Right up there with driving on the left side of the road, I have probably most noticed the ants. They are everywhere. I don't believe they bite like fire ants but they are just as busy. I was amazed at the number of houses we looked at on our house hunting trip where we saw ants running around in the house. The agent we worked wasn't surprised. Apparently ants are standard here.
I'm not used to this.
And as a bonus, we have giant flies that like to live in our house. (Maybe they eat the ants?)
I have got to figure out where they are getting in at and put a stop to it.
I have to admit, I thought twice the other day before taking the little lizard back outside. I think I would rather have him living in here eating the spiders and ants than outside. But I let him go...
This also reaffirms our decision to rent a house that does have windows and not just shutters. I expect the houses with shutters have even MORE visitors than we do.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Signs on my walk
Call me old fashioned, but when I find a route I like, I tend to repeat over and over and over. Today was no exception. I walked down to the river, over to the park, picked out a park bench with full intentions of reading my book. Got sidetracked by the people and the birds and never got my book out. However, I did try out my camera phone on the various signs along my route.
Who hasn't seen a sign like this?
and yet posted on the 2nd floor outside of the building.
Sign at the dog park..
Here's one that makes you wonder what agency is tracking this information - I have stared at this several times and assume it has been duly noted.
And then I stumbled across this one. Who hasn't felt like they were in this situation before....
Wonder what I will come across next!
Who hasn't seen a sign like this?
Sign at the dog park..
Here's one that makes you wonder what agency is tracking this information - I have stared at this several times and assume it has been duly noted.
And then I stumbled across this one. Who hasn't felt like they were in this situation before....
Wonder what I will come across next!
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
 |
| Feeding the Lorikeets |
 |
| Sheep dog hard at work |
 |
| Wombat checking on visitors |
 |
| Wild Kookaburra telling the captured Kookaburras what for |
 |
| And the captured Kookaburras providing feedback. :) |
BTW - While waiting for the sheep dog demonstration to begin, I was looking around and noticed Robert and I were the only 2 people in shorts and t-shirts. Everyone else had on jackets, long sleeves and jeans. After all, it is winter here.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Steer Left
I am amazed and appreciative of the fact that we, as temporary residents with a valid US driver's license, can use our US driver's license and not get a Queensland license. I believe the US reciprocates but I am not sure.
Regardless....
We drive on different sides of the road. How trusting is that?
We attended Driver's Orientation class today. We drove on a closed course and I zippity doo dah'd right through (and maybe over some of) the cones in the slalom course but that only happened when backing up. :)
We discussed and reviewed road signs, driving etiquette in Queensland, general "rules of the road" and were promptly cut off by someone who had to be an aggressive foreign driver. (I would take a guess regarding from which foreign city but would hate to offend someone.)
You should be proud - I only used the wipers for my turn signal one time. Thank goodness we purchased a car that has the turn signal where I'm used to.
For teenagers just getting their driver's license, there is a graduated system with letters ("L" for Learner) and colors (Green "P" or Red "P" for level of Permit) letting other drivers know they are still learning.
I'm tempted to request one of those for my car. That way others would give me more room on the road. But then I am sure we would have an increase in insurance cost. It's costly enough as it is.
We did go for a nice drive through the country. Of course the worst part of the day was when Robert told me he saw a Koala in the wild and I missed it.
Regardless....
We drive on different sides of the road. How trusting is that?
We attended Driver's Orientation class today. We drove on a closed course and I zippity doo dah'd right through (and maybe over some of) the cones in the slalom course but that only happened when backing up. :)
We discussed and reviewed road signs, driving etiquette in Queensland, general "rules of the road" and were promptly cut off by someone who had to be an aggressive foreign driver. (I would take a guess regarding from which foreign city but would hate to offend someone.)
You should be proud - I only used the wipers for my turn signal one time. Thank goodness we purchased a car that has the turn signal where I'm used to.
