Mushie the Painter

Being the LOL around here I've been given the task of painting the new house. So I have had to get familiar with paints - acrylic, low sheen, flat, ceiling, wash & wear, under coat etc etc and get handy with the paint roller, brush and edger.

I've only painted once before (chezzys pink wall!) and I have to admit I actuallly quite enjoy it - even the little splashes here and there that drip onto my head and into my eyes! Of course i'm not painting a whole house just odd walls here and there so it isn't too terrifying I guess. Plus I've got a handy little painting crew (thanks mum & dad) who seem to have a bit of painting experience up their sleeves.

The hardest bit was deciding with what colour to go with!! After inquiring about the Dulux colour consultant (too exp) and numerous trips to the Bunnings and Dulux, taking home every paint swatch (what are they called) and every brochure possible I came to the conclusion that it was just too damned hard. So opted to paint over the current feature walls in the bedrooms to the very safe 'neutral white' to match the already painted 'neutral white' walls and do nothing to the very very bright blue feature wall in the tv room till we've lived there for a while, got some furniture and carpet and then see what would be a better colour to paint it.

I'm hoping that the blue will grow on me and will save me the trouble of deciding what to do! I've picked up a 'spiced nutmeg' colour to go with the surrounding 'cafe' walls but am a bit of a 'fraidy cat' to trust my (terrible) colour instincts! Otherwise i'll give it a year or two and then splurge on a colour consultant and get the whole house redone!

How did all you guys with feature walls decide on your colours! Tell me the secret!!

Mini Break - The Entrance

It had been well over 5 months since our last holiday so we thought it was high time to get out of Sydney for a little bit of R&R. Where to go for a weekend away around Sydney though????

Well, for us it was abit of a no brainer - as my folks have a lovely little holiday home at the The Entrance we decided to try it out for the first time. It's only about 2 hrs drive from us so even though the weather was terribly gloomy we hopped in the car for a little get away.

The weather was a little dreary and we managed to walk around The Entrance and have lunch all pretty quickly. As it was so overcast it felt really late in the day, so we walked up to the teeny tiny cinema to have a sticky beak at was showing. Bingo Gran Torino was showing at 5.35pm! I had been wanting to see that and it seemed the perfect time do so (as we'd run out of stuff to do already). Hmm, 5.35pm wonder how long till we have to wait.... holy moly guacamole we thought it's only 12.30pm! With the sad grey weather and having exhausted checking out the town it really felt like late afternoon!

So we decided to head to the massive Homemaker Supa Centre and Westfield we saw on the way in. We spent lots of time checking out the Good Guys, Bing Lee, Carpets Stores, Furniture stores etc. I was shocked Dessy lasted so long - now I know the trick. If ever I want Des to come shopping with me, head to The Entrance! We got a good lesson on carpets from the lovely sales person there and Dessy had a good ol' chat to the Bing Lee sales person while I was at Spotlight.

We then headed back to town to wait another 1.5 hrs for our movie. Bonus is that I found a place that sells Buffalo Wings (though they call them Walkabout Wings as its an 'Aussie' themed restaurant) - i'll have to remember for next time as the only other place I can think of that would have them is Hooters!

I really enjoyed the movie and got me thinking about how lucky we are to live in a nice area without having to deal with everything that comes along with a 'bad' neighbourhood. Clint Eastwood was excellent and now i'm on the move to watch his other movies.

We picked a yummy yummy thai place to eat. Cheap eats and good! The headed back to our holiday home for some tv and rest.

We woke up the next morning to fantastic sunny weather and took advantage of outdoor breakie dinning. My Salmon Benedict was heavenly!!

Outside our holiday home and yummy breakie

And the little markets were a real bargain!! I almost bought a wooden table for $5 and a penguin cookie jar for $8 and numerous glasses for 50c, $1 each! But dessy stopped me and reminded me we still haven't moved into our new home yet so I had to make do with some freebie old issues of Beautiful Home Mag.

Market Time!

After the markets we made our way home and that ends our first mini break away in Oz! So it wasn't Paris or Rekyjavik or Dublin or Marrakesh but it did it's job just as well, and that was to get us refreshed again!

I'm a little late

to the Greys Anatomy thingo, but i've finally caught up! I've just watched the last episode of season 4 and will have to start onto Season 5, which I think is the current season.

In the beginning when there was all the Greys hype I didn't really get into it. Mostly because I couldn't stand Meredith's whiny voice. I'd heard about McDreamy but didn't think he was all that from the brief glimpses I had gotten on commercial breaks, but after getting a bit desperado for TV shows (once i'd watched everything conceiveable) I was forced to start up on Greys.

Yes Merediths voice bugged me to no end but I got involved too much to care. It is official I am a Greys fan. Not so much the completley obsessed fan as I am with other shows but fan nonetheless. Although I can't understand why Meredith can't get over herself and her abandonment issues and just get with McDreamy again!!!

