Post Camp

     Well, we got Alex back on Friday from camp.  She had a super good time with her classmates!  They did archery, high ropes obstacle courses, and rock climbing.  She said that she was exhausted every single day and slept like a rock.  Good girl!  By dinner time though, it was another story-she was sick!  Fever and chills, upset stomach, bad headache, so cancelled her club swim and parked her into bed, where she stayed for the next 2 days, not even feeling good enough to read.  She was up and going well enough that we went to a BBQ on Saturday.  Sunday night she was sick again and missed Monday and Tuesday at school.  Alex hates to miss school!
     Ok, another topic I think is interesting, but you may not.  Termites!  The friends we had the BBQ at just bought their house in April when they moved here for his job.  They had a full inspection done in February and moved in April.  A few weeks ago they were having termite treatment done (critical around here-not optional for pest control) and found a very aggressive breed boring into the house near the bathroom.  They have some remodeling to do and hoping the bugs just ate the baseboards and didn't get too far into the house framing.  To remediate, they had to cut concrete edging back 30 cm from the house foundation and dig out all plant edging.  They will install piping all around the house with access to fill with termite killing chemicals periodically.  Much easier to maintain, but a pain to get going!  I think I'll take dry rot. . .
     Ian and I spent the morning getting in some fast shopping.  Aldi starts their sales mid week and they had some things we wanted-body boards and snorkel sets!  You have to get in when things go on sale or they are gone so fast!  I learned that with Ian's Batman costume last time.  We then went to Bunnings, a Home Depot type of store, and bought a hose,  propane tank fitting, and a tank so we can use the BBQ here.  Yay!  The attachment is a standard one so it is just a simple switch.  Hope it really is that easy. . .
     Lyle is in Newcastle again this week and next week as well.  October is a busy month for him!  Some interesting news about his job-Rio announced last week that they were going to spin off the division he just started working for and put it up for sale.  Of course it won't be an overnight thing, and there are no buyers just yet, but it is a bit frustrating to take a job with an established international company just to be told you will no longer be a part of it!  In the meantime, paychecks still come in and the job has to be done.  This could take several months to sort out, so we'll see what turn the grand adventure takes.
     I started volunteering in Annika's classroom 1-2 hours a week to help with math groups.  I love it!  Ian comes with me and his job is materials allotment-he loves to hand out papers, pencils, and make sure they all come back.  It keeps me sane, which matters a lot right now.
     Just a few weeks left of the school term-hard to believe it!  Have a great week everyone-we'll see if the weather is good for the beach this weekend!

Camp Week!

     Alex goes to camp this week!  I dropped her off this morning at school a half hour early so they could check in her meds and get everyone loaded on time.  She'll be back Friday afternoon.  This is the first time we haven't had her this long-excepting time at Grandma and Baba's house!  She was ready to pack last week, but I managed to convince her that she will have to wear most of what she was wanting to pack before departure.  She has managed to convince Annika that her stuffed animals have cameras in them to keep her out of her bedroom this week.  That may last until Wednesday or so.
     Since we had to be on campus early, I took Ian to the uniform shop and have him outfitted for Prep!  He is pretty excited to have his official school clothes.  Just like the girls-2 formal sets and 1 set for Sport day.  And a big, blue hat!  He thinks this is going to be "so cool!"  He also knows he is 2 shots away from starting school-both he and Annika will be getting 1 more Hep B booster and a menengitis vaccine in the next couple of months.  Alex will catch up when she goes to grade 8 when the country pays for the next round of immunizations.
     Any other exciting news-not really.  We did go to Movie World this weekend-Ian is DYING to be Batman for Halloween and do you think I could find a costume anywhere?  NO.  He has the masks from the kids meals in the theme park and we bought him a cape.  He is excited!  Now to find out just how serious this part of Australia is about Halloween!  I'm hoping not much. . .
     Alex did a super job at her club swim meet on Friday!  It looks like she will advance to the 50m for her backstroke and possibly the freestyle-I have an email into the nominations organizer to make sure.  She was sure plowing through the water and I think she is starting to enjoy it a bit more.  I took some video of her first meet, and will try to get some photos this week.  We are so proud of her!
     Annika's birthday is coming up fast!  We got invitations out to her class last week, and getting ready to have lots of kids around.  Her party will be on her birthday at the park just down the hill from us.  Figured keep it close in case anyone has to go to the bathroom!  She will have mini chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting, cookies, and assorted chips, dips, and spreads, drinks and lots of games to play outside.  Please, please, please don't let it rain as it is an outside party!
     Lyle spent a week in Tasmania for a conference last week.  He said it is absolutely beautiful there and the weather was perfect spring weather.  It's on our list of places to visit, for sure!  He'll be in Newcastle for a few days this week, more next week, and most of the following week as well.  October is a busy month!
     I have started volunteering in Annika's class at least 1 hour a week for math groups on Friday.  I really miss teaching and can hardly wait for my paperwork to all get here so I can forward it to the authorities to get started here.  Ian comes with me, and has done pretty well with it so far.  I also signed up for an American History class through Independent Study at the University of Idaho.  Love that program-this is my 3rd course with them-can do all online and submit the credits for my teacher certificate renewals in the various states.  I'm just 1 credit short for the next round!
     Miss you all and love you more.  Glad you enjoy our adventures!