For teenagers just getting their driver's license, there is a graduated system with letters ("L" for Learner) and colors (Green "P" or Red "P" for level of Permit) letting other drivers know they are still learning.
I'm tempted to request one of those for my car. That way others would give me more room on the road. But then I am sure we would have an increase in insurance cost. It's costly enough as it is.
We did go for a nice drive through the country. Of course the worst part of the day was when Robert told me he saw a Koala in the wild and I missed it.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
What My Houses Have Taught Me
I have lived in a few places over the last 30 years and each location has taught me at least one thing I need to be on the look out when searching for my next house.
In college, I learned I never want to live in an apartment again. I also learned that renting isn't that great either because I like to change things around (such as floor plans) now and then.
With my first house, I learned never to buy at the bottom of a hill with out proper drainage and that the washer and dryer need to be in the house - not in the garage. I also learned what termites damage looks like (little varmints).
First time In Houston, I learned to pay attention to the locks on the doors. If you can easily lock yourself outside, you will and that you need to have a method to get back in that does not include a lock smith. Big kitchen sinks are a must also.
Our Alaska house taught me LOTS. Number one - make sure the kitchen exhaust fan is more powerful than the smoke alarm. Not that I burned MANY meals but apparently there was enough smoke from a hot oven I needed to keep a towel handy to fan the alarm occasionally. It also taught me to think twice before buying a house that requires you to carry groceries up a long flight of stairs to the kitchen. Bread isn't a problem...it's the 20lbs of potatoes. Consider the seasons and where you want your back deck to be in the summer. Finally, a white glass stove top is the easiest thing ever to keep clean and a drain in the garage is nice in a snowy climate.
Back in Houston, I learned that a black, shiny stove top is the hardest thing to keep clean. Fry 1 piece of sausage and you have to get the Windex out and scrub down the entire surface like a window until it shines. I also learned that you can teach baby ducks it is alright to stand on my feet and give duck kisses when they feel they aren't getting the proper allotment of hamburger bun.
Our new home has already taught me I don't ever again want black floors. Regardless of how many times I sweep, I put the broom away, turn around and it needs sweeping again. I've also learned I have become accustomed to big items...but that's a whole other posting...
BTW - guess where the washer and dryer will are....In the garage.
In college, I learned I never want to live in an apartment again. I also learned that renting isn't that great either because I like to change things around (such as floor plans) now and then.
With my first house, I learned never to buy at the bottom of a hill with out proper drainage and that the washer and dryer need to be in the house - not in the garage. I also learned what termites damage looks like (little varmints).
First time In Houston, I learned to pay attention to the locks on the doors. If you can easily lock yourself outside, you will and that you need to have a method to get back in that does not include a lock smith. Big kitchen sinks are a must also.
Our Alaska house taught me LOTS. Number one - make sure the kitchen exhaust fan is more powerful than the smoke alarm. Not that I burned MANY meals but apparently there was enough smoke from a hot oven I needed to keep a towel handy to fan the alarm occasionally. It also taught me to think twice before buying a house that requires you to carry groceries up a long flight of stairs to the kitchen. Bread isn't a problem...it's the 20lbs of potatoes. Consider the seasons and where you want your back deck to be in the summer. Finally, a white glass stove top is the easiest thing ever to keep clean and a drain in the garage is nice in a snowy climate.
Back in Houston, I learned that a black, shiny stove top is the hardest thing to keep clean. Fry 1 piece of sausage and you have to get the Windex out and scrub down the entire surface like a window until it shines. I also learned that you can teach baby ducks it is alright to stand on my feet and give duck kisses when they feel they aren't getting the proper allotment of hamburger bun.
Our new home has already taught me I don't ever again want black floors. Regardless of how many times I sweep, I put the broom away, turn around and it needs sweeping again. I've also learned I have become accustomed to big items...but that's a whole other posting...
BTW - guess where the washer and dryer will are....In the garage.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Car Shopping
Since we had to sell both cars in Houston, now we have to buy at least one and probably 2 cars in a relatively short amount of time. OK - we have 6 weeks to get at least 1 car BUT the company just doesn't understand. It takes me MONTHS sometimes YEARS to decide what to get.
