Holiday envy

I'm suffering a little from holiday envy at the moment.

Raechel and Vanessa are currently in US of A enjoying a 6 week holiday from West to East. Mostly a contiki tour (next tour would be Antiqiki as Raech says) and their own travels before and afterwards.

Not to worry though as Jon, Ryan and I look forward to our own mini-holiday soon to the Gold Coast - the countdown is on.

The day after our return home from the holiday, our friend Jess arrives from Adelaide to spend a lovely long weekend with us. [Ideas on what you might like to do whilst you are here Jess??]

I still have holiday envy for those big trips that people everywhere around me seem to be going on but overall, I'm happy to get away local (wonder how Ryan will do with his first flight) and relax, relax, relax!!

Have you any planned holidays? Will it make other people envious??

I don't necessarily think its the destination that people have always have envy of but rather the thought of having a holiday, getting a break from work and getting away 'from it all'.

Nat

Latest update

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since either of us have had a chance to update the blog with what has been happening.

Obviously a lot has happened in the past year but at the same time, everything is the same and doesn't feel like it has changed.

I suppose the only difference is that we run after a little toddler now and our world revolves more around a little person and their daily routine rather than just our own. But, that is not a drama and it doesn't feel like it has made a huge impact on us OR if our life has dramatically shifted because of Ryan. Its just different and that is good.

I think one of the most other significant things that has happened is that Jon has created his own business and is now running it 'on the side' so it doesn't interfere with his current full-time job.

It has been a slow start but a good start, in fact its better than no start. The name is registered, it has its own web address (www.onlinegeek.com.au) and its a matter of building the website around it properly and progressing on it what Jon actually wants to do.

Obviously Jon is a Mister Fix-it man but he is more than that so it is a matter of tapping into that mind and having it out there so that he appeals to people.

If you have any hints or ideas, please feel free to comment and let us know.

I'm realising how fast this year is already progressing, its like you blink and there goes another week; there goes another month.

I'm also finding that recorded tv shows (well, catching up on them) play a big part of that when we have the time to sit down and actually catch up it - i helps the time lapse!!

One thing i have had swamming around in my mind is: what am i doing with my life? What am i doing with my career?

I know that i'm not the first person to experience this and have that dilemma present itself every now and then but at the same time - its such a tough mental place to be in and work out (try to work out) what direction your life is heading and if it is where you want to be.

Surely a lifestyle change is on the cards at some stage - its a matter of progress and when. Oh, and lets not forget the all important $$$.

As I'm getting older and realising more and more the importance of life and how short it is (when never know when it will end), i've jumped on that bandwagon of not wanting my life to be the same day in and day out and having to work to pay for its day to day existence.... it is a fact of life but it doesn't necessarily make it a good one.

I need to get creative. I've been mind searching some ideas of where I can get my business up and running but it being a matter of what?!?!?!

Keep your eyes open as i propose to reinvest this now outdated blog of ours, give look a bit of an overhaul and also keep more updates - hopefully interesting ones - happening!!

Check back soon,
Nat

Here we are!!

Whoa, just logged in and realised that it has been a year since we last posted a blog post. As you know, a lot has happened within that year and Ryan the Lion has entered our world.

Ryan is now 9 weeks old and a little soldier. He's had a few little health probs here and there but he's getting through them and still smiles at us each day now.

We went out for coffee today and there was a customer who could not stopping commenting on Ryan and his hair and kept talking about him to her husband and having him to look. She was very taken but he couldn't care less. Of course Ryan is gorgeous and his hair is cute, the colouring and the fact that he doesn't need product to keep it sticking up. It grows very quickly and he'll need his very first haircut very soon before it gets too long and he'll look like a son of celebrity kid where they actually look like girls because their hair is too long!! Elle Macpherson's ring a bell? Actually, Cindy Crawford too - come to think of it, models need to get over the whole long hair thing!!

