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DustyKat

DustyKat

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May 8, 2010
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Well spring has well and truly sprung and the backyard is once again taking on some semblance of normality...

Over the winter months we had some work done...pulled out gardens, knocked down a gazebo and put up a new outside laundry/outside toilet. The reason for it is we have a house in town and access to the backyard is via the neighbour. No problem there but it is a pain if we have a wet winter and need to have wood delivered.
The existing laundry/toilet is behind the garage and we want to gain access to the yard by knocking through back wall of the garage. So finally the grass is growing and the place is looking less like a construction site each day! Woohoo!
Oh...and no, the only toilet isn't outside! It's toilet number 3!...:ylol:

Christmas is fast approaching and I haven't done one ounce of shopping...:yfaint:...but I have started putting the decorations out. I can hear some of you saying WTF!!! :lol: But I am not having a repeat of last year! :eek2:
The thing is, I have always loved the whole decorating the tree etc and hubby and the kids usually have a bit of a laugh at my antics. So last year when Matt became sick and we were away having tests done and so on for a fair bit of December I didn't do my usual fussing. Must admit I wasn't much in the mood either. So it gets to half through December and Matt had a fit about it! I talked my way out of it and went around at warp speed getting it all done...phew... so this year I am doing it at a much more leisurely pace! :lol2:

Council clean up this weekend so I am going to take full advantage of it and get rid of the building crap. :)

Hope you enjoyed the read, :study:
Dusty. xxx

PS. Am I the only one that misses the emoticon they are looking for first time round? :ybatty:
 
Hey Dusty it is so strange that we are approaching winter and you are in spring...I love winter and the snow and it has to be strange like our sister country the states in the south putting up decorations in the heat lol.

I love the out doors but our past summer was way too hot. I like the coolness. Since I am the only one who decorates, it gets done when I feel like it lol. Usually around mid Dec. The damn tree box is way too heavy for me. I am looking forward to this year because all 4 of us will be here together, last year just me and my mom. The hubby worked and my daughter was in Ottawa.

I bought one present so far. I will do more soon. I watch for sales :lol:

Getting the house cleaned but the carpets will have to wait til the snow gets here or ground freezes, hate mud. We will all be busy soon!!!! Happy Spring to you!
 
You've never missed an emoticon...ever!!

Take a picture of your decor(or is it decour?). My sister paints Santa Clauses on every conceivable thing and sells them at craft fairs. She always gives us free samples. Over the years, we've amassed quite a collection and Deb has to get them all out and display them every year. I want that stuff out of the house on Dec. 26th!! Bah humbug!!
 
Ahaha, it would be strange for me to have a cold Christmas! I'm use to having a big seafood BBQ and then maybe a swim in the afternoon followed by a balmy night sitting outside with a nice chilled white wine....schweet...:ybiggrin:
I did have a Christmas in Scotland once and it was a white one too! Hmmmmm, once was enough...:lol:

I'm still in the thinking about it stage with presents. Once the ideas come I'll hit the internet!

And a happy Winter to you Pen! I'll be thinking about ya as I sip my wine...:cheerss:

I do miss emoticons! I'm just good at finding them again.

Oh good on ya scroogey Dex! I'm thinking about putting the tree up next weekend...happy days! Now get into the spirit ya old grouch!

Dusty. :)
 
Hah, I remember my Christmas in Brisbane. How hot and humid it was coming from Scotland in November! Seeing a guy sweltering in the sunshine in a Santa suit in the middle of town and having Christmas dinner on the beach. That felt so strange!
I was so ill last year and the roads were so bad with snow and ice that we abandoned the idea of going over to the mainland. But think we will make it this year :)
You've reminded me Dusty that we need a new tree! X
 
Queensland, bah humbug! :lol:

I went and had a haircut tonight. First one in 8 months! :eek2:

The Big O is visiting Oz, do you yanks want him back? :ybiggrin:

Dusty. :)
 
First day of Summer! :panda::panda::panda:

The Christmas tree and decorations are up and all is going well with the kids. :ybiggrin:
Started panicking each time I looked at the ticker at the bottom of my signature so hit the net the other night and did all my present buying. Phew, glad that's over!