For example, I bought the Camaro in 1995 and hadn't seen anything I would even think about replacing it with until the new Challengers came on the market. (And even then I didn't fall for it.) We bought the Toyota in 2004 and were perfectly happy. No thoughts of replacing it.
Now we must decide what to purchase for a commute car and a car we can comfortably ride in. Neither can be too big because the parking spaces are tiny here and the lanes are cozy. And yet one vehicle has to be big enough to ferry guests (and luggage) to various places.
I can't really see life without at least a small SUV. If we don't have one how will we get large purchases to the house and where would we put the bike rack? But will an SUV fit in the garage? Of course it is only for a couple of years. (BTW - there will be large purchases...that isn't going to stop!)
Back to searching....
For example, I bought the Camaro in 1995 and hadn't seen anything I would even think about replacing it with until the new Challengers came on the market. (And even then I didn't fall for it.) We bought the Toyota in 2004 and were perfectly happy. No thoughts of replacing it.
Now we must decide what to purchase for a commute car and a car we can comfortably ride in. Neither can be too big because the parking spaces are tiny here and the lanes are cozy. And yet one vehicle has to be big enough to ferry guests (and luggage) to various places.
I can't really see life without at least a small SUV. If we don't have one how will we get large purchases to the house and where would we put the bike rack? But will an SUV fit in the garage? Of course it is only for a couple of years. (BTW - there will be large purchases...that isn't going to stop!)
Back to searching....
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Next Challenge...
When I started telling people we were moving to Australia and that I was going to be on leave, one consistent question went along the lines of...aren't you nervous, scared, etc?
The answer is no...I have always liked change - the new and unknown and how will I react, what decisions will I make. Granted, this is one of the bigger personal changes I have been through but we moved to the one country most like the US and most likely the easiest to transition to. People are VERY friendly and always helpful. I am well known at the coffee shop and the hardware store. Making daily trips to those vendors right now.
In fact, today's blog is a test of how well I can write in a public area. Does writing take precedence over people watching? Guess we will see by how well this is written?
Oh look - I digress...
I do have to admit. I am apprehensive over the next challenge scheduled for this weekend.
Driving on the LEFT side of the road.
Yep.
Even when I am in the passenger seat now, I concentrate on what to do if I was diving and panic because of the times I know I would have made the wrong decision. The street markings are backwards to me and instead of the standard "look left, right and left again" rule, it is now "look right, left and right again". (This is a good rule to remember crossing the street also.)
But I can't NOT drive here so I will hit this challenge head on and hopefully nothing else. I am going to give it a whirl this weekend. At least in the neighborhood. And I am going to let Robert ride in the passenger seat to provide guidance. :)
The answer is no...I have always liked change - the new and unknown and how will I react, what decisions will I make. Granted, this is one of the bigger personal changes I have been through but we moved to the one country most like the US and most likely the easiest to transition to. People are VERY friendly and always helpful. I am well known at the coffee shop and the hardware store. Making daily trips to those vendors right now.
In fact, today's blog is a test of how well I can write in a public area. Does writing take precedence over people watching? Guess we will see by how well this is written?
Oh look - I digress...
I do have to admit. I am apprehensive over the next challenge scheduled for this weekend.
Driving on the LEFT side of the road.
Yep.
Even when I am in the passenger seat now, I concentrate on what to do if I was diving and panic because of the times I know I would have made the wrong decision. The street markings are backwards to me and instead of the standard "look left, right and left again" rule, it is now "look right, left and right again". (This is a good rule to remember crossing the street also.)
But I can't NOT drive here so I will hit this challenge head on and hopefully nothing else. I am going to give it a whirl this weekend. At least in the neighborhood. And I am going to let Robert ride in the passenger seat to provide guidance. :)
Monday, April 30, 2012
And I Thought Alaska Was Expensive
After arriving in Brisbane yesterday, we had a VERY busy day and by
the end of it, we were tired puppies.
