Travelling again.....

Yes I am away again... this time travelling for work to the South West of Victoria.

I am away auditing this week with external auditors.  The morning started with a pick up in Bulleen and then it was off to visit two of our concrete plants, one in Timboon and the other in Terang.

Some 387 kms later I arrived with two auditors at out hotel.... and I must say I am knackered.... an early start lots of driving and two audits today..... I hope the bed in cumphy in the hotel tonight.

Work Travel again

I am spending this week travelling with work..... travelling from Kilmore to Axedale, middle to West Victoria.  This trip involves me conducting pre-audit meetings with Managers and then assisting them when Karen, an external auditor from Lloyds, actually audits them against WorkSafe Victoria criteria.  So these audits are focussing on our Safety committments within Hanson.  14 in all - this week will see number 9 and 10 completed.

I never thought that I would like auditing as I have not had much exposure to it and had already formed a negative opinion.  BUT I love it.... it's a fantastic way for me to learn more about all parts of our business and for those that know me - know that I love to ask questions.

It was a beautiful day in Axedale today.... the sun shone lifting the ice from the ground.  The audit went well with no issues recorded.

We went for a walk around - of course I cannot resist photos.
 
Making big rocks into little rocks.....

The crushing plant.....

This is one of our little Tonka's....... a baby 50 tonne Dump Truck who is in the workshop as it has blown a turbo..... waiting to be fixed.



Have I ever told you guys that I love my job?? Well I DO!!!

Due to the early finish we (Karen and I) decided to travel back to Kilmore and stay the night guaranteeing us a little sleep in and no long drive to site in the morning.

Destination: Kilmore Motel

 

It's an older style motel but it's clean and has a comfy bed plus Vivienne always makes you feel welcome :)



Jo's busy as usual

This week sees me auditing down in the Gippsland region of Victoria, leaving home Monday I should be returning tomorrow.  I have been focussing on two of our 6 sites in the area, Morwell and Lakes Entrance.

It takes just under 4 hours to get to Lakes Entrance from our house.

The auditing is an external one, conducted by Lloyds covering the WorkSafe Victoria criteria.  It has been very interesting and a huge learning curve for me as I haven't had much to do with auditing before.  The audit went well.... phew.

Dinner was spent with Cassie and Jason Wigg.  Jason is the batcher at Lakes Entrance and a good friend from a week long training session we both attended a few years ago.

We went to the the Water Wheel Beach Tavern at Lake Tyers and I really enjoyed. 

Jason and I shared the Seafood Platter for 2.......

A great night with great friends as usual.......

YAY Home again....

Nothing beats returning home especially to my family.... hubby, ever supportive and loving, kids glad to see me back and as we know a child's love is unconditional. It definitely makes the travel and time away for work worth it upon my return.

I had a huge week away - the stress of my work tasks and of course there was another issues work related which I ended up being involved in as an Independent or as it was subtly put "a fresh set of eyes" but that's my job and I do enjoy it.

Noel's job interview went really well. YAY!!  The management there spoke about all aspects of the job, a medical would be required if he was to make it through and that they weren't starting until mid July.  Noel, positive about the interview, expected to hear from the company next week or so.  Only to recieve a phone call that afternoon stating we might as well get the ball rolling and get that medical done early next week.  OMG things are looking brilliant but I hope they turn out that way.  I am really excited for him but worried at the same time.  Overall great news to come home to.

It is probably just as cold in Melbourne as it has been in Tasmania except that there has been a lot of rain. 

But that doesn't matter because I am home xxxx

Homeward stretch.... farewell Tasmania!

Before leaving Hobart to go home, I have a very interesting day ahead, infact the last few days have been very interesting....I commented yesterday that "I just got to tell myself that I am doing this because I can make a difference!!"

This is something my gorjus husband sent me:

Today is a new day,hold your head high smile take a deep breath and move forward,life is full of ups and downs,what u did yesterday is history,and what might happen today may change our lives for ever,cannot wait to be with you tonight so we can be a family, wish me luck this morning,this is what I have wanted for over 12 months,love you miss you xxx

Management asked me to become involved in an EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) issue - main problem Bullying and Harrassment in the work place.  I have found the last two days very hard, interviewing many involved, striving to stay independent while trying to keep my emotions at bay.  This is the first EEO issue that I have been involved in - only newly appointed to the role I haven't even done any formal training.  I guess I was in the wrong place at the right time!!

