Random Ramblings

Overwhelmed is a word I use often at the moment.

I am trying to make small changes within myself to be a more positive and happy person. I am failing.

I miss my family so much. My Mum is in Mackay, my Dad is in Townsville and my Brother is... I don't actually know where he is. I miss the days we were all together and whole; happy, laughing, bickering, fighting, talking and just being. Although we haven't all been together since my wedding (over 2 years ago), it honestly feels like it was actually further in the past because we didn't really get to spend time together as a family on that day.

Christmas 2007 is the last time we actually spent time together with us all being happy. That's almost 5 years ago now. My family is broken :(

I've been trying to find little, creative things to keep me busy while I am looking for a job. I am taking photos with my phone and picked up my cross stitch that I forgot about a couple of years ago. My house is generally clean and tidy, though I really need to sort out the cupboards and storage spaces.

Healthy eating and exercise is slow going. If I could just be as committed to it as so many others are, I think I would be closer to my goal. Unfortunately, my get up and go got up and went without me.

There's no real reason for me to write. I just felt like getting it out there.

Peace out,

Bee x

20th April - Something you drew

It's no surprise really that I am going to use a screen shot from Draw Something.

Although it is quite rudimentary and childlike, I kinda like it because of how colourful it is :)

BzeeJ x

19th April - Orange

Late!

Sweet potato slivers, before cooking. Was part of my dinner last night.

BzeeJ x

18th April - Hair

Only washed yesterday and it is oily and unmanageable today!

Lucky I didn't need to go anywhere.

Seriously need to get to the hairdressers again. Those roots are appalling! 

BzeeJ x

17th April - Something you don't like

Another day with visitors! Hooray!

Karly and her two beautiful daughters, Miss T and Miss A came by for a chat and the girls enjoyed watching some DVDs. I was able to finally congratulate Karly (in person!) on her wonderful news and the girls each gave me a little chocolate egg, which they promptly took back to eat for themselves! Hahahaha! Though I didn't mind.

After my visitors went home, I worked on the 80 page photo album I'm creating for our UK and Europe trip that Mick and I took over a year ago! There's less than 3 weeks to go before it needs to be ordered, so I am frantically trying to design it!

Onto the subject of today -

Something I don't like is breaking a nail when it's only been two and a half weeks since my last appointment!

It's a total first world problem, but I still dislike it!

Lucky I have an appointment for Thursday to get them done again! Just over one day to get through!

BzeeJ x

16th April - Flower

I was supposed to come back yesterday to start back with the photo a day challenge! Unfortunately, yesterday's subject was Sunset and I was in the theatre watching Annie! So no photo for yesterday.

Because of that, I decided I would start today instead...

After cleaning the house, starting to bake scones, realising I was out of a key ingredient (milk!), running to the shops and finishing the scones, I had a couple of visitors show up on my doorstep!

The gorgeous Miss A with her awesome Mummy, Jen! We drank tea, ate scones with jam and cream and chatted away the afternoon.

When it was time for my visitors to leave, Jen and Miss A played with the flowers in my front garden.

Thanks for visiting me ladies! I had a fabulous day xx

BzeeJ x

What a strange system...

Due to a few different circumstances, I allowed my Working with Children Blue Card to expire a year ago.

I have since been looking for jobs that do not require me to hold a blue card. To no avail.

I finally called the Commission for Children and Young People today to see if I could renew or re-apply for a blue card. I was informed that unless I am employed, I cannot apply for a blue card. However, all the job ads I've seen require the applicant to hold a blue card (for obvious reasons) ... Ummm...???

Catch22 we meet again! Just like we can't hire you because you don't have enough experience. Or we can't hire you because you are overqualified. Now we can't hire you because you do not possess the required card, but you can't get it until we hire you! Argghh!!!

*headdesk*

*facepalm*

Hopeless as ever,

BzeeJ x

AWOL

Well, I didn't finish March Photo a Day. I think I set my goal too high or something.

One blog post every day as well as taking the actual photo based on a theme, trying to be creative enough to elicit some kind of inspiration for me to write about the photo, plus tweeting each picture every day...

I know, I know. First world problems.

And a paradox.

