M had a lovely birthday. All went according to plan. Left his present to kind of the last minute (i.e - put in the winning bid on a Makita Plunge Router just before lunch - thank you Ebay.com.au - and was running to pick it up at ten to six that night for birthday the following day) but all was well. Caught the ferry from Williamstown to St Kilda pier and had several friends waiting in the cafe at the end of the pier to yell ‘SUPRISE!’ which they did. Though it was v.funny when the ferry was nearing the pier as I suddenly spied D, Rie and Jack scuttling toward the cafe full pelt; I remarked gaily on the distance we had travelled while pointing behind us and M never saw a thing. Was lovely; got an awesome cake from the French Lettuce - the cake shop of my dreams and we presented it topped with a sparkler.

It is now official. Bidston Moss will be having two babies! One via Mung/Rachael and one via Christian/Meegan - it’s definitely the least labour intensive way for Christine and myself ;o)

Told my boss that I was leaving :o(
I came in early to gather courage for the deed - he wandered in and I just splurted it out. Oh dear. He said it’s terrible news, but I have to do what I have to do. He does think it’s good that we’re going to be able to hang out with M’s mum, but I will be missed here. I said that I didn’t want to sever my ties with the centre and he said that he might be able to sort out some kind of online part time work for me, but that he wouldn’t really know until Easter. Oh dear. I feel terrible - I actually like my job, but my need to move is greater, so…

I bought a HiAce Van! That’s when moving became rather real. It was $900 - it looks like this without the poptop or side windows. M is going hunting at the wreckers for a few bits and pieces and then all it needs for a roadworthy is a couple of tyres and a new windscreen - so hopefully it will be all sorted for under $2000 (which is what most companies would charge to move our furniture etc to Hervey Bay - but this way we get an extra car to keep!) The guy who sold it to us turned out to be a mobile mechanic, so we figured that was a good sign.

Yesterday I waxed the Humber and polished all the hubcaps and trim. it looks killer! Now I have to begin on the interior…hmmm. Daylight saving finished yesterday - which doubled as the longest day in the world - and that is usually my cue to lapse into depression. As Winter gets nearer I end up leaving for work in the dark and returning in the dark - bleugh - but with the thought that I am actually doing something constructive about getting myself to a warmer climate, I don’t feel my usual slump coming on. Yes. I know it’s Spring in Iowa.