Anyway, Nat's been enjoying spending each and every day with Ryan (something wrong if she didn't) and we just don't know what happens to our days, and our weeks. They are flying by and before we know it, it is Saturday again and we say 'Ryan is (x amount of) weeks old now' and before we know it, he'll be a year old.

Nat was thinking how she can't wait until he's at this milestone and that milestone but today, she really realised how much she needs to enjoy it day at this age because she may miss it when he is older and running around. Overall, we LOVE each day!!! Ryan is the light of our lives. He keeps us on our feet now, imagine when he's on his own feet!

Anyway, we are looking forward to dinner with Zoe and Joe this Saturday night. Ryan is sleeping over at Grandma and Grandad's, so Nat will look forward to having a couple of drinks. What is funny is the other day, Ryan was having a bad day where he would only sleep for 20mins here and there and Grandma dropped by and said 'you won't do that for Grandma's' and he was looking at her at the time and as if on time, he had a huge smile on his face. She made a separate comment and again, a huge smile - as if on cue. We were laughing....

We're looking forward to a grown-ups night. Nat was always one to say that she doesn't want to be one of those mothers that talk about their kids all the time but as much as she wants to help it (by stopping) by having other things to talk about, she has come to realise that at this stage, you really don't have much to talk about but because your day and night is taken up by this little gorgeous boy and you really do lose out on alot of general conversation. But, i suppose, it is how you make it!!

Anyway, thinking that is enough for now as it is late and the eyelids are closing involuntarily because they are so heavy.

Til next time, and hopefully it won't be as long.

Cheers,
J&N

We're back!!

Hi all,

Here we are again. Our lives have been so busy lately and there are not many hours in the day and there is not enough days on the weekend.

Jon has been busy and travelling with work lately and Nat is learning to get used to that - which he's really proud of. Though the kids appear to be great company.....

Nat decided to have a night out and had a great time letting loose last night. She didn't do too bad and only had a slight hangover but like always, Jon was there to pick her up to make sure she got home safe. Anna seemed to be a little more worse for wear and hit a wall (not literally) but the funniest part of the night was Anna being refused entry to The Establishment for being 'drunk'. Come to think of it, it was a very 'diverse' night as Nat is aussie, Anna is american, Kevin is irish, Loren (sp?) is kiwi and Peter is dutch.

At the moment we are doing a countdown to Nat's 30th birthday and Nat has no idea what is planned nor is she allowed any input. Also Raechel (and Vanessa) are leaving a couple of days afterwards for Russia (since she was away for Nat's birthday last year). Raech has the travel bug big time.

We are currently getting our act back together and want to finish painting the [inside] house ASAP and the sooner the better, that way it is out of the way.

That's all from us for now but we'll update shortly.

Regards,
Jon and Nat

PS. Jon wants to know how he got so lucky with the bestest and hottest wife!!

Happy Easter

Happy easter everyone, we hope that you all have a great time with your family and friends.

Loves,
Jon and Nat

Recent holiday

We recently went on a holiday to the Gold Coast for a week - it was definitely needed (we hadn't had one in sooo long)!! We stayed at our usual apartment complex in Main Beach and had a great time relaxing and (trying) to sleep-in.

It rained the first 2 days but that didn't bother us, we still went swimming (and shopping)! It perked up on the Wednesday so we just relaxed (more swimming and reading book). We were looking forward to the Thursday!!

We had organised for Jessica (our eldest niece, who is 9) to come up for a few days, which means that Raechel was an escort and able to also have a break. It was funny because we were waiting at the airport to pick them up and we watched them walk through the doors and we called out to Jessica and she waved, had a sheepish funny look and kept walking. Nat had to say Jessica again to get her attention. The reason Jessica kept walking is because Raechel told her that she was going on a business trip and Jess was to accompany her - so she wouldn't cotton on that she would be with us.

I think she was tired and a little overwhelmed by her (first) flight.

We then spent the day together and that night we went to Outback Spectacular, it was amazing and we had a great time (Jess wanted to do it again the following night). Whilst we were waiting to go in, we ran into our friend Michael Limnos (which was a complete spin-out) but also great to see him.