It became overwhelming and yet I was left searching for more to keep me occupied. If I was just using Twitter to display my photos, I think I could do it easily. Though I want to stimulate my creativity. Even at the end of March I was looking forward to April's list and the challenge it would present.

Alas, we're a week into this month and this is my first post... Sans photo.

I like writing on this blog, though it makes it hard when I'm not sure who is following this page. I have no sense of accountability or dedication to anyone but myself. And it seems so pathetic and sad of me to continue to "talk to myself" across the interwebs.

Are you out there?

BzeeJ x

29th March - Feet

Painted toenails.

These two feet led me straight to a MIMCO sale today. A whole 50% off of a handbag!

BARGAIN!

Love it!

BzeeJ x

28th March - Trash

Political propaganda.

Total trash.

BzeeJ x

27th March - Your name

So it's not exactly my name, but it is representative of it.

B.

Bee.

Bel.

Bella.

Ben.

Bub.

Babe.

Bebe.

Belinda.

On display in the lounge room with a letter M and an Ampersand.

BzeeJ x

26th March - Key

Key to my front door.

Off its keyring.

Just to make it easier to carry on a walk/run.

BzeeJ x

25th March - Breakfast

Waking up this morning, I decided I need to get over this sickness quick smart!

Tissues to mop up the mucus.

Baked beans for my belly.

Water to aid in hydration.

Cold combat tablets to reduce the severity and length of this cold.

And Bio Zinc tablets to help boost my immune system, clear up my skin and apparently support the production of healthy sperm! Haha!

We headed out to Moo Moo Wine Bar and Grill for lunch with our friends, Brad and Lore. Had a 3 course meal with a bottle of wine (none for me) for $40 per person. Awesome. We sat there chatting for over 2 hours. It was so relaxing.

Afterwards, we went to the Myer centre cinemas to see the Hunger Games. I've not yet read the books, but understood the general basis of the film. I must admit that although I liked it, it was hard to get past the feeling of dread, like a lead ball resting in my guts for the first half of the film.

It kind of felt like you had to have read the books in order to understand the story line. It lacked a bit of character development, and I wasn't sure how the main characters felt about each other. Though I was glad we didn't learn too much about many of the other "tributes" considering their demise.

I give it 3&1/2 out of 5.

BzeeJ x

24th March - An animal

I don't have an actual pet.

Mick doesn't count - hahaha!

We have plenty of wildlife around our house;

Brush turkeys,

Blue tongue lizards,

Possums,

Spiders, 

Geckos,

Bats,

Birds,

Butterflies and

Stray cats.

Of course none of them were around today when I needed them.

So here is an Angry Bird.

I had made plans to catch up with some fabulous ladies at Max Brenner at Southbank for morning tea. Although I had a sore throat, a bit of a runny nose and a budding headache, I wasn't going to let that stop me!

I made sure to keep my distance and actively not breathe on anyone. I didn't even get baby cuddles! I didn't want to pass on my sickness to them.

Apparently I had the least problems. Pretty much all of the girls have been sick since then! Not cold/flu sickness from me either! Poor things. Hoping they all feel better very soon!

After the meet up, I went to vote. LNP won in a landslide. Labor suffered the worst election defeat in Australian history. Scary day for Queensland. No party should have *that* much power. I am quite apprehensive about how things may change now. Oh well, I guess it's just a sit tight and wait type thing.

BzeeJ x

23rd March - Moon

Great night for it...

Not.

It was a New Moon. Meaning no moon.

So to mark the occasion, I raided the DVD stand.

Let the mocking begin!

BzeeJ x

22nd March - Kitchen sink

Boring.

And I'm 5 days behind. Time to play catch up!

I was trying to figure out a way to make this photo interesting. 

I came up with nada, obviously. 

Might have been a bit more interesting if I took this photo 6 days before.... It had a massive spider in it. At first I thought it was a Huntsman spider, but its body seemed too big. Gave me the biggest fright when I reached into the sink to grab a dirty dish and it ran across my hand. *shudder*

BzeeJ x

21st March - Delicious

I thought I would take pictures of my meals throughout the day.

For Breakfast, I had some rockmelon and a cup of Jarrah hot chocolate! YUM!

