Some 8 years ago, we decided we needed a sea change.
At the time we had no idea of where we wanted to go, but had enough trust in fate to know somewhere would present itself when the time was right.
The only thing we knew for sure was it needed to be near the water because we both love it so much.
That was the only set criteria we had.
A year or so after the decision was made, we came to Townsville in order to spend Christmas with 2 of the girls and one grandchild.
After less than 24 hours of being here, we knew.
This is it.
This was where we wanted to be.
It wasn’t only the tropical weather {although that played a big part} it was the more laid back life style, the beaches, just the general feel of the the place.
We felt comfortable, the price of living was reasonable, plus there was a small part of family here, so that was a bonus.
If we’d found somewhere that had no family and felt as comfortable, we would have moved there though.
That family were here was just a bonus.
One of us had to stay behind and keep earning a living while the other went forth to the unknown in order to get a job and establish some sort of base for us, so Mark packed some clothes, hired a car and set off for Queensland.
He stayed with the aforementioned family and set about doing just that.
It took a while, but he got one.
7 months later, I threw my high paying job in, he flew down and collected me and enough stuff to give us a start.
What we bought with us fitted into a 7 x 5 trailer, and it was the bare basics.
We had no intention of spending what money we had on removalists, so we sold, gave away or left behind what we thought we could do without.
Some we put into storage, but not a lot.
It took me 8 months to get a job.
8 long months where we made do with 5 parts of bugger all money, car payments and rent to pay, and still had a need to eat, buy petrol and cigarettes, all the things that go into life.
Since I got that first job, I’ve had another 3 jobs, and I’m into my 4th.
Mark has had just as many, if not more, and finally…finally, we’re back where we started 7 years ago, just before we left Sydney.
We have good, secure, well paying jobs, and in fact Mark has just gotten a promotion and a decent pay rise, I’m a manager in a job I love, and life is on an even keel.
I can assure you, it has not been easy for the last 7 years.
It’s been bloody hard work.
We’ve had to borrow money from our family, and at times, from our children.
There have been times when we’ve come close to separating because of the stress, we’ve fought and argued, and we’ve almost ripped each other apart.
Yet, we persisted, because it’s just what we do.
It’s life, it’s marriage and it was a choice we made, with our eyes wide open.
We wanted to do it.
Would I recommend doing this to anyone else?
Hell yes.
There has been the odd moment when I wondered about our intelligence I have to say, but would I do it all again?
In a heart beat!!!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, there has been much happening in our lives, and I can assure you, most of it has been pretty shitful.
I won’t go into details, suffice to say the past 6 weeks have not been a happy time, nor has it been easy.
There have been a few times when it was close to falling apart, but as I said not too long ago, we do what we must.
Yesterday, things changed, with a dismissal.
Today it just got better, because Mark got exactly what he’s worked so hard for in the last year.
That one word {yes} will change many things for us, and for others.
The pride I feel tonight is quite extraordinary.
I wouldn’t even know where to start telling this man how proud I am of him, or how much I love him.
Sweetheart, your ethics, integrity, and the things I know you’re going to do from here on in make me smile broadly, and merely reinforce all the reasons I fell in love with you 14 years ago.
I just know how well you’re going to do this, and I look forward to seeing you bounce out of bed in the morning, ready to tackle the day that awaits with the passion I know you have.
Congratulations sweetie.
You earned this one the hard way.
Now I come to think about, I earned it too!!!
Honey, as proud as I am, know this.
You might be a big wig at work, but here at home you’re still just my husband, so you’d best be leaving the big boy boots at the front door my precious!
I love you more than you will ever know, and I’m so proud I’m almost bursting.
Enjoy.
Lord knows you’ve earned it!
There is nothing worse than spotting a suspicious looking mark on someone’s butt as they’re walking in front of you!
No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot take your eyes away!
It’s impossible!
As horrified as you are, still you watch as it rolls and moves with their arse, all while the person in question is blissfully unaware of your scrutiny.
If you’re anything like me, you would fully understand the temptation to tap them on the shoulder and say “Do you know you have skiddies???”, if for nothing but your own amusement!
The entire situation is made worse when said suspicious spot is on an arse the size of a small third world country!
Then it seems to take on a life of it’s own, jiggling and jumping all over the place, almost taunting you.
I mean hell, it has so much room to move, it’s almost like it stretches itself out!
The absolute nightmare scenario here is when the spot looks like a wet one!
OMFG, the horrific thoughts that enter my head??
Thoughts that struggle to stay in my head and not come out of my mouth!!
Do me a favour if you would?
For the love of pete, check your arse before you leave the house?
You just never know when I may be behind you!!