This morning will see me meet with all involved including the operations mananager.  My gut already knows the outcome - it's just the scenarios which I keep playing in my fuzzy brain.

Yes fuzzy brain.... last night as stress relief I went nightclubbing.  Yep me at a night club... actually several night clubs and several fruit tingles later I found myself back in the hotel room at around 2am... it was about 3.30 am by the time I relaxed enough for sleep.  All the managers and us visitors went out for dinner at the Drunken Admiral.  Then as dinner wrapped up and we were saying our good byes one of the gents from the Quarry said he was going to find another place to hang - too early to go home. Every one was surprised at my spasmotic agreement with a work collegue to kick on for the night but I beleive I needed to release some tension and try and destress - no chance of clearning my head though.

Noel has a job interview this morning at Bombardier - a company he has been trying to get into for approximately a year now.  I am crossing fingers and toes for him as this job has been a dream, a desire for him for so long now.  It is better hours, better pay, better conditions, full time so there is job security along with the benefits of holiday and sick pay.  I know I will have that in my mind while getting on with my day - I am just praying that it goes well.

Oh well.... let us see what today holds... I honestly cannot wait to get home xxx

Busy Busy Busy!!!!!

Thank god I am part of this family or I wouldn't keep up with the happenings of late.  The Murray family has been very busy.

Currently I am away again with work.  Sitting here at the moment in Longford Concrete Plant, Tasmania.  It's a chilly 2 degrees outside and about 3 degrees inside the batch hut!!  I flew into Launceston last night after spending Monday evening in Geelong, working on another project.  I am here with Terry to complete a Front End Loader assessment and also the Housekeeping Photo capture.  The two of us will be moving on to Hobart this afternoon where we have a Zero Harm presentation and will meet up with our manager Veronica.  All 3 of us will leave Hobart Friday afternoon - YAY just in time for the weekend.

Noel and the kids are well. 

Noel has had car troubles this week and thankfully was able to stop his car Monday morning without damaging it or any ofther vehicle.  A malfuncation whilst driving to work causing the Land Rover to loose it's brakes making for an interesting trip up the freeway.  One tow truck later, a missed day of work and a car sitting at the mechanics waiting to be fixed.  Luckily we have kept my old Magna (as I have a company car) so he has a vehicle to drive around in.

Alex is busy with a school project about the Federation of Australia.  I love how she loves school and learning, always putting in a 110% effort on school work both in the classroom and at home.  For extra project points she is making a bust of Edmund Barton, Australia's first prime minister.

Oliver finally returned to football this weekend after breaking his arm 5 weeks ago.  He was pretty excited and played well.The team won against the Rovers so that was a bonus also.  At school they are discussing career options and education choices - strange to believe that my little boy is nearly in Year 10 and half way through high school!!  Where has the time gone?

Enough blogging...the sun has risen so I can start my Japanese tourist impression with my camera taking photos of the Longford plant.  Hard to take photo's in the dark!

Enjoy xx

Teeth Chattering & Knees Knocking!!

I have now made my way to Hobart and it is still cold.   One more night and we can all go home - mind you from what I hear it hasn't been that much warmer in Melbourne.

Last night I had a lovely dinner at The Squires Bounty at Salamanca Place with Mark, Terry and Veronica.  The food was delish and the company was brilliant.  I love catching up with Mark, we have formed a close friendship since we first met and spent time together in Brisbane for work. OMG what a week of work and alcohol that was!!  LOL!!

Today will be a pretty full on day at work - mainly mentally but I do have to drive back up to Launceston for an important meeting (for want of a describing word this point in time). I will say however I am not looking forward to that but it is a requirement. 

Tonight on the other hand will be another fantastic evening.  Dinner at The Drunken Admiral, one of my favourite Hobart restaurants with managers and supervisors for both quarry and concrete and their partners.  They always get together and take me for dinner when I am in Hobart.  Any excuse for a piss up I reckon but it's lovely to see the social side of them all - and it's always a hoot.

Better go stand back in front of the heater!! 

A week apart....

This week has been very strange for all of us and I have to say I have been really feeling the difference.

Last Thursday we put the kids on a plane bound for Bribie Island to spend the school holidays with their grandma, lucky right?

Noel and I enjoyed the weekend together but found it hard dealing with the quietness and the fact that the kids were not there.

Monday morning I packed my bags and headed away with work for the week and I will be returning home tomorrow.  Staying away is hard at the best of times but this week it has been quite a strain knowing that we are all so far apart from each other.

