So here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun…..

Apart from us :o(

The week leading up to Christmas has been a shit week really – thanks for asking. Paul’s been really poorly, so I’ve been juggling the business and the kids. Never a good combination. It’s like the old ‘Cabbages and Kings’ game on CRACKERJACK! and I usually end up dropping the lot. The customers this week morphed into complete *rseholes and even our suppliers turned into monsters! Really bad week. Then we had another row with the builders who’d done the square root of sod all again all week. Their senior Building Manager shouted at me like I was something stuck on the bottom of his shoe and then hung up on me!! Merry Christmas to you too – arsewipe!

Once the work phones switched off, however, Christmas spirit flooded into the house and peace infiltrated into the Delaney house :o) Hoorah!! About time too!

The kids put the tent up in the garden that Sam won in the school raffle last year. After nagging non-stop for days, we gave in and let them put it up. It’s quite large and Sam and Darcie slept in it on their own for two nights. I took them in cocoa with marshmallows at 9.30pm and they had their radio on to drown out the noise of the crickets.

Sam moved most of his room into the tent to have that ‘home from home’ feeling.

It started on Saturday when we decided late in the afternoon that we’d take the boat out and have a look round the canals. I don’t know if you remember last year, but the canal homes seem to try to out-do each other in terms of how elaborate their houses can be.

Paul did fantastically well steering the boat as the darker it got, the busier it got. There were boats EVERYWHERE! From tiny little tinnies crammed with children to huge boats full of paying passengers touring the lights.

It was the first time we’d taken the boat out in the dark and Paul managed to park it first time with professional ease. Fantastic!! The sky was a beautiful shade of red too, really added to the atmosphere. Plus on a few of the boats, some of the Dads had dressed up like Father Christmas and they all waved and ‘Ho Ho Ho’d’ at the kids.

Then on Sunday, it was the much publicised opening of the Mandurah trainline into Perth. There was a huge fuss made and all public transport in Perth was free for the day, so we decided to take the kids into Perth and back – so they could say they used the train on it’s opening day.







It was funny though and obviously lots of people came out of the woodwork who weren’t familiar with trains! Comments like ‘oooh, it’s very smooth, isn’t it?’ and ‘isn’t it quiet’ FFS it’s a train! They are no longer steam powered and noisy! We didn’t manage to get a seat on the way into Perth as it was so busy; great minds think alike!






We just grabbed a burger in the City and then got on the next train home. We wanted to go back into Perth for the Carols by Candlelight that evening, but the trains were stopping at 6pm! Whether that was because it was its opening day, or it was a Sunday service, or its Perth and its crap, I don’t know but the upshot was we had to rush home to pack some drinks and nibbles and then jump into the car to drive all the way into Perth again for the evening.


The kids weren’t bothered about the carols and even Paul asked if it was worth going, but the atmosphere was lovely. Very Christmassy. We sat on camping chairs, singing along with the carols, waving our candles. The evening finished with a fireworks display too, which I had forgotten all about. Great!!












Christmas Eve was spent doing the last few bits of shopping and tidying up and we had been invited to a friend’s neighbours for a Crimbo eve get together. They are both Poms and don’t know that many people, so it was lovely to spend the night together. All Nobby-no-mates in one place.







Christmas Day was a success. The kids liked all their presents (I think) and anyway, what Adam and Darcie didn’t get just gets ‘rolled over’ onto the birthday list!! Sam got a new mobile, electric scooter, radio controlled ‘thing’ a Homersapien and an iPod dock with speakers for his bedroom. Darcie bought him the Mika CD and Adam gave him an iTunes gift voucher. Darcie got loads of art and craft stuff, a pop corn machine, DS game and DVDs. Sam bought her a new charger and sticks for the DS and Adam bought her a High School Musical soundtrack CD.







