It's a Porter's Life!

It's a Porter's Life on Holidays - Again!

2008-10-06T10:14:00.008+10:30

Oh deja vu, far out I can't believe I haven't got around to posting since the last holidays.....
Life is just so hectic I don't even have time to read blogs much let alone look after my own, I've been working full time, then doing Library stuff, and with that, the kids and the big move there hasn't been much time for computer leisure time!

So, hmmm what has happened since I posted last.

Angus started at the ELC - and is loving it, he's quite the social animal, enjoys yoga, woodwork, blocks and can write his name. His accident report tally is up to 4 in one term, Charlotte had one in 12 months!

We moved back "home", to a much nicer version of the old home. It's such a great house, layout is brilliant, Nick's enjoying his big new kitchen and the kids rooms are fantastic. Here's a couple of shots, these were taken before pictures were put up so it isn't quite how it looks now but you'll get an idea.

The kids had fun at school for bookweek, for something not very different Charlotte was a ballerina, and Angus was the cat in the hat obviously.

Charlotte had her 6th birthday, I had the day off and we had a lovely girly day together including lunch with the grandparents, then she had a ten pin bowling party which was fantastic on the Sunday, followed by a family lunch at the in laws place.
Since the last post she has lost both front teeth!

Whew! So now we (actually all Porter's except me :( ) are on holidays. Week 1 was quite eventful with Round 1 of Angus v Edge of Bath, resulting in 3 stitches to his chin and a trip to the Victor Harbor emergency department, but he's pretty impressed with his battle scar and was a real little trooper, stitches are out tomorrow.

So that's it for now! I really will try and update this more - sorry Dad!!

Take care and enjoy the holidays everyone xxx

It's a Porter's Life on Holidays

2008-07-17T19:02:00.005+09:30

I've been a slack blogger but for holidays it's been busy!
Weekend 1 was spent relaxing at Goolwa, until Charlotte broke a tooth and ended up in hospital on Wednesday having a general anaesthetic (as I once again praise the private health system, I got my money's worth again! I'm sure Charlotte would still be waiting to have it fixed if we didn't have it). It was a horrible traumatic week but motherjules once again admirably filled the gap so I worked full time that week and motherjules played fairy grandmother. As Grinder said, she should be cloned!
Weekend 2 saw Charlotte all better and we attended our first protest rally (yes I really did!) I'm over hearing about carbon emission trading bullshit just get some water down to Goolwa and the Lower Lakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of passionate locals (and city slickers like us) went out to support the town, the dairy farmers and local industry really suffering. I used to waterski on the lake and now it barely comes up to your ankles....

Work is continuing on the new house, here's a sneak peek inside, moving in approx 2 weeks yay!

I am pleased to report this week has been much more restful, Nick and I are kid free which has been wonderful, the little Porters are slumming it up at Sanctuary Cove(not!) in a harbourfront villa with the inlaws and are enjoying all the theme parks, the Hyatt swimming pool, going out to breakfast, lunch and dinner, and cruising around Sanctuary Cove in their golf buggy. Stay tuned for photos when they get back on Sunday. I really miss my babies but it's been great to reconnect with Nicko and just spend time as a couple. I'm sure Nick's appreciated the extra attention he's got this week as well (ROFLMFAO!!!)
I even got to have lunch with mum today in town (kid free!). Angus starts at the Early Learning Centre at his school next week, am very much looking forward to my first flex day on Monday so we can get all prepared for his start at "big school" on Tuesday :)
xxxxx

Ta-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! (nearly!)

2008-06-29T18:42:00.005+09:30

I really think I should change my song to "Sing Hallelujah" by can't remember (big dancefloor hit in the 90's) for this one, but I think Queen needs to stay here a little longer....

Hey blog readers....LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!!!!!

I haven't mentioned my house for a while because it's taken so long I forgot about it, but now, here it i-i-s,ooooh there it i-i-is

We got the keys on Thursday.........so exciting, alas we can't move in straight away as obviously it still needs all the landscaping and fencing done, the carpet and timber floorboards, the security system and the air conditioning (oh and all the new funky furniture and the new ipod needs to be loaded with all the "crap" songs lol), but it won't be long and YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would show you shots of the inside but that concrete floor isn't doing the house any favours, so wait till the timber flooring and carpet goes in, you're all in for a treat!

Have a great week everyone! With the new legislative changes to child support finally kicking in on July 1 I'm going to be a busy little bunny at work.

Late Night Song Dedication for Jody

2008-06-25T20:40:00.002+09:30

This is self-explanatory for Jody......
Although I'm not sure which bicycle I want to ride, probably the dragster.
Then again I'm not one for exercise so I might just go the bike seat burger, then go sit on the red couch after I eat my bargain Bicycle Seat Burger.
xxx

Happy Birthday Motherjules xxx

2008-06-20T20:30:00.006+09:30

It's A Porter's Life is proud to present the celebration marking the birthday of Motherjules.
Now she's one lucky lucky woman. Check out the 4 beautiful grandchildren, blowing bubbles and making wishes in their very own fairy garden, what more does a granny want?

Oh I know, she wants 2 beautiful children who married 2 lovely people

Something's missing, can you guess? Yes, well done, every good birthday needs a pinata (this photo is after Pirate Pete was unfortunately decapitated by Angus)

And at the end of a lovely birthday she loves to snuggle up to Poppa Ken

Happy Birthday Motherjules, hope you like the music, love always Dord xxx

"It's A Porter's Life" Late Night Song Dedications...

2008-06-13T21:39:00.002+09:30

...insert crooney DJ voice here...........

Hey listeners, tonight's song is dedicated to 2 very special friends of DJ DB, namely Jacq and Grinder, who apparently don't like Bucks Fizz that much. So DJ DB hopes they enjoy "Queen". And if they don't they are dropped and can just listen to the words of this late night DB Dedication, then they can rack off and go listen to Celine Dion and look up munchhausens by pet proxy in the dictionary or somefink (ROFLMFAO)

Happy Birthday Angus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-09T20:29:00.005+09:30

My big fella is.....4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well he was 4 on Friday to be precise but this seems to be turning into a week long "Festival of Gus". Thanks to Motherjules for providing photos (and extra points for even working out how to email these piccies to me, cancels out her bagging Bucks Fizz :P).

Angus has been fired up for this birthday for quite some time. He was spoilt rotten as always with lots of lovely pressies from us and the ever doting grandparents.

It was a big week for the big 4 year old, with his orientation at St Andrew's Early Learning Centre, following in the footsteps of his big sister. He suddenly looks 10 in this photo!!! He fitted right in, it helped he will be in the same room as his partner's in crime and best friends the twins Harry and Ned (that's either Harry or Ned pictured below on the left, I can't tell them apart but Angus and Charlotte can). They have been grouped with all the other little brothers/sisters from Charlotte's class which is just fabulous. He has Charlotte's old ELC teacher who is absolutely lovely also so I'm one happy mummy!

Have a great week everyone!
xxx

T's Tag!

2008-06-01T13:22:00.004+09:30

Finally! Sorry, but I've been enoying a well deserved quiet weekend with the kids at Goolwa.

The divine Miss T tagged me to do this - my musical taste is acknowledged worldwide as being appalling, but hey I love my music. This was a fun tag to do! I can't think of anyone to tag so feel free to do this and let me know so I can have a look.

