Catching Up

Can't believe it has been nearly 18 months since I have written on my blog.  Anyone would think I had fallen off the end of the world.  Well, that definitely hasn't been the case.  It has been more that things have been so busy, there just didn't seem to be time to do the updating in this spot.

Well, so what have I been up to since February 2011 - lots.  Bob and I had a wonderful holiday to Canada and Alaska in May/June of last year - my how quickly that time has gone.  We went with Scenic Tours and had the best time.  The organisation of the trip was extremely well done and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away.  The scenery was just so amazing and we were able to get some really incredible photos.  I will post just a couple.

Lake Louise - sunrise over the Glacier

Sunset over the Inside Passage

The fabulous Buchhart Gardens in Victoria

When it was time to come back to work - pandemonium broke out.  Well, not quite, but it certainly did feel like it for the next few months.  We went through some major changes which included closing a Blast Furnace and putting off nearly 1,000 people.  Needless to say I was kept very busy.

New Years Eve of course was spent in bed!! What an auspicious start to a new year. I think it took me about 3 days to get over the travel - but maybe there was a bit of acclimatising to the heat again after the cold.

My daughter was staying with me and she organised a family get together. We had a lovely lunch and a much needed catch up with everyone. My grandson played havoc with the hose - but guess that was my fault - I gave it to him. Lots of laughing done, but unfortunately no photos taken. Ashleigh was thrilled with her quilt, and even managed to pack it into her carry on luggage to take back with her - darn it, it looked really nice on her bed in my placed!!!

I spent a couple of days with a girlfriend down at Batemans Bay and managed a quick trip to Moruya - and Stephs Patchwork and would you believe bought fabric there. I laughingly told her about being in the States and not buying anything!!! Oh well, doing my bit for the economy.

When I got back home, it was to just relax some more before returning to work on Tuesday. Unfortunately at work the air conditioning wasn't working, so that didn't really help me feel better about going back to work.

I did manage to get some more work done on my Meadow Sweet blocks - the machine is still on the dining room table, where I can benefit from the comfort of the air conditioner. Still not close to finished though - work in progress!!

Well, it is already the middle of January - where has the time gone. Despite really good intentions, I wasn't able to keep up the detail in this blog. Just didn't seem to be enough time to write up my "diary" for my own benefit, download my pictures, check facebook and write in the blog. And the photos seemed to take forever to upload.

I have been back in Australia since New Years Eve, back at work since 11 January and I have no idea what happened to the time in between. I do know I haven't done any of the things that needed doing around the house - oven cleaning, shower cleaning and tidying of cupboards and drawers. Good thing (I guess) they are still there - there are no fairy godmothers in my house!!! Not to worry, I will just have to leave them until the next lot of holidays and see if I can get enthusiastic then!!

So to backtrack - Christmas was lovely with no snow on that day, but plenty a day or so after. Lots of havoc created in places I had been to, but we seemed to be rather fortunate in Portland. I was assured it was because the weather was not unusual for them, so they are prepared for it.

On our way to Mt Washington, the boys were persuaded to take me to Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor (North Hampshire). What an amazing store that was. So much fabric. I still can't believe I spent nearly 2 hours in the shop and came out with absolutely no fabric. It was just a case of fabric overload I think. I'm sure if I'd had the opportunity to go back I would have succumbed, but considering my bags on the way back, I guess it was probably a good thing I didn't get that opportunity.

After the snow storms, Peter insisted that I had to have a turn taboggoning down the hill. That's me in the photo - hanging on for dear life. It was great fun, although there was a little panic when the thing started turning and I couldn't see where the one rock in the paddock was!! Peter followed me down, just to make sure I didn't get into any trouble (what a good son). It was fun - shame about the walk back up the hill. The one trip down was sufficient for me. I left the fun to the "younger" ones.

The cold eventually got the better of me and I ended up reading in the car until they had finished with their fun. Managed to catch the snow blower clearing the sidewalks. Wondered how they got such lovely neat mounds on the side of the roads.

Arrvied in Portland on Sunday night, just after they received some fresh snow. Went on a tour of the lighthouses in Portland - it was VERY cold and windy.

Lots of wandering around the Old Port area - wonderful craft shops. Have also been eating rather well - can you imagine having lobster sandwiches for lunch!!! Then topped it off with a half a lobster for dinner as well. Figure I wouldn't normally eat it at home, so best make the best of it here where it is so cheap! Don't you just love the "hat hair"!!!

My son is taking me to Mount Washington Resort as my xmas present - how spoilt am I?! Spent a wonderful Christmas Eve being pampered in the Spa while Peter went skiing. What an amazing resort this is - so picturesque. And yes, it is very cold - but beautiful. Looks just like a postcard doesn't it?!