At Lunch, I cut up some broccoli, carrot, zucchini and capsicum, then threw them into the wok for 3 minutes with some sesame oil and soy sauce.

Once the veggies had softened slightly, I added crispy fried noodles and a handful of cashew nuts. Served in a small bowl with the leftovers going straight into the fridge for tomorrow's lunch! Accompanying this meal was a bottle of chilled water.

Dinner was crumbed lamb cutlets with salad and sweet potato slivers - I forgot to take a picture. Again served with water.

We went to the movies tonight - Gold Class. We saw Margin Call. Was actually a pretty decent flick and quite entertaining. Kept me interested the entire way through. So Dessert was eaten inside the cinema - again no photo - maltesers mixed with popcorn, shared with Mick of course, another bottle of water and a few sips of coke.

All in all a pretty decent day for me. All the food I ate was delicious!

BzzeJ x

20th March - Before / after

Making my bed has become a bit of a novelty for me since we got our beautiful 1000 thread count cotton sheets and brand new quilt cover set.

I purchased new pillows and cushions to match and everything!

So my before and after is a messy bed and a made bed.

Simple!

BzeeJ x

19th March - Funny

Watching Big Bang Theory with Mick.

I love Sheldon. He is hilarious.

Another one late!

Sorry

BzeeJ x

18th March - A corner of your home

This was a bit of a difficult one for me.

Our house has many corners that are empty or full of crap.

So I took this photo because it has a bit of sentimental emotion behind it.

Photos of our nephew and niece (we're slack and don't have a hard copy photo of our two youngest nieces on display)

A photo of a friend's eldest daughter.

And our wedding invitation.

The corner of our second hand recliner is also pictured along with the staircase.

Bed time!

BzeeJ x

17th March - Green

Green.

For St Patrick's Day.

Luck of the Irish.

Mick celebrating both St Patrick's Day and Vossy's Birthday.

At Dicey Riley's.

Which is closing down this week.

Sad.

End of an era.

BzeeJ x

16th March - Sunglasses

Had a really good day today.

Caught up for coffee, a chat and some shopping with my good friend Kate. She is always a very happy and positive person that sees the good in everybody. Kate is awesome!

I bought myself 2 pairs of shoes at Target. Buy one pair, get the second pair 50% off. The shoes were $15 a pair. You do the math!

I also bought 7 DVDs; 4 buy one get one free. And 3 others that were pretty cheap.

Once I got home to admire my spoils, I realised one pair of shoes was smaller than the other. I had picked up a size 6 instead of a 9 and hadn't noticed! After calling around a few different Target stores, I finally found one that had my size in the colour and style I wanted. In the City.

So before I traipsed into the City, I snapped a picture of myself wearing my Sunnies.

I exchanged the small shoes for my size and then went and bought a jacket at Jeans West for good measure.

Successful day of shopping for me!

BzeeJ x

15th March- Car

Sitting in the garage.

She doesn't get out much.

BzeeJ x

14th March - Clouds

So after a day of picture perfect blue sky with fluffy, white clouds yesterday, today it is overcast, grey, rainy and miserable.

This is the best I could do with what I was given!

Oh it's so depressing!

Hope you are all having a good day!
BzeeJ x

13th March - A sign

I saw quite a few signs today.

Headed to the bus stop to wait for, well, a bus.

And was screwed over by translink.... Again...
Go Card wouldn't work. Even though I thought I got it fixed last week...
Paid $4.50 for a ONE zone paper ticket. I was expecting it to be printed with gold leaf!

After that saga, I made it to my Endocrinologist appointment.

Can you believe how blue the sky was today? Gorgeous!!

Got pretty good news from my doctor.
My blood test came back that the prolactin is still below 1 (HOORAY!), my blood pressure is 110 over 70, almost perfect and I've dropped 5kg since she last weighed me in November. Also, she's told me to reduce my medication from 1 tablet - twice a week, to half a tablet - twice a week.

MRI to measure the tumour again is scheduled in June. Only 3 months away!

On the way home, I decided to pick up some groceries. My brother, Gavin, was coming over for dinner again! While I was waiting for him to pick me up from the shops, this sign blew from the other side of the store, almost directly in front of me! Hahaha!

I wonder if this sign was trying to give me a sign...

