Em's 13th Birthday

eMILY jANE lANCASTER has officially turned 13......goin on 30 if the truth be known ! Our precious baby girl celebrated her birthday in style with five of her closest girlfriends who are all gorgeous & well rounded people. Her bestie Olivia stayed on the Friday night & on Saturday morning Em & Olivia were picked up by Julie for breakfast & shopping. Em & Olivia arrived back around 10.30am & helped prepare for the party. We had a spa party here at the new house & it was much fun all round. I think the pics say it all ! Em's party was from 12 to 4 and then starting at 5 we had friends & family over. The party went till wee hours of the morning with most popping in the spa for a bit of fun........ Grandma Frank came down for the occasion & hopped in the spa wearing Simon's boardshorts ! unfortunately picture not available as Kim was v tired & opted out around midnight...... Em slept in our bed with me & relegated her dad to the couch CHICKS RULE ! On the Sunday Em & Simon stayed until around 1.30 before their mum picked them up for a family party. All in all it was a GREAT weekend. Oh & Em is having another party next weekend at her mum's with another group of friends - and I have hears whispers that BOY's are coming to that one ! Oh to be 13 again

Lancaster Lodge

Just a very brief posting to let you all know we are now in our new home & we love it. Still very busy cos we have much work to do on little old Lyons Road, but we will get there eventually. Much thanks & gratitude & love to all of you who so far have helped out, in no particular order; Stui, Tony, Andre, Pepe & Mr Bob Harris

I will post pics when I find the camera & stay tuned for housewarming details.

Tony.......... a little something for you that tickled my bits & I know it will tickle yours too. To quote Gareth from "The Office" an idea for putting the cane toads to betta use next time we visit our loved ones in Cairns.

"I could catch a monkey. If I was starving I could. I’d make poison darts out of the poison of the deadly frogs. One milligram of that poison can kill a monkey. Or a man. Prick yourself & you’d be dead in a day. Or longer. Different frogs, different times"

Wot's Up With Us

Well hello everyone it's been a long time since the last post, life is so busy at the moment that there always seems to be something else to do, well I thought I would make it a priority to give you all an update - thanks for waiting, big kisses x

I got all inspired after reading my clever friend Kaz's exploits on her blog.

We have much on the go at the moment. We have to fix up our place here at Lyons Road so we can move onto the next home. This place is far too small as you all know. We have Emily & Simon Tuesday nights, Emily goes back home to sleep but Simon stays over - he catches the bus to school. They both sleep over every Thursday & Wayne & I take turns in taking Emily to school on Friday's. They then stay over every second Friday & Saturday and go home on Sunday nights. Simon is sleeping over more & more because he can get here & back to school on his own now he is in high school. Needless to say it is around 24 trips to and from Coldstream each month - quite expensive & time consuming. Emily is at high school next year so when she get's settled in she should also be able to come & go under her own steam which should save us a lot of work.

This brings us onto the next venture of finding a new home. We have to stay in a fairly small corridor being either Croydon or Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark or Lilydale so the kids can get to us by school bus. I have been looking daily on the internet now for around six months, occassionally going to look at places that look okay but unless we spend over $400,000 !!!! there is nothing suitable. We are looking for a minimum of four bedrooms & two living areas, it is really hard finding a place for a family we have part time and a family we may or may not have without spending a fortune.

Wayne was totally against building it was simply not up for discussion, but since watching me try and find something he has now reached me halfway in the conclusion that if we are going to have to spend more than $400,000 on something that sort of suits, that building is the road we are going to travel. If we build we can get a house we want that no-one else has lived in, with everything that we want from colours to tiles to room sizes - the list goes on. A good kitchen is very important to both of us so we can get exactly what we want as well as the added bonus of Wayne's lifelong dream of a home theatre room ! My dream of a large bedroom / retreat is also what we will be able to get. BRING IT ON....

I have so far found land & house packages with Bell Real Estate that look awesome, we will check this out but I am also keen of building with Porter Davis Homes if it fit's the budget. So I am waiting on an info pack to come from Porter Davis. Wayne is away camping at Noojee with Andre this weekend so we will look at land together next weekend and start the ball rolling.

Back at Lyons Road we need to have the guttering and fascias done, the roof to be given a new lease of life, gardens and verandah's to be done. Driveway to be put in and then new internal doors, painting & new plasterwork - big job & pain to get done in between work & the kids. Say no more.

We recently went to George Szymanki's surprise 80th which was great - he was totally surprised & a great nite was had by all. Kimmy got a bit trashed & I believe Caroline has some incriminating video footage we are yet to see - oh dear !

Emily's basketball team got into the grand final this Tuesday night, they put up a good fight but they lost, on a brighter note Emily got a trophy which was great !