Well I was a blubbering mess yesterday...
I took a lady that I look after, who is terminally ill, to see her daughter in her end of year school concert. At the end of the concert the teacher that organised it announced they had a special performance for this little girls Mum, my patient. They played the Ann Murray song... I Cried A Tear and all the children signed the words. It was the most beautiful and expressive thing I think I have ever seen. Hell I'm starting to cry just thinking about it!

Dusty. :heart:
 
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That sounds beautiful. This really is an emotional time of year for me too, Dusty.

Can I give you a REAL hug? :hug: These virtual hugs don't feel as good.
 
I can't imagine how you keep your sanity Dusty...but I think it's wonderful there are people like you out there:)
 
Agreed, Dexky! Dusty, you have amazing strength. A very close friend died of a brain tumour in May 2010, I spent time with her every week for weeks and months before she passed away (it was a horribly gradual and lingering downhill struggle). After being friends for 30 years, you would think that I would know what to say and how to spend time with her but no... every visit was exhausting, mentally and emotionally. The only thing that kept me going was the thought that however difficult it was for me, it was much more difficult for her and as she had no choice but to deal with it, then I had no right to just choose to not deal with it with her. But, there were lots and lots of times that I thought 'maybe I'll skip it tonight and see her next week'. I don't know how you do it, Dusty??? The hospice caregivers who helped her and her family were wonderful people and a godsend not only to her but to her entire family! :hug:

But, on a less somber note... Dusty, OMG I'm jealous!!!! I am so not a winter person! I've never even considered a seafood bbq for Christmas :banana:, OMG, how great would that be!!!! :banana::banana: Given a choice, I'd be happy seeing my 'white christmas' on a postcard! :lol:
 
Dusty, that concert sounds like the sweetest thing.

And I agree with Pen, about it being strange to think you're heading into summer, when we're predicting about a half foot of snow this weekend. I did spend a year in Brazil and spent Christmas at the beach. It was so odd!

I hope this year you don't have to rush around to get everything done.
 
Awww thanks guys...:hug:...:redface:

Oh Tess, that must have been so heartbreaking for you but what a wonderful friend you were to her. :)

The Christmas tree lights are twinkling and the present wrapping has begun! Yikes, 23 days to go! And the sun is shining! :sun::sun::sun:

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Dusty. xxx
 
I spent five years in Canberra many years ago, and there was always something weird about having lamb chops or bbq for Christmas dinner! Christmas used to be the time that I would get most homesick...no snow, fake white Christmas tree, no big turkey, cranberry sauce was a b$#!h to find, etc. I never learned to settle in to an "Australian Christmas."

Dusty, I can't believe you're at the point of just needing to wrap gifts...I'm impressed. And now you're reminding me to put up my lights...I love fairy lights, and I bet your place is looking smashing!!

Happy wrapping,

Kismet
 
I'm cold and want a sweater. :( Never had a summer Christmas. Would be interesting.
 
Ahh Dusty you're miles ahead of me in the Christmas department!

We may put our tree up this weekend; well we better...or it won't get up!
I have yet to purchase the first gift for anyone.
And..time is running out for me to get busy! Hopefully, I can go online and find some deals while Gab is recovering in the hospital :ylol: If not, we've all decided if things don't go as planned with her surgery then we will have Christmas in February after our tax return comes in! :loll:

Are you going to show us a picture of your tree ? I bet it's beautiful!! :thumleft:
 
As requested T!...Oh Christmas Tree!...

Xmas Tree.jpg​



The presents are wrapped! Well the ones the postie has delivered that is.