Opening credits: "Welcome to the Jungle" – Guns n Roses

Waking up: "It’s a Beautiful Day" – U2

Average day: "Born Slippy" - Trainspotting Soundtrack

First date: "Take on Me" - AHA

Falling in love: "Kissed By A Rose" - Seal

Love Scene: "For Just A Moment" - St Elmos Fire Soundtrack

Fight Scene: "Run Like Hell" – Pink Floyd

Breaking up: "I’m Still Standing" – Elton John

Getting back together: "Hard to Say I’m Sorry" - Chicago

Secret love: "Throw Your Arms Around Me" – Hunters and Collectors

Life’s ok: "Everything’s Alright" – Jesus Christ Superstar

Mental Breakdown: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – Bonnie Tyler

Driving: "Take Me Home" – Phil Collins (or was it Genesis)

Learning a lesson: “Kissing a Fool” – George Michael

Deep thought: “Fools Overture” - Supertramp

Flashback: "Some Girls Will" - Racey

Partying: “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” - Meatloaf

Happy Dance: “Celebration” – Kylie Minogue

Regretting: "Father and Son" Elton John

Long night alone: “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (by the time that’s finished the long night will be just about done!)

Death Scene: “Who wants to live forever” - Queen

Closing Credits: “Let me entertain you” – Robbie Williams

There! Might have to go burn me a CD with all those most excellent songs on there.
xxx

1.Charlotte's Take on Religion 2.Good new song hey Sue

2008-05-30T20:34:00.003+09:30

I have lots to blog about, mostly relating to how busy I am (stop the world I want to get off!!!!).

Anyway it's all good, work's brilliant, the new house is coming like Christmas, and I'm itching to do T's tag and will get to that over the weekend.

Blog post part 1.

One thing that stands out from this week is a comment from Charlotte, so much so that it requires it's own post, not just an updated "Quote of the Week"

Charlotte is at an Anglican school and has religion once a week. She came home from school this week night and announced

"Jesus died on the cross you know mum"

So I said "yes he did Charlotte do you know why?" (always thinking a bit of extension work is good even if it is Religion)

To which she answered

"because the 3 wise men didn't like babies"

Hmm I'm thinking she missed something along the line, my goodness it was just the funniest thing I have ever heard!!!!!!!

Blog Post Part 2

Meanwhile, just for Sue who can't handle my current song, I've given VERY careful consideration to a new song - since you don't like my last one Grinder, I hope you enjoy this one (ROFLMFAO of course, you know my musical taste is on a GIFTED level don't you)

The Big Nicko is the Big 40!

2008-05-26T19:49:00.006+09:30

We celebrated the big fella's 40th birthday with about 60 people at "Coopers Alehouse at the Earl", his brother's pub. It was brilliant! It's so great to catch up with all our mates from Nicko's school days, through rugby, new school friends, family and everything in between!
It was all going along nicely until the "Jaeger Bombs" made an appearance (for the uninitiated you drop a shot of Jagermeister into a red bull and skull it). Well let's just say we were all flying high after a few of those!
We may all be sufficiently recovered to drink alcohol for his real birthday tomorrow!
Here's some happy snaps from the night

The 3 brothers - Oliver, Julian and Nick

Motherjules looking more bedazzling than ever (my mum) with the in laws

Me, my best friend Sal and another gorgeous old friend from school Kath

And just a handful of the male talent on display :P
Nick ummed and aahed and procrastinated over having a party, so much so that in the end I just booked it for him, and I'm really glad I did, and so is he.

T, will get to that tag very soon that will be great fun and I loved yours :)

xxx

Respect The Moose

2008-05-21T20:55:00.008+09:30

Well this was one of the new sayings that worked it's way into my already expansive vocabulary over the weekend.
Of course we had an excellent time, and it was just brilliant to meet lots of new people whom I have only dealt with on an old internet forum, via email and the phone.
Unfortunately I missed the trip to "Little Smarties" (yes Emma, it's a kids clothing shop, or should I say THE clothing shop in Melbourne)as I was working, but from what I can gather (and from the state of the girls when I arrived Friday night) they had an amazing time. Luckily I got Jacqui to do some proxy shopping for me so I didn't feel too left out.
So here they are, they look bloody happy, I thought they'd be all sulking because I wasn't there.....

Friday night we grabbed a bite to eat and knocked off way too many bottles of French Champagne, but were up bright and earlyish for brekkie and shopping on Saturday. I sent the group on a wild goose chase for a friggin Princess Beanie Kid which we never found.
Saturday night we went to the most amazing Cocktail Lounge in the old George's building called "The Long Room". It's amazing. Can't describe it, words can't do it justice so just go there and drink cocktails. We met the moose here, and got told off by the bouncers for not respecting the moose. We all have a newfound respect for mooses now.

Then we moved on to the most brilliant restaurant, I can't remember the name but it was silver service and the food was amazing as was the company. The waiter was wonderful and thought we were fabulous of course :P

The walk home after dinner was hilarious, fortunately for Sophie what goes on tour stays on tour.
Sunday morning we had another yummo late brekkie at Blue Train Cafe at Southbank, then we all toddled off home in the afternoon.

The next photo is dedicated to mine and Jacqu's hubbies, they are convinced we are lesbian lovers so let's not dispel that myth for them just yet!!!!!!!!

Chicks, I had an absolute ball and can't wait for next year!
I could blog on for hours about the weekend but I have a nasty cold and a big day at work tomorrow so I need to tuck myself and my snotty nose into bed.
xxx

Whirlwind!

2008-05-15T21:10:00.003+09:30

I really should be packing my bags for Melbourne (we'll get to that), but thought I'd check in to report on my first week at work.
WOW!!!! I LOVEEEEEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's full on. FULL ON. So much to learn it's crazy, lucky I'm so bloody smart. But I am learning so much, it is awesome to be back in a team work environment again, and to come home to Nick at the end of the day and have something to talk about.
I don't love the hours, but once that magical flex time kicks in it will be great. I do love the Chinese man at the shop next door to work who shakes my hand and calls me beautiful and tells me he sends messages to my head. And I love that when I went in this morning he was playing "Dancing Queen" and this afternoon he had on "Somebody to Love". Awesome.
Anyway I have my first exam in the morning but I'm sure it will be fine, I really have concentrated this week and it is open book so I am confident I will pass.
The flipside, gosh I miss spending time with my kids, I think they are feeling it just as much as me. It will settle down, as mum said tonight she worked full time when I was growing up and we all managed, once again I am so lucky to have that family support. And Nick now finally appreciates what a pain in the arse drop offs and pick ups are since he is doing all of them!
Right so back to the Melbourne trip. This was organised last year, I booked in Feb to leave tomorrow morning, Murphy conspired and I had to change my flight till tomorrow night and I am very sad I miss out on a trip to "Little Smarties" tomorrow afternoon, however I have sent my proxy shopper Jacqui to get some stuff for me.
I can't wait. Girlie weekend!!!!!!!! I get to see my gorgeous mate Jacqu again, hook up again with Kristi and Janelle, and to meet Grinder (Sue), Toni, Sophie, Rosanne, Lisa, Tracey and Kate for the very first time! Can't wait. Bring it on Jedis :)
Okay so I am really going to pack my bags now, I hope Jacq bring spares of everything I will forget pmsl.
Bye for now xxxx