Mr Cheese bumbled about all day and only finished opening some of his pressies today. He got a Wiggles water way, characters from ‘Cars’ some Thomas goodies and we bought him a car shaped CD player to see if it will get him to stay in his bedroom of an evening! Darcie bought him a Thomas story CD to listen to in the ‘car’ and Sam bought him a new Bob the Builder character.

We had a cooked brekkie on Xmas morning and then a full Xmas dinner at about 6pm (thank GOD for air conditioning!). The weather has taken an unexpected heatwave and today (Boxing Day) it hit a maximum of 44 degrees – the hottest December day on record. Thankfully it’s cooling down over the next few days before heading back in the high 30s next week again. It has been a little too hot really – you feel very lethargic and can’t go out without the ‘ding’ of the microwave as you cook.

We took the kids on the beach today for a few hours and they had loads of fun playing in the water with Pentley.

We haven’t got much planned for the rest of the week. Friends are coming out on the boat with us on 28th and we want to make sure we have petrol and water and we’re ready to go, so we might go down to the marina. It’s also outdoor cinema season, so we might see if we can sneak one of those in. It’s just lovely to have a break and not have to worry about customers or builders. Aaaahhhhhh :o)

Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you to everyone who’s sent us parcels, cards or emails. I’ll be in contact soon!

Happy New Year!!!!

Oh my god – they’ve broken up!

Seven weeks of misery, boredom and frustration lay ahead and I’m dreading it :o(

It’s hard enough with the business and the house and everything else that accompanies it when we get 6 hours respite from the ‘I’m bored / I’m hungry / ____ has just hit me/bit me/punched me/called me a name’ No more…… that’s it. Sanity waved goodbye to until February. Packed in a little box marked ‘not to be opened before 3rd February 2008’. Shit.

Stop moaning Delaney.

OK, in other news….we have our decorations up.

Our tree at the front door - blurry I know, but I think it looks pretty!

We went to the Perth Xmas Parade last weekend which was as cheesy as ever and attempts to get us in the Christmas spirit. Adam nearly burst a blood vessel in excitement when Thomas went past and Sam took great delight in ogling the girl dancers that paraded before him.

Thomas!

They had a good time though and it has to be done now as part of the Aussie Xmas traditions. Adam was ‘high five-ing’ all the parade participants as they walked past and got VERY excited if he got one back.

Nice Antlers, Sam.

We're off to see the Parade.....

Waiting for the excitement to start.

We went into Perth early last week before the parade and Sam managed to do his Xmas shopping in half an hour! We also took the kids to see Father Christmas. He was a very nice, cheery Santa who spent a good ten minutes with us; talking to the kids and trying to persuade Adam to have his photo taken. Adam wasn’t having any of it’ even with Paul and I roped into the picture, he was a grumpy little sod. The only thing that got his interest was a fake Rudolph lying by the fire that looked like it was breathing. We tried though (we’re very trying….. I think Santa would agree!) I didn’t buy the photo on disc and our scanner isn’t set up, so being very sad and tight, I’ve taken a photo of the photo!

Cheapskate :o)

Sam and Darcie had their Christmas Assembly which went very well. Darcie’s year sang the Wiggles classic ‘Rockin’ Santa’ and Sam’s year sang ‘C’mon it’s an Aussie Christmas’. Both very ‘Australian’ and funny. The raffle was drawn during the Assembly, but we didn’t win anything this year.

Our little Christmas performer.

We did try and go out on the boat in the week, but we got down there, and I don’t think we’d connected the shore power properly and because we left the fridge on, the battery was flat – bugger!!!

We’ve just got new phones too. Paul and I have now got a Blackberry each. You can pick up email and sh*t loads more whilst on the move. Hopefully this will mean we’re not tied to the office as much in the school holidays and also have the added benefit of reducing Paul’s mobile bill ($425 last month!!!!). We just need a blooming evening class to work out how to use the stupid things! Good grief, they’re complicated. I did manage to receive two emails though whilst I was at the pool picking Sam up from a party. Necessary? Not at all :o) Very techie though.

