An Update - Finally!

So much happening, and really, I have lost the enthusiasm for blogging.

So lets see, we have new house, new kitten, new school. We've gone to the Gold Coast, we've lost our cameras, we've BBQd (a lot) and we've gotten used to new surroundings.

So after a long an arduous search, losing two houses in the process, we finally secured a new house last month. We are in the eastern suburbs still, in a lovely 3 bedroom townhouse. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a WC, as well as a ladder up into the attic in the roof. Downstairs is the living room, dining area and kitchen, as well as a laundry, toilet and nice, manageable courtyard. We moved in a few days before Xmas and then frantically cleaned and unpacked so as to have the downstairs ready for guests on Boxing Day. The house is in a gorgeous complex of townhouses, with a central grassed area and gazebo, and heaps of kids for Josie to play with. She is very happy with our new home, mainly cause all of a sudden she has lots of kids to play with at home, a huge area to play in, lots of dogs, and freedom and independence. It has been very challenging for her to adjust to this new found freedom. She hasn't really known how to handle it, to know what is and isnt appropriate, but she seems to be getting there.

Zakhari, on the other hand, has suddenly found himself for the first time, with stairs. He is climbing them slowly, he is old and has back problems, and he tends to stay downstairs a lot, but he seems to also be liking the extra space. He has even ventured into the courtyard a couple of times (under supervision of course).

Tony and I, meanwhile, are insanely happy to be out of the renting game, and the rut we found ourselves in. I will post some photos of the new place soon. In the move we have lost our cameras unfortunately. I have a new one now, but haven't gotten round to taking some nice photos of the house set up.

Which brings me to the new kitten. We felt that after Zelli's passing, Zak needed a companion. So we started looking for some nice, quiet, passive breeds. We looked at Ragdolls and we looked at British Tabbys mostly, and we found Zoe, who is a British Tabby. She is black with silver streaks and is just over 12 weeks old. Being a kitten, she is quite insane ;-) The first week she and Zak basically hissed at eachother. She stopped hissing first though, and kept trying to come up to him and smell him. He is still a bit stand offish, although this morning I saw him try to groom her for the first time, which is a good sign ;-)

Josie is loving the new kitten. Zak and Zelli were already adults when she was born, so this is the first time she has had a kitten, and its been difficult stopping her from picking Zoe up ALL the time. Zoe doesnt seem to like being picked up. By anyone. But when she deems we have been good, she will consent to lay on our shoulders, heads, chests, and occasionally up against us. The first week she slept above Tony head on his pillow and on occasion would attack the stray hair that would offensively wave at her in the breeze from the ever constant fan in the bedroom.

And now to the new school. We made the decision after Kindy, to move Josie from the private school she was at, to a local public school. We just couldnt afford the fees anymore. She went through Year 1 at the public school, and while the education was great, some of the kids, and the interaction we had with the teachers, wasn't the same. You really can tell the difference between Private and Public school. Anyway, late last year her old private school offered a number of bursaries. We applied, were successful, and the rest is history. She is now (very happily) back at her old school. We are happy, she is happy, and our families are very happy too.

Our annual trip to the Gold Coast happened in October. We once again stayed at Q1, and this time Vika & Becca came with us. We stayed on the 33rd floor this year. Again phenomenal views, and again too many theme parks. If we go again this year, we will either cut down on theme parks, or go for two weeks. Depending on the cost.

Work has been good, my team has expanded, the work has become more complicated (thanks to SAP!), but the views are still great, and the people greater ;-)

And thats about it..