocolates as a 'registry office' gift (not actual wedding gift!)
1.99 - Chocolate (for myself ) low energy fix.
4.20 - takeaway coffee
8.00 - cards & wrapping paper
38.85 - engagement party invitations

Total Spent: $63.03

(still have to add in df's totals so this could change...)

Inspired by MonkeyMama, I decided to make my own 1k list. I think it's a really interesting concept, 1k is definately a barrier in a lot of people's minds when it comes to spending money. This is everything I have ever bought for 1k or more in my life, and what DF has since we've been together.

First Car: $1500 (2005)
Holiday: (DF) $3000~ (DF) (2006)
Holiday: (me) $1000~ (me) (2006)
Desktop Computer: $3500~ (2007)
Second Car: $6500 (2007)
Project Car: $3500~ (2007)
Laptop: $2050 (2007)
Holiday: $1500~ (me) (2008)
Holiday: $8000~ (DF) (2008)
House: $320 000 (2009)
New Engine: $1911 (2009)
Engagement Ring: $2320 (2009)

And the expenses I know that are coming this year:
Bed & Mattress: $1200~
Tattoos: $1500~ (sep & oct 2009)
Fencing: $3000~

It's interesting to see. I thought we'd have more electronic stuff there but when I think about it, a lot of our stuff is REALLY old, and other things we either do without or find a cheaper way to get it. (ie. for free!). The holidays, obviously wasn't the purchase of one item, but those are the sort of thing I count as a lump sum. Because if we didn't go on a holiday, we would not have spent that money.

So what's your 1k list?

thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts

Just a note to anyone wondering about the personal bank account:
I did mention that it was a sole trading business. Not sure about america, but in Australia there is nothing illegal about having an account where personal and business expenses are both withdrawn, as long as the business expenses are kept track of and the reciepts are kept for 5 years. The ATO find nothing unusual about this, there are plenty of busineses that operate in this way. Auditing takes a bit longer if we require an audit, but there is nothing wrong or illegal about this practice.
My parents pay their taxes and do not owe any, they are always paid on time. So there are no problems in that regard.

I could be responsible if there was 'funny' stuff as I am the book-keeper, but there is none of that. The books are as clean as clean can be (I am responsible for the books, I would not do something that was illegal), it is just their money management skills that are lacking. So I am sorry if anyone got the wrong idea on the book keeping front, there is nothing happening there.

The main content of my post was aimed at the poor money management, nothing to do with the legalities of what they are doing.

I walk into work today:

mum: "B(her partner) told me I have to work out our finances and told me to ask you to help".
me: "um, ok."
mum: "yeah, because A has to give J (the cousin who is staying with them) some money, and he wants to know how much we have, and how much is left"
me: "well, that's easy. NONE."
mum: "well, we know that. but i have to work out our budget"

I don't know why I'm annoyed at this; by all means I should be happy right? Right?

This is something I have been talking to them about for years. literally, years.

This is why I am annoyed:

- I have been telling them for months that their business is struggling financially - but because they could always see a 'balance' in the account they believed I was being dramatic, or something like that.
- Despite me telling them this, they still went on a week long holiday last month.
- There has been no work for the past month, so of course they found time to play the pokies and have boozy dinners/lunches out every weekend.
- Meanwhile, my DF has earnt HALF of what I earn (because there's no work), usually he earns quite a lot more than me. I know the world is not a fair place, but I am still allowed to say that I think that's unfair.
- A year ago I told them they couldn't afford to buy a new car but they went and bought one anyway, the same day.
- I told them the business couldn't afford another worker, and lo and behold, B's cousin arrived two weeks ago.
- You'd think someone in financial dire straits would cut back on luxury items, but from the 1st of July to today (25th August) they have spent $1049.24 on alcohol and withdrawn $3080 in cash (and I can safely say that a very LARGE portion of that was dining out and pokies - more than 50% anyway, possibly 75% but I dare say it's even more than that).
- The accountant suggested we set up a company instead of a sole trading business, but there isn't even enough cash to pay the fees to set this up (but like I said, there's cash for overpriced beer and parmigianas at the pub).
- I also suggested we set up a separate personal bank account for them and pay B a WAGE, instead of living off his check account (which is where the business' money goes in and out). His response? 'The business can't afford to pay me a wage, I'm worth too much'. It just frustrates me because he thinks all the money he spends doesn't count for anything, he thinks he DOESN'T get a wage! Isn't that the most ridiculous thing you ever heard???