BzeeJ x

12th March - Fork

Fork

Held by me...

BzeeJ x

11th March - Someone you talked to today

I had quite a few people I could have photographed for today. I spoke to quite a few;
My husband's grandparents,
His parents,
His sister,
Nephew and
Niece.

Of course, while we were visiting all these other family members, it didn't occur to me to take my phone out of my bag to take a picture!

So on the way home, when hubby asked me what was today's photo du jour, I smacked myself on the head and promptly snapped a quick picture of him driving.

I feel so boring!

Who did you speak to today? "Oh, my husband.... Whom I talk to EVERY day!"

Oh well. I'm lucky.

At least he's photogenic :)

I know, I know. I'm late posting this again.
BzeeJ x

10th March - Loud

Saturday morning sleep in - bliss. Until I had to get up because towels were still hanging on the line.
And Mick had started mowing our very overgrown yard.

When he was finished, I could hear a few other lawnmowers around our house firing up and getting their yards properly manicured.

Trust me, it's loud!

Heading out to The Chalk tonight for a catch up with friends.
I''m looking forward to it!

BzeeJ x

9th March - Red

There are not a lot of red things around my house. I don't know if this is a conscious thing or not.

My grandfather has a bit of an aversion to the colour red... It sends his heart racing and makes him angry.

Perhaps this has something to do with me not having my house decorated with red.

*Shrug*

Anyway, this oil painting was given to me as a birthday gift quite a few years ago. I went to an art exhibition to look at works created by people who have mental disabilities - schizophrenia in particular. When I saw this, I loved it.

My friends bought it for me. It currently hangs in a black frame on the wall near my staircase.

About to head out to the In-Law's place for dinner.

BzeeJ x

8th March - Window

This is most probably not technically a window seeing as how it is my front door, but all the other windows I saw today were rather boring.

Inside looking out

BzeeJ x

7th March - Something you wore

My green dress.

I loves it.

I bought it last year in a bit of a spur of the moment type thing. I needed something pretty to wear to an engagement party, my birthday dinner and any other time I felt like wearing it.

Walked into Portmans not expecting much. A lot of the time, the cut of their dresses does nothing for my figure and most of the time, I can barely get the garment over my shoulders let alone zip it up!

So when I picked this pretty, green dress I was not expecting much. I loved the colour and thought the style looked quite flattering, even on the hanger. Unfortunately, they didn't have it in my size... So I picked up the size down and made my way into the dressing room...

I had a couple of different dresses (in my size) that I tried on first. None of them fit. All too small. I almost didn't even bother trying on the green one, but gave it a whirl anyway.

Well. Hello there! Look at you! I stepped outside the dressing room to look at myself in the large mirror and hope that another customer (or even a sales person) would see me and verify that, Yes, this dress is actually flattering on me. And no, it's not too short.

Sales lady to the rescue! Both her and the other girl working in the store were wearing the same dress. THIS green dress!

I decided then and there to get it. Who cares about the price! The girl put it through the register, and I grabbed out my wallet.

$89.

Are you sure? BARGAIN!!!

It's been worn 4 times since November. I think it was definitely a good buy!!

Any bargains or shopping surprises you'd like to share?
BzeeJ x

6th March - 5pm

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!!

I know, I know. I'm a day late on this blog, but if you read my last post, you may understand why.

Yesterday was my second wedding anniversary. I know it's cliche', but I still cannot believe how fast those two years have flown by!

So at 5pm yesterday, I was busily making myself pretty for my gorgeous husband and getting ready to go out to dinner. Yes, dinner wasn't until 7pm, but in my defense, we were catching a bus into the city and had to leave by 6:10pm. Plus I was basically ready by 5:30 when Mick arrived home from work as it was! This was a good thing because he needed the bathroom sink to shave!

I totally love my ghd and Napoleon make up.

And here was the end product of my hard work

Cha Cha Char was the restaurant we went to for dinner. It's on Eagle Street Pier. We made online reservations and requested a window seat with views of the Story Bridge, as it has a bit of a significance to us as a couple - how Mick proposed and the fact we were married in the park below.

When we arrived, we saw the construction work. Directly in front of where our supposed view was of the Bridge. Le sigh.