On the calendar coming up we have Simon's 14th birthday in October and we are taking him skydiving ! Uncle Tony cannot afford it this time but he is coming & will have to patiently watch on the ground. I am taking the kids to the show with Kylie later this month, we will be sure to pack food & drinks so our money can be spent on better things.

I have started up a new business venture which should be quite exciting. I have much work to do to get it off the ground, all I have done at this stage is to register a business name and secure my website domains. I have been looking at this idea for a few years now, & every now & again I checked that the business name & domain names were available & they were taken. Well the uncanny thing is, that one day I was sitting at work & thinking to myself about the business idea again and lo and behold I came back from lunch & a quote from one of those desk calendars had appeared on my desk which was really freaky. The quote said "Half the things that people do not succeed in, are through fear of making the attempt" WELL I took it as a sign & got on the web & checked the availability of the business name & domains names and they were AVAILABLE for the first time ! I quickly registered them & they are now mine ! The name of the business is Essential Heart & my websites will be essentialheart.com & essentialheart.com.au (they are not up & running yet). I will be selling Essential Oils, Essential Oil Blends, Body Lotions, Candles, Oil Burners etc. The timing seems right, I have a friend Tracey who has just left work on maternity leave & her & her husband have just bought a printing business, so there is all my labelling & paperwork at wholesale prices. Another friend, is studying massage & will need bulk massage oils so there is a customer & a friend I work with, Clive, designs web pages & he has offered to design me a website for free. I think the universe it telling me something.

I now need to do a lot of research & learn about small business, tax implications & how I want to structure it ie. party plan or website or e-bay or markets or all of the above. I also need to design a logo & paperwork & look & feel for the business. I want to start it out looking professional & succeed with it. So, I am going to take my time & launch it properly.

Tonight I am going on a ghost tour by lamplight through the city which should be awesome ! only thing I didn't factor in was I would be coming home to an empty house - SHUDDER SHAKE - oh well I can always leave the lights on. Anyway better go for now, need to fire up & get into some housework before heading off to Westy & Michelle's for a gourmet home made seafood dinner !

Next post I will pop some photo's on, havn't had the camera on much lately but I should be able to find something !

Love, hugs, kisses & angel wishes to you all x

Back to Melbourne & Wedding Pix

Sorry, I havn't posted for a while, it has taken quite some effort to get back into the swing of things, can't say we are there just yet, but it is happening slowly. We havn't got the photographers photos yet, but here are some that were taken. I have put them in order of events "Bucks & Hens Recon.Trip" "Bucks & Hens Weeekend" "The Night Before" at Phil & Neates, "Getting Ready" "The Ceremony" & then "The Reception" it was the BEST weekend - enjoy !

We went from the hottest weekend since the recording of weather began - 150 years - for the hens & bucks weekend to the heaviest rainfall in the history of Phillip Island for the wedding - what a ride ! & a good lesson in learning you can't control everything, and nor do you need to - it was all perfect.

The recurring feedback we received from the reception were the comments on the group of friends that we had, especially the tone that the speeches set that everyone saw what amazing people we have in our lives & the sense of effortless love & closeness surrounding us all. We know & appreciate that & love you all for it. It was so nice that it was so palpable to all. THANKYOU to all our family, bridal party & guests. With all our hearts - we love you x

Special thankyou's in no particular order

Kaz just for being you. Also for your contribution to the Hens & Bucks weekend, the poem was awesome & also for your beautiful & heartfelt speech at the wedding & for the foot massage when getting our hair done & for your gifts which we treasure. Kaz & Damian & Kylin for coming all the way from Cairns and for being there always, we LOVE you all x
Andre for EVERYTHING you did which is too much to mention, you know what it all was & so do we. You were involved in absolutely everything & you did it all so well. We appreciate you & thank you & love you x
Kylie for just getting stuff done on the day & being there, nothing was too much effort, sorry bout the rain, it spoiled your ironing just a little bit x
Jan what can I say, you did so much in so many many way's. WE LOVE YOU. You were there for me day in day out for months & were so generous with your love, time & support & in every way any person could be, you were were my rock & you made it all so much easier - we had a great ride, sorry to keep you waiting so long x
Tony you did us proud as Best Man & Matron of Honour. WE LOVE YOU, your speech rocked, it bought a tear to our eyes, there is nothing to stress over when you speak from the heart which you did so eloquently, thankyou for everything.
Muzzy it was so nice to spend time with you before & after the wedding, thankyou for you & your generosity, being an awesome bridesmaid & for your car as a wedding car it was HOT ! we love you long time x
Simon & Emily what can we say, you guy's really were the best, you both made everything easy on the day & we had a great weekend. Simon you were super cool & cruised along & Emily, you were the best bridesmaid any Stepmother could wish for, you were just the most helpful, dedicated, sweetest & thoughtful girl, I will always cherish that day - we LOVE YOU both xxxxxx
Alison you blitzed the makeup & made the girls look gorgeous, thankyou, it was unplanned but so welcome, you took a huge weight off our shoulders & I thank you for it x
Mum for your beautiful speech & all your help during the day. I know I got a bit stressed at times, but I do appreciate everything you did.
Mum & Dad for walking me across the sand together as a family to my waiting husband.
Last but not least to Jackson, Ash & Holly-Bear for helping with the rings & bubbles & programmes, you all did such a great job & all looked gorgeous, oh & handsome - sorry Jackman ! we love you all x
To Darren my FABULOUS hairdresser for making us girls look good
Jenny & Harley for hosting such an awesome weekend & a fantastic wedding. The food was exquisite & the setting amazing. I am sure your beautiful gardens have made for some stunning photo's. Also a big thankyou to your daughter & chef x
Tess for your amazing gifts & then the wonderful surprise on our wedding day. Your speech sent from afar was beautiful, and we look forward to cashing in our wedding gift on Jetstar too come & see you in MacKay ASAP x
Also thankyou to every one of our wedding guests, for making the trip down to Phillip Island to share the day with us & making our day perfect. A very big thankyou to Connie & Jon & Carolyn & Tim for coming from interstate