Ramblings about Aussie Food, and other things!

     Ok, so I know I have been very good these last several months and now there is a bit less of me to love. I like having a trim waist again, but Aussie food is going to be my temptation for sure!
     Here are some of my favorites so far:  Meat Pies, Sausage Rolls, Tim Tams, Mint Cookies.  And I haven't even gotten started into my food adventures yet!  Australia really is a food crossroads.  They have been strongly influenced by their British roots-the meat pies and sausage rolls are great examples of these.  Read any good British novel, and somewhere there are mentioned a good, hot, bubbly meat pie!  If you are interested in a good recipe, here's a link- Meat pie and you will love them!  Think of it as a puff pastry topped, no veggie allowed, pot pie, and you pretty well have it.  Sausage rolls are nearly as good.  They are sausage and herbs wrapped in puff pastry.  You can cut into 1.5 inch pieces for appetizers, or keep 6-7 inches for a main.  I have found long link sausage varieties as well as finely ground meat and herbs with no casings-my personal favorites.
     Another culinary area that has a strong place in Aussie food is India.  There is a large minority of Australians of Indian descent-several families I have met have been here 2-4 generations.  Of course, as part of the British Commonwealth, India and Australia have a long history prior to India's independence. So, from India-the curries!  My favorite so far is Red Curry, which I have made several times.  It really is easy and ingredients are easily available here, and in the US as well.  I use a prepared red curry paste (mild for the kids palates), 1 can reduced fat coconut milk, fish sauce, ground Thai herbs, chicken breast or thighs (shrimp works well too!), and frozen veggies of your favorite variety.  I prefer the kinds with broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, but anything really will work.  Here's how super easy it is to make-heat up a large frying pan and add 2 tbs of red curry paste.  Move around for a minute or so until it smells wonderful.  Add in your cut up meat if using chicken or beef and cook until browned.  Add the coconut milk and stir.  Let simmer until the meat is cooked.  If using seafood, add after the mix simmers for 5 minutes or so to let the flavor develop in the curry and simmer for a couple of minutes until cooked.  Add the veggies and simmer until they are heated.  Serve over hot cooked rice.  Omit the meat if you prefer vegetarian.  I have only just begun to explore the Indian food!
     Japanese, other Asian, and Pacific Islands have also influenced the local eats.  You can order Sushi just about anywhere-there are 2 or 3 sushi stands in the local mall food court alone!  The strip mall where I get our Dominos pizza has an Indian, Sushi, and ice cream store as well as a bank and 2 offices for local political representatives.
     I do have to comment here on ready to eat foods, such as frozen entrees and such that are popular in the states for a quick lunch.  I recall prices being about $2-$3 per box, less of course if you can find on sale to stock up or at Dollar Tree!  1 simple and small Lean Cuisine runs about $5, on sale about $4.50.  I found a line of shelf stable Sun Luck rice and currys that are $4.99.  A family sized lasagna is $15 to $19 and is about 2/3 the size of the typical American comparable item.  Australia really seems to discourage the consumption of these types of foods-they are taxed at checkout at the going 10% GST whereas "real" food items are not.  Lyle goes out to eat nearly every day working in the downtown area-food there is hot, reliable, and about as cost effective as packing a lunch and trying to get it to work without leaking in his bag.  He gets 4 sushi rolls and a coffee for about $7, or teriaki chicken and rice for $8.  Sandwiches are between $5 and $9 depending on fillings and locations.  The kids have hot food available Wednesday-Friday at school.  Items go for $3 to $6 and are really good!  No chicken nuggets here-spinach and feta triangles, Greek pasta salad, grilled sandwiches, chicken wraps, etc.  We are proud that the school received a Gold medal from the state school nutrition review.  It's only the 2nd school in all of Queensland to earn it, and the 1st in Brisbane.  Way to go Camp Hill!
     I also have to mention the sausage sizzle.  Sausage sizzle is very simple-a long sausage grilled and served diagonally on a slice of white bread.  Top with grilled onions and a bit of tomato sauce (ketchup) and it's a keeper!  Very popular for fundraiser food.  You can get for about $2 or so, and they are tasty!  The swim club canteen serves at the Friday night club meets, and it's a fast dinner at home too.
     Seafood is very popular too.  Fish, shellfish, octopus, shrimp, you name it, they serve it.  Deliciously too!
     So, have to make sure I don't eat all the meat pies and sausage rolls.  Just remember, portion control and exercise is everything!
     Annika is signing up for Cricket this week for a 5 week run.  Link for the rules-if you can come up with a simpler way to describe them, let me know!  Cricket rules   Alex also did her first swim meet last Friday-she got 26 seconds in the freestyle and 30 for the backstroke.  Saturday we went to a wedding at the Botanical Gardens on Mt. Coot-tha and Alex to a school Disco.  She has since been fighting a virus and is home today from school.  When that kid sleeps 11 hours, you know she is not feeling well!  Ian is now caught up on his vaccinations for school-in the US!  He and Annika will need to get 1 more Hepatitis B (they require 4 doses here, 3 in the US) and they do a Meningitis vaccine before age 8 that is optional in the US prior to leaving for college.  The country pays for all required vaccinations if you are a citizen or here on a work visa, so in they go to be jabbed.  Alex will have another round of shots prior to grade 8 when she goes to secondary school.  She is sooo excited!  HA!

