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.

When you go to bed with plaits in your hair.....

Last night there was a girly moment in the house where I plaited Alex's hair while it was still damp from the shower.....  Alex was a little apprehensive about it but I convinced her it would look good in the morning.

I think she looks gorjus xxx

Happy Anniversary Mam and Dad

Last Wednesday was officially Mam and Dad's wedding anniversary but they were still in their travels but on their way home.  Unsure what to get them for their special day we decided that we would catch up today, meet for lunch which, unbeknown to them, we had decided to pay for.

We all love Indian so decided to go to Shavan's in Mount Waverley - not because we had been there before as we hadn't but it was basically one of the few Indian Restaurants open for lunch.  Shavan's is the sister restaurant to our local one in Frankston, Kasturi's.

We had a choice of the al a carte menu but decided to have the South Indian Buffet (but did end up ordering a few meals that are family favourites such as Butter Chicken and Lamb Rogan Josh.)

I know that we all enjoyed the food and it was brilliant to catch up with Mam and Dad.

Green Bamboo

Yes Green Bamboo...... Green Bamboo Massage is probably my favourite shop at "The Hub" Karingal Shopping Centre.

Alex and I had to go to a couple of the shops in the afternoon and it was nice that my Princess wanted to come shopping with.  Oliver was at Tynen's for the night and Alex was actually going to Sarah's but we managed to steal a couple of hours together.

We had quite a bit to do this afternoon so we were kind of on a mission until we walked past Green Bamboo, started discussing massages and then double backed to get a 40 minute neck, shoulder, arms and back massage.

Highlight..... it was Alex's first time of having a massage......

Did Alex enjoy... YES!!

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 :)



A blast from the past......................... trust me a surprise!!

Sunday always bring a full day during football season and this week was no different.  Except that we had 5 games - ALL teams - playing at home plus of course dinner service.

Happily serving in the canteen I here a "Look at you gorgeous!!".  I turned around only imagining a customer talking to one of the other mam's helping out to find my cousin Speedy standing there. 

Childhood memories flashed through my mind, remembering some special and sad moments that I had actually thought I had forgotten as I have grown.

With all going on, the surprise catch up was the highlight of my day.......

Nana's birthday.....

We all celebrated Nana's 68th birthday tonight even though her actual birthday is on Monday.  We went to the Seaford Hotel for dinner, which I will have to say that the meals were very average with one meal, a lamb souvlaki even turning up without the lamb!

As usual great to catch up with Mam and Dad.  It seems so long between time spent together.  They come to watch their grandchildren play football but with our commitments it's very hard to spend time with them.

Wonderful to see Sean, Vicky and the boys again.  Sadly we don't see them enough either.

Thankfully we surprised Mam with a decadent birthday cake I cannot take credit for.  It was an "Original Sin" from the Cheesecake Shop but it brought smiles to Mam's face.

Most of the Murray clan........

4 of her precious grandchildren......

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.......

Another weekend over.....

Either I am getting old or the weekends are just going very fast.

Tonight saw another Sunday finish for what was a busy weekend. 

Football being the major focus today with Round 5 - both kids played away.  Alex played Frankston Dolphins at Overport Park and her team won.  Ollie played at Mount Eliza and lost.  They are a few players down at the moment but their spirits are still high.  During awards Ollie recieved an encouragement award.

The football club has a good buzz this year with family volunteers, a few fundraising events and the dinner service going well.  Tonight Spaghetti Bolognaise and Garlic Bread was for dinner followed by Mixed Berry Cream Cheesecake.

Spaghetti Bolognaise for the footy club - great effort by Noel for all the preparation.  Brilliant work as usual.

Karingal Bulls Senior Football Club Ball

Tonight I went off to the Karingal Bulls Senior Football Club Ball without Noel as it's not really his thing..... so I went with another member from the Junior Executive Committee, Kevin, the president.

Yes I dressed up for the event... although a little worried about wearing a dress when everyone normally sees me in club colours and tracksuit pants.

 

 

Obviously taken prior to hair and make up...... but eveyone else was going out so I needed a quite photo to prove I can wear a dress.

 

It was a good night at the Frankston RSL -  nice to be around friends, good food (although only fingerfood) and have a night out especially as dancing was involved.   The DJ had a few ladies upset with his choice of music albeit some very daggy but we all survived in the end. 