I could go on, but you get my drift.

Anyway, so the time comes that they actually want to do something (because I literally CAN'T pay the bills) and I DON'T want to help them. What is going on???

I just feel like I'm beating a dead horse.

I said to my mum, just because you MAKE a budget doesn't mean shit. You actually have to DO it. You have to STICK to it. That's what a budget is.

And she goes, yeah, yeah, I know, we will.

I said to her, I've tried this with you, I've asked you all to write down what you spend. And neither of you did it. You can't say "I'm going to make a budget" if it just sits there and does nothing. The point of a budget is to sit down and figure out what you spend, then compare it to what you earn, and whittle it down so that they are compatible amounts. And then you have to adhere to it, day in and day out. It doesn't do anything if you're supposed to stick to it and you don't.

And she goes "Well, we will, I just need you to help me figure out how much we spend."

I said "yeah, that's what YOU GUYS need to do, not me. It's no good telling ME you spend $350 on groceries a week and that's it, if you really spend $50 a week on cigarettes, $200 on booze, $60 on takeaways and $350 on groceries. You need to figure out how much you REALLY spend, yourselves."

Am I being harsh? I just cannot be bothered. They DO need to figure this stuff out, but I've held my hopes up for so long that I don't think I can raise them again.

I suggested they go to our accountant. He already said to me he would help them, when they finally wanted to help. For a few reasons. The first is, he can explain a lot of things that I probably don't know. He can suggest things I haven't thought of. And he is an independant body that has no ties with them. He is not their daughter or son, and they may take the advice from him better than they do from me.

It's just the whole thing of getting them there, first off, before things start looking up again, because then the whole cycle will start again. Not that the cycle ever stopped to begin with.

Anyway. Thanks for listening. It IS a financial rant, so it does have some place here.

August seems to have been a low post month for me. I seem to be doing a fair bit but nothing that is really post-worthy.
I also have been having difficulties recording spending. I'm laxing at it, which is a worry. I know I will kick myself later for it, I annoy myself when I do this because then it isn't done properly and I can't rely on the figures later on. I like things done orderly!
So I am making the effort to do it, even though it has become a chore this month.

The weather has been odd the past week. It hit over 35 degrees celcius yesterday (and it's meant to be winter). But, two states away in Melbourne (about 3 hours by plane), it was hailing with 6.5 degrees celcius temperatures. What the?!

Interesting though, they interviewed a guy (you know, a weather guy? can't think of his proper title right now, having a blonde moment) and they asked him direct questions about global warming, whether this is an indicator of it. He skipepd around the questions very carefully, sitting on the fence. Very good at it, but it struck me as odd.

I guess some people don't want to enter into the debate, you never know, he might have political interests that he might be protecting. Maybe he hasn't made up his mind, or rather he doesn't want to be labelled as one of either of the groups; those that believe in global warming and those who think it's a crock of ****.

It's all rather funny when you think about it. The way some people refuse to accept that the planet is dying. Call it what you want, it's obvious the world is not the same as it was 500 years ago.

Sorry, don't really know where that rant came from!!!