Matt had his last presentation night on Thursday and he received three awards including Dux of the school. :) I am so happy for him after all he has been through in the past year. I know Matt looks so different to this time last year but it really rams it home when someone else tells you. My hubby's cousin, the one with CD, was at the school that night as well and hadn't seen Matt since Christmas day last year. She said she barely recognised him, he looks so different and so well! It was so fab to hear. :)

Matt1.jpg

Matt looking so much better 12 months on.​

Sarah is down in Melbourne for 10 days at a political conference, her third in 3 weeks! Oh well each to their own...:lol: That girl really can talk under water with a mouth full of marbles when she gets on her soapbox!

Okay, so I shot my mouth off boasting about Summer and all and lo and behold it turned cold! I would say wet as well, which it is, but we have had so much rain in the past twelve months that it is the norm now! It's the coldest start to Summer in 50 years, who knows, maybe it will be a white Christmas here as well!

Hope you are all getting into the Chrissy spirit...Bah Humbug...ah no I mean Ho Ho Ho!

Dusty. :heart:
 
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@Kismet...Canberra, that is one strange place, sort of surreal in way. :lol: Must be all those politicians and public servants. Haha, I bet you did have trouble finding cranberry sauce and funnily enough I was grocery shopping today and saw eggnog and was thinking to myself...hmmm, I bet they won't sell much of that!

@Crabby...It's been so bloody cold here that we are back to jumpers! :eek2:

@T...You have the best reason in the world not to be organised! Anyway, I bet there is only one Christmas present you all want this year and I think, nah I know, you are going to get it. :hug:

Dusty. xxx
 
Well, unless you've got a bank of halogen bulbs in the background, it sure was sunny when you took that picture:) Nice tree Dusty!!
 
Ah your tree is absolutely Beauuuuutttiiiiifffuuuullll !! Very impressive! :)

And, Matt ~ well, all I have to go by are your pictures on here, but WOWZA he sure does look different ! And healthy! :ghug: That makes me so happy to see!

I am going to put a before/after picture album of Gab this year on my profile...oh wait till you see that difference ! LOL We laugh about it a lot now, but she sure wasn't laughing then! She'll always be beautiful in my eyes tho..no matter how big her poor face was ! :kiss:

Tomorrow is supposed to be our tree day..we shall see ! :lol:
 
Dusty - Sharp looking tree. Shopping?????- Haven't really started mine yet except for the big family gift.

Interesting to hear about "unseasonablly cold weather" in a warmer (this time of year) climate - we have had an unseasonably warm late November and Early December. When we were at the garden centre last week looking at trees, the manager said they were actually still doing plantings for customers - unheard of. It's back to the colder below freezing temps here now.

Glad to hear that Matt an Sarah are doing well. From my experience it's a rough thing to have in school.
 
Awwww, thanks guys. :)

Woohoo, we have had our first fully sunny day her today it what seems an absolute age! :sun::sun::sun::sun::sun::sun:

On the downside we have the dreaded lurgy here at present! :eek2: Hubby has the man flu, I am looking through the fog of conjunctivitis with what sounds like cicadas in my ears and Sarah has left Melbourne, and not long arrived in Sydney, after having to cut her conference short. She has a head cold that is getting progressively worse and just wants her own bed! Goes without saying that I will be on heightened worry watch for the next few days! :lol: At least I can rest easy knowing that she is sensible and is doing all she can to stop it in it's tracks. :)

Through it all it would seem that thus far Matt has been spared, and I sure as hell hope it stays that way. It would appear that "the cave" does indeed have its advantages! He receives his Higher School Certificate results tomorrow, they will be posted online/SMS at 6am. I wonder if he will be up at that time? The only time I have ever known him to be up that early is to watch soccer games on tele. Hmmmm, looks like I will be a cat on a hot tin roof for a while tomorrow morning!