Noel has been batching it at home all by himself!  Has he enjoyed the peace and serenity??  I have no idea.

Thankfully I will be home on Friday night but it's still another week before the kids come home :(

Who sees this when they go to work?

I really love the environment in which I work - whether it's quarry or concrete plant I get to see some really nice scenery from day to day......

All of these photos were taken around Hanson Kilmore East - a new quarry that has been acquired where I have been spending the last few weeks working.

The Murray girls are both away....

Both Alex and I are away this week.

Alex has gone to school camp and will be away from home until Friday.

I am back at Kilmore again today but I am hoping to return home Wednesday night.  I am nearly finished with what I need to do although there will be a few loose ends here and there to finalise in the next few weeks so needless to say I will be back but hopefully in a week or so.

Anyway opening my laptop this morning I found this little note........

I definitely have one thoughtful little Princess - one that I am very proud of and love dearly xxxxx

A while between posts....... for various reasons!?!?

Once again busy is the only describing word I can use for me and work at the moment but there have been some other issues and happenings also.

I have spent the last two weeks on and off travelling in south west Victoria, rolling out a new module for our computer system SAP to our country concrete batchers. I have to say it has been an interesting 2 weeks. Not only has it been fun, but it has seen long days and a hell of a lot of driving. My last night away this trip, last Thursday, I stayed at a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast in Cobden which I highly recommend. If anything I would have to say that it was one of the nicest places I have stayed for a long time. Called the Grand Central B&B and it was very comfortable and the hospitality of the hosts was absolutely amazing.

This was my room... for the night - wished I was staying longer!!

Anyways in between my travels I went on a shopping tour with Alex on Saturday 13th. It was a full bus tour and went for the whole day. I must admit I was absolutely knackered after my 5 and a half hour drive home from Heywood on the Friday night. I couldn't cancel on Alex as it was her first ever shopping tour - I am not sure if I should have introduced her to them so early in her life as she is already planning on attending next years one!!! We had a fabulous day together and although it rained a little I enjoyed every minute with my little girl. She is growing up especially wanting to buy makeup and looking at teenage style clothes. She even brought a handbag!!

We also attended Daniel's 1st birthday which was a pleasant day at Sean and Vicky's house last Sunday considering some dramas that have been happening behind the scenes. Vicky did really well entertaining us all with some delicious food - lasagna, cannelloni, salads etc. Both Sean and her look relaxed and made such an effort to make us feel comfortable and welcome. It was good to see Vicky's family again although the language barrier makes some conversation difficult.

I just cannot believe Daniel is already 1 years old!!!

Daniel loves cuddling uncle Noel

I definitely just wanted to relax this weekend after all my travels but unfortunately as always my best laid plans always end up changing. Saturday Noel worked so I took the kids into Frankston to start the Christmas shopping drama early this year. Mind you Alex and I got a few pressies on the shopping tour. After wandering around Frankston and all the toy shops we were successful with quite a few presents we popped into Bunnings to buy some more garden things. We needed a shovel as the handle on ours broke a few weeks ago and we are still trying to get our vegetable garden up and running. Even in a tool shop the kids managed to have fun....

I have to be honest and say that I have also been avoiding posting on our adventures etc as there has been some turmoil in the Murray family.... not just in our household but within the whole family. And while we have continued on with things it has been hard to remain normal or calm and to be honest I really didn't want anything to be said/written that could have strained the situation any further than where it has been at. It's been bad enough that this has been causing problems with our own relationship with Noel and I having many arguments recently.

In a nutshell to put you in the picture there was basically an argument which came to a head at the end of October (I have briefly mentioned it before), and since that argument many things (some not very nice) have since been said between all of the adult members of the family. Funnily enough the argument started due to lack of communication and lack of discussion as a family but it seemed that we have all been quite vocal since that day!! Needless to say it all came to a head yesterday when 5 adult members met at a park and tried to resolve the issue.

We all sat down and while it was very awkward starting off and a little heated, when we did start talking we all admitted that we played some part in the incident. We all agreed that the biggest component of this was NOT TALKING as a family and to each other.