On the Friday we took Jessica to Movie World and she had a great time. Though it is a bit smaller for us adults than when we were younger. It was a great day and Jess' happiness was all that mattered.

So, that night we all went to Hard Rock Cafe - the only one left in Australia now. Raech and Nat had a great time taking the mickey out of each other AND getting tipsy, Jon had a great time and Jessica thought she was the beez neez. We went to the night markets on the beach afterwards and Jess gained herself a great 'foam' lizard.

We were returning Saturday night so on Saturday we took Jess to TimeZone then afterwards to Brisbane city for a looky look. We had a great flight home and the time went all too quickly.

We were just happy to relax, go swimming everyday and surprise Jessica.

Oh, did we mention that we had a comp upgrade to a Toyota Aurion Sportivo?? Well, it was noice!! :-)

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Dear all,

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Cheers,
J&N

Happy New Year!!

Hey everyone and happy new year!!

We hope that you all had a great christmas and new year, as well as a great break from work. We know that we did.

It was great to see Brad again, who paid us a nice visit.

Here's to 2008 and let's hope that it will be a great year.

J&N

Well, it's official - not only is christmas right around the corner, it is next door. What has happened to this year?? Each day passes quicker than the last and it's totally escaping us. We have been so unprepared this year and that is not something that we are used to and we will need to rectify next year.

Needless to say, we are ready to write off this year and get on with the next one (well February at least for a little break we have planned, not to mention a surprise trip for one of our nieces being bundled within that). We're totally burnt out, we have not had a 'holiday' in over a year now (not complaining as others have it worse but you can really feel it).

We've been having quite a few parties to attend at this time of year - engagement, birthdays, xmas. All we can say is that we don't plan on having kids between the months of September - December [not needing to mention that Beck has the months of September and October covered with the birthdays of her charges??]

Work has been going well for both of us and (not to sound like a broken record), its the same ol' same. Jon's learning more and enjoying more and Nat has been absolutely flat-out (more and more so).

Lately we have been thinking about renovating the house a little and/or moving.... we haven't quite decided what we want to do but we'll most probably scope out the housing market in the areas we prefer, for the next 12 months, and in the meantime just touch up the current house a little bit. Its been five years (which has totally flown) but the house is starting to show its age a little now (to us it does but to others it doesn't).

Anyway, we'll talk to you all shortly and in any case, wish you a Merry Christmas.

Update

Well, it's official, we are complete and utter slackers!!

We let life get past us so quickly and at the same time, don't even think about updating this page at all. Anyway, we hope that this can change and we'll be able to bring you more on what has been happening - though mostly mundane things.

Firstly, we both enjoyed a little bit of a 'long' weekend away in the Hunter Valley. We didn't want to have a packed 'timetable' so we decided to just go to the wineries that we wanted to and then relax and look around the rest of the time. After collecting Jon from work on the Friday, our first stop was at our accommodation: Potters Brewery. We were quite surprised at the niceness of our villa, wasn't what we had expected yet it fitted quite nicely. It is in a great location and you're situated just behind the pub so somewhere to chill out and relax and have a few drinks.

As most of your know, we aren't much of a drinker and in saying that - Jon's not a wine person and Nat's not a beer person but we compromised and Jon drank wine and Nat drank beeer!!

After checking in and having a little look around the place, we decided to go for a drive to Nightingale Wines in Broke (very nice wine/port/dessert wine - Craig and his wife are lovely. Though most people remember you when you say that the last time you went you wore a cowboy hat with a tiara and a feather boa with a group of gals). BTW, Craig says hello to all the girls and Nat told him that you will all be back in January!!

Anyway, as that is a bit of a drive out, on the way back we stopped at Bluetongue brewery. There's not much there at all to be honest but Jon tried the beer tasting tray and he liked it so much he ended up taking the tray and glasses with us :-) Should we say, walked away with them and if anyone asked what he was doing he was going to say 'I didn't want to return it and have a free middy so I decided to take it with me'.