The End of An Era aka The Big Last Wednesday

2008-05-07T20:07:00.003+09:30

I start full time work next week. Ever since the kids were born I have pretty much worked 3-4 days a week, with 2 weeks holiday at Christmas.
Amongst all the business of being a working mum, Wednesdays were my day with the kids. Charlotte did Fairy Ballet, the kids went swimming, grocery shopping was done and both went to Kindergym with the best leader on the planet Trisha.
Today marked the last Wednesday (or mummy day as Gus calls it) before Mummy days get canned because I will be working. And I'm sad about it.
So this is a pity party post for me. I want to document our last mummy day for a while. This is totally lame because I deliberately chose a job with mega holidays and flexi time, so I'm sure it won't be long before Angus and I have another mummy day, it just won't necessarily be on a Wednesday.
So the morning began with a little sleep in, as Wednesdays do, as all we have to do is get Charlotte to school by 8:40am, cruisy as. I accidentally slammed Angus's foot in the school gate on the way out so he probably won't miss that!
We then went to Kmart, sorry make that "KMark". We go there to buy birthday presents, pjs, socks and jocks etc and somehow the little fella always manages to twist my rubber arm and get a toy, just a little toy, please mum I've been so good. Today was no exception. He was a great help carting those 6 bags of bean bag beans though. MIL has bought 2 divine new bean bags for the new house and we needed to get the beans to go with them. MIL is officially nutso buying more bean bags as this is what happened to a bean bag on Angus's birthday last year

On the way out he conned me into a ride on a jetski thing (as he always does, isn't working mother's guilt a fabulous thing?), and we found the horn on it, so Angus pressed it and yelled out at the top of his voice "MOVE IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!". I was horrified and said "don't yell out rude words like that" and he replied with "but you say it when you beep your horn". Jeez kids make you laugh don't they.

We went to Kindergym, went to Hungry Jack's for lunch and booked his birthday party there at the same time, then watched telly together, picked up Charlotte and
came home.

I'm so lucky, and so is Gus, that my mum is picking up the slack so mummy day will be Granny day on Wednesdays now. She'll take him to kindergym and probably buy him 2 toys and give him 3 rides and he won't miss a thing.

But I'll miss our Wednesdays Gussy, love you xxxxx

What the.......

2008-05-04T13:47:00.002+09:30

hell is a Bumerang???? I was hanging up some washing (amazing in itself) and was trying to work out how to open this stupid funny looking coathanger. Worked that out, then saw "Bumerang". What is that - a bum hanger or can those Scandinavians not spell boomerang??
Buggered if I know, but it did make me laugh, which hurt my head. I had my 20 year school reunion last night which was all time. But I came home without my camera and am hoping hoping hoping it is still at school. So post to follow when camera turns up. The funniest thing of the whole night was watching 2 fellow students looking very cosy having a pash. Nothing that unusual, except it was an all girls school........

New House, New Job, New Term

2008-05-01T19:00:00.008+09:30

Ah as Mr T would say - or was it the old grey dude on the A Team "I love it when a plan comes together".
Right, so, this week I was a little bit stoked to find out I got a new job. When the decision was initally made to sell the business back in January, I had a bit of a think about what I would do next. I couldn't go past being a public servant with the great flexible hours, insane superannuation contributions etc. So mission "Georgie wants to be a public servant cos it will rock" quest began in earnest. I was going great guns for a job at the Tax Office until in a typical waste of our taxpayer money style, the position I was going for was held off until next financial year as the budget had run out and no positions would be offered until July at the earliest when it was supposed to start mid May. Crazy. The recruitment costs to do 3 hour behavioural assessments on people for a position that isn't there is just mental.
So I applied for another one with a different agency and bugger me I got it! This one starts 12th May, so bye bye libraries hello someone who pays me a salary that pays our mortgages, sweet as a nut.
Meanwhile down on the library farm, Nick has bravely committed to running that on his own, I actually think he will do really well without the interference from his lovely but impatient and dominant wife.
I've worked with Nick day in day out, popping kids out in between, for 6 and a half years. I cannot WAIT to come home so I can say "hey Nicko how was your day?" and he can say "it sucked but yeah how was yours?". Awesome.
The only downside to this job is that blardy Murphy. For months I have organised to catch up with some lovely girlies in Melboring from 16-18 May and had my flight booked months ago for 10am Friday 16th May. I could chuck a sickie but ethically I just can't. Don't worry, I'll be getting tanked on the plane and getting to our apartments as fast as that plane and taxi will carry me.
Now back to that house we are building. It's apparently about 4 weeks until we get the keys. So we have madly organised landscaping (inadvertantly copying the Watsford driveway), flooring, air conditioning, flowers and shit for the garden, and the great debate over the new vacuum cleaner.
So here it is so far, I hope I didn't choose a pink eave and green door, pretty sure that's not finished yet. And there's some fancy spires and shit to go on methinks

This is our, whoops I mean Nick's kitchen, which I must say looks completely boring and lame but once we have that nice blue splashback thing, the stainless steel stuff that cooks, cleans stuff and keeps my wine cold, and that timber flooring, I rection its gonna look a bit of alright.

As for the rugrats, Charlotte went back to school on Tuesday, she had a fantastic holiday spending lots of time with the doting grannies. Here she is out the front of the in laws place, hard to believe she's been at school since July last year and is going great guns, especially in the monkey bar department which I think is vitally important, she's a champion!

And so the Gus Man isn't left out, here's a piccie of my gorgeous boy, don't try and copy the outfit, he's dressed exclusively by "Watsford Hand Me Downs" boutique

I've Been Tagged!

2008-04-27T21:49:00.003+09:30

These are the rules:

Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

This is my first try at tagging too! The lovely Grinder, alias Sue wants me to come up with 6 quirky things about me. I really don't think I'm quirky but here goes, you decide!!!

1. I don't drink coffee or tea. I love the smell of coffee but hate the taste. I cannot however last longer than 10am without a carton of Farmers Union Iced Coffee. Here in SA we drink more of this stuff than Coca Cola. The downside of this stuff is that it is loaded with calories, on the bright side I will NEVER get osteoporosis with my calcium intake.

Until recently it was very difficult to purchase this interstate, I still remember finding a 2 litre bottle of it in the Nowra Woollies a few years ago, finding that on the shelf was the closest thing I've had to a religious experience!

2. I like to play with grammar. Kate F doesn't call my writing a "grammar rodeo" for nothing! In fact, I muck around with it so much I forget (whoops - have forgotten) the right way to write things most of the time. For example, I am even blonde, and tonight I unknocked off none Rockfords Alicante Bouchet (alias Rockford's Cordial) with one of my bridesmaids.

3. I am a spelling Nazi. Bad spelling shits me no end. I am still spewing I came second in the Year 9 spelling competition because I spelt "interchangeable" wrong.

4. I very very rarely cook, like maybe 3 times a year if that.

5. I check the birth notices in "The Advertiser" every Saturday to see how many Charlottes and Anguses are in there.

6. I never used to clean my teeth in the shower until I met Nick. Brushing my teeth in warm water seemed revolting. Now I do it all the time.

Hmmm I just re read them and have decided I am actually a nutjob.

Let me get back to you on who I tag cos I think Sue pinched all the ones I thought of!

xx

Mum's "No Presents!" Present

2008-04-23T15:04:00.004+09:30

My mum is hard to buy for, because she has lots of stuff (understatement!). Ken refers to her handbags and shoes as her superannuation fund to give you an idea.....
So for Mother's Day this year I decided to call upon the talents of Lisa at GigglenGroove. Lisa is funny as all get up, has 3 gorgeous kids and makes the best jewellery and hair bows going around. Go visit her website, I'm sure you won't be able to leave without getting something!
So the talented Lisa got to work with my oh so not very specific design criteria (I am as creative as a dead fish remember), and came up with the perfect bracelet on the first go. It has all 4 of her grandchildren's names on it, and I told my sister in law if she has another kid she can pay for the alteration!