Reminds me of some people I know!
People who need to get a life and build bridges…
Ordinarily I’m not much into Halloween, but in honor of some very good friends of mine, I though I would make an effort this year.
I hope all and sundry enjoy whatever little bit of fun they’re having.
There are times in everybody’s life, when life itself becomes too much.
The effort to get out of bed and face another day is a task bigger than Mt Everest.
Much is happening in our lives at the moment, and it’s neither good, nor rosy, and it’s not even comfortable.
Yet, in true human spirit, I persist, and continue to get out of bed, every single day.
Day.
After.
Day.
We do what we must in order to make something of our lives, just to survive, do we not?
I’ve had many hard knocks in my life, some worse than others obviously, but none of what I speak of were easy at the time.
Still, I survived.
It’s what we do.
Human nature, being what it is, ensures our survival instinct is the strongest of all, no matter how low our mood, or the events happening at any given point in time.
Our instinct to survive in the face of adversity or whatever troubles us, is so strong, it sustains us through any dark tunnel we find ourselves in, and more often than not, gives us a far better appreciation of the good times when we manage to find the sunshine.
In the absence of darkness, how does one see what the light has to offer?
The old adage of what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger is 150% accurate.
I’ve always needed to be strong, for many reasons and for many people, and ordinarily I bounce back quickly.
I just don’t stay down for long.
Not seriously anyway.
Resilience is a wonderful thing and stands me in good stead most of the time.
Having said that, the days when I need to make an effort are, seemingly, becoming more frequent.
Of late I find it difficult getting my head to a place where I can dismiss the crap as beatable {is that even a word??}
Maybe I’m getting old, or I’m simply tired of adversity and problems?
Perhaps I’m over having to be strong?
Most days it seems like 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
Yet, I persist.
It’s just what we do…..
I’m a mad keen baseball fan, as is Mark.
When in Boston this year we went to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, and had THE best night, and can’t wait to do it again, which we will.
Now, the World Series is the pinnacle of things to win in baseball.
The Holy Grail if you like.
Ticket prices are insane, yet still people pay for them without a second thought, and I will admit nothing would please me more than to see a World Series game {preferably with the Sox playing, of course}
My problem is that I have an issue with the amount I would need to pay, in order to achieve this goal.
Pay?
Hmmm.
In this case I’m not sure pay is the right word.
Perhaps barter would be a more appropriate word do you think?
Whilst I admire this woman’s loyalty to her team, I do need to ask what the hell she was thinking when she tried this little stunt.
The biggest problem it created for her is she tried to “barter” with a cop.
Maybe someone needs to tell her that in order to hit a home run, one must hit the ball right on the sweet spot of the bat, not let it go through to the catcher!!!
Another Monday is upon us, which means it’s time for myself and my partners in crime to band together in an attempt to make you giggle, chortle or have a good belly laugh with some amusing snippets.
My offerings this week are dedicated to life, love, women and sex, but not necessarily in that order.
I can but hope they at least make you smile with their accuracy, or even their irreverence. Disclaimer
Not all of these reflect the views of our household, however I do know a few where they all work perfectly!
Be sure to visit my mates Mark & ~m for more amusement.
I say this out loud, at the risk of being hung drawn and quartered, or maybe even tarred and feathered, in the town square of blogging.
Christmas is almost upon us.
It’s true!
2 months from this coming Sunday, it will be Christmas day.
We booked our flights to go down south for said event this weekend just gone, so I can assure you my Amex is well aware the silly season is approaching rapidly.
Being “peak” season, the flights are more expensive, of course, as is everything else from December 1 onwards.
What a crock of shit that is too!
It costs no more to fly a plane between here and Melbourne during Christmas, school holidays or any other holiday season, than it does in the middle of bloody May.
It’s pure profiteering.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Every year the madness starts earlier.
Since around 3 weeks ago, there are shops here in Townsville just full of decorations.
I shit you not.
In the same complex where I work, there is a variety shop directly opposite who’s front windows are nothing but Christmas things.
Santas, tinsel, elves, candy canes, gift boxes, you name it, they have it.
This madness started in the 3rd week of September.
September!!!!!!!??????
WTF is with that?
As I mentioned, this year we’re off to Victoria to spend it with family we haven’t seen for some time, including 5 grandchildren we don’t see nearly enough of, plus a few daughters to boot, so if I was honest, part of me is looking forward to it.
Another part of me is horrified at not only the retailers trying to convince us to buy already, but at the speed with which this year has hurtled by.
I’m damned if it seems anything like 10 months since the last silly season, and I’m sure many of you are the same.
Before anyone starts calling me a grinch, I’m not.
