Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Poor, Neglected Blog

And, it goes without saying, poor, neglected readers. Okay, I know I don't actually have that many people who read my blog but to those who do... sorry. I didn't forget you. As you can imagine I have been extraordinarily busy in the lead up to the move and, as it wont to happen in our lives, things have not exactly been going to plan so some days are rather more hard work than they should be and I can't be bothered trying to put a 'nice spin' on it. Again, sorry.
So without dwelling on the negatives too much
We found out today that the employee from the moving company who booked our move forgot to tell anyone else in the company about it. Luckily Hubby was in need of some boxes to pack up some stuff from work and got in touch with them today and this has now been remedied. We're being packed on Monday, uplifted on Tuesday and plan to drive out of here next Wednesday.
Our tenants have refused to let us break the lease agreement (as is their right, Bugger!) on our house but after much sweating, a bit of crying and many many phone calls we have finally managed to find a short term rental in the same area. We have an application in and have our fingers, toes and everything else anatomically possible, crossed that it will be accepted. We'll find out by the end of the week - otherwise it's spare-room city at the in-laws for the next 3 months. I love my in-laws (aka Grandma and Grandpa) lots but who wants to live in some-one else's spare room with two kids for three months?
The job that had been in the pipeline has been kyboshed (ie, is dead in the water!) as the school has a new principal and he doesn't want to do things that way so the position no longer exists. This one's a big bummer. Okay, it wasn't my dream job but it took a fair bit of pressure off knowing that I probably had a job to go to. Now I have to add job-hunting to the rapidly growing to-do list.
But...
We had a fantastic farewell party on Saturday night. We had 60 or so people in the backyard, loud music, lots of champagne (well for me anyway) and some simple but yummy food. It was great that so many people turned out and it really meant a lot to Hubby and I that they all came. I kept the food very simple - I wanted to enjoy the party not spend the night in the kitchen - big platters of dips, olives, vege sticks, cracker biscuits, etc and stuffed (also known as twice-baked) potatoes along with roast beef and gravy rolls for dinner. I cooked three huge pot roasts in the slow cooker in the couple of days before the party and then just had it all sliced and kept warm in one slow cooker with the gravy in another on the night. It worked out great, was nice and filling and I'd definitely do it again. We'd told people not to bring anything but lots of them bought a plate or two (or in the case of my friend, R, several!) and that was lovely too - we had everything from fairy-bread for the kids to delicious pinwheels and a huge platter of fruit for after.
I also made my last trip to Port Red Dirt last week. After all the rain following Cyclone Pancho there was lots of water on the road and it made the trip a little scary a couple of times, especially when I was driving back in the late afternoon and feeling a little weary, but it was nice to do one last trip.
Well, our time in Red Dirt Central is rapidly drawing to a close and my feelings are quite mixed. I bawled my eyes out writing good-bye cards for a couple of girlfriends today but am also looking forward to going 'home'. I'm pretty sure the mixed-up-ed-ness will only get worse over the next few days.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Consider yourself forgiven for the neglect...I know only too well how busy you must be leading up to the move! Glad things are sorted with the removalists and a bummer about the lease situaion. We too have everything crossed for you that you get the rental! Good luck with the move and have a safe trip.
Love Kaz

Iris Flavia said...

You tell me to take care of myself? Gosh I guess your life is a bit more hectic even at the moment, you take care, too!
How can the guy "forget" to pass the job on to his colleagues?! Hopefully they don´t forget your belongings! ;-)

Sad thing with the tenants! I still, too, wait for the caution money of my old apartment. They keep it til the very last sec.

Even worse to hear about the lost job! And the new home!
Crossing anything here to you finding solutions soon! And easy!
Moving places is awful hard work!

Yay for the party and yay for the last trip!

All the best wishes for the new start!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mandij, Can you make that pot roast when you get home and get your slow cooker unpacked??!! Because if you do, we'll be straight over the road! I'll bring wine and sweets! Can't wait for you all to be home at #4 safely and soundly. Drive carefully and remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E these last few busy days. Will get Bennos uniform this arvo. XXX Anne

Sam Marshall said...

Hello!
Glad to hear your party well. That roast beef filling sounds delicious.
As regards the job- well as one door closes, another opens...
I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you too and hope that you will soon be in your own lovely home.
Looking forward to catching up with you soon.
xxx

Melody said...

I'm crying for you!

It will be hard to leave a town where you have made many friends - obviousl by the turnout on the weekend. But life goes on doesn't it? The food sounds very yummy and no wonder you haven't had time to blog!!

Best wishes on your return to Perth. Hope the move goes well...

Red Dirt Mummy said...

Thanks, Kaz. I hope we'll be able to catch up in real life sometime soon!

Hi Iris. Thanks for the good wishes. Don't worry, the removalists know all about it now (and it wasn't me who did that bit of yelling LOL - go Hubby!!)

I sure will Anne! I can't wait to have dinners with you guys. We won't be just over the road for a little while yet but, we'll be not too far round the corner :)

You are so right, Sam. In fact... nah I'll save that for another day LOL. See you on Sunday!

Thanks, Melody. And tell me, how do you have time to be reading blogs at the moment? You must be flat out with all the packing and last minute bits before the big trip! I hope it's all going well.