The Lurker from the black lagoon

I feel sick just thinking about having a 31yo son getting up at 4.15 ... particularly if he woke me...
My sister lives in Swan Hill and I have been getting regular updates from her... the heat has been gruesome north of the divide... it always used to hit me traveling from Deni to Melb. just how much cooler it was once you crossed the ranges... south of Pyalong. These days with air conditioned cars it isn't such a consideration but it certainly was traveling with animals and babies way back then...

Hate that grey area... none of my siblings went to uni or college straight from school for that reason because there was no way my parents could support us etc. so far from home. At least with hex [no matter how much todays generation complain about it] you now only have to sort the living expenses and not uni fees up front.

Do you know anyone he could board with? Swinburne [around the corner from me] is always advertising in the local paper for host families. I think if I ever get my act together I might try that one day.

Hello Marianne,I signed on less than 24 hours ago and am still learning my way around the site. It does seem the folks are really friendly and helpful. You will hear from me again. TNgma

Hi Marianne, sent you a private message with a few details for Chrissy in Wang. It would be wongerful if you are able to even pop in for a few minutes :)

Hey mariane!
So sorry we didn't get to hook up while I was visiting your wonderful country. I fell in love with your country (the bush, especially) and your people. The friends I've made through this site were the most generous, hospitable, lovely people. I felt completely spoiled when I was traveling around and meeting Sudoku friends. I stayed most of my time with Gail in Cockatoo - felt like one of the family...what a blessing.
Anyway - just wanted to pop by and visit.
If you ever get to California, know that we will give you a warm welcome and plan a state-side Sudokumeet for you! Keep in touch! Hugs

Smiles to you too. Not shy, at all. It is Thanksgiving time in the states and that leads into Christmas. Lot to do. I just have to tell you also, our weather (it is fall here) has been absolutly wonderful so I have been ourdoors as much as possible. I am on my way out doors right now. This weather is like a perfect gift. So much to do, so short on time. So much to be thankful for! It gets dark by 5 P. now. the weather will change and I will spend more time indoors.. and on the computer. thanks for thinking of me... hope we can chat some time. I loved being in Australia for 6 weeks last December/Jan. I made a good friend while there. Would love to have a few more! TNga

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I've had a good day today and just got back from having dinner with my family.

Hibernating sounds like a great Plan B (since Plan A to take a nice, long vacation someplace warm hasn't happened yet).
Reality is probably Plan BX - a waking form of hibernation where I leave the house as seldom as possible and make the rest of the family members keep the woodstoves stoked and grocery shopping done while I work on schooling, business development, craft projects and the occasional party to bring company to me.
Hmmm, Plan BX sounds familiar. I think I've done it before? Like last year and the year before that ...
Come to think of it, even Plan BX has too much exposure to winter cold and dark. Rats.

Hi Marianne, Thanks for the quick reply. Today was rainy and cool so I am sure glad I got those windows washed yesterday. I have a feeling yesterday was the end of our warm sunny days. I went to the city today. It's 40 miles into the city but I think I have Christmas handled and will not need to go back. Tomorrow:housework. I really like the picture on your page of the door and no "knob". That's a good one. I relate. I am still finding my way around this site. I am thinking to put a recipe for Molasses cookies on the recipe page. Christmas and cookies.. life is good. I will send you some cookies over the internet.. since I can not really send them to you, and a pumpkin pie for Thursday.. (Thanksgiving Day here.)TNgma

mariane

See, I changed it! Thinking about my last post to you... I think I watch too many "law and order" TV shows and way too many news programs. LOL.

Thank you Mariane for the welcome. I'm yet to work out how to make my way around, but I'm sure I'll nut it out. I've been reading the daily comments for many months now, so decided I'd like to join, as there are so many wonderful friendly people here!

Hi Mariane--no need to panic! B. has just burnt her fingers so can't type ... a Sudoku catastrophe, but it must hurt like heck, so I sent wishes for speedy healing. Now relax, take a deep breath, and come visit anytime!

Hi Marianne. Thanks for the warm welcome. I like your words of wisdom at the beginning of your page. It would be an interesting hobby to have, collecting little words of wisdom. And its funny. I enjoy the riddles of Taosim philosophy, to make you stop and thnk about life.