Pictures, Finally

  A sleepy Koala at the Koala Sanctuary

  Kids petting an emu at the sanctuary

  First Day of school, dig those uniforms!

  View from our 12th floor apartment on Kangaroo Point

  Another view!

  Kangaroo petting!

  Splash!  This was wet and cold-Ian stayed with me, smart guy!

  Movie night on the air mattresses the weekend before we got our stuff.

  The truck full of our stuff-it took a 20 foot truck and a van stuffed full to bring our things.

  Gold Coast beach-oh yeah!

House is sold!

     It is official-the house in Wenatchee is SOLD!  It closed on Friday, only a day later than expected.  The buyer was also doing this long distance and needed an extra day for the papers to get there.  Our papers FINALLY cleared customs in LA after 4 days and made it to Wenatchee on Thursday, so it would have been delayed anyway since documents are needed the day BEFORE closing actually can take place.  WHEW all around.  It is bittersweet though.  That house-we lived in it longer than any other since we moved out of our parents' homes to go to college!  Annika learned to walk there, ate a lot of dirt in the backyard, Alex learned to ride her bike in the street out front, Ian was brought home there!  Our neighbors were/are the absolute best ever-family in many ways for our little family who wasn't from the area.  Guess if we really feel the draw, we can move back there in about 20 years when we (hopefully!!) can retire!
     On a less melancholy note, do you know that lazying at the beach can be exhausting!  We headed up to Bribie Island Saturday and just hung out for 6 hours or so.  Very nice!  It's about 40 minutes north of us off of the M1.  We went to the beach on the far side of the island as they have a patrolled surf area and turned the kids loose in the sand and surf.  Alex is really getting into body surfing and a short board will be in her future.  Annika loves nothing more than clinging to Daddy's hand and jumping through the waves as they roll in, then get rolled into the sand when she is cold.  Ian, now Ian is something else!  His idea of beach heaven is to ROLL around in the sand, dig holes, and run around.  Doesn't usually get into the water, but may get his feet wet on a brave day!  Now me, with my sensitive skin, I stay under the umbrella as much as possible, supervise sunblock application and snack swindling, and laze the day away.  I don't allow the Kindle on the beach due to high probability the sand will ruin it, so a paperback of some kind does get stuffed into the beach bags, but that does not mean it actually gets read!  Shout out to Karri B as well-we use the Lands' End bags you got for us when Annika was born-they are amazing and still used, now more than ever.  1 for towels and swimming stuff, 1 for everything else you can imagine needs to go to the beach.
     As for it being the best beach day ever, not so much.  The wind was blowing hard enough to get sand drifted into everything!  I'm still washing it out of my hair 2 days later!  Cream sunblock also acts as sand glue as well-the spray on stuff is much better!  But, the not so good day at the beach beats just about anything else we could think of at any rate!  The wind kept blowing and just got better too.  The deck furniture will need tied down for sure as the summer storms pick up, otherwise something will be coming through the sliding glass doors!
     I figured out how to download pictures from the camera into a computer-without the transfer USB cord!  Can't find that still, but remembered that Lyle's computer has a media drive!  I never use the darn thing, neither does he, but we must have ordered it installed when we bought it for a reason, and this must be it!  I'll put some pics up in a couple of days, and go back to add pics to some of the posts that are relevant.
     The kids go back to school tomorrow as well!  Hooray!  Maybe sometime this week I can finally get a haircut!