Hi everyone,
I have been having computer trouble again so I am a bit late blogging. It's been a busy week so far as I am trying to skip ahead of my schedule which is not easy when I keep getting interupted. That's one of the down sides of working from home, there are always distractions. My two biggest are Polly and Pippi who want to go for walks all the time. I feel so torn as I would love to spend hours out there in the spring sunshine. We had a four day break at our beach house but the weather was more rain and cloud than sunshine but it didn't really matter. I didn't get much writing done but I read a lot which was great.
I have started my Christmas cake and pudding and they are sitting on the bench while the rum and brandy does what it is supposed to do. I have even bought a couple of gifts although I am not sure I will be able to maintain such organisation. When the creative juices are flowing I have to make that my priority.
My thoughts are with all of you who reside in California, the fires have been shocking.
Take care,
Melanie

Hi gang,
I have been given a reprieve. I went to Melbourne with my hospital bag packed and the foot and ankle specialist took a close look at my bone scan and decided to give me three months taping my foot to see if the bone heals by itself. No crutches! No pain! It was a huge relief although I still have to be careful with my foot. No fancy heels just yet. So instead of surgery I went shopping, that's fair enough right?
I am working on a new Presents after putting aside 40 pages of another work. I don't normally do that but this time I felt I needed to write afresh. The characters are so real this time I know I did the right thing. I have to write from the heart, if I don't believe in the characters or the plot I figure no one else will. I'm up to 40 pages in any case now which only took three days so I feel much happier. My goal is ten pages a day, it's a lot I know but so far I've done more each day.
We had a full day of rain yesterday which was lovely for our garden. With summer around the corner we really need the rain to dampen things a bit otherwise we could be in for more bushfires.
Have a fabulous week everyone.
Cheers
Melanie

Hi folks, Well one more sleep before I head to Melbourne for my stint on crutches. I am hoping being a little housebound will mean lots of writing will get done. That is the plan anyway! It's rather annoying as the weather is just lovely right now, the lengthening evenings are just perfect for walking the dogs after dinner but I can't see myself hopping around the block with them for the next few weeks. Others will have the pleasure instead, boo hoo.

The downhill run to Christmas is about to begin. I haven't seen any decorations as yet but it won't be long. I have got my ingredients ready to do my pudding and cake as I figured I would be at home a lot and I usually do them by early November to let them mature. I love the traditions of the season although it can be stressful at times making sure everything gets done.

It is really windy outside which means I will have to be on the lookout for baby birds who often get tossed out in the wind. Mango our son's fiancee's cat is not much of a hunter but his eyes have been bulging just lately as the birds in our garden have been very vocal and active, especially around our fountain. He and Polly get on so well it is a delight to watch them play. I think he thinks he is a dog. He is always waiting at the front door when I come in with the dogs from a walk-it's like he's saying why didn't you take me too?

Have a great week,
Melanie

Hi everyone,

Well I have just over a week to go until I have to have another small operation on my foot. The pin snapped before my bone healed so I have been walking (er let's make that limping) for about eight months on a unhealed fracture. It means another month on crutches which I really loathe as my office is upstairs and I hate hopping up and down all the time. I shall have to cut down on my cups of teas or bring a kettle up to my office. The day I come out of hospital we were flying to Townsville for my husband's conference. I am not sure how I will handle being in a tropical climate and not able to swim. It seems like a form of torture to me!

I hope you have a good week and that things are going well in your part of the world. I have our local paper coming this afternoon to do a feature on Steve and I as a Hobart high profile couple. It has meant a bit of a mad clean up as it is amazing how cluttered the house becomes when we are both so busy. The garden looks lovely at this time of year so maybe I'll steer them out there!

All the best,

Melanie