So a couple of weeks ago mum sprouts "I don't want ANY presents for Mothers Day this year I don't need anything". Yeah ripper mum I'd just organised the bracelet.
Sooooooooooo, I gave it to mum today so she gets NOTHING for Mother's Day as requested.
Of course she loved it and I am now her favourite daughter. The fact I am her only daughter is irrelevant.
Mum, you do so much for us, put your life on hold for us, and you are always there for us. And you are so much fun, I bet not too many of my friends have their favourite wedding memory being their mother dancing on stage with the band, tapping your shoes above your head! And like that time in Noosa when you.......ah just kidding I won't tell that story :)
So happy "No presents day", love you xxxxxx

When the Big Fella wasn't quite so big!

2008-04-11T13:13:00.008+09:30

I've been organising invitations for Nick's 40th extravaganza coming up in May and scanning all these old photos. They've cracked me up!
Being the youngest of 3 boys, we did struggle to find baby photos!

This was taken by Nick's brother with a Box Brownie

The budding rugby star who turned into State Union Captain

And no self respecting rugby boy wouldn't have a photo of himself in drag "Miss Collegian 1998"

Charlotte commented on his hair being a different colour in all these photos, I guess I've turned him grey and larger, how do I get the big fella back to looking like this?? I think that stuff in the brown bottle was the beginning of the end of all that!

The Budding Artist

2008-04-07T16:57:00.003+09:30

This one is for grandma, since I sent her a photo of it to her mobile phone but it's a bit tricky to retrieve apparently! Charlotte did this for her school Art Show, I absolutely love it. She gets NO creative talent from me because I don't have any.....but I am totally appreciative of the beautiful pink and green colours which I love and just a little bit of tasteful purple, good girl Cha xxx

Because Soozadoo said......

2008-04-03T21:46:00.004+10:30

Soozadoo, the soon to be world renowned romance novelist (I'm never wrong, just ask me :P ), has dared those in blogland to post a photo of themselves. Gosh I have heaps of photos of myself on here, honestly as long as I am looking half okay I really don't care who sees me. I've even been known to....shock horror...drop the kids off at school without makeup!
She had a great point though, it's important to be comfortable in one's own skin. I really think I am, I model myself on my best friend Sal who couldn't give a crap what anyone else thinks of her, which I think is one of her truly redeeming features.
Now I don't actually know Soozadoo from a bar of soap, she lives on the other side of the country, but she makes me laugh and tells us all how it is, warts and all. What more do you want from a person. Respect, Soozadoo. And good luck with the award. I think I'll award myself the "up herself blogger of the day award" for today.
Actually I like the arty effects on that photo, I think it's fingermarks on the lens....

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary to Me!!!

2008-03-27T11:17:00.002+10:30

...oh yeah and Nicko :P
9 years of wedded (oh come on anyone who says bliss is a pants on fire) times! Some great, some good, some really crappy to be honest, but here we are 9 years later with 2 beautiful kids, and exciting times ahead with the business/employment/new house to look forward to!
To love and to be loved is pretty special. Happy Anniversary Nicko, here's to many more great years ahead xxx

Easter at the Grape Escape!

2008-03-24T13:34:00.009+10:30

We had a brilliant day yesterday at MotherJules and Ken's place, my brother and his family came too, the kids had a ball, the big kids gorged on delicious seafood and roast pork and duck washed down with some lovely champers and wine.
It was also a belated celebration for my gorgeous nephew Max who was one last week. He's walking now and just too too cute!
Here's a few thousand pictures from the day.
The setting, yep it's nice isn't it! At McLaren Vale

Mum's pride and joy (second only to myself and my brother of course :P) all of her grandchildren in the one spot!

Cake time with birthday boy Max!

Me, Ken and Dave

Isabelle and Charlotte - family resemblance anyone???

The spunky birthday boy

And Farmer Angus

Thanks Mum and Ken, we had a ball, and it was so nice to catch up with Dave and Kel and have the cousins all together as well xxxx

Deed Poll Name Changes Required - Suggestions?

2008-03-23T21:26:00.004+10:30

Happy Easter!

Last night we went to my school buddy Mary's new beach house which is about 1 km from here (yeppers it's going to be dangerous!). We had a great time, the kids went upstairs and played and we hardly saw them all night so the big kids could drink their juice in peace and have a merry old time.

That was until the tattoo kit came out and it was lucky this little preppy conservative wood duck had had a few drinks................so the kids are now fully fledged tattoo wearing bogans, I may as well get their ears pierced while I'm at it - EVEN! - and from now on you may refer to my daughter as Charlene

Angus (not sure what to change his name to but am leaning towards Ky) LOVED it and requested a dragon. I think he's struggling to look tough but he gave it his best shot.

This night before Easter frivolity was all well and good until this morning, the kids came bolting into our room at 7:30am with the baskets we had left by their beds from the Easter Bunny, all ready to go on the egg hunt. Nick and I woke up in a screaming hurry, looked at each other and both said "have you done it?" then cracked up laughing, so I kept the kids in our room while Nick snuck out the back and chucked a few Easter Eggs around (literally, Charlotte commented that the Easter Bunny wasn't a very good hider!).

We had a fab day today at the Grape Escape with my family, will save that for the next post as I have a few thousand pictures to get through first.

Hope you all had a great Easter too, next year we really will get up before the kids, just remind me not to go to Mary's the night before :)
xxx

Charlotte's First Sleepover at a friend's house AKA do you think she's excited?

2008-03-21T18:45:00.004+10:30

Ah lovely, just one kid at Goolwa tonight and he's asleep already. Charlotte has gone to her friend Bella's house for her first sleepover at a friend's house.
This photo goes back to Wednesday night when she decided to pack for Bella's - pink boots, a Barbie, socks, her toothbrush, Dora nightie and a My Little Pony phone.
So we packed all that Wednesday night while I made lots of mental notes to fill in the pieces of the missing overnight requisites (knickers perhaps Cha???), read her a story, left her backpack on the other bed and tucked her in.
I came back to check she was asleep a little later as she has this great habit of turning on her light again and looking at books, and this is what I found...actually this is an edited version of what I found once I pulled her nightie over her butt.
She will have an absolute ball, Bella has a pony and Soph has organised a pony ride for tomorrow morning, hope she takes some piccies!
Happy Good Friday everyone! I've had a rather lazy day relaxing and reflecting and remembering little princesses whom I wish were still with us - Ava, Grace, Belle and Hannah. Their mummies have had to farewell them in a physical sense and I truly wish they didn't have to.
Although I did do 2 loads of washing which in my book makes me rather godesslike domestically :P

Easter Craft for the Not So Crafty

2008-03-19T20:37:00.006+10:30

Its a Porters Life is reporting in, reluctantly I might add as "Underbelly" should be on so I can learn some new sayings from Roberta Williams, but those pack of poofters (see, she has great sayings) at Channel 9 have put the lame Footy Show on instead so I'm here. And what a devastating blow as I was just feeling 'uman again too, I have had a nasty nasty bout of tonsillitis this week and am just perking up a bit today. On the bright side I think I've lost probably at least 10 kgs (give or take 9 kgs) because swallowing is just too bloody excruciatingly painful.

I'm about as creative as a dead fish but nonetheless offered to help out at Charlotte's easter craft session at school yesterday. And it was so much fun! Thankfully I didn't staple any little fingers, glue any children to a chair, and the headbands were a reasonable fit on most kid's heads with my not so precise measuring. The class went off to PE and we filled their little baskets with choccy bunnies while they were out, gullible little things truly believed the Easter Bunny had been while they were at PE :)

FINALLY this ridiculous heatwave has broken, 15 days in a row over 35 degrees. Madness. Porters are off to Goolwa tomorrow for the Easter break, can't wait!
Here's some piccies of Charlotte, who thankfully can be quite creative, must have got that from her dad.

