Rightio - it is time I talked about this. My inability to get back into exercise.
Now, don't take this the wrong way, I LOVE exercising! Gym, knocking myself out with a PT, walking the dog, walking ......... anywhere!
However the extreme lack of sleep, early morning awakenings, heading to work, coming home from work (in order to leave early, I take a short lunch break), making dinner, eating dinner, doing washing, putting little ones to bed, making MORE dinner, cleaning up, hanging up washing, doing more washing, a husband who owns his own business and works long hours and weekends ....... somehow it seems I don't have the TIME for exercise.
Someone said to me awhile ago that I am not trying hard enough to fit exercise into my new life. (Needless to say, that person and I are no longer speaking - I would like him to last one FKN day here at Twinsville!!!). I did get back into exercise last year - I was at the Gym at 4 / 4:30am in the morning 3 times a week. It felt great getting back into it ........... until one night I had two hours sleep, and still got up to train. YES, I went, and YES it was hard ........ but that night I hit the wall and got so sick I couldn't train again for two weeks.
A very good friend said to me sleep is more important at this time, and I should not "beat myself up" (thanks Lisa), but when you HATE what you see in the mirror each day, it is hard NOT to feel bad about not doing any exercise.
So here I sit, in study at 10:30 at night wondering HOW and when I will finally get some excercise back into my life .......... until then, I guess I should get some sleep.
SLEEP - Ahhhhhhh yes, that is what I had before the TWINS and before Spencer decided that waking up at about 12:30am (since we returned from holiday) is what should happen each and every night.
OK - PITY PARTY OVER. :-)
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Fear ....
Last night I learnt all about FEAR. I also learnt that I did pay attention in that First Aid class I did last year. I also learnt that in a crisis, I CAN be calm .....
Yesterday was a fairly typical day with the boys. We played, ate and slept ..... and night time came, into the PJ's they went, with the dilemma I have lately about them being "TOO COLD LATER IN THE EVENING". So, I make sure they have enough layers on to be warm later ...
Spencer was a little warm to touch, and had had a fever earlier in the day which Panadol helped. I checked on him a few times, he seemed ok .... and headed off to bed to catch up on the days news/emails, etc.
10:47pm - an almighty SCREAM emits, and I bolt out of bed to find Spencer shaking. I yanked him out of the dark room, rushed him into the main bedroom, to see my lovely boy convulsing, twitching, eyes blank, all stiff .... and foaming at the mouth. Yes, as I type this I am in tears, and YES, I hope I NEVER EVER experience it again.
10:48pm - dialling 000 - as I talk to them, and ask for ambulance, we removed all Spencer's clothing except his vest, and still, he was convulsing on the bed. It is truely the hardest thing I have ever seen, and can still hear him trying to suck in air. We estimate he convulsed for about 5/6 minutes before calming down, panting, still not focused ...... before he turned again and vomited. Still shaking, he started screaming and crying.
All I remember is the lady on the phone telling me to be calm for him, talk to him, reassure him .... just be calm.
Thankfully, the paramedics arrived, and by this time Spencer had stopped shaking, was simply lying still, not really focused, but no longer out of it.
We (Spencer and I) were taken to the Emergency Dept and they observed him overnight - took blood, tried to book Spencer into the hospital for observation (which everyone but the DR thought was unecessary), but eventually let me take him home at 9am. He is on Panadol every 4 - 6 hours, and tonight his temperature is normal.
What happened was that Spencer had a Febrile Convulsion. He COULD have it again, but I truly hope not. It is when he has a fever, and it spikes so high (38+) and he can't cool down (refer back to my earlier comment of ME dressing them warmly IN CASE the got cold later)
It was terrible, horrible, awful .... and I wonder if I could have avoided it if I had just let him get cold, and covered him up in the early hours ....
Tonight, he can get cold ......... I don't care, I'll get up to cover him.
Thank you 000, Paramedics and the Emergency Dept at Sunshine Hospital.
Thank you GOD.
Later
Me
Yesterday was a fairly typical day with the boys. We played, ate and slept ..... and night time came, into the PJ's they went, with the dilemma I have lately about them being "TOO COLD LATER IN THE EVENING". So, I make sure they have enough layers on to be warm later ...
Spencer was a little warm to touch, and had had a fever earlier in the day which Panadol helped. I checked on him a few times, he seemed ok .... and headed off to bed to catch up on the days news/emails, etc.
10:47pm - an almighty SCREAM emits, and I bolt out of bed to find Spencer shaking. I yanked him out of the dark room, rushed him into the main bedroom, to see my lovely boy convulsing, twitching, eyes blank, all stiff .... and foaming at the mouth. Yes, as I type this I am in tears, and YES, I hope I NEVER EVER experience it again.
10:48pm - dialling 000 - as I talk to them, and ask for ambulance, we removed all Spencer's clothing except his vest, and still, he was convulsing on the bed. It is truely the hardest thing I have ever seen, and can still hear him trying to suck in air. We estimate he convulsed for about 5/6 minutes before calming down, panting, still not focused ...... before he turned again and vomited. Still shaking, he started screaming and crying.
All I remember is the lady on the phone telling me to be calm for him, talk to him, reassure him .... just be calm.
Thankfully, the paramedics arrived, and by this time Spencer had stopped shaking, was simply lying still, not really focused, but no longer out of it.
We (Spencer and I) were taken to the Emergency Dept and they observed him overnight - took blood, tried to book Spencer into the hospital for observation (which everyone but the DR thought was unecessary), but eventually let me take him home at 9am. He is on Panadol every 4 - 6 hours, and tonight his temperature is normal.
What happened was that Spencer had a Febrile Convulsion. He COULD have it again, but I truly hope not. It is when he has a fever, and it spikes so high (38+) and he can't cool down (refer back to my earlier comment of ME dressing them warmly IN CASE the got cold later)
It was terrible, horrible, awful .... and I wonder if I could have avoided it if I had just let him get cold, and covered him up in the early hours ....
Tonight, he can get cold ......... I don't care, I'll get up to cover him.
Thank you 000, Paramedics and the Emergency Dept at Sunshine Hospital.
Thank you GOD.
Later
Me
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Play Centre musings ...
An experience today has got me so riled up that it made me want to BLOG!!! OMGawd - it's been a while. Pre-baby boys it seems. Of course, it's because I have NO TIME!!
Anyway, today I took the little munchkins to the playcentre up the road. We've been before, and they love it. It was nice and empty when we arrived, except for one little turd ...er, boy, and his Mum with her new little baby girl. In go my munchkins .... to the little fenced in play area, and so it begins.
Little turd ...er, boy decides to stand in the way of the ball pit. No problem, the munchkins do something else. Eventually, Spencer Sticky-Nose decides to crawl across a hump shaped thing, and this little turd ... er, boy, waits until Spencer gets to the top, and pushed him aside. Spencer shrugs it off, and goes to play with toys on the other side. Little turd ...er, boy decides that he is going to play with X toy, and Spencer decided he also wanted to play with that (of course!). There was pushing and shoving, so I picked up Spencer, and we moved over to play with trucks and ramps, etc. Well BLOW ME DOWN, if the little turd dropped his toy, and proceeded to SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF ME and Spencer and the Trucks! Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, we moved over to the X toy ....... and the little turd runs over and shoves us away from it. Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, we moved over the the trucks again ........... and he did the same thing again.
Now the Mum is sitting there watching, saying sweet FUCK ALL, watching little precious turd boy do this, I am all for sharing, if the little guy was lonely and wanted to play, but this shoving, non-toy-sharing, little A$$ was being a selfish prick of a kid.
I picked up Spencer, took Abel's hand and moved them away to the ball pit. My play date arrived, and her and I, and her little one had a lovely time, .... when he suddenly appeared again, inside a small cubby house, where my two munchkins were. Spencer came out ....... Abel was still in there, and the little turd pushed Abel to get him out. Not just once, but twice. I was right there, and said to turd boy "Stop pushing him. That's not nice". I helped Abel out and left turd kid in there. We all continued playing ...
Imagine my surprise, when I was getting the boys lunch ready, when I see her (all packed up and ready to go) walking out past me. Her little baby girl was smiling, so I said Hi to her (because I am PATHETIC with smiling kiddies). She looks at me and says:
TBM (Turd Boy Mum) : You had no right to speak to my son like you did.
MM (Munckin Mum, that's me) : errrrrr?
TBM : You growled at him
MM : errrrrrrrrrr?
TBM : You growled at him, and you are going to give him nightmares
MM : Errrrrrrrrrrrr? Pardon?