OK. I’ve tried to avoid it….. but here it is. House news.

After another row with the builder this Wednesday as sod all had happened; they pulled out all the stops to shut us up at the end of the week. On Thursday, two painters were in (from Canvey Island!). They reckoned it was a 4 day job, but they wouldn’t be back tomorrow as they were booked on another job :o( They managed to get the ceilings and coving done though (first coat) and they are returning next week to do a second coat and all the doors and frames - rather them than me!

White ceilings with holes in.

On Friday the electrician came to second fix the electrics, so we now have holes in the ceilings where the down lights will be and they wires have all been pulled though and the plaster chipped away in preparation for the sockets to go on.

Let there be lights :o)

They have removed the electric meter to re-site the meter box that was too far inset in the wall (and they were unable to get the gas pipe in!). Which means though that there’s been no power on site for a few days and whilst the painters usually spray the first coat of paint on; the lack of power meant they had to brush and roller.

The balaustrading was delivered on Monday, but it was obviously too much to hope for for someone to actually turn up and fit it!

The tiler has been back to finish the grouting.

The railings for the balcony.

.... and the ones to go up the stairs.

Actually, looking at all that, it’s been a bumper week of activity in the house! Why was I crying my eyes out there on Wednesday then? Sick of the sight of the blooming place and sick to the back teeth of all the lies that the builders keep feeding us with?

Yum..... doesn't the pool look inviting? NOT!!

The weathers pants this weekend, so no trips on the boat. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to sneak a few hours out this week. I’ve got to finish my Xmas shopping for one thing! It would be nice to take the boat round the canals to see all the Christmas lights too.

The Mandurah – Perth train line is supposed to start running on 23rd December after taking three years to complete and going millions of dollars over budget; so that’s quite exciting! We did apply to be on the first train, but lost out in the raffle for that too. It’s not been our lucky week really, all things considered. Lots of rows with the kids and a distinct lack of Christmas spirit. Never mind…….. where’s that gin?

WE PASSED!!!

Paul and I passed our Skippers Ticket the other Wednesday, so we are now considered to be ‘proficient’ whilst out in our boat! Yeay! We were both very, very pleased with ourselves and it’s another thing to tick off the list of ‘To Do’. It was OK actually and not too difficult. Much to my disgust though, Paul and I received different multiple choice papers, so we couldn’t cheat! :o( But the good news is that I scored two more points than Paul! Ha ha! He got 26/30 and I got 28! Go me!

Our jubilation was short lived however as the rug was pulled from under us on Friday when Paul put a call into the Building Supervisor. Seeing as they have continuously promised that our house would be ready before Xmas, Paul phoned the supervisor to push for some dates to schedule our painters and tilers to go in. We’ll the Supervisor threw all his toys out of the pram and said that there was no point keep phoning him; the tiler had over run, we had missed the slots for the other trades and there was no way now the house would be ready before mid January! How upset were we!! We emailed the Builders and really expressed our disappointment and for once, they really took our complaint seriously! Our supervisor has been told not to deal with us anymore and we have to deal with his boss now. They are disgusted with how far the house ‘hasn’t come!’ Head office thought that the house had been painted (it hasn’t), that the tiling was finished ages ago (it still isn’t), that the second fix electrical had been completed (it ain’t!)….. the list just goes on and on. We met with the Senior Supervisor on Wednesday who gave us his honest opinion that the house won’t be ready for hand over until mid Feb! Drats! Having said that, this last week, things have been happening! We had the smart wiring done this SATURDAY believe it or not; so all the data, TV and telephone points have gone in. The alarm system was installed on Friday and the tiler has been working hard all weekend to get finished; he was still working at 7.30pm on Saturday evening! He has told us that he was under pressure to get the balcony finished as the balastrading is being fitted on Monday and the painters are also due in to paint the ceilings, coving and door frames / doors. The second fix electrical is also due and it looks as if someone has been in, pulling all the cables through. The plumbing second fix is also due, but the plumbing company are at least a week behind schedule apparently. The swimming pool has been back filled now and has more sand in the bottom than an egg timer :o( We’re also due to have the cooker and hood delivered sometime *soon* although every time the supervisor chases delivery of this, he’s told that it’s ‘on the lorry’ for delivery……… (STOP PRESS: It’s been delivered today!)