By the way, we drove past Tempus Two and the stage is being built for Elton John's concert on December 1 - its going to be huge and busy for whoever goes to his concert!!

We went back to the villa and Jon enjoyed a little bit of a swim (nice pools that they have!!). We then went to the pub and we both had a beer tasting tray each. What can I say, these tasting glasses were huge!!! I liked a couple of them, we really thought that we would like the American Pale Ale but it wasn't nice and it was a bit spicy. We associate that kind of spice in food, not drinks. It was definitely an eye-opener for Nat but she did well in giving it a go and Kolsch had to be our favourite. We just lazed around for a couple of hours before having dinner there. Look, the food is really great but Potters bistro/restaurant area has really changed from a few months ago. The big black board with menu is no longer there (which is a shame) and their variety of meals aren't that many but the food is still great, so that is a plus. We even had a bottle of wine to share - well done Jon!!!

Anyway, we were shattered (not literally but more from tiredness and travelling) so we hit the hay very early and had 10 hours sleep. You can't even to pretend to sleep in for a little because it is light too early.

Anyway, the highlight must have been waking to the fridge turning itself off and having warm milk, so no brekky for us!!! Mysterious why it turned off but Nat re-set it and it was fine for the rest of the stay.

Anyway, after getting ready and it not being 10am just yet (as wineries don't open until this time), we went to the Hunter Valley Gardens/Shops - which is always nice to look around and have a little bit of a geeze. Jon hadn't been here before so he enjoyed a nice stroll around the place, we enjoyed a lovely coffee at the speciality coffee shop. Since Raechel has been back home from Europe and she told us that she likes Irn-Brun (sp?), a scottish drink which she'll have to wait until tonight to get, we were able to get a bottle from the British lolly shop but April had to luck out as we couldn't find any Black Rock lollies, Jon got his fav Reece peanut butter cups - ergh!!. Nat was able to find a lovely gift for she choose from the box for Kris Kringle at work.

We then set-out to the wineries (meanwhile Jon enjoyed being the passenger and sightseeing as Nat drove all weekend, thank god there are no RBT's). Our first stop was Tulloch, one of Nat's fav. We enjoyed tasting and couldn't resist buying up there. Plus we love how wineries do bread and olive oil these days - have you noticed that?? At least it puts a little something in the stomach, especially with an empty stomach - naughty, naughty.

Second winery for the day was Robyn Drayton wines. Nat loves the labelling/colour/picture but not forgetting the 'foreplay' either, their Botrytis Semillion. Nat was sad to see that they were sold out of foreplay but hopefully they'll have new stock in January when she returns. We did grab some lovely white wine and a bottle of white port, which goes down nice. They were so flat out with the number of people on tours there but we still managed to get special attention, which was great. Girls, remember the really cracker of blonde who worked there?? Well, she wasn't there this time but she may next time - we'll have to wait and see.

Third and last stop for the day (told you we weren't going to overdo it), was Golden Grape. This isn't exactly the best place for wine etc. We pretty much only went there as Nat wanted to buy more Coolaya (sp?) - sparkling strawberry wine in time for Xmas day but also had to check out Jon downing a shot of chilli schnapps - that was a sight to behold, Nat was certain that Jon almost became a fire breather, he finished off the glass bottle of water that they provided and had to go looking for another. An absolute cracker!!!

Nat had only one wish in terms of dining and that was that she wanted to trying Amanda's on the edge http://www.amandas.com.au/. This place is better than the website shows. We paid for it but it was absolutely delicious and very competitive with Sydney dining - definitely have to go back. The waitress and service were tremendous and we sat on the patio outside - it was absolutely perfect. Here we go:

Filo wrapped scallops
Lamb rump with baby spinach leaves, eggplant salsa
(surprising this came with olives, which Nat hates, but she ate - that's how good it was)

Caesar salad (really nice)
Chicken with labna stuffing (soft cheese)

Very, very nice and definitely a must!!