TBM : Yes, you told him DONT PUSH HIM in a growly voice. That'll give him nightmares ...
MM : Really?
TBM : Yes, and your kids need to learn to share
MM : Hahahahahahahaha, You are kidding me? Were you watching YOUR son?
TBM : Hurmphhhh
MM : YOUR son needs to learn to share! ... and I walked away. She stood for about 5 seconds, and glared back at me, then walked off.
Now, I HATE confrontation, but have realised that with my boys, I am going to have to start mastering the art of dealing with F*#kWit Mums!
I have decided she is that Mum who never says NO, has a naughty corner, and asks Turd boy 50 times to "Please stop it" with no bloody consequences if he DOESN't stop it.
OK RANT OVER
Playing with muchkins time
Over and Out
Growly Mum :-)
Little turd ...er, boy decides to stand in the way of the ball pit. No problem, the munchkins do something else. Eventually, Spencer Sticky-Nose decides to crawl across a hump shaped thing, and this little turd ... er, boy, waits until Spencer gets to the top, and pushed him aside. Spencer shrugs it off, and goes to play with toys on the other side. Little turd ...er, boy decides that he is going to play with X toy, and Spencer decided he also wanted to play with that (of course!). There was pushing and shoving, so I picked up Spencer, and we moved over to play with trucks and ramps, etc. Well BLOW ME DOWN, if the little turd dropped his toy, and proceeded to SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF ME and Spencer and the Trucks! Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, we moved over to the X toy ....... and the little turd runs over and shoves us away from it. Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, we moved over the the trucks again ........... and he did the same thing again.
Now the Mum is sitting there watching, saying sweet FUCK ALL, watching little precious turd boy do this, I am all for sharing, if the little guy was lonely and wanted to play, but this shoving, non-toy-sharing, little A$$ was being a selfish prick of a kid.
I picked up Spencer, took Abel's hand and moved them away to the ball pit. My play date arrived, and her and I, and her little one had a lovely time, .... when he suddenly appeared again, inside a small cubby house, where my two munchkins were. Spencer came out ....... Abel was still in there, and the little turd pushed Abel to get him out. Not just once, but twice. I was right there, and said to turd boy "Stop pushing him. That's not nice". I helped Abel out and left turd kid in there. We all continued playing ...
Imagine my surprise, when I was getting the boys lunch ready, when I see her (all packed up and ready to go) walking out past me. Her little baby girl was smiling, so I said Hi to her (because I am PATHETIC with smiling kiddies). She looks at me and says:
TBM (Turd Boy Mum) : You had no right to speak to my son like you did.
MM (Munckin Mum, that's me) : errrrrr?
TBM : You growled at him
MM : errrrrrrrrrr?
TBM : You growled at him, and you are going to give him nightmares
MM : Errrrrrrrrrrrr? Pardon?
TBM : Yes, you told him DONT PUSH HIM in a growly voice. That'll give him nightmares ...
MM : Really?
TBM : Yes, and your kids need to learn to share
MM : Hahahahahahahaha, You are kidding me? Were you watching YOUR son?
TBM : Hurmphhhh
MM : YOUR son needs to learn to share! ... and I walked away. She stood for about 5 seconds, and glared back at me, then walked off.
Now, I HATE confrontation, but have realised that with my boys, I am going to have to start mastering the art of dealing with F*#kWit Mums!
I have decided she is that Mum who never says NO, has a naughty corner, and asks Turd boy 50 times to "Please stop it" with no bloody consequences if he DOESN't stop it.
OK RANT OVER
Playing with muchkins time
Over and Out
Growly Mum :-)
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Hospital musings ....
Hi, still here :-)
My Dr is back from holiday tomorrow, and I will see him here to find out what the go is - so nothing to report yet, OK?
Moving onto musings :
Musing 1 : Is it permissble to punch a Midwife in the head when she wakes you up at 5:45am to take your blood pressure?
Musing 2 : WTF - isn't a hospital supposed to be QUIET?
Musing 3 : Shift change at 9:30pm handover, and the NEW shift comes into the room to see you at 11pm???
Musing 4 : The steriod injections I am on prevent you sleeping - errrrr, thanks, I ALREADY have that problem, didn't need it to be HARDER!
Musing 5 : In HUGE letters on the board 'REST" - can I point you back to Musing 2 & 3?
Anywho, here I am. Reading my book, strolling around - because I mean seriously, who of you is expecting me to sit still? I already have a notation in my chart "not in room" when they came in for something.
Babies are fine and moving about, they like to play up when the monitoring machine is on - you know, moving AWAY from the listening pad so you can't hear anything, and then the machine gets left on LONGER.
I have already told them when they get out, they will be beaten - I don't care WHOSE fault it was :-)
Oh Oh
Musing 6 : What is the nurses obsession with "what names have you picked out". I almost said Bismarck and Guthro - just to see (all my South African friends are rolling around on the floor now) :-)
OK, might be more later, but for now, that's all.
Cheers
Me
My Dr is back from holiday tomorrow, and I will see him here to find out what the go is - so nothing to report yet, OK?
Moving onto musings :
Musing 1 : Is it permissble to punch a Midwife in the head when she wakes you up at 5:45am to take your blood pressure?
Musing 2 : WTF - isn't a hospital supposed to be QUIET?
Musing 3 : Shift change at 9:30pm handover, and the NEW shift comes into the room to see you at 11pm???
Musing 4 : The steriod injections I am on prevent you sleeping - errrrr, thanks, I ALREADY have that problem, didn't need it to be HARDER!
Musing 5 : In HUGE letters on the board 'REST" - can I point you back to Musing 2 & 3?
Anywho, here I am. Reading my book, strolling around - because I mean seriously, who of you is expecting me to sit still? I already have a notation in my chart "not in room" when they came in for something.
Babies are fine and moving about, they like to play up when the monitoring machine is on - you know, moving AWAY from the listening pad so you can't hear anything, and then the machine gets left on LONGER.
I have already told them when they get out, they will be beaten - I don't care WHOSE fault it was :-)
Oh Oh
Musing 6 : What is the nurses obsession with "what names have you picked out". I almost said Bismarck and Guthro - just to see (all my South African friends are rolling around on the floor now) :-)
OK, might be more later, but for now, that's all.
Cheers
Me
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Hospital it is .....
Rightio - so 1st March and off for a scan, that I waited over an hour to have as apppointments pushed in front of mine were people who were LATE LATE, and so they shoved me back. YAY - not!!
ANYWAY - 35 weeks 6 days today, and the bubs are 2.5 and 2.7kg, which I think/thought was great. After scan, upstairs to Dr Vikki - and I am late for that appointment due to scan. Blood pressure taken - absolutely fabulous 120/80 - so doesn`t reallly explain the blurred vision or the spots before my eyes. I tell the Dr I feel `ick all the time, hot face, and the radiologist calls and there is alot of `uh huh, oh, reallly, uh huh, hmmmm` on the phone. Turns out that the cord blood for each baby is moving slower than they`d like and the babies have grown slower than they would have liked (HELL I think they are big enough, right????) So, suggestions of steriod injections, today and tomorrow, and blood pressure checks ...... and then Dr deciides to be safe and put me in hospital for fetal monitoring, and injections, and blood tests, protein tests - so here I am.
Lucky I brought my bag with me :-)
So, I have done the bloods, had the steroid injection, started the whole protein test thing, and here I sit. Unfortunately not in a private room yet - sharing with someone, but the curtain is closed and I have my iPod in, iPad open ..... Once I have the bubs, I move to a private room.
John has gone home to collect my books and stuff, as I didn`t bring everything along,, so blog it is ....... ready to be bored everyone??? :-) I am singing on the inside - boogie woogie in the bed ......lalalalalalalala
ANYWAY - 35 weeks 6 days today, and the bubs are 2.5 and 2.7kg, which I think/thought was great. After scan, upstairs to Dr Vikki - and I am late for that appointment due to scan. Blood pressure taken - absolutely fabulous 120/80 - so doesn`t reallly explain the blurred vision or the spots before my eyes. I tell the Dr I feel `ick all the time, hot face, and the radiologist calls and there is alot of `uh huh, oh, reallly, uh huh, hmmmm` on the phone. Turns out that the cord blood for each baby is moving slower than they`d like and the babies have grown slower than they would have liked (HELL I think they are big enough, right????) So, suggestions of steriod injections, today and tomorrow, and blood pressure checks ...... and then Dr deciides to be safe and put me in hospital for fetal monitoring, and injections, and blood tests, protein tests - so here I am.
