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.

Happy Birthday to Me xx

Yes today is my birthday... and without telling you how old I turned all I said to my work collegues is that "I am 18 with 24 years experience"!!  LOL funny I know but a woman never openly admits her age.

I did have to work with it being the start of the year and the month, not to mention the fact that there is a shit load of work to be done.

My boss, Veronica, gave me my first present of the day!!!  A beautiful bottle of perfume and a nice polka dot make up bag.  We then had a really nice lunch over at the Sandbelt Hotel in Moorabbin.  Veronica enjoyed the Atlantic Salmon while I had Thai Mussels (1kg of local black mussels stewed in a coconut, lime and coriander influenced stock served with crusty bread) and they were lush

Headed home still full from lunch I knew I was being taken out for dinner with the family and my mam.  We had chosen to go to Redwood Gardens Chinese and it was probably the nicest Chinese I have ever been to - and my mam thought the same.

I have to say I had a enjoyable day and felt very special xxx

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

A busy life.....

So what's happening with the House Of Murray at the moment???

Currently I have been really busy with work, spending the last few weeks working out of Kilmore up in the country (North West of Melbourne). Hanson have acquired a new quarry right next door to our existing quarry and I have been asked to assist with the transition from them being an independent to our global multi level company systems.... I have to say it's been fun at times. I have been there for 4 weeks now spending 4 days each week there. Monday I return but only for 3 days this week and after that I will have a break for a few weeks before returning for month end.

The footy club have been hosting the Frankston & District Junior Football League Finals Series again this year for the third year running. Although it raises brilliant money for our club the days are long and hard. We have done really well so far for the first two weeks as the weather has been perfect unlike last year where it rained all four Sundays. I spend my time between counting monies from both canteens and bbq tents and when I can I have been helping out in the canteen also.

Last night we went to Nana and Grandad's for dinner to celebrate a few things. As they are flying out for a holiday in Port Douglas on Sunday Father's Day was one of the celebrations. As well as their 45th Wedding Anniversary which is today.



We finally caught up with Christian to give him his birthday present from last week, which I may just add don't know who loved the Manchester United soccer ball more - him or his father, Sean. He recently celebrated his 4th birthday.

It was great to catch up with most of the family as we haven't seen them for awhile. Unfortunately Vicky wasn't there as Daniel wasn't that well. I was soooo tired though as I had just driven in from Kilmore East arriving home at 6.05pm and we were meant to be at dinner at 6.30pm. A lovely roast lamb dinner was cooked for us which I really enjoyed after weeks of pub meals while away.

This morning I am working out of Yannathan Quarry, which is a sand plant. I am doing it as a favour as they have a big job on but it's great to catch up with some of my favourite truck drivers as. I still miss them from when I was in the weighbridge fulltime and I love seeing them again.... so many new faces though!!


Alex is getting excited as she goes on school camp on Monday. The camp is at Koonwarra, down in Gippsland and she will be away for 5 days (4 nights). There is horse riding there so she is really looking forward to that.

Official office attire.....

Today I decided with it being Friday and the day before the AFL Grand Final I would accessorise my office attire with nothing other than a St Kilda scarf!!

Pretty professional hey?

GO THE MIGHTY SAINTS!!

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

My last day at Harkaway Quarry

Today is my last day working at Harkaway Quarry - I finish my last shift here at 12pm. Infact most of the crew here finish their last shift also. Harkaway Quarry has ceased production of aggregates and once sales has taken the last of the stockpiles the gates will be locked forever.

Here are some images of the quarry and where I have called home for 8 years.... as you will see this is no place for princesses - hence I had to leave my tiara at the gate!

This is the weighbridge where trucks are ticketed as they leave the quarry....

The office....


The crushing plant...




The quarry hole....


I have to survive my emotions of saying goodbye today. We had a small site bbq last night and all was good until I had to say goodbye to my boss, Joe. I found this really hard but was brave only crying once I got into the car and was driving away. Joe and I have worked together off and on since I started 8 years ago. We have always got along well and during our working relationship he has always been very helpful, provided guidance and advice, supportive and more importantly was there for me when I just needed to be a girl (especially considering I, most times, was the only female on site)!! I would have to say over my whole working career, Joe is the best boss I have had. Joe is moving on to another quarry within the company.