Never mind though. The food was great, the atmosphere (even on a Tuesday night!) was awesome, the staff were friendly and patient and the company was pretty sweet too.

It's probably not somewhere we'd go to regularly for a dinner, but it was nice to celebrate this milestone by splashing out a bit at a fancy-ish place.

Happy second Anniversary Bebe!!!
BzeeJ x

Falling behind

Yep! It's happening. I'm falling behind on my blogging. I'm sure it's not a big deal to everyone else. But it is to me!

I'm trying to stay on top of this photo a day thing and I am.

It's just that technology, while useful and helpful, can often make things harder. Especially when it doesn't work!

New (read: Old) router has been hooked up since I began this blogging thing back in January.

I've been taking photos with my phone and then uploading the images onto my computer using the KiesAir app. I almost had it down to an art.

Now though, my computer will only occasionally connect to my phone using this same app.

I sit down, run KiesAir from my phone, type the URL into the browser on my laptop and watch as the link fails, popping up the failure to connect message... Oops! It's frustrating!

If you follow me on Twitter, you will see that I am still barely keeping up. Posting some photos a day or so late.... This is also due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the router...

Anyway. Enough of the whingeing.

I've just worked out that if I tweet the image, I can save it to my computer and then use it on my blog!

Technology works again!

BzeeJ x

5th March - A smile

So many happees!!

I got to see my brother tonight. He is most likely moving closer due to a change in jobs. This may mean I get to see him more than once every two years! Haha. And I'll be seeing him next week too.

It is also my second Wedding anniversary tomorrow. Yep! That's right... Two. Years. Can't believe how fast the time is going!

As for the theme of today's photo, Mick was wearing a shirt that has a very happy Boo on it!

Plus, he's SMILING!!

Boo!
BzeeJ x

4th March - Bedside

I'm going to be predictable and boring.

A photo of my bedside table.

A collection of photos over the last few years with my husband;
 * Together at our friends' Engagement party in 2008
 * My gorgeous guy posing for our Engagement shoot in 2010 and
 * A polaroid from our friends' Wedding reception in 2011.

A box of tissues

Inspirational quote cards - a thoughtful gift from a friend

My twice weekly medication (not quite) hidden behind the cards

Our travel companions when we went to London and Europe, Aurora and Roo-boy.

I must admit, I cleaned it up a bit before taking this photo. I usually have a tub of the all-cure Lucas' Paw Paw Ointment, some paperwork, hair ties and paracetamol/ibuprofen.

On another, unrelated note; I GET TO SEE MY BROTHER TOMORROW!!!! I am so happy and excited! It'll be one day less than 2 years since I've seen him!

Good night all!!
BzeeJ x

3rd March - Your neighbourhood

I took a photo this afternoon using a new camera app. 

Apparently I needed to save it. And I didn't.

So in a panic, I ran outside to take a photo at 10:30pm. With my little Canon Power Shot because my phone could not handle the darkness.

After playing around with lightroom for a while and then giving up and letting Mick take the controls, this was the end result.

I think it came out okay!

And now it is officially the next day...

BzeeJ x

Superannuation

*Sigh* 


So.... Even though I nominated my preferred superannuation fund when I started working for a specific recruitment agency, they must have just processed my forms, ignored my preference and stuck me in their stock standard Super fund. 


Now this Recruitment Super fund is upping their fees and expects me to pay them, even though I am not working and no money is going into that account. 


I called the Super fund to explain my predicament and was told I can roll it over to my nominated fund. Sweet, right? 


Wrong!


Just got the forms in the mail today. 


Not only do I have to fill out their form, provide proof of identity and have it certified by a Justice of the Peace (or other), I also have to get a Statutory Declaration by one of 27 people they have on a list AND not have all my money transferred because of some "interim crediting rate", PLUS pay a processing fee, which will be deducted from my account.


Why don't I just throw in my first born child into the mix?


Thieving bastards...


To top it all off, I don't even know how much money is in this freaking account! I have never received a statement from them. 


The last time I worked for this recruitment agency was in November 2010. So they've been taking a weekly fee out of my super account I never knew existed for over a year and there's no other cash going in there!!!! What a waste!!!!

I am so angry!

BzeeJ x

2nd Mach - Fruit

Lemons.