Lucky I brought my bag with me :-)
So, I have done the bloods, had the steroid injection, started the whole protein test thing, and here I sit. Unfortunately not in a private room yet - sharing with someone, but the curtain is closed and I have my iPod in, iPad open ..... Once I have the bubs, I move to a private room.
John has gone home to collect my books and stuff, as I didn`t bring everything along,, so blog it is ....... ready to be bored everyone??? :-) I am singing on the inside - boogie woogie in the bed ......lalalalalalalala
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
First night pain free!!!
Night One:
The good dog (that is Murphy) stayed in his crate with no complaints!! However the medicine he is on makes him need to wee more. Now when I say wee more, I mean he wees for about 2 minutes!!! I kid you not!!! I looked online and that is a side effect of the drug, so when he needs to go you are outside awhile!!
He seems to cope well with being in the crate, whinges abit but so far not as bad as I thought. Of course, now I have said that he will probably whinge all night!
I got up once in the night to let him out and he went back into his crate no problem when we came back in. The only difference is that he sleeps differently in the crate. He does not curl up in a ball like normal (which was when he woke in pain)..
Fingers crossed that this rest is all he needs
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The good dog (that is Murphy) stayed in his crate with no complaints!! However the medicine he is on makes him need to wee more. Now when I say wee more, I mean he wees for about 2 minutes!!! I kid you not!!! I looked online and that is a side effect of the drug, so when he needs to go you are outside awhile!!
He seems to cope well with being in the crate, whinges abit but so far not as bad as I thought. Of course, now I have said that he will probably whinge all night!
I got up once in the night to let him out and he went back into his crate no problem when we came back in. The only difference is that he sleeps differently in the crate. He does not curl up in a ball like normal (which was when he woke in pain)..
Fingers crossed that this rest is all he needs
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, July 18, 2011
MurphMan is home
Well, just got back from the Vet, and have brought the MurphMan home.
So basically, we still are not sure WHAT is wrong, but the thoughts are leaning towards a pinched nerve in his neck that is just not showing up on the MRI - which is APPARENTLY normal! So, he has had cage rest for ONE week, and now must have another 3 weeks of cage rest at home! That is going to be a huge issue - quite clearly for US, not for him. He was apparently an ANGEL at the Vet - so calm, quiet, etc. Of course, here at home he is the wingey, whiney, moaney dog.
So let's see if he is able to sleep through the night with no pain! He is on two type of pain killers, and has a new blanket, and pillow - and has ME, sitting here looking at him, wishing I could take him OUT OF THE CAGE!
IF, IF, IF the pain DOES re-occur, our next option is to do a CT scan. with some high resolution special thing - but let's hope that is NOT necessary, and that this cage rest has helped, and will help for the future.
Photos of the ORPHAN dog shortly ....
So basically, we still are not sure WHAT is wrong, but the thoughts are leaning towards a pinched nerve in his neck that is just not showing up on the MRI - which is APPARENTLY normal! So, he has had cage rest for ONE week, and now must have another 3 weeks of cage rest at home! That is going to be a huge issue - quite clearly for US, not for him. He was apparently an ANGEL at the Vet - so calm, quiet, etc. Of course, here at home he is the wingey, whiney, moaney dog.
So let's see if he is able to sleep through the night with no pain! He is on two type of pain killers, and has a new blanket, and pillow - and has ME, sitting here looking at him, wishing I could take him OUT OF THE CAGE!
IF, IF, IF the pain DOES re-occur, our next option is to do a CT scan. with some high resolution special thing - but let's hope that is NOT necessary, and that this cage rest has helped, and will help for the future.
Photos of the ORPHAN dog shortly ....
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
No job, Gotta Blog!
After 8 long years at AGL (4 as an employee, and 4 as a Contractor), my contract finally ended on 30th June! Out the door I went, and into the Home Office :-)
Here is a list of all the cool things I was planning on doing :
Captain is an old boy, and grumpy bum who wakes us up about twice a night woofing, or sniffing, or something. So, abit tired from that.
Now the little MurphMan has got something wrong with him - not sure WHAT, but it seems like the nerves in his neck/spine are pinching (or something). This started on the Thursday, at night only, when he would YELP in pain, and run into the bedroom and sit on the bed shaking. It gradually got worse (and I took him to the Emergency Vet on Saturday to have him checked out). During the DAY, no symptoms ...... but at night, because he relaxes, it seems to aggravate whatever the HELL it is. My own vet gave me some anti-inflammatory stuff and some pain pills - did NOTHING, because last night, he YELPED in so much pain, and nothing I did would make him stop. No amount of patting, hugging, loving ...... yelping the whole time.
Off to the Emergency vet again - $150.00 a time, and he shook all the way there, and whilst we waited for the really nice Vet. Murphy stayed in overnight, and this morning the NeuroSpecialist called. We have "kind of" established (due to his reaction to the pain - which is to raise one paw in the air) that it is in his neck/spine region, but only an MRI will establish WHAT it is exactly - and that is TOMORROW. So another day in the ICU Ward for him, with some nice pain relief tonight. I think he will be happy to be there, as he has had no sleep since Thursday (which means neither have I)
.......... which goes back to the fact that I have done nothing off my list as I am so bloody tired!
Will keep you posted on the MurphMan.
Later
M
Here is a list of all the cool things I was planning on doing :
- Gym, Gym, Gym
- Walking the Dogs
- Sleeping in
Captain is an old boy, and grumpy bum who wakes us up about twice a night woofing, or sniffing, or something. So, abit tired from that.
Now the little MurphMan has got something wrong with him - not sure WHAT, but it seems like the nerves in his neck/spine are pinching (or something). This started on the Thursday, at night only, when he would YELP in pain, and run into the bedroom and sit on the bed shaking. It gradually got worse (and I took him to the Emergency Vet on Saturday to have him checked out). During the DAY, no symptoms ...... but at night, because he relaxes, it seems to aggravate whatever the HELL it is. My own vet gave me some anti-inflammatory stuff and some pain pills - did NOTHING, because last night, he YELPED in so much pain, and nothing I did would make him stop. No amount of patting, hugging, loving ...... yelping the whole time.
Off to the Emergency vet again - $150.00 a time, and he shook all the way there, and whilst we waited for the really nice Vet. Murphy stayed in overnight, and this morning the NeuroSpecialist called. We have "kind of" established (due to his reaction to the pain - which is to raise one paw in the air) that it is in his neck/spine region, but only an MRI will establish WHAT it is exactly - and that is TOMORROW. So another day in the ICU Ward for him, with some nice pain relief tonight. I think he will be happy to be there, as he has had no sleep since Thursday (which means neither have I)
.......... which goes back to the fact that I have done nothing off my list as I am so bloody tired!
Will keep you posted on the MurphMan.
Later
M
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Work is interferring with my Exercise ...
Rightio, so I am sure you all know I train / go to Gym around 3 times a week. I tend to go in the morning, as by the afternoon, once I am finished work, I just want to go home....
I train from 6m - 7am, so a HARD CORE hour with Karl, my personal trainer. He is killing me at the moment, as he is going away on 8 weeks holiday, and wants to make sure I know how to "kill myself with exercise" whilst he is away overseas. Needless to say, the sessions over the past week have been really hard.
The session this morning was hard, but I did not realise how hard until I was driving home, almost vomiting from tiredness and exertion. So, when I got home at 7:15am, I promptly got back into bed! Of course, then I dozed off and woke up at 8:30am, feeling refreshed and generally much better ........... but very late for work.
So I drove into the city today, and got here by around 9:45. I am still shattered, and think I need to give up work to concentrate on exercise! :-)
I train from 6m - 7am, so a HARD CORE hour with Karl, my personal trainer. He is killing me at the moment, as he is going away on 8 weeks holiday, and wants to make sure I know how to "kill myself with exercise" whilst he is away overseas. Needless to say, the sessions over the past week have been really hard.
The session this morning was hard, but I did not realise how hard until I was driving home, almost vomiting from tiredness and exertion. So, when I got home at 7:15am, I promptly got back into bed! Of course, then I dozed off and woke up at 8:30am, feeling refreshed and generally much better ........... but very late for work.
So I drove into the city today, and got here by around 9:45. I am still shattered, and think I need to give up work to concentrate on exercise! :-)
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Daylesford
9th April 2011 – 5:05pm
Ahhhh – a weekend away. John is overseas, and I had to remain behind. Of course, husband said “go away with the dogs” “have a weekend away” .. so I selected this lovely place in Daylesford called Hollow Log Cottages. I am staying in the Stoney Cottage, which is a bachelor pad basically, everything in ONE room, but nice enclosed bathroom. Perfect for just me.