The other pending issue was Christmas and the fact that due to all of this arguing etc Noel and I had decided to have Christmas at home by ourselves (just the four of us and my mam, of course). Our decision wasn't accepted by the family at ALL as we have never been apart before due to conflict. In fact the version turned from "us having our own Christmas to somehow shutting everyone out of our lives and not wanting to see anyone ever again".... a little drastic but I guess that's how others perceived the situation. Christmas was discussed and a compromise was made and we will now all spend time together on Christmas Day by having Christmas lunch at Mam and Dad's house. It was also agreed that from now on in there will be a rotation system putting Sean and Vicky up for Christmas next year (all going well), then Noel and I having Christmas at our house in 2012.

Another suggestion that was put forth by Mam which was that ALL of us as a family make some time every 4 - 6 weeks and get together for the day or even a few hours. Just to catch up and make sure we all keep up with what is happening in each others lives. Both Noel and I are all for this as it's something that we did used to do anyhow but for one reason or another it stopped happening.

We definitely left the park in a better mood than what we all arrived in!! Thankfully (hopefully) it has all been resolved and I am hoping that as a family we can all move forward.

Upon returning home, and I must say feeling somewhat better due to the positive outcome, Noel suggested we go out for dinner and spend the rest of the day as a family as we needed some quality family time. We went to the Canadian Bay Hotel, in Mt Eliza. I had seen it in the Cheap Eats Guide 2010. We had a wonderfully relaxing lunch with the kids. The meals were delicious and the atmosphere in the hotel was brilliant, in fact one of the nicest places we have been for awhile now. The kids both ordered burgers which they could have probably shared one together as they were massive while Noel and I just had to order the Seafood Platter for 2.

Alex and the Canadian Bay Beef Burger

Oliver and his Canadian Bay Beef Burger (with the lot)

The seafood platter was one of the nicest we have had. Most of the seafood was fresh and not deep fried covered in batter which was a bonus. On the platter were oysters, mussells, prawns (in their shell) and half a crab, grilled prawn skewers, grilled flathead tails, scallops in garlic butter and scallops in thai chilli sauce along with salt and pepper calamari.

We then took the kids slot car racing at Mobile Raceways in Dandenong. We all had a go at racing each other and I must admit it's fun. Oliver is totally engrossed in slot cars, even showing me which one he wants for Christmas!!

Of course I ruined the rest of the day by stopping on the way home to do the grocery shopping... bottom line as I told the family "if we want to eat tomorrow we need to do this today!!" LOL!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Too busy to stop and think....

Yes we certainly have been too busy to stop and think let alone spend time doing my favourite thing... blogging!!

Where do I start to catch up...

We held the finals at the Junior Football Club again this year so that was an extra 4 weeks added to the season not to mention another 4 weeks on long days and hard work. We did well as a club raising over $23000 for the club to put towards the Building fund of our new clubrooms. After the day of Round 2 when all was finished and winding up for the day, Alex fell over in the change rooms only to fracture her left arm and required another trip to the hospital. Thankfully only a greenstick fracture but that was enough to qualify her for having 3 plasters in 3 years now with hurting both wrists and a foot!


Anthony and Rachel returned from their trip to New South Wales and Brisbane to spend only the one night with us, which we all thoroughly enjoyed by relaxing and having dinner at the Seaford Hotel. The hotel serves a good meal but has a great play room area for the kids.



They have returned to Oman, all vowing to keep in touch especially Alex and Ffion who are going to write to each other. Cross fingers to see what the outcome of Anthony's employment renogiation meeting brings in December.

Once again I have been with work, travelling all around country Victoria. I am starting to get over the novelty of travelling especially in the bad weather. Mind you my last trip to Brisbane, just last week, was different with 5 days of training on a new computer transaction that will help the country concrete plants and quarries utilise SAP more.






Sadly I didn't get a chance to go up to Bribie to visit my mam as it was a team building exercise set by the company. Having breakfast through to dinner with everyone attending to form a group of Super Users who knew each other. And I must say we certainly did get to know each other!!

Sunday saw the last official function for the football club this year. The Annual General Meeting and the Presentations. I was re-elected as Treasurer for the 4th year now, which I am happy about as it's something that I do enjoy doing!

We also found out some very special news this week, Clare and Grahame are going to be parents!! Congratulations to them and I hope they enjoy every moment of what's to come! Yay I am going to be an aunty again and of course Alex is praying for a girl to end the boy monopoly in our family!! No matter girl or boy as long as he/she is healthy that's all that matters!!

So for now (well this week anyways) it is back to normal and getting the house sorted etc as Dennis and Pam will be visiting with us and it will be Christmas before we know it!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Time flies when you're having fun.....