However, we sacrificed and went to the local grocery store. Here are some price comparisons (keep in mind
this is AUS $$ so you have to take these prices times ~ 1.09 to get the US
price):
We may have to change some of our eating habits!
Bottled Water 24 pack of 600ml bottles - $10
1 Hass Avocado - $2.48
1 pkg 2 rolls (short) paper towels - $3.50
1 – 24 pk diet coke (12 oz) - $16
1 pound chicken breasts - $10.50
6 oz Philly cream cheese - $4
8 oz Jarlsberg cheese - $7.40
We may have to change some of our eating habits!
BTW – the tax rate here looks to be 10%.
On a different note, I tested the temporary washer and
dryer. The washer is a 5.5kg
washer. Translation: one load equaled one each: bath towel, wash
cloth, hand towel, floor mat. No
more. This will take a lot of time to do
laundry. Lucky I’m on a leave of absence.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Estate Planning
For years we have bantered about the fact we need to do
estate planning. The conversation
generally went something like:
“We should do something.”
“You’re right. We should do something.”
And then we would do something ELSE, forgetting about estate
planning until the next time one of us thought of it.
Now, because of the move overseas, we finally did our estate
planning. We completed it. It is done and we don’t ever have to revisit
it again unless we choose to. And, of
course, I will choose to. We forgot to
put any clauses in about pets owned at the time of our demise. (I know – I know – HOW could I, who has
ALWAYS considered her dogs the equivalent of children, have forgotten future
pets!!! I blame the move and additional
stress of the last few weeks.)
As with any endeavor that involves planning, this one was a
learning experience. Of course the one thing I learned that I actually remember
is depending on how you structure things, the federal government could get a
lot of money. We avoided that structure.
Another part of this exercise was to complete our Medical
Directive to Physicians. This generated
the most discussion between Robert and myself.
This is the document which states
what we want to have done with regards to life support and added something to
the effect of – we really really mean it.
Those are tough conversations to have. And, once you make the decision, the proper
thing to do is to let your family know your wishes but even our lawyer said she
has never talked to her family. In
today’s busy world, who wants to take the family together time (such as
Christmas, Easter, etc,) to discuss death – even as it is a part of life. Our family generally doesn’t.
Robert keeps telling me he will go before me. I keep telling him if he dares to leave me
like that, I am cremating him, putting him in a box and gluing the box to the
dash of the car. (Hopefully no one will
mistake it for an ashtray.)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Something to think about...
When living in Houston during 2004-2006, we were very lucky to find both a yard service and a cleaning service that were absolutely top notch and took very good care of us. Of course when we moved back to Houston, we called the same companies. Luckily, they were still in business and once again agreed to help us out.
I talked to the lawn service owner the other day and she voluntarily assured me they were going to watch the house and make sure there were no problems and thanked us profusely for our business. She even told me she would take pictures if I wanted them to letting us know the yard was still in good shape. What great people.
Yesterday, I saw our house helper for the last time (well - until we move back). We have become friends over the years and I have heard about her kids growing up, how she met her husband, what her life was like before coming to America, we celebrated when she became a citizen, etc. She always took care of Squirt and cried with me when we lost him. Before I left to run errands, she was in tears and thanked me for everything. I will miss our chats and our friendship.
What has stuck with me though is a comment she made about always treating her as a an equal. How else would I treat her? It bothers me to know there are still people in this country that don't treat others as equals. That's very sad and shows how far we still have to go.
I am very thankful for the people that have worked in and around our homes over the last 15 years and will miss interacting with our current friends regularly. They have giving us time back in our lives which has allowed us to do other things when not at the office.
PS - To the internet service person I yelled at this morning - I apologize for yelling at you. Please don't think it was because I was not treating you as an equal. I have no problem yelling at anyone.
