The Ghosts

 Have you ever seen a ghost?

Photo thanks to Pixabay

My folks bought a 120 year old house in a town steeped in history, which they stripped and renovated in a modern way while in keeping with the stylings of the era.  I recall walking into the building before they started work and into a bedroom which would ultimately be my accommodation during visits.  The air changed, the light dimmed and an eerie shudder went through my spine. 

“This is where the ghost lives’ I joked.

“Don’t be silly” said Mum, “there’s no such thing”.

The pain in the neck

Can someone or something literally become a "pain in the neck"? 

I have been suffering significant neck pain since March this year.  Now, before I go on, I must say that neck pain is not unusual for me.  It's something I've battled with on and off for years.  So much so that I have a million dollar pillow** to help relieve some of the pressure in the hope I'll wake up feeling somewhat normal each day. 

Anyway, over and above my normal neck problems, I have been suffering a pain in the neck since March. It's been constant and unrelenting.  From my left shoulder, up through the neck and into the base of my skull.  I have restricted movement as a result and it often causes referred headaches.  

It's a real pain in the neck to be frank. 

The short stay "holiday"

 Holiday, vacation or weekend getaway? 

Last weekend the hubby and I had a getaway to the Gold Coast.  Just three nights at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. I'm calling it a getaway because three nights doesn't seem long enough to deserve the "holiday" definition.  

Knowing me as well as you do, you'll know that I googled the definition of "holiday" to see if I could determine at what point a trip reverts from a weekender to a fully blown vacation.

The Boredom

 Only boring people get bored

"Mum, I'm bored!" the kids would say. 

"Only boring people get bored" I would reply. 

As you can imagine, my reply never really went down well nor did it fix their dilemma of how to fill in their time. 

The Blogging

At what point does a blogger hang up their keyboard?

A month ago I silently celebrated the eleventh anniversary of my blog.  I started writing the moment I turned forty with the challenge to write every day for a year about the trials and tribulations of becoming middle-aged. 

The Gift Idea

 Wondering what to buy that special someone?

How about a framed print of their favourite album cover.

The Endeavour Voyage Exhibition

 There's two sides to every story 

In 1770 Lieutenant James Cook captained the HMB Endeavour along the east coast of Australia which he then claimed on behalf of the British Crown.  Eighteen years later the First Fleet arrived and established a penal colony in what is now Sydney. 

It's been 250 years since Captain Cook set eyes on Australia and the National Museum of Australia is acknowledging that milestone with the Endeavour Voyage Exhibition which explores views from the ship and through the eyes on the shoreline, reminding us all there are two sides to every story. 

The Champagne Cocktail

 The easiest cocktail recipe of all time

Are you looking for a quick and easy summer cocktail that not only tastes amazing, but is so versatile you can serve it at parties, have it at breakfast, make it for poolside or simply turn it into your favourite evening tipple? 

Today I introduce you to the Raspberry Beret, named after my favourite Prince song and the juice that inspired the cocktail. Just like a Mimosa only less boring, more unique and totes prettier. 

The Covid Holiday

Have you had a get-away since covid struck? 

As you know we are a family of vacationers with annual holidays to Queensland and a junket internationally every two years or so.  We were due to be in Thailand during July  of this  year and right now we were booked to head to Noosa.  Both trips had to be cancelled due to border closures and covid safety.

The wisdoms

 What wise words would you share with a 21 year old?

As you know we had T's 21st birthday party at our house last weekend* In one of those "just in time" scenarios the new bar was finished at 7.00pm the night before and our garage-to-games-room conversion was completed just 2 hours before the party started. Nothing like cutting it fine! 

See photos of the new bar and games room at the end of this post.