Another week of frustrations and fun.

This week I focused on putting together the documents required for my contract. I needed an up- to-date CV and certified copies of all my qualifications, passport, working with children and I needed a new Prolice Check.  This took most of Monday, and Wednesday. It still rankles that I am having to do this but I accept it is a requirement. I feel too committed to the library team and the course to refuse and opt out of the job but I  have a lot of mixed feelings over this work commitment. I find it hard to get my head focused on the work. This is a sign I am doing something I was trying to get away from in the first place. It feels so restrictive after the freedom of last year.

I went into work on Wednesday to sign the contract with most of the documents completed and only the Police check outstanding.  I ended up staying to search for my Diploma and then clean out several files as the team is shifting to a new location and I never did it properly when I left last year.  I was so engrossed that I nearly forgot about my Pilates class! 

This time I just dropped everything and went off immediately to make the class. When I was working I would have decided it was too hard. I was pleased with myself and Michelle the instructor is making us work hard on different parts of our bodies so that I feel a real benefit. It is a good contrast to the regular Gym work.

Tuesday after minding Ziggy Nick and Jonathan my sons, came back to my place for dinner and to work on their Tshirt business Common Dust. They had established a routine while I was away of coming  once a week to work together  on the business. They always used to come and visit me fairly regularly but this was a good way of keeping the plants watered and gives them a space free from distractions. I whipped up a quick pork and vegetable and rice dish that was pretty delicious and then they got to work and I read and watched the tennis. Very comfortable. I enjoy having them here because I get to see how they are and how the fledgling business is developing. I always get a warm glow of  love and pride. Peter would be so proud to see them as the men they are now.

I sat up too late again trying to decide where to go for Yum Cha Saturday and for dinner Thursday night with my sister-in-law Micky. She is in Melbourne waiting for her husband Gary and daughter Vivienne to return from riding in the public part of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide. We are all going to my other B-I-L's birthday on Sunday at Oakridge winery in the Yarra Valley.

In the end I selected the Hare and Grace not far from their hotel in Collins Street for dinner and it proved to be perfect. Great interesting food, a warm ambience where we could talk without shouting. So many restaurants get so noisy it is hard to hear each other and you end up with a sore throat from straining to talk. The wait staff were very amiable and attentive though we were always distracted by our conversation and not ready to order etc.

Friday Janine and I went off to see Wild the movie about Cheryl Strayed  walking the Pacific Trail up the west coast of America. It was enjoyable but I felt that Reese Witherspoon didn't really capture the difficulty and physical pain of such a trek. The first days, with a pack too large and heavy and without a hat or any real preparation, she never ever looked red in the face or got sunburnt. She didn't look like a real hiker. Janine and I had a lot of discussion over coffee about the story and the films's portrayal.

I had a late dinner at home and sat up again too late watching tennis and reading.

Saturday I took the train to town to meet Micky and the boys with Ziggy for Yum Cha.  Ziggy loves Yum Cha and it was a lively lunch.

 

We all went our separate ways, Micky and I to shop the boys home. I ended up in David Jones in search of some pretty  underwear. After the walk everything looks very used!! My first job was in the underwear section of Myer and I have always loved pretty underwear since but it is so expensive these days and frankly not really designed for the more mature bod.  It was hard work trying on about 16 bras in order to get four pretty but also effective bras. Forget pretty knickers to match. Ceaser scars and post twins tummy need a bit more than flimsy lace.  I left and headed for the train via the new Emporium shopping complex where Clare (Jonathan's partner) works part-time at Sass & bide. The Emporium is all fancy shops and glamour and very international feeling. It is my first time in the complex and I am impressed.  

This will be a regular stop when I am teaching in the city. Clare needed to walk to their other shop in Melbourne Central so we walked and talked and I received the warmest of hugs when we parted. That made me feel good. We seem to be getting closer which is lovely. By now I am feeling weary but I have promised to go to dinner with Micky and Gary and friends before the tennis tonight at 7:00pm. The old compulsion to say yes hasn't left me. I have a quick coffee and realise I am probably dehydrated so down a bottle of water. 

The text comes from Gary that we are going to eat in Swan Street. After checking with Janine about parking at her place I decide to take the car. Last year after the Tennis finished so late catching a train was out of the question and  I had to take a group taxi. I arrive before the others and secure a table at Meatballs wine bar.

It is very trendy and the food was good and quick. Lovely meatballs of beef, pork, chicken or vegetable.  As we left the music was cranking up and my ears were beginning to ring! I am getting too old to eat in such an environment now! Gary, Vivienne and I went off to the Tennis at the Margaret Court Arena while the others went home. The match featured the French player Guille Simon and Spanish David Ferrer.  At first it seemed a bit workmanlike  but when we thought it was all over for the Frenchman,  he fought back to make it into a five set match that could have gone either way. 

 

Gary and Vivienne were tired from their cycling in the Tour Down Under so I drove them back to their hotel . 

Tomorrow is the lunch in the Yarra Valley and I am taking them all out there. Another big day.