I finally bought some new sunglasses on the weekend, $49.95 polarised Mangrove Jacks. NOT a brand name, btw. Ok, so technically it is a brand, but not a 'brand name'. Mangrove Jacks are pretty much the only sunglass makers I can find that make good quality pairs under $140 that are polarised, I am forever their customer. (If you've never had polarised lenses, you're missing out). I have gone through three pairs this year. I had one pair (an MJ pair) that lasted me two years or more, that finally snapped at the arm. Then I went onto a pair I got for free with a magazine, which snapped within a few months. To tell you the truth I was quite happy, they were uncomfortable and not polarised. Then I found another pair I had gotten for free, so the cheapskate in me made me wear them until they snapped too. These cheap ones don't last long do they? Looking forward to another 2-3 years with my new MJ's!
It annoys me though, all those STUPID fashion glasses, Prada, D & G, CC's, they have the LOWEST rating for eye protection but people buy them because they're supposed to be good quality, because they're a luxury brand. Get off it. I saw a girl with a pair of Prada ones, (also had a Guess bag and a million other designer labels, of course all the badges showing so you KNEW it) and my mind screamed "You are a tool!". I seem to be getting cynical.

Bought an anti-aging cookbook. I realise at nearly 22 I don't need that sort of thing yet, but the recipes looked divine. Mostly centred on fish and fresh veges, everything just seemed so fresh and clean. I am going to try out a few this week. It must be this heat making me want to eat salads and all that again. Bye Bye soup! See you next winter!

Did not do much today. I worked 6am-2pm, drive half an hour to pay a $100 deposit for the ink work (turns out both will take around 3 hours each- $150 an hour, you do the math. good thing he has a waiting list, it seems!)

Went to look at a bed, DF agreed with me he does not like the look of it in real life (looked much better in the magazine!) so we did not buy it. saved $600? sort of.

I bought a coffee and a fig & pecan biscuit while waiting for DF, $6.55.

We're going to look at more beds next weekend, will compare prices.

This weekend we're having a barbecue, lots of family coming over. I've already bought a few dips and crackers, i will buy ingredients for salads on Saturday.

planned menu:
balsamic roasted potatoes
bbq meat & vegetables & tofu
pesto pasta salad
garden salad

Tomorrow I must:
- tidy kitchen
- tidy dining/living areas
- tidy deck
- do laundry
- set up spare rooms for guests
- tidy our bedroom
- vaccuum & mop floors

So after discussing it with DF a bit (and he decided he wanted one too) I finally called to book in a time to get a tattoo. When I got my last one, (over a year and a half ago) DF's sister and I went in on a Thursday and booked for the following Monday.
She got a guy, LM, and I got a woman, LA. So I really really really wanted the guy to do my piece this time and convinced DF to go there with me and get his done by the same person.
Wouldn't you know it, LM now has a 3 month waiting list! Holy crap. But, we got in a month earlier because we could do it on a weekday. so the appointment is actually in TWO months.

So anyway, even though it's technically a birthday present, we're booked in for the 21st of October (a Wednesday).

I've decided I'm getting a peacock.

Oh and I think I made a d*ck of myself on the phone. The lady asked me how long I thought it would take and I was like 'hmmm, probably an hour for each one'. she was like 'is that all?'
anyway, I got home and looked at them and realised they'll probably be a minimum of two hours. Let's hope she's not there when I take the pictures in tomorrow!

So, last week my friend/colleague got her arm caught in a mixer (in a test kitchen where she was training for a competition).
She's fine, nothing is broken but she just has a massive bruise. They made her go to hospital and she had to fill out all the reports and everything. It was a machine malfunction - not her fault, not anyone else's fault. (I do the exact same thing she did every day - except the mixer doesn't unexpectantly start on me! eeek!) Anyway. That is not the point of the story.
So after that happened, the manager of the company that owns the test kitchen felt so bad he loaded her car up with freebies. What he thought she would do with 3 x 25kg bags of organic bakers flour, I have no idea. (amongst other things).

So she gave me a bag of flour. Actually, she put it next to my car at work and said 'this is yours'. I've already given about 10kgs to my mother. What to do? What to do!