Of course, now I had to pack to come here, and because I am an “anal” person, I made a list of all the Doggie things and then all the thing I needed. Started packing, and ......... the dogs have more luggage!!!! I have TWO bags, they have 5 bags – 1 for leads and towels, 1 for blankets and treats, 1 for sheets and dog food, 1 for bowls and (technically not a bag), 3 beds!
OMG, lugging all that backwards and forwards took about half an hour, and only then could I pack my stuff in the car, or should I say SQUISH my stuff in the teeny tiny space left for it. Goodness me!
Only took 1½ hours to get here, thankfully, as about 25 minutes in it started to bucket down with rain. I don’t mind driving in the rain, but people are IDIOTS here. They all of a sudden drive FASTER than the speed of light – zooming everywhere, overtaking in the pouring rain. Morons. Anywho, still raining when I got to our destination. The lovely Mandy showed me to my cottage, and the spotted wonder dogs were put in the doggie paddock so I could unpack the car in peace. Did you hear them where you live? Are you sure you didn’t hear howling, crying, moaning dogs in the background of your life? Holy hell, did they moan about being left in the paddock – which was about 6 meters from the cottage, but ............ so very very far in spotted wonder dog eyes!
I took some pictures BEFORE all my and the dogs “stuff” was lugged into the cottage, as I wanted some NICE pictures before I had to cover all the furniture and the bed so that doggie hair was not kindly left anywhere.
It is still raining, softly now, and I am sitting near the fire, bubbles in hand ........ and just about to read a book. I have a wonderful selection of DVD’s here, so I think I might be bunkered down for the evening already
Ahhhh – a weekend away. John is overseas, and I had to remain behind. Of course, husband said “go away with the dogs” “have a weekend away” .. so I selected this lovely place in Daylesford called Hollow Log Cottages. I am staying in the Stoney Cottage, which is a bachelor pad basically, everything in ONE room, but nice enclosed bathroom. Perfect for just me.
Of course, now I had to pack to come here, and because I am an “anal” person, I made a list of all the Doggie things and then all the thing I needed. Started packing, and ......... the dogs have more luggage!!!! I have TWO bags, they have 5 bags – 1 for leads and towels, 1 for blankets and treats, 1 for sheets and dog food, 1 for bowls and (technically not a bag), 3 beds!
OMG, lugging all that backwards and forwards took about half an hour, and only then could I pack my stuff in the car, or should I say SQUISH my stuff in the teeny tiny space left for it. Goodness me!
Only took 1½ hours to get here, thankfully, as about 25 minutes in it started to bucket down with rain. I don’t mind driving in the rain, but people are IDIOTS here. They all of a sudden drive FASTER than the speed of light – zooming everywhere, overtaking in the pouring rain. Morons. Anywho, still raining when I got to our destination. The lovely Mandy showed me to my cottage, and the spotted wonder dogs were put in the doggie paddock so I could unpack the car in peace. Did you hear them where you live? Are you sure you didn’t hear howling, crying, moaning dogs in the background of your life? Holy hell, did they moan about being left in the paddock – which was about 6 meters from the cottage, but ............ so very very far in spotted wonder dog eyes!
I took some pictures BEFORE all my and the dogs “stuff” was lugged into the cottage, as I wanted some NICE pictures before I had to cover all the furniture and the bed so that doggie hair was not kindly left anywhere.
It is still raining, softly now, and I am sitting near the fire, bubbles in hand ........ and just about to read a book. I have a wonderful selection of DVD’s here, so I think I might be bunkered down for the evening already
Friday, December 03, 2010
Fashion Doggies
Well, the fashionable doggie shots arrived .......... OMG!
So, these are two taken from the Photographers Facebook page. And then I also took 2 off the CD he kindly sent me.
Look at how happy Captain is in this shot. What a happy boy!!!
And here are Murphy; being such a good boy - Look Mum - NO LEAD, and Ruby Princess with her feather boa lead!!!
The photos are stunning, and HUGE!!! So I will be cropping and updating them to get more of them up here.
So for now .... enjoy!
So, these are two taken from the Photographers Facebook page. And then I also took 2 off the CD he kindly sent me.
Look at how happy Captain is in this shot. What a happy boy!!!
And here are Murphy; being such a good boy - Look Mum - NO LEAD, and Ruby Princess with her feather boa lead!!!
The photos are stunning, and HUGE!!! So I will be cropping and updating them to get more of them up here.So for now .... enjoy!
Friday, November 05, 2010
Doggie Fashion Shoot
Well,
The Spotted Wonder dogs were asked to take part in a fashion shoot. Now, I don't have pictures yet, but when I do I will get them up here for you to take a gander at.
The photographer was Chris Garbacz - www.cgistudios.com.au. What a character!! Full of life, fun and so easy going.
That really is all the dogs needed, they didn't need stylin or make-up as they are uber stylish anyway, and had enough "spots", BUT ...
The make-up was done by Tanya Guiccione - www.tanyaguiccione. WOW! Wish I was a model ... the make-up was stunning. All I am going to say is "KY Jelly" ......... :-). Who knew it had so many OTHER uses.
The Stylin was done by Trish Gaggliardi - uber cool, OF COURSE being a stylist. I need a stylist ... hell, don't we all? (OK, maybe not Pam ........ or Cindy ......... 'cos they are Stylish anyway!)
HOW did we get this gig?
Well, Andrew and Viv gave us a voucher for www.pipsqueaksphotography.com.au for our Christmas/Birthday - and we had doggie photos taken. I have the collage sample :
The photographer apparently saw a flyer that Tanya had put up in various doggie food stores asking for 3 Dalmatians for a photo-shoot. She contacted me, I contacted Tanya ...... and ta da .... we wait for the shots to appear in glamour magazines everywhere.
YES, GLAMOUR fashion shoot - was not all about the dogs, but about the MODELS!!!!
Can' wait to see .......
The Spotted Wonder dogs were asked to take part in a fashion shoot. Now, I don't have pictures yet, but when I do I will get them up here for you to take a gander at.
The photographer was Chris Garbacz - www.cgistudios.com.au. What a character!! Full of life, fun and so easy going.
That really is all the dogs needed, they didn't need stylin or make-up as they are uber stylish anyway, and had enough "spots", BUT ...
The make-up was done by Tanya Guiccione - www.tanyaguiccione. WOW! Wish I was a model ... the make-up was stunning. All I am going to say is "KY Jelly" ......... :-). Who knew it had so many OTHER uses.
The Stylin was done by Trish Gaggliardi - uber cool, OF COURSE being a stylist. I need a stylist ... hell, don't we all? (OK, maybe not Pam ........ or Cindy ......... 'cos they are Stylish anyway!)
HOW did we get this gig?
Well, Andrew and Viv gave us a voucher for www.pipsqueaksphotography.com.au for our Christmas/Birthday - and we had doggie photos taken. I have the collage sample :
The photographer apparently saw a flyer that Tanya had put up in various doggie food stores asking for 3 Dalmatians for a photo-shoot. She contacted me, I contacted Tanya ...... and ta da .... we wait for the shots to appear in glamour magazines everywhere.
YES, GLAMOUR fashion shoot - was not all about the dogs, but about the MODELS!!!!
Can' wait to see .......
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Home Again, Home Again - Jiggity Jig
7th July
Well, yes, finally on the way back home. This time the car and man that collected me from my hotel were on time andin a Mercedes. Luffly - with Air conditioning.
Got to the airport in decent time, checked in - and my bag went from 19.1 kg's when I left Melbourne, to a modest 32 kg's now I am coming back home :-)
Didn't buy that much, I promise!!!
Took about a hour to get through the luggage check, and then roamed around the Duty Free before heading into the Business Lounge - that DID NOT have WiFi access. WTF????? (I am typing this in Bangkok airport, and THEY have WiFi!!). ANYWAY, got on the plane and off we headed.
Now the plan WAS to sleep on this leg, and stay awake for the next leg so I am able to sleep tonight in Melbourne. Pfffffffff - someone forgot to tell my body and brain that, and even with a sleeping tablet - I only got about 30 minutes. YAWN!! Hopefully it will all work out on this next SHORT 9 hour leg.
I will be heading out soon to peruse the shops here in HUMUNGOUS Bangkok airport. Wonder if I will find anything?
Nearly home. C u all soon :-)
Luff
Me
Well, yes, finally on the way back home. This time the car and man that collected me from my hotel were on time andin a Mercedes. Luffly - with Air conditioning.