Back in Portland tonight and there is a snow storm warning for tonight. The cars are not to park on the side of the road, so that they will be able to clear the roads of snow. Must admit, it is pretty blowy out there at the moment, I will be interested to see what it looks like tomorrow.

Tuesday, 21 December - after two wonderful days in Boston, it was off to New York with my son Peter. Have had a wonderful time. Seen lots of sights, Empire State Building, Central Park, Statue of Liberty and even ventured into Tiffany's.

Then on to the Rockerfeller Center. Below is the Swarovski star and below that the most famous christmas tree in the world (so I overheard someone say).

Must admit, it was pretty impressive. Can't get over the number of people around - and cars. I thought Sydney was busy - it's nothing on New York traffic!!!

Have been told that it's snowing in Portland and that's where I'm off to next. White Christmas after all - hurray!!

Friday - 17 December

Well, despite the cosy bed, I still was awake relatively early – 7.30 am. Have fluffed around in the hotel room until 10 and am just about to head out on my own – where to first I wonder???

Headed up to the Information Centre to find out where I should go – first stop though was the shopping centre – or should I say – Macys. In fact, that took up most of the morning – well, all of it actually.

Bought myself three pair of jeans ($80 for all – they were on sale), some gloves (to keep my hands from freezing) and some makeup (which I thought was cheaper, but still saved nearly $30).

Went into a “Pharmacy” which was more like going into an IGA – they even had those check out yourself registers, like Woolies.

Got sick of shopping (I just kept spending money – and wondering how I was going to carry it all), so headed back to the hotel to offload. By 2 pm I was trying to get on the “hop on hop off” tram ride, but the tourist guy at the hotel suggested I would be better off waiting till tomorrow when I have more time. So I was walking again – up to Boston Common and the Boston Gardens.

The lake in the gardens is all frozen over – except for a little circle of water, with 2 ducks in it (see photo below). The gardens look lovely although a little bare – they would be magnificent in spring and autumn. Saw a group of children “carolling” around the streets – how cute. But oh, this body is not meant for walking and standing so long.

Back aching, footsore and needing a toilet, headed back to the hotel where by 4.30 I was in bed having a “rest” because I was falling asleep in front of the computer while looking at my photos!!

It’s now about 8.30 and I’m not going anywhere – much too cold. Those long johns I bought, thinking I wouldn’t need them – I had them on this afternoon so the cold wouldn’t go straight through my jeans.

Well, tomorrow is another day!!

Thursday - 16 December

So many things going round and round in my mind had to take a sleeping tablet so I could actually get some sleep. Managed to go off eventually and then was up and getting everything packed to head up to James & Jen’s place. Jennifer took me to the airport – with no fuss or traffic jams. As a result, I was there about 4 hours before the flight. Not to worry, had plenty of time to do some shopping before boarding the flight.

Lots of sitting around waiting, but eventually got onto the plane. We then sat on the runway for another hour so it was after 5.30 before we even left Sydney. Now in the air and oh, do I know what Ashleigh meant about the plane not being up to my usual standard!! I was getting excited about the movies I would be able to see – only to find that there are no individual monitors (think local flights between Melbourne or Brisbane & Sydney) – I am watching 'Eat Pray Love' on a crappy little monitor in the aisle. Added to that I am in the window seat – which in itself is not bad – but there is no room to move. Just hope my bladder can hold out for the 12 hour flight!! There are a couple of nice flight attendants, but the one female on this side is chewing gum as she serves and I don’t think she knows how to smile. Never mind, I smiled at her, so that probably made her day.

Not sure how much sleep I will get under these conditions, but here’s hoping.

Well, despite taking a sleeping tablet and watching another movie (Charlie St Cloud), sleep eluded me, so this felt like the longest flight of all time. When I did finally manage to get to sleep, it was only for about 2 hours and I was sleeping with my mouth wide open, so goodness knows what sounds were coming out!

Arrived in San Francisco – lovely view coming in to land, but didn’t spot the bridge (or is that in LA?). At the airport got herded through customs – yep, had to pick up my bag first (bad advice Peter). Then was rushed through to the domestic terminal to sit and wait (some more) for the flight to Boston. Had things not been booked here, I could even have opted to stay overnight in San Francisco at the airline's expense – something they do apparently when the flights are fully booked. And it was – there wasn’t a spare seat anywhere.

Arrived in Boston picked up my bag – took out my coat & scarf – got a taxi and was safetly encsconsed in the hotel room just after midnight. Not bad – only 24 hours of travelling time. The bed looks really inviting.