The Rocks and Paddy's Market

Yesterday (Saturday) was spent at the Rocks and Paddy's Market. We caught the train in Leumeah and rode into Sydney, about 45 minutes or so, then walked around the Rocks (the location of the first English settlement in Sydney). We even managed to make it there in time to walk through the Rocks Market (a mix of souvenirs and Australian goods) as well as the discovery museum. It's possible we could have spent the entire day walking around the Rocks, but we were on a mission to also make it to Paddy's before 5. On a side note, all of the shopping in Australia close at 5, except on thursdays which is the official shopping day when the shops close at 8. Anyhoo, we caught a bus to Paddy's and really only managed to walk through the first level before everyone started closing. It was very overwhelming - but I managed to buy a few souvenirs.
This morning we are resting - we haven't made any serious plans, just playing it by ear!

Wollongong Beach

These pictures just don't do the views justice. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny, with a warm breeze (very breezy). I so wanted to be surfing the waves, but it was just a little cold for me. Marie, brave soul that she is, ventured out!
Umm - Allen, you are supposed to be nice to your little sister - stop shooting me the bird! :)
It was like looking off the edge of the earth - no land in site.

Sydney and Manly Beach

The opera house - it's really lovely from a distance. I was a little dissappointed at what it looked like up close - it's definitely been built to show off from the harbor.
Sydney Harbor Bridge. Fantastic. I think I ended up taking more pictures of the bridge's architecture than I did of the opera house.

On the ferry to Manly. It cool and windy and absolutely stunning. I was amazed at the blue color of the water. I guess I am just used to seeing water in Florida...
Manly beach was gorgeous - but a little short on "manly" men. Here's the manliest I could find. Not bad for a brother! :)

After taking the ferry back to Sydney we walked and walked and walked to Chinatown. Did I say we walked? After all of that, I didn't take a photo. What a shame!

We are all pretty pooped today! If we make it out of the house, we'll be lucky!

Featherdale Wildlife Reserve

Featherdale was so much fun!! I ended taking 160 pictures - some of which didn't really turn out, but some turned out really well...

Birdy birds (according to Allen) cause we have no idea what they were called. They were Australian - that we know :)

We actually got to pet the koala bears! They are were soft and cudly!

Teeny tiny kangaroos - right at our fingertips. We got to pet them!
A sleeping Wombat - kinda like a big ol' rat - but HUGE! Scary really. I think these were Allen's favorites!
This peacock as gorgeous - I wish it had gotten a little closer. They actually had a white peacock out and walking around in the cafe area at the reserve.
Achidas. One of these little guys was so sad - he paced back and forth and had apparently been pacing for so long that he had worn a track in their enclosure. Prickly!

Off to Sydney, Manly Beach (Northern Beaches), and Chinatown tomorrow!

Day 1 - Allen's Birthday

No picture today - unless you want one of a seriously hurting brother who needed to go to the dentist...and I just didn't think it was right to take a photo of someone in pain. 

 

It was his birthday - and we spent it taking him to the dentist to have his tooth pulled.  There was no hope of saving it, and it had to go.  So, that also meant, no birthday cake or special dinner for his birthday either.  I did make chicken and dumplings - or at least attempt to make them, since they cooked away and dissappeared from the pan (we think it was the use of butter instead of shortening - which is hard to find here) so we had to make a second batch with Allen rolling them out and getting them ready.  They ended up pretty good - and he seemed to have no problem eating them.

 

Today is just beginning and we are off to Featherdale to see and hopefully hold a koala and kangaroo and anything else they'll let us get near.  I think Allen and Marie are just as excited as I am to go, so it should be fun.

 

Hopefully, photos of cute little australian animals soon....I hope I'm not scared...:)

 

Arrived, safe and sound...

Arrived, safe and sound!  Talk to you all soon!

Sunset in San Francisco

Arrived in San Francisco just in time to see the sunset over the water. Beautimous!!!

Boarding the plane to Sydney any moment...I'm on my way!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go! Just a few short hours at work and I'm on my way! If I get a chance I'll post a few pictures while I am away!

Go Braves!

It's a beautiful "fall" night at the Ted. Go Braves!

It's a beautiful morning....

I'm sitting on the sofa, drinking Cinnabon coffee and listening to the cool breeze blow from the open window. Ahhhh. Happy Sunday morning. It's short lived, as I have to get up and get ready for the day, but I am certainly enjoying it while I can.

Today the fam and I are heading to Bahama Breeze to celebrate Terri's birthday. Then, since we'll be on the right side of town, Mom and I are going to pop into the new Marietta Archiver's, just to see what all of the fuss is about.

Here is the beginning of my new scrap "room". I am super excited about it and actually completed my first project in it on Thursday night.

Luggage tags for my trip to Australia!

I should'nt have any problem finding my black suitcase in the sea of other black suitcases now!

Have a great weekend!

Scrap Room

Okay, okay – I've been lax in the blog thing.  Mostly because of moving and getting the internet up and running, but once I got the kinks worked  I was all excited to post, and then got completely wrapped up in "cultural" things.  I say "cultural" loosely as it involves celebrities and music and Britney Spears.  Poor thing.  Last night the VMA's were on and I was watching while doing stuff around the house.  Brit-Brit completely bombed on the show!  She really needed to do something to help herself…and everyone thought this would be it.  And she flopped – and I mean really flopped.   Between the lip syncing and looking like she was on some kind of recreational drug, it was bad.  I am entirely too involved in celebrity gossip.  I know….

 

This week is all about getting the scrap stuff organized.  I am going to take a before photo of my scrap space tonight, then post the new improved space once I get my shelves from IKEA and some artwork on the wall.  I am super excited.  And then I can actually begin to use my scrap table as something other than a place to deposit junk!  I can't wait.    Anyone have some good artwork ideas?

 

Not many more days until it's time to go to Australia!  Yay!

At the car wash...

I can't tell if you can tell how pretty this is.  A pretty fountain while you are waiting for your car to be washed.  For some crazy reason it makes me happy.  And to top it off - it's Friday!

Have a great weekend!  Hopefully by Sunday I'll have the internet up and working at the new place.