And yes I have to admit McDreamy is Dreamy (a bit too good to be true me thinks) and yes McSteamy is Steamy :)

Oh and ofcourse i'm a complete surgical expert now too :)

Fairy Queen Princesses

My first attempt at a party cake! It was kinda tragic - the little fairy queen princess ended up being much bigger than it looked in the photo (no scale on those party book photos!) and was 3 cakes worth.

She looks a little wonky and a bit lumpy and lucky you can't see her face too well as I needed to make extra icing and forgot to let the butter soften so it's all very lumpy - as my neice said 'her face is a bit ugly'.

At least my neice looked the part of a super cute fair queen princess!

Brand New Mushie!

Well, brand new mushie hair actually! Being a LOL has meant my exercise regime has gone by the wayside so in an attempt to get some exercise I did some walking and walked my way to a brand new haircut near the station.

I am relatively happy with it - although my fringe was a bit disasterous (which is why its pinned back) but I do miss getting that shoulder massage from jmoriyama. I guess paying half the price is compensation enough though.

Oh and if you're wondering whose sexy legs they are there in the background, well who other than mr tan hands himself, konked out from another day in the 'office' working hard and making a living for his wifey's LOL lifestyle - thanks dessy!

Lazy Mushie

I was attempting to clear out some of our photos from our many zillions currently taking up space on the pooter. I came across this one and realised that I must really be a bit of a lazy mushie, as I am actually wearing my pj's in this photo!!

See that pink top - thats my pj top and I vaguely remember getting up while in NYC and going ah heck i'm just gonna pull on some jeans and put a cardie over my pjs and go out. Um, hope no one noticed. I think I actually went out for brunch at the Orient/Mandarin hotel (some asian sounding hotel that looks over Hyde Park) - i'm surprised they let me in and then we went out for sukiyaki as u can see in the photo later at night after a bit of sightseeing and shopping!!

I swears this isn't a normal thing for me - the only other time I really remember doing such a thing is when we were racing to get to the hospital for this - but that was a bit more obvious - I don't think blue flannels with bright pink cutie pie elephants all over it could really pass as a 'day time' top!

Things I Miss

Shopping and Cheap Shoes

Good Public Transport

Weekend Food Trips to Europe

Dinner with friends at Cranfield Court


Being a stones throw away from Europe

Breakfast at La Fromagerie

Lazing on my red couch at Cranfied Court


Having $£$£$ to splurge on yummy meals


LONDON FRIENDS!!

Busy in Sydney!

I am terrible - haven't been keeping this bloggie updated very well since coming back. Surprisingly for a Lady of Leisure (ie unemployed) my time seems to go by very very fast.

Things that have happened since we've been back

1. We bought a car! Our first big big purchase. I've never written a cheque for such a huge amount, was a bit scary.

2. After being a bit scared over writing a cheq for car was abit overwhelmed at the thought of having to bring my cheque book to an auction in the off chance I actually won the bid. We didn't get the house (its still for sale) and I didn't have to write another cheque! We're still homeless - sorry no New Years part at our house.

3. We attended Stuey & Yves wedding. Beautiful and fun, ofcourse the MC's were top notch ;)

4. I have been having fun sewing and doing lots of little projects. This monkey has been one of them.

5. I've been busy maintaining my shops. Surprisingly made quite a few photo sales, thanks to the Christmas rush no doubt! Opened another shop with little hand made sewn goodies - had my very first sale (to a complete stranger) last night - shipped it off today. Oh here they are just in case :) http://ppdesigns.etsy.com for photos and http://jumpyfrog.etsy.com for everything else.

6. My sis had a baby the day we arrived. My bro had a baby a week ago. My cousin had a baby a month ago. My other cousin is due this week. Plus there are a zillion other bubs to be born or had been born while we were overseas that we have been catching up with. As you may have guest my time has been busy playing with lots of babies!! I love it :)

Every weekend seems jam packed busy but am enjoying the warm summer days and sun. I have been getting loads of comments about looking tanned too :)

Only 6 more days till Chrissie. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Bye Bye 'Casa De Tan' London Branch :(

We have well and truly left London! Here are the final pics of our final minutes at the London branch of Casa De Tan, our home for the last 3.5 years:

Packing the last of the boxes and suitcases

Bye Bye Front Door & Bathroom


Bye Bye Kitchen & Bedroom


Bye Bye Living Room

My New Hero

While Jack is on a break from saving the world and what not I have a new hero to keep me entertained.

Bear Grylls from Man vs Wild is my new Hero! I love watching this show and seeing the crazy things he does to show us how to survive if we ever got in a situation like that (would we ever!?!?!?).

From peeing on his shirt to wrap around his head to keep him cool, to eating sheeps eyes, to scaling a waterfall while poo-ing all the way up - this guy is my fav for the moment!!

Piccies from here

Biggest Loser Update

Ok - sorry for the lack up updates. Has been very busy over here on all parts (contestants, reporter and measurer) but here is an update - a little late but better than never!

