Thanks Lady1, many people here did remember my birthday so definitely not missed, I had plenty of messages and thanks for yours as well including the one for next Tuesday.

My high was finally finding not only an old warning sign (these were removed a lot earlier than the direction signs) but one the same as I missed taking that was off my old road till only a few years ago. It was missing a red triangle but that was a relatively minor detail as I was beginning to think I'd never get one of any type for my collection. I got a direction one on the way and two more over the weekend so although I think they've run out I'm still finding them. I don't do my collecting by halves!

Today we found the contact number for the Valentine's Ball on Saturday so we are almost definitely going.

As I mentioned a week or so ago, Mum was going to have a operation to remove a lump under her skin. She's had a few mix ups with hospital appointents etc - none of them herfault, hospital admin! - but she had it done, and was asleep through it, yesterday. She was told that she would have to stay in overnight, but was released yesterday evening. She's fine, except a bit sore.

I am glad that she is fine Jane. Give her my best wishes.

Jar, you can whine all you want about the wine. I can't imagine the work that goes into that. Good Copago reminded you about checking the Transylvanian too.

lioness, Good you found that number and I'm sure you'll have fun! I remember dances long, long ago...

Jane, I'm glad to hear your mom came through the surgery just fine.

Low this week: tomorrow is The Day. Leaving early for Cape Town to take the daughter down to her new flat. Going to be a rough drive home next week...

lady, I remember how thankful I was that I had my oldest son's girlfriend (future wife) with me when I had to take him off to college. I would never have been able to see on the drive home, I was sobbing uncontrollably. It wasn't like he had left the planet or something , but it was so hard! We had been through so much together because I had raised him and his brother on my own, we had grown up together, and I was 'losing' not just an oldest son, but a best friend. I will definitely be thinking of you!

I too, will be thinking of you lady. We raise them to be independent and self-sufficient, yet when it's time for them to fly, it's hard... (((( hugs ))))

Thanks JD and Mags. Will give you an update when I get back (alone) next week.

Hi- Very excited to have booked tickets for a trip away without my kids. I have never been away from them overnight before.

Low- Filled with anxiety to have booked tickets for a trip away without my kids. I have never been away from them overnight before.

awww, Lady - I hope it's not too bad settling your daughter in

Bit of a crappy week here I've been sick with some kind of head cold / flu since Monday and The Boy chose Monday and Tuesday to play up in school. Had a day in town to take The Boy to school and he had the flu so had to miss half a day .. there I was dragging him out of the school in the morning with him saying "Please let me stay at school!!" at least everyone else got a smile out of it. he had brightened up by lunch so did get to have some time at the actual school and meet his new teacher.

Poor little bugger also got a burn on his leg from the motorbike which sparked off a few other sores (mozzie bites, burrs and so on) to get infected and very angry looking. Had him to the hospital in Wilaannia three times now.

The last time was today when they finally gave him anti-biotics. I'm usually the first one to try and fight something without drugs but, man, in this case, give the kids the drugs already! The flu thing had hit him this morning too and his temp was 39.4* .. yikes. Three cheers for Panadol!
When we were driving in it was very windy and a half baked dust storm was swirling around and, although it had taken a fair while at the hospital by the time you see a doctor and all that, it was teeming down with (un-forcasted) rain when I left. It went for about 20kms and it took me about 50 mins to drive it .. much of the road was just a river and then there were four flooding creeks to drive through with a pounding headache, lightning and thunder cracking all around, a boy in the back who all I wanted hinm to do was be quiet, and a radio that could only pick up static. Worse thing was that there'd been little rain at home. *sigh*

Some days I just want to live on Parramatta Road in Sydney.

If you aren't following the bushfire thread check out this Youtube video about the koala. So sweet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSPx7S4jr4&feature=related

They will be fine, you will be fine. When mine were small I used to give them to my mother for a while, either fly her in or take them to her and abandon them so that I could go on holiday for a couple of weeks.

It is especially worrisome as I will be on the other side of the world from my girls. We are moving later this year and I'm going to check out schools and register, etc. Not an easy spot to dash home from...

I am, however, looking forward to a flight where I am not doling out snacks, reading endless stories, praying for naps, etc. I'll get to read grown-up books for hours while someone brings me tea and snacks, aah bliss.

The first time you leave your children is always the worst, after that you actually look forward to it! And how exciting, big changes in your life. Mind my asking where you are moving to?

Moving to the United Arab Emirates! It will certainly put a new spin on The Alphabetical Place Name Hop for me.

So no more snow for you too, eh?

Nope, well maybe at Christmas for a visit, eh.

High: had a great day out in the city with my dance partner/boyfriend. We wandered around the museum and art gallery for 4 hours. Also last night we went to a Valentine's ball and had a really good time.

Low is I have a lack of sleep from the ball, which is causing a headache.

Two highs here for a change- first yesterday when I went to the gym, the first big landmark is lifting your own body weight, and after 6 years and 3 months of regular visits I finally bench pressed (lying flat on my back) my exact body weight 72.5 kilos (11 1/2 stone or so), 3 lots of 6 lifts. I have now joined the ranks of 'proper' weightlifters as that is the criterion they all aim for first.

My second was today, on my last official check for old signs which was on the Aldershot Road I actually found a total of 5, so whatever else turns up by chance afterwards I have gone out with a bang on the known possibilities.

Hi - DD's 6th birthday today, we had such a lovely day

Lo- the insomnia continues...

I'm feeling quite flat today. Don't feel like doing anything at all. I'm lucky I got it at the end of the day rather than at the beginning.

Also dance coach has pretty much reached the limit of helping us. He's entered us in competition events without our consent and he's teaching of a textbook - has no real life experience. We want to change but mum is quite loyal to him and it's alway, 'we'll talk about it later'
Competition is coming up in 2 months and we need to improve as soon as possible.

High - just realised I can drive in a month, I have a good chance of being able to buy a decent car cheaply.

High: I slept til 11:30 this morning! Completely drained of energy, I needed it dearly. After working 12-14 hour days for the last 4 days, I'm ready to sleep another 12 hours.

No low, just glad the hard work is over and only the "clean-up" type of paperwork stuff left to do, and will probably only take a day or so.

Jane, glad you mom is home and better now. Hope all stays okay.

Now I'm off to sleep, and then to catch up with Fun Trivia tomorrow!

Being the old anorak I am before March 4th 2000 you could only have a forum account, (and I didn't actually discover the new one for over a year) so was not just possible then but unavoidable at the time!

Low today I've been stuck indoors with a cold, High is I've got loads of little calls and messages done and played lots of quizzes here which may get me a brain or two if I can last long enough before conking out.