Dusty. :heart:
 
Sorry to hear about all the lurgies etc, but it's so good to hear how well the kids are doing. I remember your picture of Matt in his hospital bed. And now, well - if you don't mind me saying so - what a honey! X
 
I've never heard of a lurgy, but I'm sure glad we don't have one here...now! Hope you all get better quickly:)
 
Dusty - beautiful Christmas tree, quite the handsome son and the warm sun is shining!!! Hope everyone's feeling better in quick, quick, quick to enjoy it all!!! :thumleft:
 
@Tess...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...brrrrrrrrrr...:lol:

@David...The curtains are ancient! :ybiggrin: Well as old as Matt anyway, glad you like them! Okay the tree, well this year I decided on a pink theme for the tree, I don't know why, just did. So all the ornaments are tied with pink ribbon and the pink things are feathers that I tuck into the tree at the end of decorating. The purple things are feathers on some bird ornaments I have.
 
Only eight sleeps to Christmas! Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Anxiously awaiting a number of parcels to arrive in the post, fingers are crossed!
Fingers_Crossed.gif


I really have to get my arse into gear and get my Christmas cards written tomorrow and posted Monday. I didn't get any out at all last year, what with Matt and all, but no excuses this year! :eek2:

I have posted some new pictures in my albums on my profile page so go and have a peek!

Ho, Ho, Ho...
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I looooooooooove the wreath with the balls of wool and needles. Brilliant. Waiting for a few packages still to come too. Hurricane 'Bawbag' had not been helping either :lol:
 
Ahahahaha, I know a few bawbags!...Dex where are you? :ylol:

The wreath isn't my idea, I got it off the net, but I have made one the same and one that is predominately green and red! They look fab! :)

Woohoo, cards are written and ready to post tomorrow! :panda::panda::panda: Now I'm gonna kick back and do sweet FA for the rest of the day!


shabby chic card.jpg...to everyone on the forum! :heart:


Dusty.
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Ho Ho Ho!

Well into Christmas Eve here so I thought I would post some Aussie Christmas cheer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9NhL3agUaw&feature=related

Sarah came home Tuesday and I don't think she has stopped talking, except to sleep, since then!

Went and had a look at all the Christmas lights on Wednesday night, it was fun having the kids with us and boy oh boy don't some people go to a lot of effort! Puts me to shame. :lol:

All the shopping is done, thank goodness! Going to the shops this morning, well you could have sworn there was about to be a nuclear attack the way the shelves were emptying! It was bedlam. :ywow: Now doing the domestic goddess thing and cooking up a storm!

The dreaded lurgy is still lingering but I think we are all on the better end of it. :)

I have a wine in my hand and if the kids ask why, well...

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Everyone have a fab Chrissie day!

Dusty. :heart:
 
God bless us....every one!! Merry Christmas!

If you are the PC police, Merry ChristmaHannaKwanzamas!! Happy Solstice, winter fest etc.,etc..
 
Well I'm not the PC Police...:emot-cop:...Okay, so I had to look up what Kwanzaa was, never heard of that one before, but I knew the rest! :ybiggrin:

Ahahaha, nothing to do with Christmas but I saved myself some major embarrassment today. You know how Matt received Dux of the school, well it came with a scholarship but he to receive it you must reside in one of the on campus colleges. So Matt is hardly going to do that since he only lives twenty minutes away. Now, believe it or not, being so out of character for me and all...:shifty-t:, in the new year I was going to write them a letter. Over the past 3 years I have locked horns with the uni on more than one occasion about their scholarship criteria as Matt has never eligible for one.

So this morning Matt comes to me and asks where the info is about the scholarship. I tell him where it is but not to bother because he isn't eligible any way and then start ranting about how they are going to get a piece of my mind come the new year. He just sits there looking at me and says...I don't know what you are on about, I am eligible. I say...since when. He says...I received a letter on Wednesday saying they had changed the terms and conditions of the scholarship and he would be eligible for the full amount regardless of where he resides! Well I am happy as a pig in shit BUT I wonder when he was going to tell me? Probably never! Bloody kids...:ylol:

:eek2: One hour to Chrissie day! The kids are asleep so Santa best put the pressies under the tree! :lol:

Love to all, :heart:
Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 
The Pressies are opened and all is well...:)...Happy, relaxed and ready for cheer! Well all except one maybe...:lol:...