Our double oven and extractor hood. Look nice, don't they? :o(

Our en suite shower with the mosaic strip.

The balcony tiling is now done.

Never mind! Sam competed in his first Surf Lifesaving event last weekend. The surf carnival went well, although he must have been exhausted when he eventually got home at 2pm as he left at 6.30AM!

Wun Wabbit......

He had to do lots of ‘iron man’ activities and ‘run, swim, runs’. He did really well and Paul was very proud of him for entering into the spirit of it all and putting in a major effort.

Go go Sam....

We were also doubly proud of Sam and Darcie last week when they both received Merit Certificates in their assembly! Sam got his first from the Principal, then Darcie went up for hers and he asked whether it was a ‘national Day of Delaney?’ Bless…..

Darcie gets her certificate from the Principal.

Very proud, isn't she?

Sam the 'cool dude' collects his certificate.

The kids were very excited about the arrival of 1st December and its accompanying advent calendar. Mum posted them one each from Blighty as you are spoilt there (with that thing called choice!) Sam has an Arsenal one, Darcie has ‘High Five Newsical’ (as Adam calls it) and Mr Cheese has his own, personalised one with his name on. Lucky, lucky children!

:o)

Yesterday we were also excited to see the arrival of Santa at the local department store via helicopter. He does this annually. I’m still nervous about him getting his beard caught in the rotas, but so far, so good.

Santa's Company car has recently been upgraded.

He distributed lollies and goodies to the waiting kids, although it’s a sign of the times when Sam was actually more interested in the 96fm Coast Girl – the promo girl handing out the goodies. She got a ‘Leslie Philips style ‘Hell-low’

The gang ready for the Santa Experience.

Sam strokes something that's dry and wrinkly..... NO! Not me, thank you.

Last Wednesday, we picked Adam up from playgroup early (unheard of!) and headed off down the boat. Sam was trying all the practical manoeuvres we had to master for our skippers (and was doing them VERY well!) when Adam decided he wanted a go. His grin says it all I think as he laughed and steered for a sand bank. The kids are getting really good on the boat now. Sam helps with the ropes when we come to moor and calls us back in with Sea Rescue when we get back to the pen. Darcie has her job of cleaning the boat’s number plate and Adam has his task of nodding off, then eating biscuits and getting crumbs everywhere!

Ha ha ha - bump!

What else has been going on then…… Well Xmas is coming and I’m trying to get the Christmas shopping done. Trouble is, I’ve only got limited time without the kids and Adam is a shocker for telling the other two should I dare to buy something when I’m out with him! He’s even worse at keeping a secret than Sam – and I didn’t think that was possible! Sam still has a few admirers at school ‘his chicks’ as he calls them and every night after school this week, he’s been going to the skate park with them and buying them drinks and sweets. I went with Darcie this morning to empty her school tray and had to laugh. Everyone else’s had pencil shavings, pencil case and the odd note from friends; Darcie had LIP GLOSS in hers! Talk about old before her time.

I kinda came unstuck with Mr Cheese as well in the week. I went for his school meeting – to find out all the info about his new school in February – and they were saying about what they expect of the kids and how we can help them to prepare for school. One of the ways is by teaching them to recognise their surname as well as their Christian name. No problem, thought I, feeling very smug – Adam knows that, no problems. So when I got home, I was messing around, tickling him when I asked him what his name was. ‘Adam’. He said. ‘Adam, what?’ I asked. ‘Adam, Mr Cheesey!’ he said. Back to the drawing board, then!