I do USE flour, but obviously not in ridiculous quantities. I'm planning on making banana bread and some ginger snap biscuits this weekend. I'm going to have to package the flour up very carefully so it doesn't get weevils or anything. Right now it's sitting on our dining room table. DF laughed at me when i hauled it inside (on my shoulder, like a true baker ) and was like 'WHAT are you going to do with THAT?'

I drove my mum to the CBD for something and while I was waiting for her I went into the shops to look for a pair of sunglasses (I've had three pairs break on me in the last year - all were free though so I'm not going to cry about it). So, I didn't find any sunglasses, but I did find a gorgeous dress that I bought for DF's sister and her fiances wedding.

Oh yes, I haven't mentioned that!

So DF's sis and fiance have decided to go to the registry office and get married so that it says they are married on their newborn daughters birth certificate. So we are all going to go and have dinner afterwards. It's a secret though, because they would eventually like to have a wedding down the track, just not for a while.

Anyway, so the dress was marked down from $60 to $48, which is quite a bargain anyway. I also bought a vegetarian cook book for $15. I went to a store and looked at a bed frame that DF found in a catalogue for Freedom Furniture. Not sure if I like it looking up close, but we'll see. DF is going to look at it on Thursday. The frame (without mattress) is $600. We need to buy ourselves a new bed before September 25th, as that is when my dad, stepmum and little sis stay with us for a week.

The one that couldn't make the time to see me when I was visiting her state?
The one that would never initiate a conversation with me? (It always had to be me asking her questions)
The one that stayed with me for a weekend but kept reminding me of everything she was missing out back home?
The one that always has to have everything better than me?

Do you remember one of my goals for this year was to shed the friendships that did not make me feel good about myself? And that I made the decision to let my friendship with this girl (who, by the way, I have known since I was 4) wither and die because I felt like I was doing all the work and that she did not value me? Do you remember me saying "Ok, I am really not going to start up a conversation with her again, she can come to me!"

Well, guess what?

It took nearly a year (or was it longer?)before she initiated a conversation with me (via msn - because I know how *hard* it is to do that - lol). But she finally did. Of course, it was to find out the gossip on my engagement (which I just put up on facebook) and also OF COURSE:

to tell me she was getting laser eye surgery and that she is moving to Vancouver next year.

It's lovely that she's doing that, and I think I do even feel sad she is leaving Australia - but it doesn't surprise me of the timing and the way she told me. Typical! Argh!

Sorry guys. I am just feeling a bit flat. Maybe a bit pissed off. Hmmmm...

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks. I wasn't even going to bother about asking for anything from DF, I figured we'd spent enough money on ourselves lately.

However!

It's all my boss's fault really. He started asking me about my tattoos, because his wife had booked in to get their childrens names tattooed on her feet (and I have two on my feet). And then the next day he came in and said his wife had booked him in to get his (and he doesn't even WANT to! He's just doing what she tells him to!)

Anyway, so talking about it to my boss started me thinking about it. The feeling you get while you're sitting in the waiting chair. The smell of the place (clean, if you're wondering!). The buzzing sound of the gun. The usual gruffness of the artist about to inflict pain on you, who only soften once you've winced and gritted your teeth a little, who then go on to tell you stories about their wife/husband and their kids, other people they've tattooed etc.

So yeah, I started thinking about it and once you get that feeling, it's hard to shake. So, guess what I'm getting for my birthday?

I have been having shooting pains in my left foot, and haven't been able to press down on the ball. It's been like this for a while, usually only happens in the mornings when I get up. But a few days ago it just didn't go away all day, and then the next day, and the day after that. DF told me to stop my whinging and go to the doctor, so after some whinging about going to the doctor I finally went. He told me to get some new shoes and then come back if it doesn't go away. So I told DF this, (we'd been talking about both getting properly fitted running shoes) and then I whinged about spending $200 on a pair of shoes, but DF said he WANTED me to go and get some if it meant the pain would go away.

