HI-DEE-HI-DO!!!

Well HELLO!
Been a while hasn't it? I'm just going to squeeze in a catch up post while the kids are watching "time-shifted" Simpsons.
I know you're dying to hear all about our renovation, aren't you? I mean apart from a blow by blow account of the trials of applying for a superannuation account or engaging in colonic irrigation, what could be more entertaining?
We, as a family have been spending A LOT of time nestled together on the couch in our (the mum & dad's) bedroom, watching telly and shivering about the utter coldness of our lives.
One night at about 2am we were woken by the very sick, high pitched gurgling sound of the smoke detector outside the bedroom alerting us to a torrent of rainwater pouring through it. That was fun.
The day after the plasterer finished plastering the new upstairs, a deluge of water ran down the wall, yucking up the nice new plaster.
One day water was pouring through a light fitting in the loungeroom into the laundry bucket.
Of course these things never happened while there were working fellows at the house, did they?
Just call us the DROUGHTBREAKERS!
So, we think we are getting to the pointy end of the process now. Plumbing, electrician and painting still to go.
We made a very stressed and regrettable decision about ordering a light fitting. When we cancelled that order, we incurred a very, very expensive fee. In fact the cancellation fee was more than the cost of the light fitting we subsequently chose to go in that same spot. You live and learn right?
What else?
Well, my magnolia surprised us all and grew a few flowers. (which the possums promptly ate)
We had an election craft stall at the primary school which required much donation of craft and time. (but it IS my last year and D went away for a weekend so I sewed some awfully snuggly flannelette and cotton dolly quilts)
I finished my RED, WHITE and BLACK quilt in time for the Saints to play the footy finals. (honestly I didn't make it as a football quilt...I just like the colours)
I have met a couple of really fantastic authors lately who have new books out.
I met lovely Kirsty Murray author of India Dark and super talented Belinda Jeffrey who is currently my totally top fave writer. She has written two books called BROWN SKIN BLUE (2009) and BIG RIVER LITTLE FISH (2010) which are stunning examples of Australian literature with the most beautifully vivid descriptions of character and place that you could just BE THERE. I am so not eloquent right now sorry.
I made a fantastic chocolate cake from still my favourite cookbook called IN THE KITCHEN by Michele Curtis and Allan Campion. It is the CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE. Heaven.
I was given a lovely scarf for my long ago now birthday made by Morgan Wills. It is recycled pink wool squares in a long long scarf. It has pushed me into a PINK THING whereby I felt the need to go and buy pink nailpolish and lipgloss. Anyone who knows me well will be re-reading this and wondering what the hell alien has abducted me. Me who wears black all the time. Me who hardly ever wears makeup and me who pretty much just op-shops.
We had a nice Fathers Day, kids just about made the brekky without my help! And we went to the flicks to see an awesomely fantastic movie called BOY. I saw it twice last week. Go see it. So gorgeous, so funny. I laughed, I cried. I'm sure you will too.
I'm feeling quite cheery.
Let's just blame it on the fact that it was light when I left work AND when I got up: my daughter cooked dinner and it was delicious AND I'm reading a great book called Utopian Man by Lisa Lang (co-winner of the Vogel this year).
Thank you and goodnight. xx