Saying farewell to Rod was also hard. He too was like Joe but was somewhat of a father figure to me. Rod is going on long service leave as of February 1st which will lead into his retirement. Rod has a heart of gold and will be sadly missed from our day to day happenings, his jokes, his stories and his shoulders!! Yes he let me be a girl occasionally too!

Working with both these remarkable men was definitely a two way street and I really enjoyed it being so. I wish the two of them all the best as they deserve nothing less.

Don't panic I am still working with Hanson just in a different role and based in Clarinda (near Oakleigh). As of Monday my new title is Southern Region Trainer and Assessor - Concrete Division!! Crikey what a mouthful.

I know some of you know that I already hold a Cert IV in Training And Assessing, and have been conducting training/assessing for some years now but only on a part time basis and within the Quarry Division of Hanson. But now I get to do it full time!! And more importantly NO Saturday work so I get my weekends back!!

Southern Region means I get to look after the training needs within Victoria and Tasmania so I am pretty much in awe about that. There are quite a few more concrete plants than quarries in both states so I do have a huge job ahead of me. But a job that I am looking forward to sinking my teeth and brain into - a job that will give me the mental challenge that I have been yearning for this last 12 months or so.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

The cool change is finally arriving.

After quite a warm day the cool change is finally starting to arrive. Saying that the warm days are good to have after the winter.

Today I spent the day at both Harkaway and Lysterfield. So my day was broken up. Noel is doing overtime most nights this week also.

Oliver and Alex are getting more adventurous with their bike riding. They are fasinated that we are now allowing them to ride out of our court and across to the next court (where quite a few children live). Tonight they took my mobile phone so I could ring and tell them what time to come home.

We had our first official summer bbq tonight for tead and that was good. Everyone ate really well - Oliver even tried the coleslaw.

I am really tired tonight and off to Diggers Rest in the morning for another day off site training.

Bye for now.....

~*JO*~

Oops I missed Wednesday.

No seriously after a day of end of month figures, typing of the EBA minutes and trying to remember all the finer details topped off with fire extinguisher training I was buggered even before I left work.

Then on my way to pick up the kids I had a brainwave - I will do the grocery shopping after I collected my little angels. BIG MISTAKE!!! I have never seen so many people in a supermarket during the week. I actually think it may be quieter on Saturdays (which is when I do my usual full shop).

Needless to say the kids and Noel had hot dogs for dinner!! By the time I had put everything away and considered food for myself I ended up with two minute noodles!! Yuk!!

What a day that was... cross fingers today will run smoother and be more enjoyable.

Chat to you all tonight.

~*JO*~

I'm back!!

Hi World!!

Wow cannot believe that it has been 4 months since I last posted. Unfortunately it has been a case of "I'll do it after", "I'll have more time tommorrow" etc etc. But as we all know - tommorrow never comes and now it is nearly the end of May!

I don't know where to begin - so much has happened since January.

Alex has settled into preps really well. She has a love of school that I hope she retains for the next 12 years. Her teacher, Mrs Bailey, is really happy with her progress and has commented that she is doing exceptionally well.

Oliver is also doing well at school, although I was called to pick him up early today due to a stomach ache that disappeared as soon as we left the school yard. Not sure what the underlying reason behind this is but I am sure it will come out eventually. He is enjoying grade 3 and also likes his teacher, Mrs Matthews.

As far as Noel and I are going - we are still coping with what life is dealing (although it is more bad than good). It is wonderful that at night we can still lie there, tell each other "I love you" and go to sleep with those last words floating in our head.

Weight wise - Noel and I both really need to change and change big time!! Noel is having an ultrasound tommorrow morning on his liver as the last series of blood tests he has recently had shows that there may be a problem. Cross fingers for him on this one. I do believe this scare has jolted Noel a little and he is taking life a little more seriously this last week. Needless to say that as of this morning we have both promised to try and change our lifestyle not just for us but mainly for our kids.

We have just found out that my sister is pregnant on her 4th children. (No one else in my family knows.) She is praying for another boy as she has already had 3 but secretly I am hoping she has a girl. Terrible on me I know but I know how much she adores Alex so I think she deserves a little princess of her own.

Speaking of Claire, she is flying up to see Mam this Wednesday. I am really jealous but would never tell her although I am sure from the body language she knows. It is only a flying visit and she will be telling Mam her exciting news. I am sure Mam will be very surprised!!!

