Life is busy. Busy? That's a total understatement. At the moment I could do with 36hr days!
The garden, such as it is, is a total shambles. The weather is erratic and poor Rob hasn't managed to fit the lawn mowing inbetween showers and a busy schedule. It's tentitively slotted in for this week-end. What a pity that dandelions don't have a commercial value, other than for making a revolting tasting tea! The roses need dead-heading and that's my department...when I can find the enthusiasm. Pruning is, I think, going to be a joint assault from both of us.
On the jewellery front things are buzzing. I've a commission for a special pair of earrings to be worn to a wedding and for a collection of earrings as a Christmas gift for a 7yr old. Oh and a necklace and earring for Mandi's mother.
I've also discovered that I need three hands and much better lighting than we have at the moment. Poor Rob, when I start to cuss, he heads for the relative safety of the computer room! I never imagined at this time last year, that I would have discovered such a creative and satisfying way, to make an extra income. Of course, one has to spend money to make money, but it's starting to pay off.
I should, of course, be giving the house a total spring-clean before our trip to the UK and I guess this week-end will see the start of it. I don't want our house-sitter to think that we're slobs. There's also the task of selecting and packing the clothes to take with us. Just as well I've not put the winter woolies in storage yet!
I hate packing. I'm pretty good at it by now, having some long trips under my belt, but it's still a real chore. At least we are only going for a couple of weeks.
It's going to be an odd experience for me; returning to a country I left 47yrs ago. On the upside, I'll be meeting Rob's Grandmother and Aunt for the first time. I'll also be meeting up with a cousin who I last saw in 1999, when she and her husband visited Australia. I may even see her sister whom I've not seen since I left. We will be having a few(?) drinks with an online mate, with whom I've corresponded for 4yrs. On the downside...the flight. I don't do long hauls well. I spend most of the time on my feet, as I loath sitting in one spot for so long. Flying has about as much allure for me as sitting on a bus to Cairns!
Speaking of Cairns: Rob and I will be off to Cairns in January. My youngest, Karl, is finally marrying his fiancee Jodie. They've been together for about 8yrs, so I guess he finally decided to keep her! <g> It's not going to be such a huge expense, because I can write my expenses off on tax, because I'll be checking up on my rental property while I'm there.
Now to totally change the subject: <u>One to Watch out For!</u>
Those of you with an interest in Sci-Fi, may be interested to know that there's a NEW Robert A Heinlein book being published! Actually it's not strictly new, seeing as he's died quite some time ago. He wrote <i>For Us, the Living</i> in 1939 and it was his first novel. Apparently he and his then wife decided to destroy all copies but one escaped to be rediscovered not so long ago. <a href="http://www.heinleinsociety.org/rah/works/novels/spidersFUTL.html">This page will give you the complete lowdown</a>. (Credit to my good friend Moby for posting the link at Robinson's Place.) It will be interesting to see if this forerunner to his other novels, has the same weight.
BTW, Rob's talking about putting in a <b>Soap Box</b> for me to stand on. Somewhere I can rant and rave about social issues and anything else that's getting my goat. Could be dangerous!LOL
Time for me to stop assaulting your eyes and go catch up on the chores.
'Til next time,
Vickie.