[If you want to catch up on the challenge go to this post and this post first]

NAME - STU
Original Weight: 82kg
Current Weight: 75kg

1. What has been the secret to losing your weight thus far?
Intense focus on nutrition (controlling calories in) and doing everything possible to raise the metabolism - more frequent meals, more volume in food (so more lean meats, veggies, fruit), limited carbs towards the end of the day, regular exercise with interval training, doing weights to increase muscle mass, and of course....lots of green tea!

2. What have you found has been the most difficulr part in this challenge?
Being able to resist the temptation of following suit and tukcing into food and drinks when out with friends and maintaining such a consistent and focused attention. I did great for the first 2 months or so ... but the last 4 weeks have been shocking.

3. Has your outlook in life changed at all?
Hmmm ... I can see my toes! :) ... nah ... not really .. just not as fat anymore. Has your lifestyle changed? Heaps more consistent with the exercise which means I feel better ... that is up until about 4 weeks ago ... been going through a stage of demotivation. I'm still controlling my calories so that I'm not putting weight back on ... but just haven't as work has picked up ... just haven't had the discipline to keep going to the gym and to keep my food portion sizes down.

4. Have you seen your competitor since the original weight in? How is he looking these days?
He always plays it down ... but i think he is starting to look pretty good. He was also working pretty hard at the start of the comp and I think he might have the time now to bring home the goods!

5. Do you have any little secret strategies left up your sleeve that you can reveal to us?
Nup ... i've got nothin!

6. With only 2.5 mths to go who do you think is going to win this challenge?
Assuming I can get my but of the couch and get back into gear with the exercise and food control ... then I still believe I can do it ... But not taking anything for granted!!

7. What does your wife / fiance have to say about the new you so far?
She's not a fan ... she says there isn't enough now to grab and my tummy isn't as useful a pillow as it used to be!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NAME - GOHBOY
Original Weight: 84KG when I hit the UK in September, 82K during the first weigh in
Current Weight: 78KG now – looking to hit around 75KG before Sydney in October and then some before the wedding in May 09

1.What has been the secret to losing your weight thus far?
Eating way less…….painful. Eating less rice!…….torture. I’ve ben really busy with work so not much exercise I’m afraid

2. What have you found has been the most difficult part in this challenge?
Eating way less…….painful

3. Has your outlook in life changed at all? Has your lifestyle changed?
Yes. I want to die. Eating way less…….painful (notice I didn’t say drink less? Ha ha)

4. Have you seen your competitor since the original weigh in? How is he looking these days?
Awesome. Stuie is KILLING it! Like I said in the previous post, he has definitely the greater potential to lose the weight (i.e. genetically etc), and he is looking really lean and fit, he just needs to keep it up and his wedding shots are going to look great. Good luck to him – I don’t mind paying for dinner for a worthy winner. I’m estimating he is 75KG and keeping it at that level now – that’s 7KG’s since the last weigh in!

5. Do you have any little strategies left up your sleeve that you can reveal to us?
Kidnap Stuie and force feed him donuts. Yve is saying he’s lost too much weight, so a bit of female persuasion might also give me a better chance.

6. With only 2.5 mths to go who do you think is going to win this challenge?
Stuie for sheezie. I have no chance unless there is a SERIOUS blow out. I will invite him around for some Indo fried chicken before the weigh-in – I’ll just have lettuce.

7. What does your wife/fiance have to say about the new you so far?
I ask Syl every day if I look thinner! Ha ha. She just rolls her eyes

8. What do you like best about the new you?
I haven’t been this weight since high-school, so I am excited about that. Also I have reached a plateau around 78KG, sometimes higher, sometimes lower but definitely am happy to get to a steady weight level. Still – I am overweight using the BMI scale, I need to lose 2 more KG’s. Actually, that’s the easy part, its keeping it off that’s hard

TUNE IN FOR FINAL WEIGH IN AND PHOTOS OF THE NEW & IMPROVED STU & BEN

The Boxes Have Arrived

And seeing them sitting there in my hallway is making our move even more real. After receiving them a little sigh popped out and i'm feeling even sadder to leave this place. I've grown used to the life here and I will miss it greatly (bar the cold cold weather).

But better not to dwell on such sad thoughts and instead to cheer myself up I just have to think of a few little things - family, friends and sunshine here I come!!

And I Thought Ours Was Bad

After reading this the other day I didn't feel so bad having spent 110GBP to get a taxi from one place to the other in Norway (due to poor planning and not realising buses didn't run on sundays)!

That poor old couple - all I can think about is all the holidays we could've taken with that massive taxi bill!!!

Give Me A W-A-Z-Z-A!

The Mighty Waz!!

The arvo started out with a bit of b'day cheering


Then some bowling (Officer Hadds)


Followed by a little snack or two


Then a drink or two

Which led to random shenanigans


And finished off with abit of good ol' fashion Karaoke

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAZZY!

Sappy Post From Mushie

As you can tell from my massive grin I was quite a happy chappy :)