I love, love, love, everything about Christmas.
I’m just not a fan of the commercialised Christmas is all.
To me Christmas is about family, being grateful for what we have, and remembering why we have the celebration.
I’m determined to not let the profiteers get me down however.
I will enjoy my time with family, I will put presents under the Wishing Tree as I have for many years, and I will not allow the grinch to enter our house {did you hear that Burnie???}
Yes, the kiddies will receive gifts from us, yes we will participate in a secret Santa with the family, and yes, we will do our best to banish the grinch from around anyone silly enough to let the little green bastid into their house.
What we will not do is allow retailers to get up our noses, nor will I bow to the desire I have to put a brick through the window of the shop I spoke of earlier.
We will enjoy our time with family, remember why we’re together and make the most of the season, all without letting those intent on profit making, get us down.
I know you all think I’m nuts talking about the silly season when it’s not even the end of October, but at the rate the weeks are flying by, we’ll all be doing the rounds to say those 2 dreaded words before we know it.
You know the ones I mean?? **whispering**
Merry Christmas!
Monday is upon us, once again.
{damn that “C” word is looming fast isn’t it??}
Yes, it’s time for us to try and make you chortle, snortle or maybe even pee in your widdle pantaloons.
My Malarky Mondays have been generating quite a lot of traffic, but few comments, so it seems people come, then they either laugh or cry and leave again without saying anything.
Go figure!
This week, my malarky is dedicated to stupid people.
100%, totally, hopelessly stupid!
Have a look and all will be revealed, very quickly.
They walk among us you know.
Stupid people I mean.
They have heads on them like bloody mice.
On the positive side, they are handy for a damned good laugh on a Monday, so I should be grateful I suppose!
Firstly, have a go at this dick!!
**shaking head**
Next, check out some more dicks!!!
Some of these are quite painful to watch I must say.
Funny, but painful!
You can just see what’s coming in most of them, however that merely adds to the fun I think!
My fellow malarkers in Mark, ~m and Muffy will have more, so don’t be shy, click the links and see what hilarity they offer this week {please be sure to leave them a comment, because, like most bloggers, they’re comment whores}
Have a great week, and a good laugh guys.
I was having a discussion with someone recently in regard to quality, and their theory was if it’s cheap, then it’s good enough.
My theory was, and still is, is that there are times when quality simply is the best option, and not merely because you can afford it.
I’ve been in the position of not being able to afford quality, and I believe ultimately it cost me more than if I’d tightened my belt a little more and paid the extra for the better quality.
Below I have given a few examples of odds and sods that I consider are best bought with quality in mind at the time of purchase.
My laptop.
When I got the one I currently have, I went for one of the best, with the best.
Graphics, sound, extended warranty, the whole enchilada.
Given the amount of use it gets, it seemed only sensible to go down that road.
Tea.
If it’s not a decent English breakfast tea? Not interested.
It simply has to be good.
Not outstanding mind you, just good {if it is outstanding, well, that’s just a bonus}
No such thing as a generic brand tea in my cupboard!
Laundry detergent.
I’m a big Radiant fan, preferably liquid.
I love walking past clothes hanging up and smelling the scent of Radiant.
Not only is it the best smelling detergent I’ve used, it gets the clothes bloody clean {bonus!}
Coffee.
As with tea, it needs to be good, be it instant or otherwise.
Not too strong in flavour, but enough to make my taste buds take notice.
No generic brands here either.
Meat.
There are times when an odd cheap cut will make it’s way to my kitchen, but not very often.
Mostly these days it’s good quality, regardless of what type of meat it is.
Shoes.
If it’s something I throw on around the house, whatever will do, but for work or going out, I get good quality {having said that, I have enough for a centipede, yet still I buy more!}
I spend a lot of time on my feet throughout the day, and there is nothing worse than the burn of sore feet because you have crap shoes on.
Dishwashing detergent.
Will NOT compromise here, it’s got to be Morning Fresh.
They used to make a pink grapefruit one, but took it out of production dammit.
I want it back, because the smell of the steam wafting up as the hot water hit it?
OMG, it was nearly better than sex! {nearly sweetie…nearly!!}
Not only that, it was great for cleaning the dishes, so there were pratical applications we well!
Liquid soap.
None of that water filled crap for me, thank you very much!
Our hands touch every single thing in life almost, and that includes my butt, so I want them clean!
Toilet paper.
Of all the things I’ve mentioned, this is the most important!
Women use this product every single time they use the toilet.
Anyone who thinks the quality of paper is irrelevant needs their head read.
Surely there are things similar to these you refuse to compromise on, or am I just a snob???