So we ended up going back to the villa where Jon enjoyed another swim. We went back to the pub and Jon's mate Nando was going to pop around (as he was in the Valley) but time got away and was unable to go in time so we still sat there and drank and relaxed.

We had dinner booked for Blaxlands Grill so got ready for that. It got off to a bad start as soon as we got there and was the only downer over the whole weekend. We rocked up and they didn't have our booking down (thumbs down) but the lady was nice enough to 'find us a table'. So we sat down to cruddy menus and after a little while the waitress (if that is what you'd call her) came to ask if we would like to order but then asks if we saw the specials board that we hadn't seen yet - hellloooo?? she should have know. So she dumps it in front of our table and leaves without an explanation of the menu - by this stage Nat was not happy and Jon kept asking if she was okay and she wouldn't talk. When she was about to say that she didn't want to eat there now, the chicky-dee walks up to take the order and Jon goes 'no, we're going somewhere else, we're not eating here' - so we left. The menu looked unappealing and in such disarray and this was a place that got some good reviews.

Atlas, that didn't dampen our spirits - we ordered in pizza back at the villa instead. It was too late to go anywhere else for dinner. We looked the sight, dressed up in the villa with ordered in pizza from Pizza Hut!! Woohoo!!

Next thing you know, its next morning and we're getting ready to go back home. We left pretty much as soon as we were up and we were home late morning in order to avoid the traffic!!

At last, we are at the end and you know the ins and outs of the weekend but we do have to be descriptive these days so you know how good it is to get away and enjoy a weekender and relax. I think it is the most relaxed Jon's seen Nat in a long time and that's saying something. I guess we'll have to consider buying a weekender someday in order to get away.

Catch ya later,
Jon and Nat

Updates

The only updates that we have so far is the following:

Raech is in Europe...she has done one Contiki tour and as far as we know she had a ball...She went to Scotland and some other parts of England. She has also been to Harrods and a few other places...
We received a postcard the other day saying that she was having a great time!

My sister's unit has settled and so she now has the keys....the current tennants will be there til the end of their lease which is approx end of October.

My Grandmothers house settles today and so it means no more cleaing up for Mum and Dad...they have done a lot of work there already....Nat and I went and helped last weekend. Most of the hard stuff was done so we just had a few little things to move and the chance to say Goodbye to the house.....I've been visiting that house for the last 31 yrs so it's sad to see it go but the new owner is apparantly going to renovate it. I'm happy that he is renovating it rather than knocking it down.

Apart from this we're just enjoying the much needed rain although some parts of the state are getting flooded....this weekend we're going to paint if the weather is good...otherwise we'll relax and catch up on sleep!!.....

Take care..
Jon and Nat..
xoxo

Long time no blogs...

Since our last post we've been busy but when I look back on it there doesn't seem to be alot of exciting news...obviously we survived christmas and New Years....Im sitll working on our spare room (dragging the chain I know) but it's almost done now...the first coats of paint went on over the weekend....tonight there will be some minor ceiling repairs and a wall repair...tomorrow night will be more painting etc...

Nat is still working away...she seems very happy with ehr current role and the company seem to love her! She has been given a laptop to use with work so she can work from home...
Working from home also means that we needed a second line installed which we now have...

The only bad news over the last few months is the death of my Grandfather on March 10. He was 85yrs old. He went to bed and then couldn't be woken the next morning. As sad as it was atleast we were all around him when he passed. My Grandmother has now moved into a nursing home. She has purchased a two bedroom unit. Her first impression was that it was too fancy for her!!....but she seems to love it now!

My family and Nat's family are all going well. Nat's sister Rebecca has moved to Queenbeyan with the kids. We saw them on Mother's Day and they are all happy and well...

Today is Rae's last day at work....she is heading over to Europe in two weeks and will be there for approx 3months!!! Look out Europe!!! Here she comes!!!

Hope everyone is well and staying safe....
Keep in touch!

J.

Latest news..