Got to the airport in decent time, checked in - and my bag went from 19.1 kg's when I left Melbourne, to a modest 32 kg's now I am coming back home :-)
Didn't buy that much, I promise!!!
Took about a hour to get through the luggage check, and then roamed around the Duty Free before heading into the Business Lounge - that DID NOT have WiFi access. WTF????? (I am typing this in Bangkok airport, and THEY have WiFi!!). ANYWAY, got on the plane and off we headed.
Now the plan WAS to sleep on this leg, and stay awake for the next leg so I am able to sleep tonight in Melbourne. Pfffffffff - someone forgot to tell my body and brain that, and even with a sleeping tablet - I only got about 30 minutes. YAWN!! Hopefully it will all work out on this next SHORT 9 hour leg.
I will be heading out soon to peruse the shops here in HUMUNGOUS Bangkok airport. Wonder if I will find anything?
Nearly home. C u all soon :-)
Luff
Me
Vatican and Catacombs
6th July
Loved the Vatican – but Sistine Chapel you can keep, I’ll take St Peters Basillica any day!!! I love Baroque churches, that is what I have decided. All I will remember about the Sistine Chapel is “shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” from the bloody guards. Every 5 seconds, Shhhhhhhhhh, even if you were NOT talking. What a crock!!! However the Vatican Museum is amazing. I was so impressed that I bought the book on the Vatican. You know that my Dad will be turning over in his GRAVE at that – but I think he would have understood how much it was about the art!!
Loved the Vatican – but Sistine Chapel you can keep, I’ll take St Peters Basillica any day!!! I love Baroque churches, that is what I have decided. All I will remember about the Sistine Chapel is “shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” from the bloody guards. Every 5 seconds, Shhhhhhhhhh, even if you were NOT talking. What a crock!!! However the Vatican Museum is amazing. I was so impressed that I bought the book on the Vatican. You know that my Dad will be turning over in his GRAVE at that – but I think he would have understood how much it was about the art!!
Was an extremely hot day when we did the Vatican tour, and OMG the queue to get in was amazing @ 8:30am – but when we got out at around Noon, it was over a kilometre long. I can honestly say, if I had not booked tours, there would have been no way in hell I would have stood in a queue for ANYTHING that long. I hauled ass in a cab back to the hotel to re-charge the cameras and sit in the air-conditioning before heading out again.
The Catacombs this time, and whilst we only toured ONE Catacomb, and then two churches, the Catacombs are amazing. To think that in 3ad these things were dug by HAND, up to 4 storeys deep as as a cemetery. There were a few saints and popes buried here, but the main burial place was for the homeless or those people who died in the street of Rome. What an amazing thing. The Guide mentioned that the sizes of the burial areas in the wall were different as there were many children buried here. How sad .....
Did two churches – which were Baroque. The guide said that Baroque must mean OMG in any language, as that is what you say when you see it. Very very true.
Got back to the hotel around 6pm, showered and sat in the aircon before heading out again – this time back to Wine & Grill for my final dinner in Rome. I was told by someone who lived here for a few years, that the traditional dish of Rome is Spaghetti Vongole (Clams), so that is what I had. One thing I don’t understand is that you get no food with Vegetables!!! You get bread and pasta ..... hello TUBBO!!! I must say tho, that I think I might be the only person to come to Italy and NOT gain weight because of my bloody dodgy stomach. I even bought “Travel” pills to help my stomach cope – which probably did help, but not much. I ate, and then the food left. That’s it. Oh well, not a BAD thing – my pants still fit:-) TMI, I know ...
Heading home tomorrow, so packed the cases and am ready to hit the road back to Melbourne.
More then
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Milan - San Marino
4th July 2010
Milan here we come. Got to Milan around 9:30 and headed off to La Scala – OMG never in my life did I think I would get to be here. Awe inspiring. They say no photos – pffffffff to that shite. I got some, might not be the best as had no flash, but you betcha I was taking some. Hide my camera in my handbag and snapped as I walked around, keeping out of sight of the security guards.
We also saw the Diomo??? Church that took 500 years to build – can you see the detail and understand why? It is massive. Unfortunately the sun was behind the church so the pics are not so great.
Headed off to have lunch at an AutoGrill – these places are everywhere. You can have ANYTHING there – they have a buffet!!!! John would have LOVED it.
Drove for 4 hours to get to San Marino – and whilst the history and place is amazing, I am underwhelmed by the place. All the shops are cheap shite you could buy at Victoria Market in Melbourne. I think there are about 6 or 7 shops I saw that were worthwhile going into, but otherwise, just Chinese looking imported crap. I had to walk around for about 45 minutes before I found a bloody postcard!!!
Milan here we come. Got to Milan around 9:30 and headed off to La Scala – OMG never in my life did I think I would get to be here. Awe inspiring. They say no photos – pffffffff to that shite. I got some, might not be the best as had no flash, but you betcha I was taking some. Hide my camera in my handbag and snapped as I walked around, keeping out of sight of the security guards.
We also saw the Diomo??? Church that took 500 years to build – can you see the detail and understand why? It is massive. Unfortunately the sun was behind the church so the pics are not so great.
Headed off to have lunch at an AutoGrill – these places are everywhere. You can have ANYTHING there – they have a buffet!!!! John would have LOVED it.
Drove for 4 hours to get to San Marino – and whilst the history and place is amazing, I am underwhelmed by the place. All the shops are cheap shite you could buy at Victoria Market in Melbourne. I think there are about 6 or 7 shops I saw that were worthwhile going into, but otherwise, just Chinese looking imported crap. I had to walk around for about 45 minutes before I found a bloody postcard!!!
Now tomorrow, the GROUP has to decide whether to go to Perrugia or not. Apparently, looks just like San Marino. So I think NO, as I will get to Rome earlier and will be happy with that. I had dinner with 3 other Aussies who were complaining that we didn’t go to Bologna and THEY PAID FOR IT!!! We didn’t go to Bologna as apparently it had been removed from the tour as it took 2 hours to get there plus another hour of walking around, and all the shops are closed on Sunday!!! I am still saying Noooooooooooooo Thanks to Perrugia. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Sirmione ROCKS (and Verona and Lake Como too!!)
3 July 2010
Well left Venice at 8:30 in the morning, to get to Verona nice and early. Only takes about 1h30. Lovely square there, and they were performing several operas there from June until November – how fanastic would that have been!!
So we headed through the little streets to get to Juliet’s balcony. They don’t even take you to see where Romeo lived! All about Juliet. I rubbed the statue for good luck, however it is weird to see women standing next to the statue, hanging off her boob .... weird-o-ness!!
We then went and saw a medieval church. Was really lovely and in such an unusual style compared to the others in the place. We had about 50 minutes to wander around the place. I found the SWATCH store – yeee haaaaaa, and I bought a new watch. It is a tri colour bangle looking swatch – latest design for summer. Really nice, and I finally know what time it is. I left my watch at home, so have been using the iPhone for time. I also found the Disney store, and bought two Mickey Mouse T-shirts. They are tighter than I usually wear (yes, I know that WOULD NOT be hard), so will have to make sure I wear them. I mean, they have Mickey Mouse on!!!
Then the guide said we would be going to Sirmione – which is where Lake Garda is. This lake is bigger than Lake Como, and absolutely stunning. Germans, Swedes, everyone goes there on holiday. Awesome, and I will so go back there. We paid to get on a speed boat that took us around Sirmione from one side of the castle that is there to the other. They have a thermal spring there, in the middle of the lake – so the boat stopped, off with the engine and we sat for a few seconds, and there was water bubbling up!!! 28 degrees it is (the water) Beautiful!!!
Well left Venice at 8:30 in the morning, to get to Verona nice and early. Only takes about 1h30. Lovely square there, and they were performing several operas there from June until November – how fanastic would that have been!!
So we headed through the little streets to get to Juliet’s balcony. They don’t even take you to see where Romeo lived! All about Juliet. I rubbed the statue for good luck, however it is weird to see women standing next to the statue, hanging off her boob .... weird-o-ness!!
We then went and saw a medieval church. Was really lovely and in such an unusual style compared to the others in the place. We had about 50 minutes to wander around the place. I found the SWATCH store – yeee haaaaaa, and I bought a new watch. It is a tri colour bangle looking swatch – latest design for summer. Really nice, and I finally know what time it is. I left my watch at home, so have been using the iPhone for time. I also found the Disney store, and bought two Mickey Mouse T-shirts. They are tighter than I usually wear (yes, I know that WOULD NOT be hard), so will have to make sure I wear them. I mean, they have Mickey Mouse on!!!