I talked to the lawn service owner the other day and she voluntarily assured me they were going to watch the house and make sure there were no problems and thanked us profusely for our business. She even told me she would take pictures if I wanted them to letting us know the yard was still in good shape. What great people.
Yesterday, I saw our house helper for the last time (well - until we move back). We have become friends over the years and I have heard about her kids growing up, how she met her husband, what her life was like before coming to America, we celebrated when she became a citizen, etc. She always took care of Squirt and cried with me when we lost him. Before I left to run errands, she was in tears and thanked me for everything. I will miss our chats and our friendship.
What has stuck with me though is a comment she made about always treating her as a an equal. How else would I treat her? It bothers me to know there are still people in this country that don't treat others as equals. That's very sad and shows how far we still have to go.
I am very thankful for the people that have worked in and around our homes over the last 15 years and will miss interacting with our current friends regularly. They have giving us time back in our lives which has allowed us to do other things when not at the office.
PS - To the internet service person I yelled at this morning - I apologize for yelling at you. Please don't think it was because I was not treating you as an equal. I have no problem yelling at anyone.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
New Discovery
When not working, I am MUCH more interested in spending time on my home computer. I went to the hotel last night and left it here at the house. I think I had some withdrawals from it since I couldn't check my email, etc. Maybe this will pass when I get an iPhone in Brisbane.
Last packing day and they are here already. We filled 7 containers for the ocean shipment which is a very important number. That translates into we can buy 3 container worth of new stuff overseas to bring back. :) Our air shipment, which covered a good portion of the floor in the bedroom, weighed 170lbs (30 lbs shy of what we could have taken) and fit into 3 boxes. Our suitcases will weigh more when we fly over.
The piano just came down the stairs in a controlled fashion. We are never taking it up a set of stairs again. While that doesn't help this crew any, the next crew will be happier.
Down to the final house cleaning (Thursday), carpet cleaning (Friday) and bug spraying (Saturday).
Last packing day and they are here already. We filled 7 containers for the ocean shipment which is a very important number. That translates into we can buy 3 container worth of new stuff overseas to bring back. :) Our air shipment, which covered a good portion of the floor in the bedroom, weighed 170lbs (30 lbs shy of what we could have taken) and fit into 3 boxes. Our suitcases will weigh more when we fly over.
The piano just came down the stairs in a controlled fashion. We are never taking it up a set of stairs again. While that doesn't help this crew any, the next crew will be happier.
Down to the final house cleaning (Thursday), carpet cleaning (Friday) and bug spraying (Saturday).
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Day 2
Packing continues. The move crew is much more lively today. I am not sure why unless they see the light at the end of the "stein" tunnel. Most of the steins are packed now...well...except the ones in the master closet on the highest possible shelf.
Robert is giving me the time update in 15 minute increments. It is just like pacing only different.
We believe all of the export paperwork is complete. There was the TSA form, the Australian import forms and the some other form I don't remember the name of. That was last night's work.
We also completed the seller's disclosure statement for our house. All that is left is the carpet cleaning, the bug spraying and the regular house cleaning. (Not that we have dust or anything...)
Robert is giving me the time update in 15 minute increments. It is just like pacing only different.
We believe all of the export paperwork is complete. There was the TSA form, the Australian import forms and the some other form I don't remember the name of. That was last night's work.
We also completed the seller's disclosure statement for our house. All that is left is the carpet cleaning, the bug spraying and the regular house cleaning. (Not that we have dust or anything...)
Monday, April 23, 2012
Here We Go!
The packers arrived this morning. I have only made approximately 27 changes in what we are taking and what stays. Robert is pacing like a worried momma bear watching out for her bear cubs. Back and forth...back and forth... I am making notes of our experience (what to do, what not to do and what buttons to push) as Robert wants to publish a document for the next several families to move to Australia.