Hey everyone!
I know it';s been a while since our last post but I thought that I would do a quick post just to let everyone know what is happening in the worlds of Jon and Nat..

Nat is doing a new job at her work...she is now a Client Relationship Administrator and yes she LOVES it! Which is of course Excellent news! (From what I've been told, the advisors that she works with love her as well which is always an added bonus!!

I'm still working in the same role but am of course looking....

I recently did some Saturday work at RBA (Reserve Bank Of Australia) It was fun and new and different....and scary!! Especially when someone tells you that the server you are moving is worth half a million dollars!!!!

Yesterday we had our work Xmas party at Sails Restaurant which was very nice! Excellent view of Sydney Harbour and the bridge. Well what I can remember....we had beers plus Black Russians and Margarhita's etc...

I am also interested in buying a scooter to go to the train station and back....5km each way...
So far I have been looking at Aprilia Mojito's








But will have to wait and see how the finances go....

Bye for now...
J.

Australian Idol

Okay - we are cheesy but have to admit that this is one reality show that we do watch. It is down to the final 3 and tonight we find out will go on to sing at the Opera House.

We hope that Jessica and Damian go through, but who knows??

We must say - that we are not committed enough to the show in order to vote - so that must account for something?? :-)

We're back!!

Okay, we have been incognito for a while now, but we are sorted and back. Here's the latest from the past month:

Nat has a new job!!
It is still at the same company where i am at the moment but i have changed roles, so from next week i will be a 'Client Relationship Administrator' (which means i will be working for a non-'legal' team - i will be working in the Business Development group). I reckon i will be busy, but only time will tell how i will go in the role. It is for only 12 months and i don't need to start worrying yet about where i will be working after those 12months are up. What will be, will be. Time will tell!!

Holiday
We went back to work last week after being on holiday. We went to Adelaide for a week and caught up with one of Nat's cousins, as well as some of Jon's friends. It was very relaxing and sooo needed.
We toured Haigh's and Cooper's (on different days, you can't have a chocolate and beer tasting/experience on the same day).
We also hired a car over the weekend that we were there and we drove all over the place, which included McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Maggie Beers, Williamstown (Whispering wall) and Victor Harbor.

BTW, Buddy also enjoyed his holiday at Hanrob.

Let's just say that we weren't looking forward to returning to work, but at least we had a few days at home before we had to return.

Pics, rss feeds and weekends....

Hey there! Thanks for checking out our blog and please feel free to make any comments or suggestions.
To the right is a pic of Nat and I from last year....

Also if you want to subscribe to our rss feed then please copy and paste the following into your feed reader:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Jonnat

Hey can someone tell me why the weekends always go so quick? I think we should have 5 days weekends and two day working weeks....who's with me?

Study

Jon and i need to pull our fingers out and study.

Me for my proofreading and editing, Jon for his VoiP and other IT stuff. Sometimes we feel stagnant and deflated, and other times, we feel positive and optimistic.

I think the sooner we pull our fingers out and get going in the directions that we want to go, we will feel better for it.

We'll see how it goes....

N

Long weekend & being sick

Well, the long weekend is something that should be enjoyed, but spending the day at home on the Monday and mostly in bed as i wasn't feeling well, wasn't great.

Although, due to the fact i love reading, i did start reading a new book in the morning and finished it that night. BTW Raechel, i've read all those books, when do you want them??

Anyway, so i ended up with the flu, which we all know isn't fun and ended up staying at home on Tuesday to recover more and take the cold and flu tablets, more rest was had. Can't believe how boring it is at home during the week.

Started feeling better, it was all starting to 'break down' so to speak and then this morning, was sick and had to call into work sick again with constant sneezing all day and another day taking it easy (and being bored...).

No doubt, i will return to work tomorrow.....

N

Easy peezy!!

I didn't realise how easy and simple it is to set-up up a blog!! Unbelievable.... anyway, bear with us as we sort it all out and get used to this.

Cheers,
Jon & Nat