So I bit the bullet and got fitted for proper running shoes. $169.95 for a pair of Mizuna runners. I have to say, I felt no pain all day at work, and I have been on my feet 12 hours straight until just now.

That's all my news for now.

Oh and I just wanted to share this song by an Australian band called Little Birdy. They are quite big here but I don't expect anyone to know them. But it's a beautiful song, please give it a listen:

Three or four weeks ago the 5 year fixed term interest rate was at 6.94%, now it is 7.46%! Oh well. Atleast we are not locked into 8.5% like some other friends of ours. The 4 year term is the same, but 3,2 and 1 terms are better - I just don't see any point in fixing for one or two years so 5 years it is! I doubt it's going to go lower.

Now to decide how much to fix.

Originally thinking 150k (leaves a little under $150k variable). The fixed portion only allows $10k extra payments for the term, so having variable isn't negotiable in my books. I like to have a bit of freedom.

Hmmmm. Decisions Decisions!

Yesterday we got a call from the jeweller, my engagement ring was ready to be picked up (a week early - took six weeks to make instead of seven). We picked it up pretty much straight away, and I love it! Very happy with the workmanship and the stone colour. (I'd already picked the stone out but it was nice to see it again).
The photos aren't that great, the lighting isn't that great in our office (and I may not be that great at taking closeup photos, I have realised), but you get the general idea

So, I think I have mentioned this previously, but haven't written much about it. I guess I have been pushing it to the back of my mind pretending it won't happen.

Next year, DF's apprentice will be going overseas. DF's dad decided to offer his cousin a job in August (as in, 2009). I was initially against it because then we did not know the other apprentice was going overseas, and I think that the business cannot afford another wage. I became more against it because it became apparent that everyone except me thought it would be acceptable for the cousin to stay in one of our spare rooms (and pay rent).

Yes. He is family, and family should help each other out. That's what everyone has been telling me. And I *know* it's selfish and I'm acting like a little girl, but I just do not want to share a house with anyone else at the moment.

I know that compared to a lot of people, 4 years is not a long time spent in sharehouses for your life. I know normally you can spend up to and over 10 years sharehousing with other people. But I just DON'T like it. It was one the main motivations for even attempting to buy a house - the fact that I would not have to live with anyone I don't want to, purely for the sake of 'it's cheaper.

I think it may be different if I was a slob that didn't clean up after myself (and therefore didn't mind a messy house) OR a person who willingly cleans up after other people just because. (and yes, there are such people).

I cannot *stand* a messy house. Dirty dishes, crumbs on the floor, a full rubbish bin that smells, scraps of useless paper and junkmail left lying on the table, dirty plates and cups left everywhere, the whole issue of 'who washes the tea towels', dirty windows, mouldy bathrooms, hairballs etc etc. The vast majority of you have experienced this, I imagine.

You see, I don't like a messy house, but I don't believe that I should do all the work because of that. It should be a standard skill that all people are taught; how to clean up after yourself. And it honestly is NOT that hard. Especially when it is just yourself you are looking after. It's a different story all together when you are a family with children - I completely understand that!

But when you are sharing a house, how hard is it to wash your own dishes, figure out when it's your turn to do something and do it, instead of 'pretending' it's not. If the housework is shared equally by two or three adults, you have to admit if everyone is fair, there is not a great deal to do.

We had a great 'system' when sharing with DF's sister. It was a roster, and we took it in weekly turns to do the bins and floors, and turns to do the washing up. All would work well, but as some of you have read previously, DF's sister let the system down. She would ignore that it was her turn to do the floors, and then it would be my turn! And of course I would do it, because it was my turn, and I couldn't stand dust balls, dog hair and pieces of scrap paper lying all over the floor from her many collages.