Christmas Bailey.jpg

Be safe and rest well,
smilie_xmas_097.gif

Dusty. xxx
 
Good thing he told you before you wrote that letter!

Whadya get!!? Whadya get??

I guess my kids are growing up. It's a little shy of 5 a.m. and none of them are awake!
 
Happy Boxing Day!!!
giftbox_lightgreen-darkgreen.gif


Weeeeell, I wasn't really expecting much on account that I got a new macbook for my birthday a few weeks ago so I was pleasantly surprised!...:ywow:...Chanel perfume, pandora charms, laptop case, gift vouchers, a gorgeous ornament and a fab black and white canvas print of the kids when they were little tikes (love it!). :)

Had a wonderful day with friends and family but the very best part, and gift, of all was having both Sarah and Matt well...priceless. :)

Can't resist showing you Sarah's photo that she took as a part of her Christmas card, what a hoot! :lol:...

Sarah Xmas Card.jpg

...doesn't Stella look impressed! ahahahahaha

I so hope you have all had, are having!, a relaxing day enjoying the company of family and friends that you love and cherish...:heart:

Dusty. xxx
 
I-tunes mostly but apparently he gave everyone else I-tunes and they are all being downloaded at the same time, cause I can't redeem mine grrrrrrrrr!!!

Deb and I were very low key w/ each other due to the kitchen upgrade:)
 
Maybe they used yours as well!

Well that's more than fair enough!

Hope you're having a grand day! Is it a white Christmas?
 
No snow this year. In fact, other than a few flurries, we've had no snow at all this winter...knock on wood!! After last year, I don't care if I ever see snow again! Apparently, our winter is as warm as your summer has been cool....and as wet! We're having one of our wettest years on record.
 
Dexky said:
No snow this year. In fact, other than a few flurries, we've had no snow at all this winter...knock on wood!! After last year, I don't care if I ever see snow again! Apparently, our winter is as warm as your summer has been cool....and as wet! We're having one of our wettest years on record.
Click to expand...

How much snow did you get last year?
 
I doubt the total would impress you Hawkeye:), but it lingered and there were numerous snow events. We're just not used to it!
 
Having a relaxing post Christmas period here. Ahhhhhhhhhh bliss...:)

Hubby and I made a HUGE decision yesterday, :lol:, we decided what BBQ we are going to buy! No word of a lie, we have been pondering this for months now, and the winner is... Weber!

Sarah has just left for Sydney and I miss her already! Now let the worrying begin until she arrives safely. Mind you she won't be down there for long as she will up here again on Wednesday for a few days, the reason being she is bringing a friend up here so she can have a taste of "country life" before she has to go back China.

Now who walks their cat on a leash??? Sarah does and it is hilarious...

Stella.jpg

Matt is heading to Sydney, with a friend, on Monday for 5 days to go and watch the Cricket Test between Australia and India. It is so fab to know that he is heading down at the same time this year as last but he is in much, much, much better health! YAY! This is cricket Dex, :ybiggrin:...

Australia-India-Cricket.jpg

And yes, a test match lasts 5 days! See Dex, you just need a bit of stamina. :wink:

Dusty. :)
 
DustyKat said:
See Dex, you just need a bit of stamina. :wink:

Dusty. :)
Click to expand...

....and a good calculator to keep score!!

I thought the cat was pulling the Grinche's sleigh! ...and he took some red thread, and he tied a big horn on the top of his head!
 
