Hi all and happy weekend! We had a relaxing Sunday after a pretty busy week. I wasn’t able to call Ciara on her Birthday, but we did talk on messenger. Yay for technology and staying in touch!! Wednesday was Valentine’s Day which we don’t really celebrate as a couple. Anniversaries are more important to us. Australia doesn’t make too big of a deal out of it either, so it was ok to eat early at home and go to church for Ash Wednesday. Our church we have been going to in Rozelle did not have mass at night, so we went to the sister parish in Balmain. Lent came up so fast this year. I feel we just got done celebrating Christmas and boom here it is. Neither Brandon nor I give anything up for lent. I try to use it as a time to go deeper into my prayer life with Bible study.
We had some good news from the US. My cousin Lindsey from Colorado is engaged!! Very exciting!! She is graduating from Dental School in May and talked of a trip out here before she starts practicing. We will see if she can fit it all in with wedding planning on top of it. 🙂 Wishing them the very best. Meanwhile, my Brother in law was discharged from the hospital following major orthopedic work on his leg from his car accident. He has to go back next week for surgery again, so please keep the good thoughts and prayers coming for them.
Friday night I met up with my Childfree friends at the Opera Bar. Two were sick, but one other girl and I had a blast. The Chinese New Year started Friday, so the city is covered in art, banners, and decorations to celebrate the Year of the Dog that we are entering into. The Harbour Bridge was even decked out in red to celebrate. The Opera Bar had live music and yummy drinks; we ended up staying out until 12:30a. I caught the train and the bus home. It is great to not have to worry about driving when public transport is so readily available. Saturday was prep and cleaning for us to have my nurse coworkers over in the evening. They finally came in the morning to install a closet in the office which made a mess and negated all the cleaning Brandon had done Friday. We are excited to have more storage and be able to hide all his work gear away. It is also big enough t have all his clothes in, so the other closet is all mine. 🙂 ~Evil laughter, muah haha!!~ We also were able to re purpose a shelf block into a book shelf so we are all set storage-wise. I was finally able to finish putting decorations out and stuff on the walls to make our place even more of a home.
My coworkers came over for dinner, Bloody Marys, and a games night. It was a good time and we ate our hearts out. They all brought something to eat and drink. We taught them how to play Nouns and Exploding Kittens. I had another Backgammon lesson, and I won. 🙂 I still have to get a board for Brandon and I to play. It is fun! It sounds like we will try to get together on a regular basis, which is great, since we don’t have a lot of time at work to socialize. The cats were a hit, being so friendly and outgoing, especially around food. We stayed up visiting and playing games until 2am. Holy cow do we have a lot of food left. Brandon and I did not visit a cafe after church, knowing we have a stockpile of stuff at home. Naps were in order after I talked to my parents and Lindsay in Wisconsin. Both Brandon and I and the cats slept away the afternoon. Some days, you just have to chill out and recharge.
Pictures!! I saw these bug shells on my walk to work and thought they were so interesting looking. They look like sea creatures or aliens or something. Brandon continues to rock his Stay at Home Cat Dad status with amazing meals when I get home from work. He made this fish and couscous dish that was yummy and healthy this week. He also made a box contraption for when we go to Cairns in a few weeks for Caprica. We were looking into a pet sitter to stop in and feed Caprica, since she barley gets any food from the feeder. Fiyero is so aggressive and hoovers all the food down, she doesn’t stand a chance. So the box is for her to get into and eat at her leisure, but the opening is too small for him. It would work out better if he didn’t have such long arms and was less determined. He is able to knock food close to the opening and then fit his head in and eat it. We are in the search for a longer box to dissuade him. Our Cairns trip is coming up soon now! We have all our excursions, car, and lodging booked and a list of things we want to do. We are winging the rest. I hope we have good weather!!
Our lettuce is getting there! Brandon planted a pot and they came up within days. It has been warm and sunny for it. I also saw funny signs and window decals on my journey to and from the mall. We are all prepped for people to stay over now, with pillows and sheets for the air mattress. I wasn’t sure if all my coworkers would be able to get home since some were coming from an hour away. Plan your trips to Sydney people!! We are ready for you!!! 🙂 Wishing you all a great week!