Did Andre do something naughty - sure looks that way

After some stiff competition from Jan

Mez & Farmer were Victorious - Mmmm do I hear Wedding Bells

Cath & Kim & Connies preganant tootsies, having a much needed rest !

The Dress

The KISS

Waynes Speech

Luscious Kaz !

Luscious Muz !

Tony & Greg (Pepe) Doin what they do...

Cindy & her "other" Pom !

Photo of the Week

Now that we are back home & getting settled back in after our world travels, I have been going through our photo's & came across this little gem - it is not a recent photo, but I LOVE IT & it made me smile when I saw it, so worth a post. It brings back great memories of a great week, it was taken at Cairns, the week of Kaz & Damian's wedding. After that Kim, Wayne & Tonee went off to Port Douglas for a week of debauchery - it ROCKED. Enjoy x

G' Day from Koh Samui

Hi There - are you having withdrawal's from us, cos even though we are in PARADISE lost, we are missing you all. Mmmmm, bit gushy, probably regret that statement when we leave but well - you know ! We are ready to come home even though it has all been FABULOUS & beyond our wildest expectations.

Let me try & give you a bit of Koh Samui.

Upon our arrival our king sized bed was decorated in red rose petals in the shape of a heart, there was also a scattering of orchids, a box of roses & also a welcome Honeymoon letter. They also gave us a "Happy Honeymoon" Cake & Fresh Fruit - WOW !

No clouds in the sky, around 35 degress with humidity in the high 90's. A resort that is five star, I think they ranked it wrong I believe it should be at least a nine ! We have two massive swimming pools to choose from, a spa on site - not the bubbly sort (well there is that, but also there is the massage & facial & special treatment type of which I have indulged) I had two and a half hours of the works burger. Massage top to toe & then the most fantastic spirulina facial, it was to
die for and so cheap I could go every day but then that is wasting cocktail and / or eating time either in the pool or by the pool or on the beach even !

Take a look at the resort at http://www.amari.com/palmreef/ & don't hate us - ha ha six day's in heaven & it has been. We have walked up and down the beach at Chaewong & cannot find anything that comes close. Check out the rooms & reservations section & then check out the deluxe room & get a little sample of our life here at the moment.

EVERYTHING is exquisite, way beyond anything we have ever experienced luxury wise. It is a total Feng Shui experience. Prior to this experience Wayne was not a fan of the old Feng Shui, nor I - but to quote Wayne, he thought that if everything was "in the Barge Arse position" that was the sum of Feng Shui ! & I kinda had to agree. He & I have changed our minds & when we get home I will entertain you with a bit more Feng Shui... and pole dancing is not Feng Shui AT ALL in case you were wondering. Also I don't think that Wayne will ever stop flashing his bottoms at any opportunity no matter what. But you know some things never change :-)

All that aside, Koh Samui is a total sensory experience, from the gardens to the water features flowing through them to the essential oils burning, to the way the paths meander through the resort, to the presentation of EVERYTHING, it is amazing & will go into more detail at home. It is so exquisite that it makes even a Japanese Garden look really ugly - I am not a fan of Japanese gardens but some people find them appealing ! The people are beautiful, so gentle and humble & polite. They literally serve you, you cannot pull out your own chair to eat or if you go down to the beach they will offer to bring you a deck chair & take drinks orders or food orders. If you look hot they bring you cold face towels infused with essential oils - they are there 100% without being intrusive

Once again we have eaten truly amazing food & enjoyed room service after eating, gosh are we really food pigs - mmmm I think so, but I don't know how you cannot be in the face of such divinity.