Things chugging along fine here. :)

Sarah is home safely again for a few days. She has her friend with her and is the most wonderful young lady. She is awestruck by the wide open spaces, bless her, and they will be off today to do some sightseeing. :)

Matt remains in Sydney and is having a great time. They went to the opening day of the cricket on Tuesday and looked around the cily yesterday. They are off to the cricket again today, I don't think they want to miss if Michael Clarke gets his triple century! :lol:

Is starting to heat up here but I will gladly go back to the cooler weather! Oh well, I guess summer has to arrive at some point. (((sigh)))

Now, what do i say about this picture...hmmmm...Stephen Hawking is someone that Matt admires so why he felt the need to replace his head with Stella's and send the pic to Sarah is beyond me...:lol:...

photoshop2.jpg

Dusty. :heart:
 
Well Matt came home on Friday after having a great time in Sydney. He spent most of the time at the Cricket but he also did some sightseeing around the city and jet boating on the harbour. So fab that he has spent a few days out of his cave! :lol:

Sarah, Serena and Stella headed back to Sydney today and have arrived safely, phew, breathing again! :ylol:

Serena was just the most lovely house guest you could possibly imagine. :) We had a wonderful time talking about her home town Xi'an (where the terracotta warriors are) and China in general, I have learn't so much! She will be going back to China in about a week and moving to Beijing. She so much wants us to go over there for a holiday and to show us around, I tell ya, I'm seriously thinking about it at some point.

Just gotta post a pic...Serena and Bailey...

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:cheerss: Dusty.
 
Ahahaha, he was...and so he should be, Serena was besotted with him and spoilt him rotten! :)

So much so she wants to look for a himalayan persian for herself when she moves to Beijing! :eek2:
 
Things continue to run smoothly here and long may it continue! :)

Sarah has been home again for the past few days, I don't know how she can stand the constant driving between here and Sydney! She remains on her latest diet change, close to sugar free, more power to her for having the strength of will to do it! :lol: I think I once had that level of commitment but I lost it along the way somewhere.

She has headed off to Tamworth, with a friend, to spend the day at the country music festival! Yee Haw!...

image_preview


...she is actually going to write an article for the uni newspaper, hence the fact finding mission today. :)

Matt is starting back on his math's in readiness for uni starting up next month. He is spookily like Sheldon when he is attacking the whiteboard with formulae. :eek2:

I got a canvas of this photo from the kids for Christmas, I love it!...

IMG_0013.jpg

...why do they have to grow up! :frown: :lol:

Dusty. :heart:
 
Sarah and Jane at the festival...but where are their hats!!! :lol:...

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...Dougie where are you??? They are standing in front of a ute!

Dusty. :)
 
Thanks Helen. :)

Oh boy, I can well imagine! I once spent 6 weeks in Scotland over the Christmas/New Year period and didn't see the sun once! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
She looks amazing Dusty! I hope she was able to fend off all those boot-stompin' rednecks!!
 
I had an inkling that she was standing in front of a Ute. Thanks for verifying. ;)

Your beautiful daughter looks fabulous, Dusty. And i love the canvas gift they gave you. :hug:
 
Well Australia day here today. :)


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As you can see the weather isn't too crash hot but hey, who cares when you are in the company of fab friends, wonderful wine and a beaut bbq!...


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...lambing up with the weber!

Dusty. :cheerss:

Added:

Rockin' with the Docs...

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I'm a Doc collector. I love yours!! I would totally be sporting those if they were in my closet! Sell them to me???? :)
 
Ahahaha, gotta love the Docs!...


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...I originally bought them to go with my Ginger Spice goes punk outfit for a fancy dress party! :rof:
 
Happy Birthday Sarah! 13th February

Happy 20th Birthday Sarah!

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​

I have taken the day off work and we are having a girl's day out! I'm excited!

Happy Birthday to your daughter too Pen!
M2



Dusty. :soledance:
 
Dexky said:
Hope you guys had fun Dusty!! What did she get??
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Thanks for all the birthday wishes! :)

We had a fab day! It was so lovely to spend the day with her.
She asked for all practical types of things...yoga mat, water filter jug thing, saucepans, that type of thing but I did throw in a couple of more personal, surprise presents, perfume and earrings. She went back to Sydney yesterday for the start as uni starts next week, it is O Week but she will have to work each day manning a stall as she is the student Welfare Officer.
Before heading back she went for her full drivers licence and passed so she was happy with that! No more restrictions and no more P plates! :thumleft:

Matt officially starts uni next week but started yesterday with an intensive school and he is as happy as a pig in shit! After 3 years of part time study he will finally be able to attend full time and he is more than ready. This trimester he taking two third year maths units and two first year units, computer science and German. At least he now looks like he belongs there! :lol:

Onwards and Upwards! :)
 
What age does driving start there?? Here it's 16, with two levels of gradation at 6 month intervals. 20!!!! Shit!! When I got my license, in the stone age, it took only 30 days to become fully fledged!!