Then the guide said we would be going to Sirmione – which is where Lake Garda is. This lake is bigger than Lake Como, and absolutely stunning. Germans, Swedes, everyone goes there on holiday. Awesome, and I will so go back there. We paid to get on a speed boat that took us around Sirmione from one side of the castle that is there to the other. They have a thermal spring there, in the middle of the lake – so the boat stopped, off with the engine and we sat for a few seconds, and there was water bubbling up!!! 28 degrees it is (the water) Beautiful!!!
After we had lunch there – which we (being another Australian woman travelling on her own, Bianca) had a bottle of La Garda Castillino (rose wine). That was lovely.
Off to Lake Como – and sadly, George had to leave early and was not available to meet me this time. However, I did some MORE shopping. Lake Como is “apparently” know for Italian Silk – I didn’t know that, so I went in hunt of the elusive stuff. You would think there would be stacks of shops with material ......... I found ONE – Trompetto – and proceeded to buy material and scaves. There are no words to describe the patterns and designs on the various silks in the shop!!
The hotel we stayed in was the best so far of all my tours. Hotel Grand Di Como. Not in the heart of Como, but near a beach. Rooms were massive, and THEY ARE PET FRIENDLY!!! OMG – yes indeed, this is a hotel you can take your DOG too on holiday with you. I asked what the doggie deal was – they only stay on the 5th floor (you and the dog), and you can bring 2 small ones or 1 large one. Absolutely stunned. I got in the lift going up accidently, and happily had a couple and their dog join me in the lift to go to Breakfast.
When we pulled up at the hotel the night before, there was a yellow Lamborghini in the driveway. When I went down for dinner, the NEW Ferrari was parked there too. Of course, I went outside, and found 3 guys hovering – and they all spoke English. One was the “delivery guy”, and the other two were Germans that HIRED the Lamborghini for one day, and were now swopping it for the Ferrari!! Oh YES INDEED, you bet I asked to open the door and look about!!!!
Anywho, off to Milan and San Marino tomorrow. The bus pretty much empties at Milan. All but 3 of us get off, and we pick up another 13 for the trip back to Rome.
The bus driver said San Marino was more beautiful than Lake Como ..... let’s see.
Venice Venice Venice - I am in Venice!!!
2nd July 2010
I got up nice and early, and headed to the little ferry taxi thing to get to Saint Marcos square for my tour of Doges Palace. Interesting place St Marcos square – massive, with so many shops around it, and hidden in the back of it are Versace, Chanel, etc .... however, there are many cafes located all around the square – and the guide pointed out one called Cafe Florian (been here since 1720!!). Apparently where Casanova used to meet his lady friends.
Entered into the Doges Palace – and the square is the only place you can take pictures. You have to leave all backpacks or large bas in a locked luggage box, plus your camera. There are guards everywhere watching to see if you take any pictures. So, of course I did not, but OMG, no picture could do justice to the place. What an awesome awesome sight it was. Guilded everything, with paintings on canvas on the walls and ceilings. Absolutely magnificent. I know I was standing with my mouth open, gawking, gaping at it all. I would go back in there tomorrow. I will try and find a book on it as well. It was really interesting historically too.
Venice is a really interesting place historically too. Never had anyone try and overthrow the government of the day – the one guy (Doge) who tried was beheaded, and buried with his head between his knees! Hmmmmmmmmm, there is incentive NOT to try that again.
After my tour, I had a few hours to waste between tours, so I headed to Cafe Florian. Yes, it is expensive, but what a lovely place to sit and watch people go by. They have a band with a violinist, pianist, accordion – which you get charged 6 Euro to enjoy – but so work it. They play waltzes and requests. Stunning.
My next tour was Murano, Burano and Torcello – so Glass, lace and church. You can only get there by boat – and all up, the trip is 3 :30 hours. Saw some glass blowing – which I remember seeing in Australia when I was little. It used to be all the rage – anyone remember the glass figurines you could buy everywhere? I bought myself some Murano Pandora beads for my Pandora – I know you can buys the beads in Australia, but certainly not the many varieties you could get IN Murano.
The handmade lace was fantastic. There was a woman giving a demonstration. She must have been about 80 years old – really, and could still thread the eye of the minute needle she has to use to do this intricate work. I had my FIRST Gelato here – now I know Melisa is falling over herself with shock, but I was never a big fan of the Aussie version of Gelato, but the stuff here is magnificent. I might have to have a Gelato everyday from now on. However, I was told by gelato “afficiandos” that I must not have Gelato from the franchise stores, but from the little places that make it themselves. OK, I will do that!
La Gondola ride was amazing – I HAD to do it, and was in the Gondola with an Amercian woman, her Mum and kids. Was great as they take you through all the little canals, and there is one Gondola that has the singer and Accordian player in it, and you get serenaded as you go around the canals. Fabulous!
There is a hotel here in Venice called the Pritti Palace – when or if I come back here, I think I want to stay there. It looks stunning! I caught a water taxi from there back to my hotel – just because I wanted to! John has already been here, so not sure if I would come back unless to do a stopover on my way to somewhere else. It was stunning, and I am so glad I came. Dream 2 fulfilled! (Dream 1 was the Colloseum)
I have bought a few bits and pieces in Venice and surrounds, but of course, I only brought my teeny tiny case with me. Which means I cannot fit everything in it – so I bought myself the latest greatest fashion coloured hardcase – LILAC. I LOVE the colour. Did I mention Lilac is the biggest colour here? I MUST buy something clothes wise in that colour, as I do love it. I do like my Lilac case, and it is officially the PRESENT case – or the gifts for others and for me case.
Off to Verona and Lake Como tomorrow.
I got up nice and early, and headed to the little ferry taxi thing to get to Saint Marcos square for my tour of Doges Palace. Interesting place St Marcos square – massive, with so many shops around it, and hidden in the back of it are Versace, Chanel, etc .... however, there are many cafes located all around the square – and the guide pointed out one called Cafe Florian (been here since 1720!!). Apparently where Casanova used to meet his lady friends.
Entered into the Doges Palace – and the square is the only place you can take pictures. You have to leave all backpacks or large bas in a locked luggage box, plus your camera. There are guards everywhere watching to see if you take any pictures. So, of course I did not, but OMG, no picture could do justice to the place. What an awesome awesome sight it was. Guilded everything, with paintings on canvas on the walls and ceilings. Absolutely magnificent. I know I was standing with my mouth open, gawking, gaping at it all. I would go back in there tomorrow. I will try and find a book on it as well. It was really interesting historically too.
Venice is a really interesting place historically too. Never had anyone try and overthrow the government of the day – the one guy (Doge) who tried was beheaded, and buried with his head between his knees! Hmmmmmmmmm, there is incentive NOT to try that again.
After my tour, I had a few hours to waste between tours, so I headed to Cafe Florian. Yes, it is expensive, but what a lovely place to sit and watch people go by. They have a band with a violinist, pianist, accordion – which you get charged 6 Euro to enjoy – but so work it. They play waltzes and requests. Stunning.
My next tour was Murano, Burano and Torcello – so Glass, lace and church. You can only get there by boat – and all up, the trip is 3 :30 hours. Saw some glass blowing – which I remember seeing in Australia when I was little. It used to be all the rage – anyone remember the glass figurines you could buy everywhere? I bought myself some Murano Pandora beads for my Pandora – I know you can buys the beads in Australia, but certainly not the many varieties you could get IN Murano.
The handmade lace was fantastic. There was a woman giving a demonstration. She must have been about 80 years old – really, and could still thread the eye of the minute needle she has to use to do this intricate work. I had my FIRST Gelato here – now I know Melisa is falling over herself with shock, but I was never a big fan of the Aussie version of Gelato, but the stuff here is magnificent. I might have to have a Gelato everyday from now on. However, I was told by gelato “afficiandos” that I must not have Gelato from the franchise stores, but from the little places that make it themselves. OK, I will do that!
La Gondola ride was amazing – I HAD to do it, and was in the Gondola with an Amercian woman, her Mum and kids. Was great as they take you through all the little canals, and there is one Gondola that has the singer and Accordian player in it, and you get serenaded as you go around the canals. Fabulous!
There is a hotel here in Venice called the Pritti Palace – when or if I come back here, I think I want to stay there. It looks stunning! I caught a water taxi from there back to my hotel – just because I wanted to! John has already been here, so not sure if I would come back unless to do a stopover on my way to somewhere else. It was stunning, and I am so glad I came. Dream 2 fulfilled! (Dream 1 was the Colloseum)
I have bought a few bits and pieces in Venice and surrounds, but of course, I only brought my teeny tiny case with me. Which means I cannot fit everything in it – so I bought myself the latest greatest fashion coloured hardcase – LILAC. I LOVE the colour. Did I mention Lilac is the biggest colour here? I MUST buy something clothes wise in that colour, as I do love it. I do like my Lilac case, and it is officially the PRESENT case – or the gifts for others and for me case.