Angus didn't miss out either, some super organised lovely mum had a face painter come in for a little boy's 4th birthday at childcare, Angus was a rainbow parrot! He looked great and refused to let me wash it off, so today he just looked green, like the Incredible Hulk. Interesting look. He got a few interesting looks at the shop today too.

The Porter Palace.........

2008-03-14T20:04:00.003+10:30

is coming along quite nicely and I really feel sorry for the poor bugger tradesmen working in this ridiculous heat!!!

The plastering has started, most cornices are done, doors are delivered. Yay! Looking good for mid to end of May completion. I wonder if I will meet the foreman before it is finished?? They must love us, the least annoying owners they have ever had to work with!

Pop Found the Camera Cable = You all get to relive my birthday

2008-03-11T20:55:00.009+10:30

..well it is MY blog......
Right so backtrack to 27/2, and as you can see in my rather sulky post that day commenced in rather unbirthday like fashion. I took Charlotte to school, took Angus to kindergym, no presents no nothing (rocccccccch) - at least Angus told our beloved kindergym teacher it was my birthday so they all sang Happy Birthday to me - oh along with some other kid who was turning 4 as well......yeah yeah Happy Birthday Sarah.....
One of the mums at kindergym asked me what I was doing for my birthday and my reply was "well so far it's a dud".
Luckily, it got better - MotherJules rang and we went out to lunch at Hahndorf with Angus, bearing lots and lots of lovely gifts, then I came home to a beautiful box of red roses from Dad, a bottle of Moet from Nick and a lovely surprise dinner from the in laws.
The kids were suitably attired, apparently my birthday was fancy dress.....

Lovely presents

Nana and Charlotte preparing my crumbed prawns and crayfish crepes

A rare Porter family photo

And last and most definitely least my birthday card from Nick - how totally inaccurate can you get! He knows I hate beer.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-09T19:57:00.007+10:30

It's crazy hot here at Goolwa, it's been hot all week (we're talking 37-40 degrees every day since last Tuesday) and it's supposed to go on for another week.
So, it's off to the beach we go, and go, and go again.....late this arvo we caught up with my best mate Sal, her hubby Spud and Sal's mum and dad Tim and Anita who I haven't seen for yonks, so it was great to catch up. Luckily it's a long weekend here so we can stay at Goolwa for another day woohoo! Sorry for all the piccies but I like all of them!
Angus, all wetsuited up and ready to go! He isn't in any of the beach photos because he was off chatting to everyone else on the beach and ended up building a sandcastle with 2 teenage girls who thought he was hilarious (shy little thing he isn't...)

Charlotte the Boogie Boarding Champ!

Bree (yes she is as cheeky as she looks!) and Charlotte

My god daughter Maggie

And Sal's eldest Sophie

I nearly have a great post....

2008-03-04T19:49:00.003+10:30

But FIL's camera has gone flat and we can't find the charger or the cable to download photos from my birthday (which incidentally rocked in the end and thanks to all for the birfday wishes!)

I nearly have great shots of my niece's 5th birthday which was great complete with jumping castle, Mike the Magician, and me getting pretty pissed in the end (well if someone keeps filling my glass up with Jansz it's only reasonable to be compliant and drink up). But I left my camera there so until I pick it up - no cigars....

We nearly have a buyer for our business ("in principal", meetings next week to nut it all out, hoobloodyray)

And the icing on the cake today, Angus washed his own hair.......now if ever there was a Kodak moment that was it but no cameras are here doh! Hopefully we will get another hairwash in by 2009 he's not that big on that hairwash business.....

And that's not all, our house is officially at "Lock Up Stage" - although they're a bit dodgy because in my book placing a thumping big bit of gyprock over what should be a swanky double garage rolladoor barely passes my test, lucky I'm not fussy and at this stage we'll just chuck another progress payment at them and give them points for lockup ingenuity....in the hope they finish the freakin joint soon......

So stay tuned, when cameras are located I have some lovely photos!

Oh and I suppose I had better change my song.....so some Monty Python for you all! Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, cos whinging people who don't shit me no end......

Happy Birthday To Me.....

2008-02-26T19:06:00.005+10:30

...happy birthday to me
36 you old fart-eeee
happy birthday to me.......

Blardy hell, 36, just as well I'm all mature and sensible now. Um......

27/2/72 (cool huh! same backwards as forwards) Georgina Louise entered the world on a Sunday - shit maybe I am the messiah and not just a very naughty girl, at Memorial Hospital, North Adelaide as the bells were ringing at St Peter's Cathedral (well that's how mum tells it). I was very cherished, and was taken home from the hospital in a Mini with no brakes.

But we made it home obviously and 36 years later I am here still.

I am Pisces, drink like a fish so that's right. Chinese New Year sign is a rat, yeppers I can be pretty cunning when I want to be.

Today will be a day of massive celebration befitting a nondescript age on a Wednesday, including taking Charlotte to school, taking Angus to kindergym, picking Charlotte up from school and checking out the new house. Ah well on the bright side I don't have to work.

36 years of action packed fun and adventure, with a great family and fantastic friends. Here's to (at least) 36 more!

Everyone's A Comedian

2008-02-22T17:37:00.006+10:30

"It's A Porter's Life" is proud to present its "Comedian of the Week" Awards. 3rd place goes to my Mother In Law who bought these for Angus yesterday with a "sorry they are purple" (she's not sorry she thinks it's hilarious)

2nd prize is awarded to Nick who came back from his week in Mt Gambier with this gorgeous little creation for Angus

1st prize goes to my mother aka buyer of the hideous shoes. She's enjoying her new role and rang me before she went to Kmart as I hadn't packed any shoes for Angus so hahahaha she was going to get some for him herself. She rang back later announcing they really weren't that bad and giggling away because they cost the princely sum of $3.

In other Porter news, Charlotte lost tooth number 2 this morning, the operation was fine but keeping her still is a problem......John and Joe are still plugging away at the bricks on the new house and I reckon they'll be finished any month now.

Have a great weekend everyone! I've chosen an old favourite song this week while I'm in soundtrack mode.

Where's Spot?

2008-02-21T19:03:00.003+10:30

Okay no prizes for finding it

The Aryan Princess is having plastic surgery tomorrow to remove her "beauty spot". She was born with it, and it has never been an issue with me, but since she started kindy and wore bathers etc it has drawn attention from other kids. There was a major meltdown last year when a classmate saw it and told her she had cancer and was going to die!

Thankfully we have an excellent plastic surgeon who removed a bone growth (masterfully) from Angus's head when he was 1, so she's into a cushy private hospital tomorrow for day surgery. She's so excited about going to hostible "cos that brown spot that I hate hate hate hate hate hate is going" it's just bizarre.....

So stay tuned for the after pics! I'm sure her Dr will do a masterful job again as her kids go to Charlotte's school and I know where to find her if it scars.......