They are a fruit.

I'm still yet to make my melting moments!!

On another note, got my hair done today! And eyelashes tinted too!

Hooray for hair prettification day!
BzeeJ x

1st March - Up

I had many ideas for today's theme:

Sky.

Balloons.

Aeroplane.

Trees.

Upside down.

Upset.

Up arrow.

Thumbs up.

cUPcakes rising.

Upsy Daisy.

Clouds.

Ceiling.

Level up....

Meh.

I decided to use a photo from our Europe trip as a bit of an inspiration.

And here is my photo for today!

FYI, it's an unofficial model of the Eiffel Tower with an oil painting from Paris in the background. Part of a display in my lounge room.

What has lifted your mood "Up" today?
BzeeJ x

March Photo A Day

Being 10 minutes away from the start of March, I thought now would be a good time to let you all know I am continuing on this journey!

Here is the March list from Chantelle of fatmumslim.com.au

Hooray!

I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am!
BzeeJ x

29th February - Something you're listening to

Woke up early-ish this morning to get a few household chores done before I headed into the city to meet Mick for lunch.

I threw a load of washing into the machine and made some breakfast while catching up with my favourite ladies online. 

While I was sitting and eating my breakfast, I heard the unmistakable sounds of our washing machine preparing for lift-off. 

Seriously, it's like it has counted down from T-minus 10, and is getting its engine ready to soar out of our laundry room and into outer space.

Of course, it never reaches that destination.

It invariably winds down, slowly hack, hack, hacking away as it shudders to a stop.

Then the dreaded beep, beep, beep, beep, beep... To let me know the easy part for me is over and now I have to hang out the damp, heavy clothes on the line... *sigh*

The sound I listened to this morning.
BzeeJ x

28th February - Money

Money in my wallet.

Apparently a green wallet helps you attract more money and keep it longer...

Bollocks I say!

Hope everyone is sleeping soundly!

BzeeJx

27th February - Something you ate

So I don't know if it was just me, though judging by the #febphotoaday tweets, I'm pretty sure it was. All I could think that would happen is that people would take a photo of a certain something in their toilet bowl....

It was simply because of the use of the word "ate". How can you take a photo of something that has already been eaten??? Well, maybe I'm gross and that's where my mind immediately went...

Don't worry, this photo is nothing to do with toilets and their contents! I'm not that disgusting!

It's my lunch. Leftover Chinese chicken fried rice from last night's dinner with Rose and French vanilla tea.

A before I eat and after I've finished eating double photo.

Because i ate lunch so late, I am now not hungry for dinner.

Peace!
BzeeJ x

26th February - Night

It always seems to be the way.

The first day that I have been motivated to take a photo and blog early, the theme is "Night"!

After a few adjustments in settings to take a stars in the sky photo, which really didn't work out, a multitude of not-so-awesome attempts of taking photos of light trails (car headlights as they drive past), and a bloke hanging out his window laughing at me as he drove past, almost crashing into a parked car down the street, I finally gave up and headed back inside.

To take a photo of my bed... And a lamp, which is on. Just so you know it's night time.

Almost ready for bed,

Goodnight folks!
BzeeJ x

25th February - Green

Green bags. They are literally everywhere now. Recycling at it's finest. Or is it? I swear the green bags in my house breed faster than rabbits. 

But I guess if it means I use less plastic bags, it must be good... Right?

Stay beautiful,

BzeeJ x

24th February - Inside your bathroom cabinet

Messy bathroom cabinet.

Nothing witty or funny to say.

Tired.

Night,

BzeeJ

23rd February - Your shoes

I have 8 pairs of shoes.

6 of which sit near the front door for regular use.

My 7th pair are what I call my "Europe Shoes". I bought them specifically for our travels overseas. They have been worn a few times since, much to the dismay of a friend of mine because they "match" my husband's "Europe Shoes", which he wears casually now.

My 8th pair are black heels. For those special occasions. Or when I feel like my ankles are too bearable and need some pain to get me feeling again. Yeah...

Apparently at my age, I *should* own anywhere between 40-60 pairs of shoes... I'm pretty sure this makes me a poor excuse for a woman. 

How many shoes do you own?

BzeeJ x