The other thing I can't stand is mooching. DF's sister was actually good with this, she bought her own food and contributed with bills and household supplies. But our previous flatmate was another story. I would be cooking dinner, or would have just served up for DF and I, and he would waltz downstairs and ask 'ooh, what are you having for dinner?'. A general question, yes, but said in an expectant tone as though it meant 'Can I have some, because I'm too lazy to cook for myself?'. Unfortunately, he was also bad with household chores (cleaned the shower twice in three years - and expected applause both times).

So, it's true, I don't like sharing. But really, it's not the sharing that bothers me. Because believe me, I would be a happy camper if everything WAS shared. It's exactly that though, there was a large part of my experience in sharehousing where things that were supposed to be shared, WERE NOT shared. So excuse me if I have a bitter taste in my mouth!

And I do admit, I know nothing about this cousin of DF's dad. He currently works on a cruise ship and his contract expires in August (hence the working with us in August).

Now before I start arguing the other side of the story, I just want to flail my arms in the air and whinge 'it's not FAIR! we just bought a house and got engaged, why can't we be left in peace!!!!' *whitestripe flails arms dramatically*

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So, to be fair: as I said, I know nothing about the guy. I don't even know how old he is (if he is over the age of 30, he *could* be alright). And he doesn't even know a) about the job offer yet b) about the ensuing argument about his accomodation and c) whether or not he actually wants to work for DF's dad.
So there are some big 'IFs' in these prospective plans. It could all fall through.
Some other things for me to consider are:
- like I said, he could be older, therefore more respectful of his place, our place etc.
- he may want his own place to live and not even consider living with us.
- if he does chose to live with us, DF's already said he won't be getting a free ride. The boarding money would help immensely with paying extra on the mortgage and the bills.
- he may only be wanting to stay for a week ro two until he finds his own place.
- he may even end up staying at DF's dads place (would be sharing a room with a teenage boy though!)
- he may only work here for a few months before deciding he doesn't like it.

All of my ebay items have bids on them. So far only a couple of bucks, but one face lotion has $8.50 on it. All of the items are popular and sell for higher amounts so I am not worried. Bring on the bidding wars!

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I made a quiche for dinner, it is in the oven now. I wanted to use up the veges in the crisper so I can buy everything fresh tomorrow at the market. I put roast sweet potato, fetta, fresh tomato, sundried tomato, olives, onion and leek in it.

I also made some ginger snaps. Not sure how they will turn out. Hopefully, good!

Not much to report on lately.

Had a late lunch of fish and chips with some friends at the wharf. Spent $20.90.

Went to the markets & got our weeks worth of fruit & veg. We also impulse bought an owl carved out of gemstone for $8.

Went op shopping. DF bought a suit (he has an obsession with buying second hand suits - if he finds one that fits him he's ecstatic because he doesn't find many - he's tall with long arms and fairly slim). I bought some books, a baby name book, a homeopathy handbook, a chocolate cookbook and a detox recipe cookbook (yeh I know, they go well together don't they?!)

Less than four weeks to go til I can pick up my engagement ring!

Friends are coming over later on tonight. We're going to watch a dvd and maybe play scrabble.

Today I cooked a pineapple cake and some more chocolate chip biscuits. I made them half the size this time, so they are bite sized. They turned out really nice and are very tasty!

The pineapple cake I made because I found a super-dooper simple recipe (literally super dooper simple: 2 cups SR flour, 1 cup caster sugar and 450g pineapple, stir, put in a cake tin and bake for 40 minutes) and I had some pineapple to use up. I added half pineapple half peaches. It's yum! I cut most of it up and froze it in individual pieces for lunches.

Tomorrow we are visiting DF's sister and fiance and the newborn baby.

I think that's all my updates for now

... when I got home from work today, he was no where to be seen. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I called DF just to see by chance he had taken Jed with him that morning (he took the other two dogs back with him today - I though he might have taken Jed too). But no. He hadn't. I was *so* worried about him. I walked around a nearby estate where we walk him, asked a few people, but no one had seen him. I went and talked to the neighbours (THE neighbours - the ones that threw water on our deck twice). While I was talking to the husband, he said 'Is that him?' and I looked behind me and there he was, trotting up the road!!! I was so happy to see him alive I just patted him and hugged him non stop. Probably not the best reaction in hindsight - I should have scolded him. Sigh.