Hello Marianne, I thought you answered very quickly. Somedays one just has to let somethings go for a few days. Emails especially. My grand daughter is in "reception year". She has the same teacher her brother had 2 yrs. ago. From what I can judge this far away they certainly are getting a better education then the kids get here. A lot has to do with the parents involvement. Many parents just don't care. It is a busy time of year for almost everyone. I have a lot coming up here in the next two weeks. Then the committments are done. I am very active in our church.. children's ministry and now a Christmas choir. Also a after school Bible club for the children at two schools. then ther is a Civil War singers group.. we sing this Sat. at the county museum. (the Christmas tree showing) Then one day I had a bright idea...

A get together for the board and most active members of Friends of the Library. Well, 9 have responded and will be here for that. HUM.. what to serve. I think I should go back to work so I can have some days off. Smile. Merry Christmas. Jackie

Thanks for the note! I am enjoying my stay in an 8th-grade classroom, but partly because I know it will be over in three months! I still love working with the kids, but have no desire to return full-time to teaching with all the other headaches involved.

Sorry to take so long in getting back to you. I never thought I'd get to the end of your page. Thanks for dropping in, Just called to say MERRY XMAS to you and your family. Best wishes for the new year. Tony

Thank you Mariane! I feel much better just being around friends who care! Unfortunately financially I will not be able to fly back east for a while. I can manage one trip a year and that was used last summer. But I did get to have a wonderful time then! How I miss them!!!

Hi. I'm working in Melbourne at the moment and living in Tullamarine near the airport. Thanks for your friendly message. :-)

Mariane for the birthday greetings I've enjoyed my day immensely.

Continued... I don't know anything about typical Australia Christmas traditions. The grand children's mother is English. Actually we went to New Zealand last year for Christmas. Father Christmas did visit the children, we exchanged gifts and we went to the hotel resturant to eat. What a meal! I am sure the Queen did not have any better meal than we had. (Y'all sure eat good down there in Ah strayl ah) The kids sang some songs (Australian) that they had learned at school. Fun songs. One was to the tune of Jingle Bells. Good memories. Celebrating Christmas in Oklahoma this year. There will be a big difference. No family in Texas... just a little break for the kids from their home life.

Hi Mariane. I don't feel like I know you as well as I'd like to, but I am noticing your comments more lately & enjoying them. Thanks for your birthday greeting on my page. I did have many people I love around me that day - in particular, all three of my daughters & both of my granddaughters! Kyley had recovered enough from her surgical complications to go for a special girls' night out I had planned months ago. We all very much enjoyed seeing a new musical called Wonderland which premiered in Tampa. I hope to post some pics from that night soon. Meanwhile, I wish you & your family a very Merry Christmas and Hope to see more of you & my other Sudoku friends in 2010.

Hi Marianne. I posted late last night, you may have missed my link.

http://www.gumtreemusic.com.au/music/colin-buchanan-and-greg-champion/aussie-christmas-with -bucko-and-champs-1-and-2.aspx

This link is to a Christmas CD, which has a lot of Australian Christmas carols, including, "Christmas Day - The North Wind". While you cannot hear the whole song at this site, there is a sampler of it. Hope you enjoy

And, You Tube, with the song being played, but no sung lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGnDVFw5EGI

Thank you Mariane - I did indeed have a wonderful birthday. For the first time in 4 years my children, their partners and my gorgeous grandson were all together in the same country!

Thanks for the Welcome and thanks for the respons tip. Nice to meet you!

Marianne you and your loved ones have a and a all the best for 2010.

Best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas



and

Mariane, I just wanted to send seasons greetings to you and all you care for! May all your lives be full of happiness and peace through the yuletide season and throughout the coming year!

and

Hi, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU. haven't been on in a while. Nice hearing from you.

Dear Marianne,
Thank you for your b-day wishes !
We do not celebrate Christmas . At this time of the year we celebrate Hanukkah .
Happy New Year !
Noemi

Thank you for the birthday wishes. Great holiday with son, daughter in law, and brand new first Granddaughter!

Hi Mary. To be honest, I don't know how to reply to your message. Just trying this hoping you can see my message.
I had been here playing (every single day) sudoku for more than 1.1/2 year on this site.Hehehe I'm addictive to this game.
Every morning at 6AM (Sydney time) with my coffee, and start to damage my brain with this site.
Nice to meet you. And wishing you happy and a safe New-Year.

mariane, thank you for stopping by my page to wish me a happy birthday! It is good to hear from friends from all over the world!! I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy 2010.

mariane! Hope you have a special celebration today. Wishing you blessings throughout the year. Cheers!

Well happy birthday Mariane,
It's time that you began,
To laugh and party, enjoy your day and laugh about it all again.
Happy Birthday (with help from Leonard Cohen)

Hello Mariane! to you! I hope your day is full of many happy surprises!!!