This pack and load has been completely different from any other move we have made to date. All other times, the master bedroom was the last to go meaning we could stay in the house as long as possible. This time, it was the first to get packed as the rule is - ocean and air first - rest of it later in the week. I'm not exactly sure why except maybe that way we can't panic and put more stuff in the "go over" than we originally planned. (Besides - I fooled them and made my changes before they got the boxes sealed.) I AM SO HAPPY we went ahead and made hotel reservations for this week. I MAY have been a little cranky to have to sleep on the floor.
Packing for a crated ocean shipment with limited space is also different than an in country move with the company. Every available nook and cranny, every drawer, every cubby is filled with something. There is none of this one item per box business this time around.
At this rate, unless they bring a smaller crew tomorrow, it will take at max 1.5 days to finish.
This pack and load has been completely different from any other move we have made to date. All other times, the master bedroom was the last to go meaning we could stay in the house as long as possible. This time, it was the first to get packed as the rule is - ocean and air first - rest of it later in the week. I'm not exactly sure why except maybe that way we can't panic and put more stuff in the "go over" than we originally planned. (Besides - I fooled them and made my changes before they got the boxes sealed.) I AM SO HAPPY we went ahead and made hotel reservations for this week. I MAY have been a little cranky to have to sleep on the floor.
Packing for a crated ocean shipment with limited space is also different than an in country move with the company. Every available nook and cranny, every drawer, every cubby is filled with something. There is none of this one item per box business this time around.
At this rate, unless they bring a smaller crew tomorrow, it will take at max 1.5 days to finish.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Count Down...
OK - It's time to get seriously busy. Movers show up sometime Monday (I just realized I don't know when) to start packing and guess what... I am starting to second guess what we need to take and what we need to leave. I KNEW this was going to happen.
How do I solve this dilemma?
I goof off reading Facebook posts and writing here.
On the upside, we sold the SUV last night. The only thing we have left to get rid of is the piano. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to happen and it will go into storage. We have learned something though...next time it comes out of storage...it stays on the FIRST floor. NO taking it upstairs.
We did find out the house we requested has been successfully leased for us. SO we do know what we are moving into and have an idea our stuff will fit. :)
How do I solve this dilemma?
I goof off reading Facebook posts and writing here.
On the upside, we sold the SUV last night. The only thing we have left to get rid of is the piano. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to happen and it will go into storage. We have learned something though...next time it comes out of storage...it stays on the FIRST floor. NO taking it upstairs.
We did find out the house we requested has been successfully leased for us. SO we do know what we are moving into and have an idea our stuff will fit. :)
Monday, April 16, 2012
Things are moving along!
Sold my Camaro. I know it is in good loving hands.
Dropped off the ATV and trailer. I know they are in good loving hands.
Sold the washer and dryer.
Only the SUV and the piano left for sale.
Now down to what stays in Houston and what goes with us. I have split the kitchen goods into 2 areas...I have no doubt I will need something I put in storage. I have also found some stuff I forgot we owned. :P
Wednesday the inventory needs to be turned in. It will be interesting to see how close the inventory matches what the moving company does.
Dropped off the ATV and trailer. I know they are in good loving hands.
Sold the washer and dryer.
Only the SUV and the piano left for sale.
Now down to what stays in Houston and what goes with us. I have split the kitchen goods into 2 areas...I have no doubt I will need something I put in storage. I have also found some stuff I forgot we owned. :P
Wednesday the inventory needs to be turned in. It will be interesting to see how close the inventory matches what the moving company does.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Inventory, Inventory, Invenory...
Down to the final sorting. I have everything captured in a document mostly split between Ocean, Air, Storage, Carry, and about 5 other tabs. It won't be long now! Just have to be finished by Wednesday!!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
It takes 5 nights
Traveling West to East apparently takes 5 nights to get back into a "normal" sleep pattern for people my age. Last night was the first decent sleep since we returned. I'm good to go and ready to work on the house.
