Some days are harder then others...

Miss my family and friends :( xox

Life's good...

Yummy....

Who sleeps like this?? Junior! And it's absolutely hilarious!!

Juinor taking Buddy for a walk, too funny!

His first trip to the beach, LOVED it!

Didn't seem scared of the water.

And was super good on the lead.

Beach huts, love the colors! :) They're all up and dow the beaches here.

Our local beach, 10 min walk from home, gorgeous!

Hello, hello, hello :)

So my new job is going great! Hard work, but great. Everyone's really nice and helpful, working well as a team. Lots and lots of work to do to get the store in tip top shape for opening day in Sept but it's been fun seeing it all come together. I'm also slowly learning sign as well. I'm working with a hearing impaired person and it's been fun trying to learn some of it. She's been super patient with me which is wonderful, she seems keen for me to learn. Met some great people already which is good too. So things are good on the job side of life so far :D

Out little man Junior has gotten so big already! He's probably doubled in size now, we've had him for 4 weeks yesterday. He's been such a good boy, picking up his potty training, lead, collar, sit, stay etc very well and quickly. He's still trying to chew everything! I'm looking forward to the licking stage so I can finally walk around the house without tripping over him every 2 seconds! He LOVES our shoes and pants and skin and sweaters, pretty much anything on us! haha. Such a great personality and he's settled in quite nicely now. At the moment he's having his first trial outside on his own in his pen/kennel to see if he's going to be ok if we leave him in there while we're at work. So far so good, I think we just need to buy him a jacket as it's a bit cold out and he's small, he seems to be shivering a little bit. Will be better once the weather starts warming up. You could say we're both very happy we got him! :)

We're dog sitting Dan's parents dog at the moment. He doesn't seem to get along very well with Junior as all Junior wants to do is play and all Buddy wants to do is sleep. Hopefully that changes!

We went to a quiz night last night. Good fun! Went with some of Dan's work mates, one of their son's footy club hosted it for fundraising. I had to limbo, didn't know I was that good/flexible! I came second :) And Dan had to do a bunch of push ups, he won, he also had to compete doing a sexy dance, haha, hilarious! The shirt came off and everything. Got us some good bonus points :P Was good fun all in all and for a good cause.

Not much else really exciting going on other then the every day life stuff. Can't wait for IKEA to open in Sept so we can buy some more things for our home, been waiting for it to open, so we haven't bought anything more yet. Good ol' staff discount :) Can't wait!

That's all for now, take care. And if you're in Canada/England, enjoy you're summer!! Chow for now xx

The beginning

Well, it's been a very interesting week! I suppose it started with last weekend. It had been a very quiet and lonely week without our Tonk around and Dan and I had made the decision that we wanted another dog as it was too empty around the house. We had found a couple on the internet that caught our eye so on Saturday morning we headed to the pet shop that had them to have a looksie. After weighing the pros and cons over an Aussie Bulldog or an American Staffy we ended up taking home Junior. He's now 9 weeks old, 3 kg and such an amazing little guy. He's obviously an Aussie Bulldog as I'm sure you can tell by the smooshed face :P He's got a great little personality and temperament. Will be gold once we train him and he stops teething. But still fun either way!! He's absolutely adorable!! And a huge help in our healing process over the loss of Tonka.

We enjoyed a fun afternoon of bowling last weekend with the family. Was fun to see everyone get their game on and enjoy themselves. I didn't do too badly either considering that it was about my third time ten pin bowling :)

My first week at IKEA went really well as well. The first couple of days was spent in a classroom learning about the company, their policies, safety etc etc. Then the last two days I was working in the Richmond store getting some hands on training. Very busy place!! The job is pretty basic, in the restaurant, cleaning tables, keeping the stock up and doing the cash register, but the company seems to treat their staff very well and the staff are very fun, nice, helpful and down to earth. Lots of opportunities to move around within the store as well in different departments or up the chain or both. Also lots of people to meet and friends to be made :) So we will see, but so far so good :) I'm enjoying these part time hours as well! It's a little weird to get used to as I'm used to working 8 hours a day 5 days a week, it's different having more time for yourself, but in a good way!

I went and saw Bridesmaids the other night with a girlfriend. SO funny!! If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it! And now enjoying a chill weekend. So it's been a really good week so far. I think the change in job has made a huge difference in my life, kind of a big piece to the bigger puzzle. So thing's are looking a bit brighter :)

I don't look quite as pro as Dan, but I still did really good :)

That's a funny looking bowling ball?...

Our New Boy

A little bundle of joy he is. 8 week old Aussie Bulldog. We've had him for a total of one day, one night. Definitely nice to have a companion around the house again. Nothing like Tonka and will never replace him, but will fill the void that's been around us the past week. Not sure of his name yet, so will keep you posted on that one. He will be a solid boy when he's older, so I'm enjoying all the time I can get out of him as a 'lap dog'.

