My poor babies started school yesterday not knowing anyone and not even knowing where the toilet block was.  I had great fears as I dropped Claire off in her grade five class room because the class had already started and as she sat down the girl next to her rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath.  My poor shy baby, how would she cope? Next was Natalie but she was easier to let go of because there were still mothers in her class room so I had time to introduce her to other kids and chat with some mothers.  Still, I spent the whole day keeping busy trying not to think about the hurdle my girls had to jump… new school, no friends, no idea of the school routine, no idea of the school layout. MY POOR BABIES! When I went to pick them up I was tackled by Natalie with a huge hug from the side. I asked her how her day was and she just said “eeeerrrhhh”,  so I’m guessing it wasn’t too good but she survived.  Claire made a friend so that’s good but overall I think the first day at a new school was quite overwhelming for my two shy girls, let’s hope day two is a little better.

Yesterday the kids and I heard a car screech up our driveway at high speed followed by a loud bang.  Fearing an accident we ran outside just in time to see the Australia Post parcel contractor reverse out of our driveway and speed off down the street.  At our patio gate stood a package we had been expecting, thank God it wasn’t fragile because this dude didn’t even get out of his car… he just tossed it at the gate as if he were a footballer getting rid of a ball.  The loud bang we heard was our new hard back book smashing against the metal bars. We were horrified and I wasted no time in ringing up Australia Post to lodge a formal complaint.  The guy who took my details ended up laughing when I explained what happened so I don’t hold out much hope for anything being done about it.

I am usually very strict with my water usage, no wastage!  However with 35 degree heat and two uncomfortable children complaining I broke the rules.  I’m not sure how much water I used but I assembled the kiddies pool and cracked open the hose.  The kids had hours of fun splashing around keeping cool and I had a walk around in the pool myself, very refreshing.  I don’t feel guilty either because every water statement I get shows our usage is way under the average with no excess EVER… so just this once I was a bit naughty.

After two years and four months we have finally left our mold encrusted, mouse infested house and it comes as no surprise to find out that the owner is having trouble finding new tenants.  The real estate agent told me that the owner asked them what he could do to make it more attractive to tenants… the agent then went on to say “knock it down and build something decent”… but of course she didn’t say that to the owner.  I don’t feel saddened at all by our latest move, in fact it feels great to get away from all those housing commission houses and away from the late night partying and firecrackers.  The screaming kids next door won’t be missed one bit and I am even happy about the smaller yard we now have… less mowing for me! Sure the new house is as  hot as a sauna, has marks all over the walls and a bathroom basin held to the wall by liquid nails, but that’s ok… it’s a new chapter in our lives.  Hopefully the neighbours here will be nice, unlike the last house, we moved out with the truck then came back two days later to find one of our lovely neighbours had filled up our bin with wet clothes. Thanks neighbour! As we drove away from that street for the last time Luke hung his head out of the car window and shouted “so long stink town”… he took the words right out of my mouth.

We took the kids to a park the other day but there was no seating for us as a large group of people were already there. So we sat on the grass and happily read while the children played.  My ears pricked up when I heard quite a bit of bad language coming from the large group people.  It continued on as if “fuck” was a necessary part of every sentence these people spoke. I said to Luke, “hear the way they are talking in front of their kids?” to which he said “They are talking TO their kids”. I was horrified!  Then I noticed some of their older kids using a cricket bat to bash the play equipment with and the parents did nothing.   Now I’m not racist but would it surprise you if I said they were all aboriginals?  It doesn’t, does it?

Watching our guinea pigs the other day I had to laugh as they both picked up the same piece of food from different ends.  They both chewed down to the center and for a split moment I thought of that beautiful scene from “Lady and The Tramp”.   The pulling and tugging  that followed blew that image from my mind as I stood watching my piggies try to pull the food out of each others mouth…  while grunting and groaning to intimidate and strike fear into each other.  When it comes to food, my guinea pigs don’t share!

Well today is moving day and we have loads of stuff to do so I’ll keep it brief.  We have opted to drive the truck ourselves in the hope of saving money. Last time we did that we ended up with a $1300 repair bill because Luke hit an overhanging power pole… lets hope nothing like that happens this time.  FINGERS CROSSED!

Well I slept through yet another New Years  Eve celebrations but I went to bed with a smile on my face… I had watched” The Doctor”.  Ok, so Australian broadcasters don’t air it here until much later in the year BUT it’s our family tradition to download the Doctor Who Christmas Special and take in the magic that is science fiction on New Years Eve.  We got lucky this year because it was a two part special so not only did we get our New Years Eve viewing but a few days later we got another night home with “The Doctor”… oh what a glorious start to 2010!  It was also the special that reveled the new doctor, a relatively young unknown actor… Matthew Smith. I know alot of fans are upset at David Tennant leaving and I noticed that my sister joined the facebook group “DAVID TENNANT WILL ALWAYS BE MY DOCTOR!”  but I love the ever changing face of The Doctor.  I can’t wait to see what this young man will bring to the show in the 2010 series… BRING IT ON!