Speaking of houses, once again, we bought high and looks like we will be selling low. Oh well...can't do anything about that. I am tired to using our stock management rules for houses. We need to get one of these things right. :P
I sure many of you have been waiting for a baby ducky update...We have 2 broods right now. One mama w/ 9 babies and I saw a new brood this morning freshly hatched and scurrying around. I am pretty sure the new mama is one that came to eat in our drive last year as a chick. She has 15 lovely little chicks. They are SO cute. Of course, I didn't have the camera. Will see if I can get a snap tomorrow.
BTW - our visa has been approved. We are good to live in Australia for the next 4 years. We passed the Cultural Assessment yesterday (I call it the mental exam). The only paperwork left is for our company to approve our medical tests. I had to have a chest x-ray yesterday for TB. The tech asked me how long had it been since I had a chest x-ray. I went with "never". Should have clearance by the end of the week.
Speaking of houses, once again, we bought high and looks like we will be selling low. Oh well...can't do anything about that. I am tired to using our stock management rules for houses. We need to get one of these things right. :P
I sure many of you have been waiting for a baby ducky update...We have 2 broods right now. One mama w/ 9 babies and I saw a new brood this morning freshly hatched and scurrying around. I am pretty sure the new mama is one that came to eat in our drive last year as a chick. She has 15 lovely little chicks. They are SO cute. Of course, I didn't have the camera. Will see if I can get a snap tomorrow.
BTW - our visa has been approved. We are good to live in Australia for the next 4 years. We passed the Cultural Assessment yesterday (I call it the mental exam). The only paperwork left is for our company to approve our medical tests. I had to have a chest x-ray yesterday for TB. The tech asked me how long had it been since I had a chest x-ray. I went with "never". Should have clearance by the end of the week.
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Who would have thought...
As I go through papers and drawers, inventorying items, getting ready for the packers, who would have thought it would be so hard to decide what you can live without for 2-4 years. Granted, some of it is easy, For instance, I know I don't need ANY of the books in the library. I have plenty of electronic books to read but will I need that coat? Do I need my heavy hiking boots? How many wine glasses should we take? Do I really need 3 same sized casserole dishes? I haven't used more than 1 at a time since I got married. Do I really need every financial paper I've collected for the past 25 years?
We did buy new (smaller) computer desks and an area rug this weekend. Also made the call to put the monster 5 burner gas grill into storage and buy a small 2 burner grill to take with us.
I am just about out of decisions for the day... Luckily, there are only so may days left before we have to turn the inventory in and then it will be a done deal...
We did buy new (smaller) computer desks and an area rug this weekend. Also made the call to put the monster 5 burner gas grill into storage and buy a small 2 burner grill to take with us.
I am just about out of decisions for the day... Luckily, there are only so may days left before we have to turn the inventory in and then it will be a done deal...
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
AH...Shopping
I am testing the "no international transaction fee" credit card VERY thoroughly this week. Food, mass transit cards, oh yes...appliances.
We had to purchase a fridge, washer, dryer, freezer and of course a wine cooler for the new town home. (Yes - the wine cooler was required.) It all went well as far as I know but hands down the toughest decision was the washer/dryer. They sell them by kilogram capacity.
The manager was exceptionally nice and spent well over an hour with me helping me spend Robert's money. But I was stumped on the kg decision. The appliances appear SO small here. Always before, I would open the lid and look in and say - yep, it looks big enough. Here, I had to know how many wet kilos did my king size bedding take up. (The answer is apparently 8 but I went 8.5 just to be sure.) And, me being the "black and white - no shades of gray - if you have 8 on this side you have to have 8 on that side" person that I am, have a devil of a time understanding that a dryer only needs to be 6 kg when the washer needs to be 8.5. (Something to do with wet/dry.) Still not entirely sure, I went with the 8kg dryer. It was pretty funny. . . at one point the manager asked me how many pounds we purchased in the states. I said we don't - we just do big.
The dryer has a condenser. That means it recovers the water and I can use it for watering my plants which we won't have because we won't have a yard. Luckily, we should be able to connect it to the sink and have it drain automatically.
