With everyone gone, the house is so quiet after having 11 of us here for 16 days over Christmas and New Year, however, with hardly a moment to take a breath, Tj has booked tickets to see JoJo Siwa ?? never heard of her but apparently the girls love her and Adam doesn’t want to go so I was asked and happily went. Well the girls loved the singing and dancing but did get tired mid way through but what a precocious young lady she is, can’t say I would rush to see her again and the price of the bows, jackets and t-shirts was extortionate, $175 for a thin jacket ! no way.
The next day is the annual meeting of TJs mothers group who still meet every year, this being their 6th birthday. Great turn out again, this time at Plantation swim pool with everyone bringing something to eat there was a real feast laid out on the table.
Shortly after leaving Mia suddenly announced “my tooth, its come out”. She stood there with blood pouring out of her mouth and Zoe took one look and began to heave and vomited over the floor! we laughed so much, poor Zoe can’t abide anything bloody, sicky, gruesome – she just doesn’t have the stomach for it – bless.
During the late afternoon a silly bird flew into Adam and Tjs bedroom window and stunned itself, it hid in the long grass at the side of the house and when we checked it it didn’t fly, We left it til after dinner and it was still there so we gathered it up and took it to the local vets where they said they thought it had probably broken its wing – poor thing.
With Zoe back at daycare but Mia at home til 28th January when school year starts, Bob and I took her to the shopping centre where she could meet the snow queen and get a gift and a photograph and do some crafts. There were a lot of people there in the queue but Mia enjoyed meeting her.
We had planned to get haircuts before Christmas but just didn’t get round to it, then it was too late as we use the Teaching Academy of Hairdressers for Queensland and they closed a week before christmas. You get a really good haircut by a trainee hairdresser supervised by a lovely lady and its at least half the normal price. Now mine and Bobs hair is so long (nearly 3 months since it was last cut) I can’t remember when it was this long so we booked appointments and both got haircuts, how good was that – I felt like I had lost a few kilos lol. Second job for the day was to book our holiday to New Zealand. We have been researching and looking for the right itinerary and have finally decided so we went ahead and booked it – done .
Its the weekend and Tj is treating us to Elton John tickets for his last tour. Its been raining all day and some people were saying they weren’t going to go as it was an outside venue, in fact people were selling some online. Being scouters and Gallards we went out and bought the last pairs of wellington boots (gum boots here) and donned waterproof coats and took plastic sheeting to hold over us. The weather was so bad we thought it would be chaos parking in a field so we took an Uber which was very easy and soon we were settled in our camp chairs with a good view of the stage. Well what a performance, he was brilliant, the rain stopped as he stepped onto the stage and two and a half hours later as he was finishing we had a light shower – so glad we went. Those people who have missed his tour because of this virus, have a treat in store when it gets re-planned.
Good crowd 
In our camp chairs ready for Elton 
Elton – We love you
The next morning Bob and I started to re-upholster the dining chairs. They bought them some time ago and the seats have sagged – you know what its like with a saggy bottom – not comfy! So we sourced some new ply board, foam and wadding (actually got a bargain for the first 2 sets of foam as he undercharged us ) and started to make them look like new again. It took us about 3 weeks, doing 1 at a time and I must say I am very pleased with the results, I have always fancied doing a bit of re-upholstery and we enjoyed the satisfaction of our efforts.
While we were doing this, Adam and Tj were buying and putting up new wall cupboards in their office and Tj asked if I would like some in the craft area ? – yes please – as you can see they look great and all my craft, sewing and painting boxes are labelled and tidy.
Zoe has gone up to Koalas which is like Kindergarten, being the last year before they start school. She is so excited to be upstairs with the big girls and boys.
Mia’s 6th Birthday is 25th January and as she has already had her party with Zoe at new year she asked if we could go swimming. We had planned to take her up the coast to a lagoon but the weather is still very wet and unpredictable with heavy showers on and off so we took her to the local pool and to compensate we let her choose where she wanted dinner! I think grandad had whispered in her ear because she chose Hogs Breath Cafe which is also grandad’s favourite restaurant.