So after that panicked afternoon I went straight down to the council chambers to register him. I'd been putting it off because I wanted to get him microchipped first - as I had heard that reduces the register fee. But it doesn't, so oh well.

$106 a year! Eek.

Luckily he's not a dangerous dog, that is $400 a year. Crazy! The reason he's $106 to register a year is because he's not desexed yet. We'll be leaving him for a year and then will think about it next year.

Next on the list is a vet visit.

I'm just so glad he's safe. He must have gotten lonely and bored, having been around two other dogs all day long for a week, then suddenly being by himself again all day (well, until 2pm). Poor thing.
I will take him to work with me tomorrow and Wednesday, and then on Thursday and Friday he will have to stay on the deck until I get home. Atleast neither of us have 'ordinary hours' jobs.

So, DF's sister was due about a week ago. The actual due date is a bit hazy, the hospital and the dr's say different dates.

Anyway, so SIL has NOT been a happy camper for the whole of pregnancy. Granted, she did lose 9 kg's at the start due to morning sickness (which lasted 3 months non-stop). Admittedly that would put me off the whole journey of pregnancy too. But she is just SO difficult to please. She has been fine for the last 6 months other than tiredness, hungryness, normal pregnancy aches and pains etc. But everything has to be SUCH a big deal, and everything has to be about her.

So now she is unhappy because the hospital will not induce her until the 18th. Personally, I am not a fan of inducing unless it is for actual medical reasons (not 'I want it out' reasons). A baby should come when it is ready, and when your body is ready to let it go. But that's just me and my humble opinion.

So because she can't be induced, according to her mum (who visited us today, she is living with SIL at the moment - just to get away) she is just being a pain about everything. As usual, it is all about her. It is all just 'too much'.

Does this not ring warning bells for anyone else?

For reference: DF's sister started uni, quit after a year. Moved in with her dad, left after only a month. Started another uni course, left after a year and a half. Broke up with her ex, moved in with us and planned to save for a trip overseas. Got a job at a bar to save money. Gave up on going overseas, decided to start a fashion course - loaned the money from her and DF's dad for it. Started dating DF's best friend. It was too hard to not see him and go to the fashion course, so she quit that. Started planning to move into a shed that her BF was going to build on their land. Also decided to have a baby together (after being together less than 6 months). Lost the first baby. Was told to wait 3 months before trying again. Got pregnant after a month and a half.

Anyway, as you can see - she can't finish things, and she's impulsive. She's a lovely person when she wants to be though. (when she WANTS to be).

So I am just concerned - a baby is not exactly something you can 'quit' when you want. You can't get a refund and then lie on the couch for three months. So I talked to DF tentatively about it -it's his sister after all. He knows what she's like. I asked him if he knew how much hard work having a child will be. I don't mean 'hard work' I just mean, responsibility. He said yes, of course.

I don't know why I worry about these things. I don't even think I was worried about it, I think I just wanted to make a point about SIL. We have completely different circumstances to his sister to begin with. And I think we tend to think things through a little more. We might actually think a little TOO much. But we do PLAN as well, which is important, right?

Last night we went to dinner at DF's uncles house. His other uncle and auntie and their children were up from Tasmania, we had not seen them in about 3 years. It was a one hour drive to get there, we left to go home at around 10pm.
The entire way home is a highway, which is usually empty at that time of night.
Anyway, long story short I got a speeding fine!!! ARGH! $200 and I think 3 points off my license.
I am on my Provisional license ( once you get get your Learners through a written test, you then take the driving test after a year for your 'real' license, then you are on your P's for 3 years, then you get your Open license after that). I am not really sure of all the laws now, they recently changed. I could have 4 points in total, or I could have 6 points.