Project 365 Sun 27 Dec 09

OF BIRTHDAYS AND RENOVATIONS
One of the reasons I wanted to return to Ballarat was for Jason’s birthday … and to get his computer set up for him.

I feel bad that didn't happen.

And after Clarissa made the effort to bring it down on Christmas Day and it's sitting at my mother's house until I can get the operating system sorted ... XP of course!

And it's Jason's birthday today. Happy birthday little brother, there's a little something extra in the computer stuff for you for your birthday. We love you.


The birthday boy at Carol's birthday dinner a few day's ago.

Instead I'm spring cleaning for Neil's visit, Clarissa and I've been playing with paint pots and plaster and sandpaper ... and I haven't been able to resist starting the Diana Gabaldon book. I just couldn't help myself.


Four of the paint pots.

The painting's been fun ... epsecially for Clarissa who can't make up her mind which pink to choose.

At first she was going with something bold and striking ... what else but red.

But she's drawn back from that after some strategic internet searching, which suits me fine because I really want a much lighter approach. If that sounds stark and you haven't seen it done before, check out the blog decor8. I love all the ideas I get from that site.

Everything's so light and fresh ... that's what I really hope to get out of what we're doing.

Clarissa's choice for bedroom of the year ... drum roll please ... is now something like this beautiful bedroom in pink and white from decorpad. It's a fantastic site I'm going to be visiting more often too.


The pink on the walls is so pretty ... I love it too.

And I've been working on the hallway walls for my testing ... they're currently a gentle cream colour which looks almost white ... I can see it from here and it looks so restful.

It feels really nice knowingmy first choice is what I'm going to go with.

Fabulous Day

Yesterday I spent the day with Jason and Tamika at Lunar Park and we had the best day. Originally Mum was to come with us but she bowed out because the weather was going to be too hot, but as it turned out the promised cool change came through in the morning and the weather was brilliant: 23 and with the most beautiful cool breeze off the bay.


Jason and Tamika at the entrance to Lunar Park.

I wondered how the day would go because I thought Tamika would get bored with going on rides by herself, and be constantly bugging Jason and I to go on with her. That happened at first (plus being scared on the first couple of rides), with Jason and I going on one rides with her: me on a mini roller coaster and Jason on the Scenic Railway around the park.


Tamika looking apprehensive on her first ride.


Jason and Tamika on the mini roller coaster.


Tamika and I on the mini roller coaster.


Jason and Tamika on the Scenic Railway; the two of them are right at the end.

But somehow or other Tamika and this little girl Brianna hooked up and the two of them spent the rest of the afternoon together, and I mean three hours of non-stop riding! The two of them were in complete agreement about which rides they would and wouldn't ride on (and there were two very scary rides they agreed they wouldn't go on), and both gave the other the confidence to try a couple of rides they wouldn't otherwise have touched.


The first ride the girls went on together.


The girls enjoying the mini roller coaster together.


The last ride of the day

And Jason and I got to spend the afternoon with Brianna's very nice mother--whose name I've already forgotten (typical me and names).


Tamika, Brianna and her Mum on the carousel.

But in general the girls ran from ride to ride; without taking a toilet break, anything to eat or even a sip of water, and we ended up leaving the park at 5.30pm after 5 hours of non-stop rides! Not bad value for a $27.95 'all you can eat smorgasbord' for Tamika and a ride each for Jason and I.

And after Tamika was so keen to get to the beach to go swimming all we managed was a quick half hour paddle around 4pm when Jason felt that Tamika really had to stop and get something to eat (and Brianna and her mother did the same thing). So Jason, Tamika and I wandered down to the beach for something to eat and a paddle in the bay, and to soak up some of the atmosphere that was St Kilda Beach.


Tamika walking across the sand.


Jason sitting on the boardwalk watching Tamika in the waves.

All in all a brilliant day, and no downside (including sunburn) to mar the day.