Holidays Over and New Semester Begins

WOW - where did that time go??

I haven't posted since 29June - how rude is that??

July just passed without even a mention?!?!

And I promised that I would be more attentive dear reader.

(I know there's at least one peep out there taking notice!!!! Thankyou!!!)

Where to begin??

Netball NSW State Age Championship's were held in Newcastle at the beginning of July school holidays.

It was amazing - tiring - exciting - a blast.

3-days of netball mayhem - never seen anything like it - but it was an absolute hoot!!

I had the honour to manage a wonderful team of ten 12 year olds.

The girls all played wonderfully - better than they have ever played before.

It was great.

Bring on next year!!

After State Age we took our time getting back home - spending nights at various friends homes - as we made our way back down to Canberra.

We were away a whole week.

Two nights here - one night there - it was super mad - but great to catch up with so many people that we haven't seen in a very long time.

We consumed vast amounts of champagne and red wine - talked up a storm - did 'Paddy's Markets', 'Yum Cha' in China Town and a Rugby League match all in Sydney (P'matta V Rabitohs) - and generally had a load of fun.

Friends are precious - even if you only get the opportunity for small amounts of time together.

All very worth the time.

Second week of the school hols were spent just lounging around at home, washing copious amounts of dirty laundry, watching films, catching up with home friends, and generally taking things nice and slow. (Poor MrW had to go back to work - so he didn't have so much fun - life returns to normal so fast!!)

21July saw school return for the kids - and back to Uni for me once more.

Already things are flyng past quick - we're already into to week 3 - I'm sure the rest of the year will now fly past before I know where it's all gone!!

Saturday netball has resumed in ernest.

School activities keep the girls all very busy.

MrW has had a couple of trips to Adelaide with work.

I have a heap of assignments due this semester.

And life rolls on as per normal.

Oh the joys of a busy life.

(wish this ride would slow down at times - to let me get my breath!!!)

Our Car

It would appear that our car has been somewhat possessed - or at the very least temporarily cursed.

On the way home from our skiing adventures - we were just minutes away from home - when disaster struck - and it struck with an almighty BANG.

We could see the lights of Canberra up ahead - and were starting to look forward to showers, dinner and relaxing after a busy day on the slopes - and a full 5 days away from home - when suddenly - on the road - directly in our path - a large, metal, cylindrical object loomed in the headlights - and as traffic was rather busy (Friday night - many snow-lovers traveling to and from the snow - in this - our best snow seasons in 17 years...........) there was not much space to move - and missing the object completely was - well - out of the question.

We hit it hard - and pulled over quickly to the side of the road.

Friends, travelling behind, followed us - and with shocked faces - explained that they saw numerous sparks flying - and were worried what on earth had occurred.

In pitch darkness - and with just a small flashlight to inspect the underside of the car - not much could be seen - so we eventually decided to attempt driving on - and after a few tentative moves forward - we were back on the road again. Albeit - extremely slowly as the car did not sound 'well' at all.

We limped home - and once in the driveway - the full damage could be seen.

It's amazing really that we even made it home.

A huge 15 x 20 cm hole was gaping under the car - between the wheels - sort of - in the middle - around the 'transfer box' - so I am told.

I won't even attempt to explain further (as really I'm a girl that knows little about the full workings of the car) - but let's just say - it could move no further - as when an attempt was made to back in down the driveway again - a horrible metal-on-metal sound escaped from the underside of the car - and a large broken bolt fell out onto the concrete.

A few days later, we had the car picked up and taken to Ford here in Canberra - after many and varied discussions with our insurance agency.

And here's when the real fun begins.

Over at Ford - the young mechanics were taking the car off the back of the truck - when they lost control - and our car ended up pinning a young apprentice against the wall?!?!

Young mechanic was taken to hospital - and Zesty (that's the name of our car - or should we re-name her 'Christine'??) had large scrapes down one side - and dents left where the young man was once pinned.

Since then - apparently the car has behaved itself - and it is on the mend.

And so is the mechanic. (phew - I was wondering whether to send him a Get Well card from the car?!)

The broken underside has been replaced - and she now goes in for some metal work and little bit of spray painting.

It's been over 3 weeks now - and I seriously am dying to get back my car.

Hopefully, all will be well by the end of this week. Including all curses and possessions completely DELETED.

ICK!!!

What A Blast !!

We're back from the magical white stuff - and what a fantastic time we had.
(I'm talking about the SNOW people - don't go getting any wacky ideas....)

MissJ (almost 5yrs) learnt how to ski for the first time - and MissG (age11.5) and MissE (almost 9) were starting to ski backwards by the end of day 5 !!

The weather at the start of the week was all sunshine, awesome snow-cover & every lift open - and it moved into gale force winds and many lifts on wind-hold. BUT - we had a ball.

We went with CousinR from Holland - who came for a short but wonderful 2.5 week wirlwind visit to OZ - and our good friends - The Smiffs (family of 4).

Loads of laughter and good times had by all - it really was the holiday my psyche was screaming for.

Not much can compare to skiing around the slopes with my girls, my husband, CousinR and my good friends. We're already frantically doing the calculations for the next possible skiing adventure.

DAMN that skiing costs so flippin' much. (note to self - MUST win lottery to help ease the pain in my husband's pocket.......)

Today - CousinR flew back to the land of cheese and clogs - and the house & it's inhabitants seems eerily quiet and a little sad this evening.

He will be greatly missed - but here's hoping it won't be another 7 years before we're all back in the same hemisphere once more.

(oh - and yeah - not much studying going on around here - bugger!!! - better get my nose back into those books................this semester is not quite as exciting as the adventures that have been playing in my surrounds.)

ETA: labels for the photos are as follows (I can't work out how to flippy put them inbetween the photos - it JUST.WON'T.WORK. Pfffffttt!!)
Photo 1: Perisher Blue
Photo 2: CousinR & MissJ
Photo 3: MissJ (& me further up the slope)
Photo 4: MissE
Photo 5: MissG
Photo 6: MrW, me & CousinR
Photo 7: The Mob - eating lunch!!
Photo 8 : The Smiffs - D & D.

And Another Set Of Holidays Flies On By.....

WOW - where did the holidays go???

So much for a long break from the studies and the books.

Uni started back this week - and I'm glad to say that my timetable is GOOD - and I'm really looking forward to ticking off another 3 subjects by the end of the year. Assignment workload doesn't appear to be too horrid - so all's good so far there.

The girls started back at school this week, and we're looking at another busy term for them.

We're looking forward to a visit in early August from Hubby's cousin from Holland - CousinR. We're very close to him - there has been numerous visits back and forth between us all - but it's not been 8 years since we've last seen him.

CousinR has various interests and occupations - one which includes skiing tuition on the beautiful white fluffy stuff - otherwise known as snow!! So - we're all going skiing together for 5 days - and the excitement bubbles are starting to grow.

We introduced the kids to skiing last year - and they had an absolute HOOT. So this trip should be a whole heap of fun.

CousinR will be staying in OZ for a total of 3 weeks.

So - for now - that's the news and reviews from House 'O Possum.

We'll now return you to your regular programming.............................................xx