Feeling calm....

I can officially say I am no longer The Cash Store employee! Yeehaa! My last day was few days ago, well it was on my birthday and I have to say, my stress level has gone from way up there to way down here! :) I've been enjoying a few days off which has been really nice! It's given me time to catch up on those petty chores. I managed to squeeze in a wonderful, blissful spa day yesterday thanks to my wonderful boyfriend Dan. He bought me a massage & facial package for my birthday and it was absolutely well needed and well enjoyed! Today is another chill day, do a few little things, you know, the little things that never get done b/c you don't have as much time. Then off to go bowling with the family tomorrow to celebrate my birthday and Dan's dad's bday which is today so;

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! I hope you get spoiled and have a wonderful day! xxx

It's been a bit of a tough week all round without having Tonka around anymore. It's going to take a lot of getting used to, we both think it's way too quiet/empty around the house without him. It's defiantly harder when we are at home as it's when we are with him the most. I feel for Dan so much and in the small amount of time Tonka was in my life he managed to just fill my heart, so it's been tough for both of us. We're both feeling a bit lost. He was such a wonderful, happy, loyal, loving dog. I'm sure for anyone who has/had a dog knows how special they are to you and your family and how hard it is to say goodbye. But we just have to remember that we both have our beautiful and happy memories. Love you forever Tonka xxx

On a lighter note, I start my new job this coming Monday. I'm a little nervous and excited, not too sure what to expect. It's a brand new store, so we start off with two days introduction at one of the Universities here, then off to one of the stores that is open in the city for a few weeks for hands on training. Then we will be in the new store, setting up the furniture and getting everything ready for the big opening day in September. So it should be a packed couple of months. Wish me luck!

Not too much else going on at the moment. Just the usual life stuff which we all get sucked into :) Thinking of all my wonderful family and friends as always. Never a day goes by without you all in my thoughts.

R.I.P.

R.I.P. Tonka

June 24th 2003 ~ June 19th 2011

He is already terribly missed. Our home feels very empty without our eccentric, full of life, happy entertainer around. He has been a tremendous part of our lives and someone I always looked forward to coming home to take all the cares of the world away with. Words cannot explain how much it hurts to say goodbye and how much you will be missed. But so many wonderful memories we have of you and will treasure forever. Love you always gorgeous boy. xxx

First Lesson.

So I had my first piano last week, well it wasn't really a lesson at all. It turns out I'm playing at the same level that my teacher is at as well, so she couldn't really help me. And she's the most qualified teacher at that school! So, looks like I'm on the look out for another teacher. But she did give me some good news, she said as long as I have level 8 practical exam and level 5 theory exam under my belt I can teach which she said said I shouldn't have an issue doing. :) So I guess I better start studying. I still want to have a teacher to help push me as well though, but it was kind of nice to hear that I'm not as bad as I thought I was. Just have to build that confidence back up I suppose. So we will see where this road takes me :)

I GOT A NEW JOB!! :D

WOOO HOOOO!!

I start June 27th (Dad's birthday:) at IKEA. Exciting! I haven't officially handed in my notice yet as it's now the weekend, but will do at the beginning of the week. Then one week of that job left and then....good by crap job hello new job! :D You could say I'm just a 'bit' excited. I'll be starting out part time (30hrs a week), as it's a brand new store everyone's contracts are going to be part time until the store gets put together and we open for business, then whoever they think deserves it will get full time. I'm kind of excited to work part time though, have a bit more time for myself and other things. The pays more then I'm getting at my current job so I won't be losing much money which is a major bonus!! So for a month and a half I'll be training in my department and helping put the inside of the store together for opening day. Largest store in the southern hemisphere. Anywho, just thought I'd share my excitement with you all!! You have no idea how relieved I am!! My current job got me started and paid the bills for awhile but definitely NOT a job I want to stay longer in then I half too!!

I'm so excited.....uhuh uhuh....I just can't hide it.......

Just a little quote...

‎'When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us'

I think this applies to all of us somehow at some point in our lives whether the door is large or small. I hope that we all look forward and open the new door for ourselves rather then stand and stare at the old one. We all deserve happiness for ourselves and sometimes it may be hard to open that new door leaving the old behind, but you deserve all the happiness life may bring, so take that first step. You will always have your memories :)

Thinking of a few people in my life xxx

Saltimbanco

Absolutely amazing show!! It's crazy what you can train a human body to do! If you haven't ever seen one of their shows before I definitely recommend to go!

Dan and I went out for a nice dinner before hand in St. Kilda and then off to the show. They had a mime who was absolutely hilarious, had me in stitches. And some amazing drummers, similar to chinese drummers but cirque du soleil style. It was a great night out that's for sure! Not too much new this week, just enjoying a nice relaxing weekend and some beautiful weather. Not super warm, but nice to see the sun shining. Thinking of you all as always. xxx until next time :)