The day has come, its been so long since Adam and Tj moved here, (2009 in fact), it took them many years to get permanent residency and finally some nearly 3 years to get citizenship.
Today is their ceremony in which they become legal Australians with Australian passports. Bob and I are so thrilled to be here with them, it brings a lump to my throat to think that they have struggled with the legal system for so long to finally be here. Their friends the KP’s (shortened because their name is unpronounceable) came along to support them along with Adams boss, Lea, who has been instrumental in getting them to this point. The ceremony was very moving and we were so glad that we had learnt the first verse of their national anthem so we could sing along. Afterward, with certificates in hand we went off to celebrate with lunch out and in the afternoon the KP’s put on a lovely BBQ with a few other friends to celebrate the Gallards change of status.
Monday is a bank holiday because Australia day was on Sunday so Adam and Bob were tasked with taking out the security grills on the front bay window. The house is very secure with alarms and cameras and the grills were very dated. I must say the difference is amazing.
To keep the girls busy, while this was going on, I had promised them that when grandad had finished painting the cubby house to Mummy’s approval -(grey and white) that we would jazz up the inside ! So – girls stripped naked, cups of red, green, blue, purple, yellow, orange and pink paint at hand, I gave them both a brush and a pot of paint and said splash it all over the walls – well it was so much fun, the neighbours came out to see what all the screams of delight and laughter was all about. As you can imagine, before we had finished, Zoe has painted Mia’s face and Mia had “accidentally” brushed paint across Zoe’s bottom, chest, legs etc. However, I must say the look is perfect, even if mummy prefers plain white – we don’t lol.
and each other they continued on paper !
Just before all the kids go back to school Tj met up with some of her friends with their children at a local park and they all took bikes or scooters and after some time on the swings and slides and an elevenses’ food break they set off on a path around the park on their bikes and scooters – only 1 injury as little Lucy came off her bike going round a corner and grazed her knee.
January 28th 2020 – Mia starts year 1 at school. the first year in prep flew by but she is looking forward to meeting her new classmates and her 2 teachers Mrs. Tebble and Mrs Toop. It was a family affair to drop her off and introduce ourselves to the teachers but as we were leaving there were tears from Mia. A few kind words and a cuddle and the teacher distracted her so we could slip away. When we picked her up at 3pm she was full of the activities of the day and very happy.
Bob still plays golf regularly, every Tuesday more or less with a small group of friends he has met at a local course. I however, haven’t played for weeks so Bob suggested that with everyone back to work, school and daycare that we could go off for a round on our own on Thursday. We had a great day, the sun shone and I think I won, it was nice to be out and having a game.
Another month gone and we are in February, its still very hot so saturday morning we all went off to the swimming pool, not the local one but one that has slides and other things to enjoy for the girls. Mia tested her balance (needs some practice) but her swimming is coming along in leaps and bounds.
Zoe is settling into daycare well and the staff already love her, however, one day she was not as happy as her usual self and when the educator asked what would make her happy, she said could she make some biscuits ? Ok said Miss Esther I will talk to mummy and the chef and see what we can do. Zoe and I found a recipe for some chocolate chip biscuits and printed it out for the chef and she took it to daycare. Then a few days later Zoe was in her element helping the chef make biscuit for all the children. Everyone got a turn to stir the mixture, which Miss Esther said was crazy, but Zoe was allowed in the kitchen to assist the chef. The beam on her face was so lovely as she presented us all with a biscuit each that she had saved for us.
On another day, Daycare also had a pancake breakfast for the children and their mums’ dads and nannies too ! The staff had made the pancakes and we joined the children to eat them with syrup, honey, jam or butter on them. Must say they were very good so we had a few each.
The next weekend Tj had booked the girls into a Taekwondo trial lesson. They were a bit shy to start but soon got into the oo and ah and punching and kicking, smiling as they looked across to us watching on the sidelines. However, when asked if they liked it and wanted to come again Mia said no and Zoe yes. To date they haven’t signed up, Tj talked with them and decided to wait a while and try again later in the year, before she spends money on outfits and lessons. So glad they decided to wait as it would have been another activity that they can’t do at the moment due to restrictions.