Andre, glad to hear you have been eating in sympathy & going broke - now you can bash bellies & compare empty wallets with your cojoined long lost, soon to be reunited with, Buble x

Tony you would LOVE it here, they have Scuba Diving & Jet Ski's & every other water sport you could imagine. We are coming back for a fourteen night stay in around two years & they we will indulge in all of that - but for now, this time, we are just chillin !

Ooh Wayne made a very useful friend this time, the manager of the hotel, Marcus who has given us his personal business card & invited us to email him personally when we return next as he rewards loyalty & return visits & is promising a special rate ! I do LOVE my Buble

At nights we walk along the beach and just stop at any place that looks good for a couple of drinks & move on to the next one. All the resorts have deck chairs out the front & you are welcome to eat or drink at any of them while you look out over the aqua blue ocean with the whitest finest sand which by the way is warm ! Ooh Ahhh, must go now - Buble just walked in after sampling a local bar & I too am enticed

After this standard of living & service over the last few days, we would like to announce that we do expect a very warm Sawadee upon our return this Wednesday ! Nah, whatever, just your cuddles & kisses will be GREAT.

Love to you all xxxxxx Mr & Mrs L

Rome

Hello everyone

Not even updated Rome...... it's all too much !

Florence or Firenze to the locals - aka Gastronomic HEAVEN !

Hi all. I have posted you all replies back to your comments at the last post(s), so make sure you go back & check them out - they are ALL very special.

We are in Florence or Firenze (Italian) at the moment. Has been really difficult both finding an internet connection & the time to post - so apologise for that.

I have much to write but we are at yet the end of another EXHAUSTING yet AWESOME day. It is 11.40pm here & we are really tired so I promise to post either tomorrow or the next day.

We are going to a small place out of Florence tomorrow at Damian & Kaz's recommendation. We have done the city to death on foot, so will see a bit of the countryside tomorrow. We then leave for Rome on Saturday morning.

The food here is just BEYOND, we are in gastronomic heaven, I have nothing back home to even slightly compare it to. We thought France was good but this is just the best.......... even though 1 Euro = 2 AUD we just can't skimp. As an example, 2 coffees & 1 slice of Apple Pie today cost 13 Euro which is 26.00 AUD. As you can imagine, it is KILLING us but, what do you do - well you certainly can't sit by & watch everone else eat even if you won't eat for a year upon your return home....

Gotta go now - post soon

Love you & miss you all x

BOUT TIME I GOT OFF MY ARSE posted Bublé himself !

Ayup all. Hope your all keeping well. Kim's having a little coma......No, she's not done the usual!!! It's just that we have walked about as much as Scott of the Antarctic in the last few weeks and as fit as she is, it has taken it's toll on her.

WIPE THAT SMIRK OFF YOUR FACES!

Well, I'm so bloody slow on the keyboard that I'm just gonna post some shots. Hope you don't mind. But if you do.......bollocks......cappich. (Don't know how to spell kappich.....How embarrassing.)

So then.

Some snaps.




Notre Dame



























Le Biggus Bennus














More of the hunchbacks house. This is the arch above the main entrance. Stunning!












Kimmy, cold but happy














Still cold....Still happy











Unfortunately she's not too good at getting rid of proffesional beggers and unwanted artists. She's not getting any better at it either bless her.







Locall artist's work on the banks of the Seine











There was a lot of police at Buckingham palace with really big machine guns so i thought i should act as inbred as possible. Still didn't get me thru the gates though







Part of the back of the Louvre. The biggest gallery I have ever seen. Very grand. Can't do it justice with a camera!












Not bad ey?













Really really happy Kim!!!!
Louvre joy













Saint Paul's in London. Sorry bout the order but I'm not very good with Linux. Give me windows for f--ks sake














Trying to be a bit arty with St Pauls. This is the front. Gobsmacking little joint!














The view from the dome.





























She was so happy to spot the tower for the 1st time she just had to stick her hand in a bum!













A shop we were thinking of buying.














In a wee pub in Paris called The Wall. We were blitzed by 2 pm!!! I LOVE MY LEFFE. DON'T TOUCH MY LEFFE!!!!!!












The owner' Nicolas. We were his best customers that day I think. He took me on a trip down memory lane by playing all the old 70's metal that I used to headbang to. We likey Nicolas!











Not too far from home















You got to love Paris.













We did!














Very much!













Bullet hole????













Why would you shoot a statue?













Back to the hunchbacks joint. This is a little dwelling on the grounds of the cathedral. I just liked the lines and the contrast. Forgive my wankiness.

Okey dokey. I've been gone for a while. Kim will think that I have ran out of luck and actually got myself arrested this time. Keep you guessing about that tale. Tell you when we get home.

Take care y'all now. Love ya's all and miss you sometimes. :o) tata from me xx