Ah that's better

2008-02-19T20:54:00.002+10:30

Loooooooong hot day......Nick's away all this week for work so I'm playing single mum. To assist with my various shortcomings in being a single fulltime working mum, compounded by 2 hours of road rage a day while driving through ridiculous traffic because of the blardy touring car race which has seen half the streets of Adelaide close.....well I've done what any sane single mum would do and that's run home to mummy's house. Well her spare house. Well actually I call it Jules's private kindy cos she is a retired kindergarten director and it's all set up for kiddy fun!
Gawd it's been nice, mum's labelled it my respite week. Here at mum's you don't have to go up and down stairs a million times a day, take half an hour to find the kids and worry about crumbs dropping on the ultra clean floor of the ultra clean house that is the in-laws place.
Oh no, last night we created havoc - I masterfully cooked a McCains pizza while masterfully knocking off a bottle of wine, the kids played with Play-Doh inside, painted in the kitchen, pulled out every toy they own and generally had a lovely relaxing time. And tonight I really outdid myself and made gourmet schnitzels with eggs and chocolate thickshakes while the kids ripped out more toys and books.
And now they are asleep, and I've been tidying up - kinda - mum's coming down in the morning to look after Angus while I work. Sorry in advance for the mess mum xxx

Remembering Ash Wednesday

2008-02-15T20:24:00.004+10:30

...if you were alive in SA or Vic in 1983 you can't forget that day, try as you might. Yet again the saying "don't sweat the small stuff" rang true this morning as I awoke, feeling a bit grumpy that my bricklayers have laid the sum total of 50 bricks (and that is a generous count) in 3 days. As I wandered past the telly into the shower I hear "Sunrise" discussing the fact that tomorrow marks 25 years since Ash Wednesday.
Slap to the head for Georgie as all thoughts of bricks were forgotten (crikey they'll get them laid eventually you twit), and as I had my shower (ignore potential visuals they ain't pretty), I remembered.
16th February 1983. I was 11 and in my last year of primary school. We went home from school at lunchtime as it was so hot. My aunty Miffy picked us up and we went back to their place. That day had a strange feeling. I remember being in the pool with my brother and cousins. The sky was a funny colour and it was really windy. And ridiculously hot - 43 degrees.
Gradually events unfolded.
Mum picked us up after work and we went home. From my house in the Adelaide foothills you could see the flames making their way down the hill towards Waterfall Gully. Mum had to go to a committee meeting and I starkly recall her collecting our photographs for us if we had to evacuate before she returned. She left them in a red box on our dining room table, funny how you remember things like that isn't it?
Thankfully for us that didn't eventuate. However, 75 lives were lost that day in SA and Victoria, 257,000 livestock in SA and close to 3000 homes were lost in both states.
I returned to school the next day and 2 of my classmates had lost their homes. A girl had lost her life in the year level I was to enter at high school the next year. As well as her mother who was a teacher at that school. Her best friend Sal became my best friend in the years to come. Sal said once that Erin was a lot like me. I wish I had the chance to meet Erin. Perhaps things happen for a reason like that..............
I've changed my song again, I adore the Soundtrack from "The Mission" (although how embarrassment I've never seen the movie!). The composer of that, Ennio Morricone is a wonderful composer, he wrote soundtracks for Kill Bill, The Last of the Mohicans and the Godfather.

Hello Mr Roof!

2008-02-08T11:36:00.000+10:30

Nice to see you, now if you could get Mr Brick and his mates to start climbing up the walls I'd really appreciate it.

Girls Night Out - "Miss Saigon"

2008-02-06T13:02:00.000+10:30

Right I will pre-empt this post by saying my mum now reads my blog! Bear with her, soon she'll work out how to post a comment! She rang me in hysterics about the Wiggles sandals and purple Crocs post - and wondered why I failed to mention the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Bob the Builder sneakers, and Charlotte's Barbie sneakers. I'd pretty much blocked them out of my mind that's why.

Anyway enough about the "shoes", as a Christmas present (NOT birthday mum!!) she bought us tickets to see "Miss Saigon". Now I love a good musical but I did not know much about this one and my knowledge of the Vietnam War is rather appalling. We had a lovely dinner before complete with a bottle of wine, then headed over to the Festival Theatre. Our seats were brilliant and what a show! We both loved it. How can you not love a show with these dudes in the lead???

We had lots of laughs as we do when we get together (which is often, but not often without the kids), and I have a great story to tell you all about mum sneaking into the Broadmeadows army base in the 60s - nah don't worry I won't elaborate Jules xxx
So in honour of my awesome night out with my awesome mum I've changed the song, now don't lie and pretend you don't love a good showtune every now and then!

Back to School Tra La Tra La!

2008-02-05T09:19:00.000+10:30

And about time too. Charlotte is a BIG reception now, oh yes, 6 months at school and she is telling me how she is going to help those little kids starting school today because she is such a BIG reception! She was busting to get back to school and see her beloved teacher Miss H, get reacquainted with those monkey bars, and see the friends she didn't see during the holidays who will be "missing her so much"!

Charlotte's First Friend Sleepover

2008-01-27T16:29:00.000+10:30

This is a post for online posterity if ever there was one. No, not Jacqui going ape over Tex Perkins at Day on The Green :P - Charlotte had her first friend from school come for a sleepover down at Goolwa.
Her parents have a farm 15 minutes away and there were pick up contingencies in place if it all got a bit much, but the girls had an absolute ball, playing in the cubby, doing dressups, nailpolish, having a coloured bath, watching a Barbie movie before bed, then sleeping like logs after lots of chatting. Breakfast at Macca's, more playing, then back to the farm where we saw some divine new 4 week old calves.
There are some lovely little girls in Charlotte's class and this is one of them. Of course I am chuffed she has found a lovely friend. Her parents own a brilliant winery, and their shiraz was recently voted 5th best in the world in a prominent wine magazine, so as far as I am concerned they can be best friends forever!!!!!!!!!!!!

In other news, the lovely Kate Fewster from Little Smarties sent some awesome "Munster" clothes over for Angus. As you can see he quite likes them! I can highly recommend Kate for her awesome customer service and great range of clothes!

Hours Of Serenity!

2008-01-24T16:47:00.000+10:30

Ah this is seriously blissful. I am "home" alone for the second night in a row.....not even the dog is here. I have been holding the fort at work, Nick, MIL and the kids are at Goolwa, FIL is in Sydney and I am alone, all alone.
Awesome.
Last night I went out for dinner with 9 of the mum's from Charlotte's class and her teacher who is just an absolute treasure, we all gabbled on as mums do and before you could say "whose turn is it to buy another bottle of champers" it was after midnight and we were kicked out!
Tonight I was planning to get my feral hair cut, but my hairdresser is booked out.
Ah so what to do ......think I'll just park my bum right here in front of this thing and drink some wine. I'm getting too old to go out late 2 nights in a row!
And in exciting new house news we have had some inside plumbing done, windows and doors in! But no bricks....hmmmmmmmmm