Cannot believe it has been nearly another month since I last sat down and posted. Wow where does all the time go?

For me, it is working full time, spending as much of my spare time with the kids and doing the occassion bit of house work, shopping, cooking, etc, etc. I am sure everyone knows where I am coming from.

Work at the moment is very busy with a new manager on site, training off site up in the country quarries and with the warmer weather approaching more work is being done so the trucks and the weighbridge are getting busier. I made a few trips to Carisbrook, near Bendigo, for training where I stayed a few nights. I have a few more similar trips in the pipeline prior to Christmas so I will well and truely need a New Years Break.

The kids are getting excited with the fact that Christmas is coming... not long now. I still get amazed every year at how early the Christmas decorations are put out in the shops. You nearly spend half the year looking at Christmas stuff and then celebrate it for just one day!!

Alex lost her first tooth on Melbourne Cup Day and was pleased when the tooth fairy left $10 in exchange for her little tooth. She looks really cute without her tooth and I think she is wobbling every other tooth now.

We all went to the Melbourne city a couple of weekends ago when Noel's sister Clare and her boyfriend came down from Sydney. It was great to see Clare again and to meet Ray for the first time - hopefully as a family we didn't scare him too much. The day was spent at AFL Hall of Fame, a really great place to go even if you are not a mad footy supporter. It is a musuem as well as an interactive environment, similar to Scienceworks, and it kept both the adults and the kids interest all day.

Claire, my sister, is due to have her 4th child on 14th December. I wish my relationship with her was better but I need to remember that it is a two way street. There is no closeness that I feel sisters should have which upsets me and I know it upsets my Mam. I have to be honest and say that I have given up ringing in hope of normality and actually being like sisters as my calls often go unanswered and not returned. Just when I think all is lost she rings me out of the blue. It made my day to actually think she was thinking of me. I appreciated the fact that for once she has made an effort. That was last Tuesday - suspiciously I am going to wait to see how long it takes for the next phonecall to happen. I hate myself for thinking like this!

Mam is due to arrive in Melbourne soon. She flies in on the 12th December and I am really looking forward to seeing her again. My uncle Griff and his partner Julie will be with her as they are coming out from Wales for a holiday. I haven't seen Griff since I was 18 which is 17 years ago now. Needless to say I think this Christmas will be really good with both families and the added overseas relations.

Well as you can see we have been busy and I am sure it won't slow down this side of Christmas..... oh well!!

Better late than not at all!

Well this is just a quick post for yesterday!! A little late but what the!!

I spent most of yesterday driving from Frankston to Diggers Rest to do some training/assessing. It was a nice day for a drive with the sun shining down most of the day.

Thankfully I managed to get through the city traffic and get to the school for 5.30pm to pick my cherubs up from afterschool care.

The kids are enjoying riding their bikes now which is great to see. For months the bikes just sat there gathering cobwebs (sounds like my exercise equipment!!) Now a few of the other kids are coming out into the court in the evening for a play. It is great now with the nights staying lighter for longer. There is quite a social gathering of "little" people.

Anyways, must fly - off to work again. So it's busy busy busy. I will try and post tonight - not sure what the day will hold.

Bye for now.

~*JO*~

Geez it took me awhile to come back - but here I am!!

On reflection what seems like a lifetime since my last post is in reality just a blink of the eye... where has the time gone?

I am not going to begin to capture what has happened over the last how many days, weeks or months. I'll just start again from now.

Work is taking me everywhere. Last week I spent two days in Carisbrook which is 10kms from Maryborough. Although a nice place once again I found myself in the middle of nowhere. I really enjoyed myself and I am planning to go up there soon in the near future to complete training.

The kids - well as usual they are growing by the minute and their mannerisms are changing just as fast. Both have similar characteristics but Alex is far more dominent than here older brother Oliver. Both are enjoying school and doing well.

Noel is looking for work and has even starting reading the WA jobs - a little scary as we still haven't unpacked all the boxes from our move to Sydney and back... but if it is to be it will be another new adventure for us all.

Mam rang me today - she is doing well and on a golfing holiday. I am really happy that she has found her niche in the world. It is great to hear the excitment in her voice when telling me things that are happening in her world at the moment. I suppose deep down that is how she has sounded with me for so many years. Always happy at my achievements and there to support me. I love her dearly and only wish that we lived closer.

Will sign off now as it is getting late and I had better go to work tomorrow.

~*JO*~