Next year you'll be telling us that Matt has started graduate school...the smart little shit!!!
 
You can get your learner's permit at 16 but can't sit for your provisional licence until 17 and you must have completed 120 hours of driving.

Then when you get your provisional licence you must display red "P" plates for at least 12 months and you are restricted to 90km/h speed limit and 0 alcohol blood content

Then after 12 months you can go for your green "P" plates. You just do a simulated computer test for these. You have your green plates for at least 2 years and you are speed restricted to 100km/h and 0 alcohol content.

Remember, legal drinking age here is 18!

pic1.jpg


Now if you reach these milestones at the minimum times then you are 20 before you get "Black" licence!

As to Matt, well he has to get his smarts from somewhere and it sure as hell wasn't his father!!! :ylol:
 
Interesting on the three stage licenceing. We have something 2 stages of 12 months that start at age 16 - similar with the blood alcohol content, and we restruct the number of people in the vehicle, but we don't restrict speed - just the normal speed laws that any driver must obey (most of our divided highways are posted at 110km/h). Legal drinking age is 19 here
 
Ah yes there are also passenger restrictions with red "P" plates here...

All provisional P1 (red "P" plates) drivers under the age of 25 must not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger (other than the driver) under 21 years old between 11pm and 5am.

And there are vehicle restrictions whilst ever you have a provisional (red and green "P" plates) licence...

Eight or more cylinders (except diesel).
A turbocharged engine (except diesel).
A supercharged engine (except diesel).
Engine performance modifications that require an engineers' certificate.
Certain high performance six cylinder engine vehicles or other vehicles as described in the publication Novice Drivers - High Performance Vehicle Restrictions.
 
that's really interesting Dusty ;
how are the statistics on teen driving records ? accidents ? citations ?
I'm curious if they're better than here. We pay extraordinary amounts of insurance for teen drivers, especially boys. :/
 
DustyKat said:
Ah yes there are also passenger restrictions with red "P" plates here...

All provisional P1 (red "P" plates) drivers under the age of 25 must not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger (other than the driver) under 21 years old between 11pm and 5am.

And there are vehicle restrictions whilst ever you have a provisional (red and green "P" plates) licence...

Eight or more cylinders (except diesel).
A turbocharged engine (except diesel).
A supercharged engine (except diesel).
Engine performance modifications that require an engineers' certificate.
Certain high performance six cylinder engine vehicles or other vehicles as described in the publication Novice Drivers - High Performance Vehicle Restrictions.
Click to expand...

No wonder you Aussies are so smart!! You have to be an engineer to figure all that shit out!!...let alone stay in compliance!
 
Dexky said:
No wonder you Aussies are so smart!! You have to be an engineer to figure all that shit out!!...let alone stay in compliance!
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Ah Dexky....When all else fails ask an engineer.

We don't have the restrictions on engine displacement / size / performance here.
 
I know that fatalities have decreased but I don't know the figures and I don't know overall figures for driving offences. Legislation only does so much and young drivers are still over represented in road accident statistics. It doesn't stop a teenager/young adult from thinking they are invincible and the best damn driver ever put on this Earth, especially when their peers are in the car and to me that is the most dangerous time. The curfew has gone some way to decreasing those late night speed related accidents that kill 5 teenagers in one fell swoop. In most cases it is the fault of the driver but I also think that in some cases our roads and conditions don't help.
Car insurance here, for under 25's, is astronomical as well, especially if the policy isn't under their parent's name.

He did one pretty smart thing
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You don't have to be smart to do that! You just need a pulse!