The Porters Week That Was

2008-01-19T17:36:00.000+10:30

Sorry folks I'm putting my selfish hat on and recording what we did so I can look back later, probably best to hit the back button now and save you from some Georgie dribble :) Far out it was quite an eventful week! Sunday we dropped Charlotte at Hindmarsh Island where she spent 5 nights with nana and occasional appearances from pop when he wasn't working or helping us out with future strategies for work, so she could finish Learn To Swim Lessons at Victor Harbor. I'm so proud of her, she got to level 4 when I thought she'd just get her level one. Today the Porter Family went to her "secret beach" where she had been practising all week today at Victor (a man made tidal canal thingo) and whoa she really can swim!!! Amazing. I'd be lying if it's not a bit bittersweet, selfishly I had really wanted to see her progress, I was only able to attend 2 out of the 9 lessons due to work, but that's the sacrifice unfortunately :( and it was better than having her with us but not being able to complete the programme because we had to work.
So back at the big house we had Angus and Nicko, with a couple of nights with Pop. It was lovely spending one on one time with the Gus man, but he really missed Charlotte (Charlotte on the other hand didn't miss him too much at all, she was too busy being a princess with nana and going out to dinner in her pretty Fred Bare dresses every night!).
Big decisions continue to be made with the future of work, I'll elaborate later when everything falls into place (hopefully!), but I am really optimistic about our future career paths (and may well be hitting up you Trudi for some career advice!). It seems I get a 7 year itch in careers and not marriages which is a good thing.
We had to express our intended future direction to the head of our buying group and the owner of our shelving supplier who was over from NZ this week (on the same day actually), lots of mixed emotions and pleas for Nick and I to stick with the business, but we'll see what happens..........anyone who manages to work with their husbands day in day out for nearly 7 years should be farking knighted I reckon!
So while work was the dominating force my good old buyer of the ugly shoes, my gorgeous mother, stepped in and had Angus on Wednesday, Thursday and overnight, dropped him at daycare Friday so we had plenty of time to strategise workwise without the Gusman. And boy did she show him a good time! He went to "Circus Ringbarkus", an apparently amazing show featuring dogs whom have all been rescued from pounds, and a trip to the Maritime Museum which involved scaring the crap out of grandma beforehand by insisting on climbing to the top of the Port Adelaide lighthouse before the "Pirate Show" at the Maritime Museum where lo and behold that gregarious little boy of mine ended up on stage :) Once again I wished I was there, but I am just so grateful that I have a wonderful support network of amazing family here to help us out. We are really really really lucky and I appreciate all of it.
I picked up Angus on Friday after childcare complete with his ritual Friday can of Lemonade, which he told me was "cold and delectable", they teach them some weird words at Montessori LOL, then we went to look at the new house and whoa it had windows and sliding doors with the guttering being delivered as well cooooool. Alas no sign of bricks yet, but the new joint is really starting to take shape and get me all excited!
I think I've dribbled enough, next week's "The Porters Week That Was" will hopefully contain more exciting news with the cards falling the way I want them to. Wish us luck!

Uncle Jeff - A Celebration of Life

2008-01-17T22:52:00.001+10:30

This was my "uncle" Jeff. Technically speaking, he's not my uncle, he's my mum's sister's husband's twin brother. But we always called him Uncle Jeff.
Uncle Jeff was a deadset legend. He was hilarious, always the life of the party and kept us all enthralled with his tall tales and magical stories when we were kids.
The first time he met Nick he said "Shit you're a big bloke, you must have been in heaps of fights, tell me about your best one" As the night went on and the drinks went down Jeff challenged Nick to an arm wrestle. I'm not sure who won but a bridge table and 2 deck chairs were casualties :). Jeff loved the land, managing properties and had recently bought his own farm to retire on. His 4 kids have all done really well in life and he was always so proud of them. And he adored his 3 grandchildren, they range in age from 4 to 8mths old and it's heartbreaking they will miss out on spending time with him.
Jeff was working at Strathalbyn last month and was riding his motorbike back to Goolwa after work. A f*wit in a hotted up Holden decided to overtake a semitrailer over a rise while Jeff was innocently riding along on the other side of the road - and a wonderful life was cut short too soon. Jeff was bulletproof, how on earth could this happen?
Now, we all know funerals suck, but this one amongst the sadness was truly an inspiration. His 3 siblings and 4 children gave very moving speeches. Jeff really lived every day to the full and was the epitomy of a loving family man. Even though it was 11am in the morning we all got a glass of wine to toast Jeff as he was carried past. He would have loved it. He would have loved the wake at the Corio Hotel also :)
Things like this just reiterate that we really should strive to live every day to the fullest, and on another note to drive farking carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always!!!!!!!!!!!!! I drive on that road at least once a week and the fuckwittage overtaking manoeuvres I see on an almost weekly basis make my head spin. He didn't deserve to have his life cut short and it was all too avoidable.
So, cheers Uncle Jeff, wherever you are may the beers be cold and the red wine of a high standard (not that you were particularly fussy :) ).

First Post From The Palace

2008-01-14T17:56:00.000+10:30

This is where I live.....ok kinda just trickin', I do live here for now but it's a temporary thing. We are building a new house on our old block and in the meanwhile we are living with the outlaws, I mean inlaws. It's funny, I tell people we are rebuilding and that we are living with the inlaws and automatically get the look of fear/sympathy/disbelief in most people's eyes, but it can't be all bad when this is where you have relocated to now is it! And the outlaws love a drink and MIL smokes, it can't be a bad thing when I get home from the school run and she offers me a glass of wine....and the woman is Miss Domestic personified, washes our clothes everyday, I could deadset live off 2 pairs of undies in this joint, as well as being a master chef with amazing meals nearly every night. And this arrangement is really only Sun-Thurs, cos they go to their beach house most weekends. Bliss huh?

Well it mostly is, of course it isn't all beer and skittles but we seem to have the living together thing working well. Anyway we are at the halfway mark and will be leaving to go to our new house mid June YAY!

So this is what we bulldozed, this house had NOTHING going for it apart from the location and my endearing memory is giving it the finger (literally) as I drove away for the last time....
a>

This WAS our bedroom, home of the workbench, although neither kid was conceived in there, they just slept there and kept me awake when they were born pmsl

a>

And this is where we are at, nearly ready for the bricks......

And in closing I would like to dangle another carrot at the brilliant photographer Carrie Young, stop flying over my freakin head and take some photos here PLEASE :)

My musical tastes....

2008-01-12T16:34:00.000+10:30

Are up my bum according to most people (except my best mate Sal, she understands, she was throwing up with me after drinking a bottle of vodka with me the day Freddie Mercury died, we got smashed watching "Flash Gordon" and "Highlander" as you do), but I've just spent all day working out how to get a friggin' song on here and I don't care if you like it or not!
You can all blame T, she had "Happy New Year" by Abba on her blog and I found myself clicking on it just to hear the song. Sad hey :) Anyway quite often I'll visit blogs and I don't like the music, but not here cos I chose it!
So I'll start off with some Elton John, the man is a genius and I've seen him in concert 4 times. I didn't go to the last concert in the Barossa because of course it was on election night and of course I had to be glued to the telly (really wish I had gone to Elty now :P) This is from the "Two Low For Zero" album.
Don't protest too much, because then I'll change it and who knows what will be next - Queen, Wings, Billy Joel, Supertramp, Chicago, Abba, Meatloaf anyone? And then blame my parents, I used to know all the words to "Band on the Run" by the age of 4.

Adelaide is awesome for deja vus!

2008-01-11T14:01:00.000+10:30

It's been funny the last month, kind of like Groundhog Day 30 years on.
I first had that feeling when I took the kids to the Christmas pageant with mum. She had it in her head we were going to take the kids, I really wasn't that interested. I got so excited about the pageant that when Charlotte was 14mths old we trekked into town, walked for miles, got a crap spot, couldn't see much and then she spewed on me! So I was a bit off the pageant after that.
Mum lamented the fact that when we were kids we went with family friends, and Alan's consulting rooms were smack bang on North Terrace. We had a great view and used to catch the bus in. As I recall the oldies also got into the festive spirit with champagne, and more than once year we were pestering the oldies to go home as the pageant had finished 2 hours ago!
Luckily mum's determination (and bellyful of champers at a Melbourne Cup Lunch auction) saw her "win" 4 VIP seats to the pageant and we had a great morning and I'm really glad I went.

The same thing when I took Charlotte and Angus to see Father Christmas at the Magic Cave, pretty much the same cave that I visited with my mum when I was a kid. It's seems so much smaller now!