During the next week, weather was wet again so golf was cancelled as the lakes had flooded the footpaths. Bob was depressed so I kept him busy around the house and garden, jetwashing the decks snd cleaning the cars when the rain stopped.
At the weekend Adam and Tjs friends Ellie and Johnno who used to live in Brisbane, flew up from Adelaide and paid us a visit with their daughter Hayden who is 3. They came for breakfast and we went to the beach for the day and had a bbq dinner here. It was lovely to see them as I hadn’t seen them for about 4 years and hadn’t met their daughter at all.
They were going to the Gold Coast for a holiday but coming back in a few days to stay overnight with us before they flew back to Adelaide, I think they miss Brisbane and the life here as Adelaide is very much more sedate .
After a quiet week where the only notable thing was Adam replacing the old lawn mower (think Bob has worn it out ) with a nearly new one and me making a Princess Castle decal for Mia’s bedroom all of a sudden the weekend diary was full.
Thursday Bob took me to Wolston Golf Course where we had an audience as we tee’d off the first hole.
Friday we had a sewing day at TJs friend Sam’s mum’s house. Sam and her Mum are good sewers so we helped TJ and Rosemaree with their projects which was very productive, with TJ making 3 cases for her and the girls’ glasses and I made 1 case. Rosemaree made 2 wrap around cosy sheets for her girls to help them sleep. We were hoping to repeat the activity but we don’t know when we will be able to now.
Saturday was meet Bluey and friends (this is a childrens tv show which was made in Brisbane and its gone viral). We queued up at the shopping centre and watched as parents pushed their precious children in front of the camera for a photo with Bluey and Bingo. When it came to our turn we all piled in for the photo – I am not standing for 20 mins to not get my photo done! Funnily we were chatting afterwards and watched as almost all the parents after us were going into the photo – haha. Rosemaree asked the girls if they wanted to come over for a sleepover tonight – oo yes please they said, so that left us with a free afternoon and evening. Doesn’t happen often but Adam, TJ and Bob and I went out to Top Golf, a driving range where you score points for getting the ball in a target – great fun for anyone who can swing a club. Of course I won, but we had a great laugh and some dinner while we played. Finishing off the evening at the drive in cinema at Yatala where we watched Bad Boys – great film, maybe a little too much language but we enjoyed it.
Bob giving it his all but accuracy beats distance 
Go TJ we aren’t watching 
Scrummy chicken wings
Sunday we collected the girls early and at lunchtime we left them with Adam and Bob while Tj, Sam, Rosemaree and I went to a Beeswax wrap making course. Lots of fun and chatter and a glass of wine thrown in, only us and one other couple there so we chatted to the tutor who gave us lots of information so that we can now make them at home too. We made about 20 wraps each which was very good value for the cost of the course. So guess what Brit, Alice, Sue, Ally you are getting for Christmas lol.
Wednesday 26th Feb Adi’s parents Frank and Mary arrive in Brisbane mid afternoon on their 6 week round the world holiday. We collected them from the airport and once they had unpacked and had a cup of tea, we took them up to Mount Coot-tha which is to the west of the city with fantastic views over it and the surrounding area right out to sea. We had a coffee or a beer and then took them to Kangaroo point right in the city to see the skyline view up close.
The next day we went to Bulimba a lovely little village on the edge of the river where we boarded a catamaran ferry into the city. Its about 25 mins ride and such a leisurely way to travel and to show off the Storey Bridge and other sites along the river. We got off at Riverside where Tj works and she met us to show them the view from level 32 of her office building – its amazing up there as you can see for miles. followed by lunch in the cafe below her office then on to Southbank, Brisbane’s man made city beach. The clouds were gathering but it was still warm so we changed into our swimwear and had a dip in the water. However, the clouds turned black and the thunder and lightening started so the tannoy announced that everyone had to leave the water, we just about got out and dressed when the heavens opened so we ran into the nearest bar for a hot drink while the storm passed. When we got off the ferry back in Bulimba, it had to be done – Nom Noms icecream !