Space is at a premium and these are stacked units. SO that means I will need a step stool every time I do the laundry. (Must go update the inventory.)
Time to go walk around the mall and see if there is anything else I need to use that card on... :)
We had to purchase a fridge, washer, dryer, freezer and of course a wine cooler for the new town home. (Yes - the wine cooler was required.) It all went well as far as I know but hands down the toughest decision was the washer/dryer. They sell them by kilogram capacity.
The manager was exceptionally nice and spent well over an hour with me helping me spend Robert's money. But I was stumped on the kg decision. The appliances appear SO small here. Always before, I would open the lid and look in and say - yep, it looks big enough. Here, I had to know how many wet kilos did my king size bedding take up. (The answer is apparently 8 but I went 8.5 just to be sure.) And, me being the "black and white - no shades of gray - if you have 8 on this side you have to have 8 on that side" person that I am, have a devil of a time understanding that a dryer only needs to be 6 kg when the washer needs to be 8.5. (Something to do with wet/dry.) Still not entirely sure, I went with the 8kg dryer. It was pretty funny. . . at one point the manager asked me how many pounds we purchased in the states. I said we don't - we just do big.
The dryer has a condenser. That means it recovers the water and I can use it for watering my plants which we won't have because we won't have a yard. Luckily, we should be able to connect it to the sink and have it drain automatically.
Space is at a premium and these are stacked units. SO that means I will need a step stool every time I do the laundry. (Must go update the inventory.)
Time to go walk around the mall and see if there is anything else I need to use that card on... :)
Monday, April 02, 2012
City Life - First Impressions
While I have lived in big cities before, I have never "lived" in a city. I have always been on the edge - pretty much suburbia. The last few days in the Central Business District of Brisbane has been interesting.
I never pictured a downtown area in the US with many non-business people. Of course, I have also never spent a lot of time in big city "downtowns". Here, the CBD is lively with families and shoppers from when the stores open until closing time at 5 pm or so. It reminds me of going to a festival that only occurs on a weekend and happens to be in a downtown precinct. Or maybe a better description is just the local US mall only outdoors. It is even busier on the weekends and as the day grows long (especially on the weekends), the more eclectic the outfits.
This last weekend was Palm Sunday. There were several areas for kids to meet and greet not only the EB (Easter Bunny) but other spring time (I guess - fall time here) characters. There were balloon animal creators, story tellers and several street performers. There was a flea market in one of the plazas, a rally for nuclear disarmament and of course the regular South Bank craft vendors. And it continues this week. Street performers from jazz bands to tap dancers are all up an down the Queen Street area and a rally / fund raiser for autistic children yesterday.
Today was appliance shopping day and I haven't been able to spend much time in the area. I guess I'll head downstairs to sit in one of the cafes, have a glass of wine and read a book. Well - after I check out the new part of the mall that just opened. :)
I could get used to this.
I never pictured a downtown area in the US with many non-business people. Of course, I have also never spent a lot of time in big city "downtowns". Here, the CBD is lively with families and shoppers from when the stores open until closing time at 5 pm or so. It reminds me of going to a festival that only occurs on a weekend and happens to be in a downtown precinct. Or maybe a better description is just the local US mall only outdoors. It is even busier on the weekends and as the day grows long (especially on the weekends), the more eclectic the outfits.
This last weekend was Palm Sunday. There were several areas for kids to meet and greet not only the EB (Easter Bunny) but other spring time (I guess - fall time here) characters. There were balloon animal creators, story tellers and several street performers. There was a flea market in one of the plazas, a rally for nuclear disarmament and of course the regular South Bank craft vendors. And it continues this week. Street performers from jazz bands to tap dancers are all up an down the Queen Street area and a rally / fund raiser for autistic children yesterday.
Today was appliance shopping day and I haven't been able to spend much time in the area. I guess I'll head downstairs to sit in one of the cafes, have a glass of wine and read a book. Well - after I check out the new part of the mall that just opened. :)
I could get used to this.
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