 

Many went out afterwards, but even with the encouragement I went home knowing that this Junior's mam would have a huge day Sunday.........

Happy Easter 2013

We have been camping since Wednesday now and the kids, especially Alex, were a buzz with questions about whether or not the Easter Bunny would find us in the bush.  Once again I had to remind her that the Easter Bunny finds children everywhere.

We also lost a tooth in the aftenoon - Alex for the second camping trip in a row had managed to summons the Tooth Fairy as well!!

So last night with the tooth sitting in prime position of the camp table in the kitchen tent.  This was easier than expecting the Tooth Fairy to manoevre the jumble of the kids' tent.

Bedtime came and with kisses and further reassurances that both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy (ironically two opposites - teeth falling out and free extra sugar) would locate the Murray's both Oliver and Alexandria went off to bed....

Sunday morning.....

 

As you can see the Easter Bunny did find us on Easter Sunday.....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.....

Cooking for School Homework

My little pumpkin is grown up so fast.

Her she is doing homework.....

Home Economics Homework!!

Alex needed to make Special Fried Rice, take a photo of it, list ingredients and voila homework complete.

I love the fact that Alex takes so much pride in her school work - in fact in everything that she does.  She is enjoying High School and is coping very well so far.

 

The outcome of the homework:

YUM!!

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

Pass the pars-the-man??

When Alex was growing up and learning to talk she only really struggled with one word.... Parmesan always pronouncing it as "pars-the-man".  It used to always make us giggle!!

Warm enough for a dip......

Alex and her friend Sophie...... both enjoying the coolness of the pool in the heat that Melbourne has been experiencing of late.

Homemade Hamburgers

Lunch today was homemade hamburgers.....

Mam marvelled at the size....

Was a little concerned with getting it all in her mouth!!!!

But gave it a good go..............LOL!!!

Two kids, a bucket and a jug.....

Day 1 of 2013....

Welcome 2013..... hopefully a year that will be definitely better than last year.  Don't get me wrong there were good times, good happenings and lots of memories but it was also filled with some things that I would just rather forget!

So what has 2013 got in store for the Murray family so far..... Alexandria will be starting high school, Oliver is joining the V-Cal (Technical Stream) System of his education, Noel is now a full time employee and knows that his will be busy at work this year already and as for me, with the restructure of my department last year I too will be working long hours and I know that it will also involve a lot more travel.  The family I hope will continue to grow not only as individuals but as one.

Reflecting back on 2012 - so many things were missed along the business of the year.  I didn't blog enough (all my blogs), I didn't enjoy myself enough nor did I laugh enough.  I cried, I sooked and I focused on things that looking back were really not that important.....  So it's time to start all over again.

"Life is a book. every page is a new day,

every chapter is a new month,

every series is a new year."

Last night we celebrated the New Year at home with a few friends, some old and some new.  The Shotter's (Sarah's family) came over.  They are a lovely family and getting to know them last year has been enjoyable.  Sarah and Alex have become inseperable - best friends that's for sure. 

It was good to see Jamie especially happy within himself and the direction in which his life is moving.  He definitely deserves happiness after what he has endured these last few years with my so-called sister.  The boys were not with us last night but we will see them again soon as we now see them on a more regular basis.

We have celebrated the first day of the New Year in a relaxed fashion.  And as you can imagine it was an awesome way to start 2013.  When people finally woke this morning and YES we had bodies everywhere throughout the house a BIG breakfast was cooked and BIG it was.  Not to mention it went down a treat to everyone that was priveliged to be around the table.

Being such a beautiful day also, we decided to take a trip down to Mornington Pier for a walk around and get some fresh air.

It was quite busy on the beach, many in the water although this little black duck wasn't going anywhere near it.  I took some gorjus photos (not to brag but I am getting better with my camera).  It was great just to casually walk around, marvel at the weather and people watch - a hobby I enjoy nearly as much as cooking.

 

A view from Fisherman's Jetty

 

Mam enjoying the warmth.

 

 

Saw this ray swimming in the shallows near Fisherman's Jetty.

 

 

 

Alex and Sarah

 

The family walking along the pier.

 

Boys and their toys (in their dreams! LOL)

Happy New Year - may 2013 be perfect for you all in every imaginable way.....

Jo xx