Our League 10 Pin Bowling season is drawing to an end with only two weeks left. It has been fun - especially spending one on one time with Claire. I chose my bowling ball and it has been ordered so I am looking forward to getting that. It is part of our league that we recieve a bowling ball at the end of the season. I can't wait to see it - the colour I chose is called blackberry - a mixture of black and red with sparkles. Hopefully it will look as good as it did on the internet.

On the Murray front - all hell broke loose a few weekends ago with Vicky unleashing her views and thoughts about the family on the mother in law. Ouch it hurt and it hurt big time. I will honestly say that the family will never be the same - even I was dragged under and am quite disappointed in her as a person!! I really feel sorry for Sean (Noel's brother) on so many levels!!

Work has been going really well for me. I have been doing some training off site and my latest trip saw me at Kilmore on Friday. This Friday I am off to Wollert and Diggers Rest the Friday after.... I hate driving... LOL!!!! Noel's work has been fairly quiet and has only started doing overtime again last week. The bank balance is looking wonderful anymore but hey shit happens and we just have to get on with it.

I am starting to ramble now - so I will close and wish you all goodnight!!

~*JO*~

The world is spinning way too fast!

Well here I am awake earlier than expected and sitting at the computer as I am too worried to go back to sleep incase I sleep through my alarm making me late for work. Seems to be a habit I am forming lately! I am going to be shattered again this afternoon.

In the quietness of the rest of the house sleeping I have been sitting here thinking about how fast January has disappeared already and besides working there are only a few days where something special has happened. Does this mean that the rest of the year is going to fly by this quickly? I hope not!

My dieting is eratic and in my heart realise that I need to go back to Weight Watchers just for the extra encouragement. It is a battle trying to stay on track by myself at home! Stayed the same weight wise this week so I will see what the scales say by Thursday. Need to pull my finger out and exercise. Vicky and I have agreed to start walking again as soon as the kids are settled back at school and the routines are in place!! Oh the dream of having a life without a routine!!

Speaking of Vicki - a big shout out to her for officially becoming an Aussie on Thursday - well done chickadee!!

As mentioned I am off to work shortly (half day today thankfully) - Noel is taking the kids and his parents bush to do a little bush bashing - or as the kids put it "to scare Nana and Grandad in the 4wd!!" needless to say the stories at lunch time should be interesting.

Chat soon - ~*JO*~

Ten Pin Bowling!

Work today sucked!! Bigtime! I think it was more the fact of returning to work on a Friday of all days. Thankfully it is over now.

Anyway the exciting news for today is that Oliver has gone back to league ten pin bowling. He missed last season but played the season before and is very proud of his trophy which has a special place in his bedroom. Kyle, his cousin, is playing also and their team name in the Ankle Biters League is "The Gutterball Cousins" - they chose the name between them! I didnt' get to the alley tonight as work held me up but according to Noel and Claire they had a fun session and both played well.

Another quiet night for Noel and I as the kids are at their grandparents. Both of us are working in the morning. Dinner tonight will be Fish Parcels - very healthy and easy to make.

Off to relax in the quiet - it's amazing what the dishwasher and the washing machine sound like when the kids aren't screaming at each other or arguing!! LOL!!

Out like a light....

Once again I managed to not post... this is becoming a habit!!

After eating dinner later than usual I sat on the couch and you guessed it fell asleep!! Noel once again managed to wake me up and aim me down the hallway towards the bedroom.... hence why I am blogging at 6.30am!!

Anyway......

Yesterday was a draining day at work mentally with the feeling of being a telemarketer after calling all of our customers to inform them that one of our products had run out... stop supply until Thursday. Many took it well but there were a few that were just painful about the situation. I swear they think that they are the only ones that buy rock of us!

Got home, organised the kids dinner and the minute Noel walked in the door I walked out. Off to pick up Vicki for a walk - not divorce!!

Strange walk last night as I don't think I had ever walked in the dark for exercise purposes... many nights walking home from pubs when I was younger though. But it was really good except my sights were focussed more on the dim shadows of the park than actually making eye contact with Vicki as we chatted away madly! But armed with my Bonus Buddy, a pedometer, it was noted that we walk just over 4kms - geez didn't think 4 laps of our park was that long... my legs definately feel it this morning.

Off to Weight Watchers tonight - it is the second last meeting for Seaford. Oh well I am a little sad about it but I am looking forward to going to the meetings with Vicki now on a Thursday night.

Better fly must get ready for work etc etc.......