Just before the thunder storm arrived 
Southbank city beach 
Nom Noms Icecream
Fridays Tj doesn’t work and Zoe is home so Mary came with us to take Mia to school and see where her classroom is and then to watch Zoe at her Superstars dance class where she met Sam and Rosemaree too. As soon as the class was over Bob and Frank picked us up and we drove to TopGolf on the Gold Coast. Frank loves golf too but Mary isn’t into it at all but we had a lot of fun again trying to beat each others score, I think Frank won in the end.
Finishing there we moved to the beach on the Gold Coast where this was the last day of the annual sand sculpture competition – wow you will see the pictures, they were fabulous.
Time to move on for lunch at the yacht club and then spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool at Sam’s apartment complex – ah relax – it was almost empty too.
When we finally got home we had time for a quick snack and Tj and Mary and I went to meet some friends for a drink and a chat at the local hotel bar – such a lovely day.
Excited or what Saturday morning and we are up very early, packed and out the house for 8am to catch the Tangalooma ferry for the weekend. Tj had found a good deal for us all to stay in a villa on the resort island with free ferry passage.
The ferry sailed into dock around mid day and we were soon installed in the beach house. A bit of lunch, playtime with the girls on the beach and a BBQ dinner before going back to the beach to feed the wild dolphins who come in every night for fish! We had to line up, take a fish from the bucket and hold it out for them to take, (our dolphin was called Silhouette) photos were taken of course but our free ones on the phone were just as good. A great feeling being in the sea with them but the mosquitoes were in force and had a good meal out of us ! The musical entertainment in the bar was awful so we had ice creams all round and sauntered back to the villa.
Welcome Committee lol 
Dolphin Silhouette 
smelly fish in hand to feed the Dolphins 
View from our villa 
Sunday morning, a cooked breakfast and the girls wanted to go to the swimming pool. We spent a couple of hours playing with them and getting them to swim underwater too. After lunch, the girls had a nap so Adam, Frank and Mary came with Bob and I for a walk along the beach, about 30 mins brought us to the shipwrecks where you can dive or snorkel. Adam had snorkels for 3 of us so Bob and I went out with him first and saw the most amazing fishes swimming around the wrecks. As we passed over the ships to the other side, the sea floor dropped a long way down, quite scary for me, it made my tummy turn over but I loved it. When we returned to the beach, Frank and Mary went out with Adam but the wind had gotten up and the current was stronger so they couldn’t make it out the 100 metres or so to the wrecks – shame that they didn’t see them but they could see some of the fishes nearer the beach.
All set for a snorkel 
Afternoon round the pool 
Time for a read 
A perfect sunset to end a perfect day
Monday morning and our bags were collected at 7am and we were on the ferry home at 8.30am.
All pscked ready to go 
Just one more photo Grandad 
Our transport home
The girls were dropped off at school and daycare and then we took Frank and Mary to Cleveland for lunch in the marina at Raby Quay. Bob was planning to take them to Hogs Breath but it was closed for renovation so we picked another restaurant along the marina where we had a super lunch in a very pleasant setting.
To finish off the day we drove back up the coast, stopping at Victoria Point, Wellington Point and Wynnum to show them the different coastlines. We weren’t late going to bed tonight, it had been a very long and busy day.
Tuesday is their last day here so Bob took Frank to play golf at Wolston Golf with the kangaroos and Mary and I walked about a mile to the local shopping mall. Unfortunately we hadn’t been there long, in fact we had just got our morning coffees when Adam called to say that he had had a message to say there was smoke in the house! We quickly walked back to the house to check it out and no sign of smoke thank goodness, we don’t know what that was, a technical blip ! We decided to walk back to the shopping mall and get Bob and Frank to pick us up when they had finished golf – good plan – they bought us lunch and drove us home but I easily did my 10,000 steps today. We had planned to take Frank and Mary out in the evening for a drink but I think we were all tired so they happily relaxed and watched some tv. Tomorrow they were getting on a plane to Sydney for another few days sightseeing and we are packing for New Zealand !