Off to Verona and Lake Como tomorrow.
C U Then
Ola Vincenze!!
1st July 2010
Let’s just remind everyone that in 20 days time it is my birthday!!!
OK, so got up bright and early this morning – only because I couldn’t bloody sleep again. *sigh*
Checked out of the Sheraton, and surprisingly my bill was not as bad as I was expecting. Bearing in mind that everything at the Sheraton is almost double the price and you can’t have a cheap dinner!
Got a cab to Hotel Tritone, as that is where I am coming back to after this trip. As I previously mentioned they are more than happy to look after my BIG ASS case, and squished 4 days stuff in my little case. I have been thinking and I think I am going to purchase a lovely lilac hard case. I have seen them here and I think that is the colour for me.
So, got to the station at 7:30am!!! And my train is only at 8:45! No matter, am being very Italian and had a scoliorie? For breakfast (which is a pastry filled with custard – didn’t realise that when I bought it!) I can already see Karl’s face light up with GLEE with all the exercises he is going to make me to to work of that ONE bloody pastry.
Rude Rude Italian man at the coffee shop as well – decided I should have been rude the entire time I was in Rome. I might has fit in more. Trying to be nice and use my “sunny personality” just doesn’t work. Although I am now on the train, opposite me is sitting a Canadian man, and he is a rude prick too. So, perhaps I am being to harsh on the Italians? Errrrrrrrr, no! Don’t think so.
The train is the Eurostar 9404 and stops Firenze, Bologna, Rovigo, Padova, Ve Mestre and finally Venezia - @ 12:35. Got the iPoddy in and doing boogie woogie in the chair again – listening to Lilly Allen getting my attitude on!!!!. Beautiful countryside, lovely train, good music – all seems good right now. I was getting abit nervous travelling on my own, as everyone on every tour had said “wow, on your own”.
OK, got the the hotel, which seems quite nice, although the guy who checked me in made a HUGE deal about “you on the single”. YES I AM!!! Bloody hell. Anywho, grabbed a map as the guy said “oh about half an hour” to get to Saint Marks Square – My ARSE!!!! In Rome, I was able to walk here and there with no map, generally did the map ONE day and then was pretty easy to get my bearings. Not in Venice – I ended up nowhere near Saint Marks, actually over the other side looking at it from the lighthouse!!! Talk about walkabout. So for 4 hours I tromped around, and eventually when I got near it I went “stuff it” look at it tomorrow, tired now. Then walked alllllllllllllllllll the way back again. Got to my hotel all hot and bothered only to be dismissed by the new guy on the desk – I think I must have had my invisibility cloak on as he just ignored me WHILST looking at me. WTF??? I was so over it, and eventually the other guys realised how upset I was getting ............
Nevermind, I now found a travel agency and we have booked 3 tours for tomorrow – morning – WALKING tour around landmarks of Venice; afternoon – trip to Murano glass; evening – Gondola serenade. Job done!
Off to hopefully go to the restaurant Michael B recommened to me. They open at 7pm and do not take bookings.
Let’s just remind everyone that in 20 days time it is my birthday!!!
OK, so got up bright and early this morning – only because I couldn’t bloody sleep again. *sigh*
Checked out of the Sheraton, and surprisingly my bill was not as bad as I was expecting. Bearing in mind that everything at the Sheraton is almost double the price and you can’t have a cheap dinner!
Got a cab to Hotel Tritone, as that is where I am coming back to after this trip. As I previously mentioned they are more than happy to look after my BIG ASS case, and squished 4 days stuff in my little case. I have been thinking and I think I am going to purchase a lovely lilac hard case. I have seen them here and I think that is the colour for me.
So, got to the station at 7:30am!!! And my train is only at 8:45! No matter, am being very Italian and had a scoliorie? For breakfast (which is a pastry filled with custard – didn’t realise that when I bought it!) I can already see Karl’s face light up with GLEE with all the exercises he is going to make me to to work of that ONE bloody pastry.
Rude Rude Italian man at the coffee shop as well – decided I should have been rude the entire time I was in Rome. I might has fit in more. Trying to be nice and use my “sunny personality” just doesn’t work. Although I am now on the train, opposite me is sitting a Canadian man, and he is a rude prick too. So, perhaps I am being to harsh on the Italians? Errrrrrrrr, no! Don’t think so.
The train is the Eurostar 9404 and stops Firenze, Bologna, Rovigo, Padova, Ve Mestre and finally Venezia - @ 12:35. Got the iPoddy in and doing boogie woogie in the chair again – listening to Lilly Allen getting my attitude on!!!!. Beautiful countryside, lovely train, good music – all seems good right now. I was getting abit nervous travelling on my own, as everyone on every tour had said “wow, on your own”.
OK, got the the hotel, which seems quite nice, although the guy who checked me in made a HUGE deal about “you on the single”. YES I AM!!! Bloody hell. Anywho, grabbed a map as the guy said “oh about half an hour” to get to Saint Marks Square – My ARSE!!!! In Rome, I was able to walk here and there with no map, generally did the map ONE day and then was pretty easy to get my bearings. Not in Venice – I ended up nowhere near Saint Marks, actually over the other side looking at it from the lighthouse!!! Talk about walkabout. So for 4 hours I tromped around, and eventually when I got near it I went “stuff it” look at it tomorrow, tired now. Then walked alllllllllllllllllll the way back again. Got to my hotel all hot and bothered only to be dismissed by the new guy on the desk – I think I must have had my invisibility cloak on as he just ignored me WHILST looking at me. WTF??? I was so over it, and eventually the other guys realised how upset I was getting ............
Nevermind, I now found a travel agency and we have booked 3 tours for tomorrow – morning – WALKING tour around landmarks of Venice; afternoon – trip to Murano glass; evening – Gondola serenade. Job done!
Off to hopefully go to the restaurant Michael B recommened to me. They open at 7pm and do not take bookings.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Colloseo ...
30 June 2010
Colloseum!!! Yes Yes Yes, I finally managed to get myself onto a tour. Of course, the fact that it was 35deg, and took place in the afternoon made it DAMN DAMN hot.
The Hotel has a shuttle bus that takes you into Rome. It drops you off miles away from anything it seems – but it took me over an hour to walk to where the tour was, so I was HOT and BOTHERED by the time I got there. You get on an air-conditioned bus, so I was OK before we headed off
This was a walking tour. I guess no-one told the big fat ass Americans that got on our bus LATE that. They complained from the very first step we took off the bus!! They went on and on and on ......... bloody hell. WALKING TOUR – means WALKING, not sitting, not resting, not lying down.
ANYWAY – the tour I did was Imperial Rome, so did Colloseum, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. Truly amazing. I am so glad I did not have to stand in the queue to get in – My GOD!!! I took tonnes of pictures, and am so happy I did it. I was overwhelmed I think as it has not really sunk in.
Got back to Sheraton at 6:15 – took a cab. Well, they don’t put the air con on in the cabs. They have all the windows open, so you melt abit but still have a breeze. So, there I am, sitting in the cab with this young driver, and he heads off the main road, onto a dirt road ........... and I am imagining being murdered. No really, stop laughing, I was driving through the dirt with paddocks on either side, and suddenly my heart stopped ...... then he hit a left, up a hill, and popped out on the bloody freeway!!! Jesus! I think I must have sighed, as he suddenly realised what I must have been thinking, and he apologised all the way back. It was a shortcut to the freeway – takes about 15 minutes off the trip.
WHEW – got back to the hotel, all OK. Jumped into my costume, jumped in the pool – so hot!
THEN, got back to my room, getting ready to pack to head to Venice tomorrow – opened the fridge door for the Champagne I had placed inside – to find NOTHING. The bloody cleaner had chucked out my Champagne. Bloody Hell!!! All sorted now – chatted to the lovely Room Service people.
I ordered room service tonight, to relax, etc. The room service food is better that the restaurant food – the menu is different!!! Yum Yum. I then popped out to put the tray in the passage, and the door shut. No problem – I had the key, but it didn’t work. There I was in the passage – DID I MENTION I WAS IN MY PYJAMAS??? *sigh*. Had to find the phone near the lift and explain to the little “Antonio” on reception that NO, I could not come down as I was in my jammys .... :-)
Finally back in the room, charging all the things in preparation for my trip.