And this week we have had Learn To Swim lessons which I did when I was a kid like 30 years ago! I remember them well also, and Charlotte is loving it. We used to walk to Burnside Pool, and if we were good we got a Pez and a packet of Toobs (you don't reckon I'm happy those magical gems are back on the shelves!). I also remember Learn To Swim as during one lesson on a hot Advegas day mum left our budgies in their cage on the clothesline in the full sun and by the time we got home, well they were dead. Poor old Sturt and Bananas (yes my brother and I named them LOL).
And I've seen 3 girls who I went to school with this week who I haven't seen for ages, 2 in the supermarket on the one day and another one has her kids at Learn To Swim too. And my biology teacher is there also with her grandchildren. We have our 20 year reunion in May this year, can't wait, but also can't believe it's 20 years since I left school!
Adelaide is good like that, things change but remain the same.

Luckily Bad Things Only Come in Threes

2008-01-10T21:13:00.000+10:30

...I really don't need to type anything do I...

My mother is a complete gem - she's had the kids for the last 2 days, and taken Charlotte to learn to swim etc so Nick and I can do stocktake at work. She got Charlotte a well needed haircut, took them to Macca's for lunch, cruised around the farm, went shopping and even drove them all the way back to Goolwa this afternoon complete with bottle of champers in hand.

It was picture perfect really until I spied these on Angus's feet. "Dord I didn't think you'd like them but they were only $8.00" (well der you got robbed more than Nick did with Kel the vacuum cleaner).

I think she saw my face and quickly pointed out Angus's new Esprit t-shirt, shorts and shirt.....

There's a rule at our house and it's character costume thingos ONLY as pjs.....

Of course Gus loves them and is currently wearing them fast asleep in bed. And she considerately wrote his name all over them so they can't get lost too easily.

Cheers Mum, you really are (mostly) a gem xxx

All Good Things Must Come to An End (Nearly)

2008-01-07T19:09:00.000+10:30

Ah happy happy joy joy, back to work today NOT!

That all too short 2 week period of annual Porter family holidays has ended for another year :(

One of the bummers of owning our own business is that we can only shut the door and have a break together for 2 weeks at Chrissy time....

Although we are going to commute this week so we can stay at Goolwatu a bit longer....and I have to say I think Charlotte and Nick appreciated the father/daughter day they had together while Angus and I went to daycare/work.

Ah well, things could always be worse, like imagine how bad it would be if my mum had bought Charlotte purple Crocs for Christmas and she insisted on wearing them every day or something.....oh hang on she bloody did!!! STOP LAUGHING!!!!!!!!!!

Never Ever......#1

2008-01-04T10:06:00.001+10:30

ever ever ever ever EVER send your hubby out to buy a new vacuum cleaner. Be warned. You too could end up with a contraption that looks more like Kel Knight's Daewoo than a vacuum.

A Tiffany vacuum cleaner - WTF?????? Who would have thought. Okay so the old Sanyo was stuffed but it looked noicer. Hubby was suitably berated for buying a piece of crap.

"But we have a Tiffany toaster"......yeah so...we bought it when we first moved in together and it's only still there cos it works.

"But it only cost $104".....yeah so.....hang on what! Well bugger me I was certain that all Tiffany electrical goods were priced at $19.99 or lower
"But you never vacuum anyway"....yeah so...buying me that piece of shite aint exactly going to make me want to actually vacuum now is it.

Welcome to It's A Porter's Life - It's a Dyson Free Zone

Cool and Crazy Chaos at Couches!

2008-01-02T18:09:00.000+10:30

Hang on, cancel the cool bit it was hot as buggery, but the Porter family had a most excellent time indulging in the hospitality at Couches (it helps that Spud works for Yalumba!).

Picture a hot NYE in a wicked shack with 12 adults, 15 completely overexcited kids and 2 dogs. Or don't lol, it was crazy but fun! The kids had a Hi-5 disco, hmmm Angus thinks he's John Travolta....

Alas poor Georgie had a cold and was struggling a bit NYE which probably was appreciated by my mates as they actually got to get a word in, but I did make it till midnight to see the fireworks at The Pines. It wasn't quite Sydney but certainly not as crowded on the beach. Luckily I felt better yesterday, found my drinking boots and had a great night last night with a smaller crowd of 6 adults, 7 kids and 2 dogs.

Couches is right on the beach, but I use that term loosely cos there are no waves, and the comment was made that it was like swimming in wee cos it was so warm. Charlotte borrowed a bikini and thought she was Christmas on a stick.

The only downer was not taking the boat out so I could once again prove why am called the "Squid Queen", but yesterday we were all way too hungover and today it was too windy. Never M.

So now I am back at Goolwa till I have to go back to work on Monday but I'm not even thinking about that yet!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T17:17:00.000+10:30

...I think I'm early on this one :) but I have lost track of the days, man that feels goooooood! Apart from missing Survivor that is cos I thought it was Friday dammmmmit!

Tomorrow we are off to Yorkes to celebrate the New Year with my best friend Sal, 5 other schoolmates, their hubbies and a few thousand kids and dogs. Gonna be chaos but can't wait. I've been mates with these girls since school days, over 20 years, love them all to death - we know all too well our strengths and weaknesses - which is why I am in charge of snacks! Yep I won't have to go near the kitchen except to open chips, nuts, dips etc, smart girl that Sal :).

So Happy New Year to you all, may your year be filled with good times! I actually can't wait for 2008, new house to move into in June, maybe a change of work, it's all good!

Here is a piccie of the school gang from September when we went off for a girly week to Pt Douglas......luckily I wasn't blogging then cos there are a few thousand funny stories out of that trip! They'll all be there except for Joana (the ugly one front left :P), who would probably rather poke her eye out with a hot stick than be there! She'll be poshing it up somewhere else xxx

Glorious Goolwa

2007-12-28T14:29:00.000+10:30

The Porter clan is currently enjoying its summer sojourn at our beloved Goolwa. About 5 years ago in a freakin' stroke of absolute genius we bought a block of land dirt cheap, thinking one day we would be able to afford to put a little house on it. Fortunately with house prices going nuts it came to us earlier than expected and we had our first stay when Charlotte was 15 months old.

So many fun times to be had down here - even mowing the lawns makes the Porter lads happy, the beach is 1km away, the lake, the Coorong, Victor Harbor, Murray Mouth etc all within a stone's throw, and Nick can indulge in his new passion (official title is "Windsurfing Wanker") all the time.

We plan on enjoying this joint for years and years (until Charlotte trashes it when she finishes Year 12 on Schoolies Week - and if she doesn't you can bet your butt Angus will)

My New Year's Resolution Starts Early!

2007-12-27T13:02:00.000+10:30

Okay - so for ages I have really been wanting to start a blog.I'm crap at New Year's Resolutions and generally think they are a load of bollocks, one year it was to learn to drink beer...I tried so hard....still hate it.New Years Resolutions set you up for failure, except for that one year in my early 20s when my resolutions were to drink more booze and have more sex. Mission accomplished.I spend hours reading lots of other people's blogs. Many is the time I think this is a really cool way to charter life, kids, etc etc so one day I can look back and say "wow we did/didn't do a lot", wow the kids have grown, wow I started with all those posts and now I write bugger all.....This blog is really just for me, selfish git I am, but hey who knows where it will take me......

So, most nice blogs I read have photos....so this is me and my lovely (sometimes) hubby Nick. He's my perfect match really, he is tidy - I'm a slob; he can cook - I don't (not can't, just don't); he is a communicator and I bottle things up; he's a great dad - I'm a good mum if I do say so myself, there so see - perfect!

Now for our all consuming rugrats, Charlotte and Angus, love them to bits, drive me nuts, give me endless hours of pleasure, although if I hear Angus say "why" one more time today.....Oh I could go on for hours with this blog thing, but there's a laundry basket full of clothes giving me the evils.......
draft