Well I did something today I haven't done in ages! Mind out of the gutter now Dex. :nonono:.... I went horse riding! :ylol:...

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...and now I have a sore arse and thighs. Looks like Mr Kat will have to amuse himself tonight! Ahahahaha.

Dusty. :jokercolor:
 
In the UK insurance is bad going back 10yrs fully comp was £1300 for a 998 cc mini.

They are deadly machines and i think aus have got it right with the restrictions (im sure americans will argue about gun laws at this time tho lol)

I dont like the way you can pick any lane and drive though. Uk says the left hand lane is th one you drive in unless overtaking
 
Whoa, that is a lot!

I dont like the way you can pick any lane and drive though. Uk says the left hand lane is th one you drive in unless overtaking
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Hmmm, well that is what it is supposed to be here to, but of course there's always plenty of arrogant chuck you arseholes that do whatever they want.
 
We do have some restrictions on new drivers here but I like the Aussie restrictions! Teens do believe they're invincible and then add in the little experience they have!!! UGGHH!

Emily, my daughter, was just involved in an accident Monday evening. Thankfully, no physical harm done other than to the car but she was pretty shaken up. It wasn't her fault and the guy who hit her took off! I think that actually upset her more than anything... she was so (emotionally) hurt, crying, saying she didn't understand how someone could just take off without checking if anyone was hurt, that she'd never hurt anyone like that and how could someone else do that and not take responsibility, that she's a good person and didn't deserve to have that done to her, etc. :) Just one of life's lessons - life's not fair, deserved or not! ...But, certainly was that phone call you just don't want to get when you have a teen out driving!! :eek:

I do wish we had tougher restrictions, as I said we do have some re number of passengers, driving on highways, etc. but I think the restrictions are lifted too soon...
 
Oh man Tess, I know the feeling of that phone call...:hug:...thank goodness your daughter is okay. :)

A similar thing happened to Sarah but the other driver didn't take off. It was when Matt was first admitted to hospital and she had only just left after visiting him. I had just arrived back on the ward after seeing her off and she rang in tears, talk about heart stopping!

Sarah has just completed O Week at her uni and is now attending a state Labour Party conference. She is in her element with all the political turmoil that is happening here at present! :ylol:

Matt has also finished his first week of full time uni and he is as happy as a pig in shit! :ybiggrin: He will also be starting a tutoring job next week so now we are both as happy as pigs in shit! :lol:

Dusty. :heart:
 
Well things have been ticking along okay here. The only glitch on the horizon has been Matt's bloods so we shall see what next weeks results show. Please be normal!
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Now for a little story...Last year when Sarah ran for the state election her friend, who is an artist, asked if she would do a sitting for her so she could enter her portrait in the Archibald prize...

Australia’s most extraordinary art event.

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes is an annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. It never ceases to create lively debate amongst the arts community and wider public.

Each year, the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW judge the Archibald and Wynne Prizes, and invite an artist to judge the Sulman Prize (in 2012, it is Susan Norrie).

The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art prizes. It’s awarded to the best portrait painting, preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics.

The Wynne Prize is awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture, while the Sulman Prize is given to the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project in oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media.
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...Last year there wasn't time to enter it but this year it is ready! Sarah has sent me a photo but since it was from her phone it isn't the full portrait. Her friend is hoping to at least have it exhibited and then hopefully sell it for big money! :lol:

Dusty. :)
 

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Well, she's obviously talented! But that doesn't look like Sarah!! Sorry, it just doesn't! I hope she wins though...and gets the big bucks:)!
 
Ahahaha, you sound like Mr Kat. You sure you two are relayted cos he has them redneck eyes too. :ylol:
 
Do you think it looks like Sarah?? Maybe in some impressionist dream sort of way...but I don't even see that!
 
^^^^Why am I not surprised. (((sigh)))

Oh happy day!!! Matt's bloods are normal again! :panda::panda::panda:

Now for some more random photo's:

Sunrise this morning...
 

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