Venice, here I come. I truly hope it is everything I am expecting.
Colloseum!!! Yes Yes Yes, I finally managed to get myself onto a tour. Of course, the fact that it was 35deg, and took place in the afternoon made it DAMN DAMN hot.
The Hotel has a shuttle bus that takes you into Rome. It drops you off miles away from anything it seems – but it took me over an hour to walk to where the tour was, so I was HOT and BOTHERED by the time I got there. You get on an air-conditioned bus, so I was OK before we headed off
This was a walking tour. I guess no-one told the big fat ass Americans that got on our bus LATE that. They complained from the very first step we took off the bus!! They went on and on and on ......... bloody hell. WALKING TOUR – means WALKING, not sitting, not resting, not lying down.
ANYWAY – the tour I did was Imperial Rome, so did Colloseum, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. Truly amazing. I am so glad I did not have to stand in the queue to get in – My GOD!!! I took tonnes of pictures, and am so happy I did it. I was overwhelmed I think as it has not really sunk in.
Got back to Sheraton at 6:15 – took a cab. Well, they don’t put the air con on in the cabs. They have all the windows open, so you melt abit but still have a breeze. So, there I am, sitting in the cab with this young driver, and he heads off the main road, onto a dirt road ........... and I am imagining being murdered. No really, stop laughing, I was driving through the dirt with paddocks on either side, and suddenly my heart stopped ...... then he hit a left, up a hill, and popped out on the bloody freeway!!! Jesus! I think I must have sighed, as he suddenly realised what I must have been thinking, and he apologised all the way back. It was a shortcut to the freeway – takes about 15 minutes off the trip.
WHEW – got back to the hotel, all OK. Jumped into my costume, jumped in the pool – so hot!
THEN, got back to my room, getting ready to pack to head to Venice tomorrow – opened the fridge door for the Champagne I had placed inside – to find NOTHING. The bloody cleaner had chucked out my Champagne. Bloody Hell!!! All sorted now – chatted to the lovely Room Service people.
I ordered room service tonight, to relax, etc. The room service food is better that the restaurant food – the menu is different!!! Yum Yum. I then popped out to put the tray in the passage, and the door shut. No problem – I had the key, but it didn’t work. There I was in the passage – DID I MENTION I WAS IN MY PYJAMAS??? *sigh*. Had to find the phone near the lift and explain to the little “Antonio” on reception that NO, I could not come down as I was in my jammys .... :-)
Finally back in the room, charging all the things in preparation for my trip.
Venice, here I come. I truly hope it is everything I am expecting.
Conference & Sheraton here I come!
27 June 2010
Today got up bright and early – not because I wanted to but because I could not sleep. Had breakfast for the first time in my hotel (as I am usually on a bus going somewhere by 7am). Then headed out to see and buy stuff. BUT Nooooooooooo – Rome did not want to play along, as all the bloody shops were closed!!! Damn it! So I walked around some more and found even more things that I had not seen before, which was great.
The Lovely Roberto at my hotel kindly pointed me in the direction of the Kappa store, as John wants an Italia Rugby jersey – that shop was open, so now he has one.
The lovely Roberto also ordered me a cab to take me to the Sheraton – which OMG, what an experience. Remember I was collected by a DRIVER when I landed (albeit a LATE driver). Good grief – interesting describes it. Got to the Sheraton and checked in – but got no offer of help for my luggage, which is strange for the Sheraton. Anywho, unpacked my ENTIRE case for the first time of this trip, got in the cossie and headed for the pool. The room was a trifle hot, but the aircon was on, so I presumed all was OK.
After I had burnt my skin, I got changed to head over to the conference venue – that you can only get to by CAB!!! HUGE HUGE HUGE place. There were about 5 others things on, I have never seen anything this huge before – almost the size of Melbourne airport – Domestic and International – and even abit more. I registered, helped out some conference check figure out the printer ......... see even on holiday, I am being a HELPER!!! Bloody IT! :)
Cabbed back to the Sheraton, and went back into the room – it was HOT as HELL. It was actually cooler outside. I reported it to maintenance ........ an hour later someone turns up, checks this and that, says “got to check main board” and pisses off. I wait another hour – mind you, waited outside on the step!!! He didn’t return, so I had an early dinner. Got back to the room at around 8pm – still HOT. I phoned reception, they said “we sended someone” I said “YES, but still not working”, they say “OK, send again”. Half an hour later I am still outside on the step ....... and I had enough. I went to reception, and instead of blowing my stack I simply said “I reported my airconditioning over 3 hours ago, and it is still not working. I want to move to another room”
OK says helpful lady, so sorry, so very sorry, I will give you new room. I said thanks and rushed to re-pack my entire case again. Funny how when you in a rush, nothing fits and the case seems heavier! They sent a concierge to help me with my bags (about bloody time!!!) and he say “sorry” when I mentioned the airconditioning, and apologised for making him come out to where I was staying.
Now let me make this clear, the room I had I thought was lovely – nice, big, lovely bathroom. As we are walking back to the main hotel, he hands me my new room key and says “this is better”. I say “HUH”, and he said “you now in main hotel, and we refurbished it last August. Your new room is much more beautiful”. Oh, OK .....
Well, OMG. I have my own lift to the 4th floor – well, I share it with the 10 other rooms on the floor, but this room is OMG – a deluxe suite room – doesn’t have a lounge, but has a terrace overlooking the golf course. My original room would fit in the bathroom of this room!!!!
So apparently at the Sheraton, if they can’t fix it, and you complain, they upgrade you. (well, that has been MY experience).
Go ME!!!
Today got up bright and early – not because I wanted to but because I could not sleep. Had breakfast for the first time in my hotel (as I am usually on a bus going somewhere by 7am). Then headed out to see and buy stuff. BUT Nooooooooooo – Rome did not want to play along, as all the bloody shops were closed!!! Damn it! So I walked around some more and found even more things that I had not seen before, which was great.
The Lovely Roberto at my hotel kindly pointed me in the direction of the Kappa store, as John wants an Italia Rugby jersey – that shop was open, so now he has one.
The lovely Roberto also ordered me a cab to take me to the Sheraton – which OMG, what an experience. Remember I was collected by a DRIVER when I landed (albeit a LATE driver). Good grief – interesting describes it. Got to the Sheraton and checked in – but got no offer of help for my luggage, which is strange for the Sheraton. Anywho, unpacked my ENTIRE case for the first time of this trip, got in the cossie and headed for the pool. The room was a trifle hot, but the aircon was on, so I presumed all was OK.
After I had burnt my skin, I got changed to head over to the conference venue – that you can only get to by CAB!!! HUGE HUGE HUGE place. There were about 5 others things on, I have never seen anything this huge before – almost the size of Melbourne airport – Domestic and International – and even abit more. I registered, helped out some conference check figure out the printer ......... see even on holiday, I am being a HELPER!!! Bloody IT! :)
Cabbed back to the Sheraton, and went back into the room – it was HOT as HELL. It was actually cooler outside. I reported it to maintenance ........ an hour later someone turns up, checks this and that, says “got to check main board” and pisses off. I wait another hour – mind you, waited outside on the step!!! He didn’t return, so I had an early dinner. Got back to the room at around 8pm – still HOT. I phoned reception, they said “we sended someone” I said “YES, but still not working”, they say “OK, send again”. Half an hour later I am still outside on the step ....... and I had enough. I went to reception, and instead of blowing my stack I simply said “I reported my airconditioning over 3 hours ago, and it is still not working. I want to move to another room”
OK says helpful lady, so sorry, so very sorry, I will give you new room. I said thanks and rushed to re-pack my entire case again. Funny how when you in a rush, nothing fits and the case seems heavier! They sent a concierge to help me with my bags (about bloody time!!!) and he say “sorry” when I mentioned the airconditioning, and apologised for making him come out to where I was staying.
Now let me make this clear, the room I had I thought was lovely – nice, big, lovely bathroom. As we are walking back to the main hotel, he hands me my new room key and says “this is better”. I say “HUH”, and he said “you now in main hotel, and we refurbished it last August. Your new room is much more beautiful”. Oh, OK .....
Well, OMG. I have my own lift to the 4th floor – well, I share it with the 10 other rooms on the floor, but this room is OMG – a deluxe suite room – doesn’t have a lounge, but has a terrace overlooking the golf course. My original room would fit in the bathroom of this room!!!!
So apparently at the Sheraton, if they can’t fix it, and you complain, they upgrade you. (well, that has been MY experience).
Go ME!!!
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