Halloween 2009

Matt and I decided to go as Day of the Dead dolls this year. I used an IKEA blanket to make a poncho. We found Lombards party store had LOADS of Halloween stuff and got some new gravestones, a ghoul and a massive spider that Matt still refuses to touch. Of course we had our cauldron full of witches brew too.We had way more people go to Trick or Trunk this year. 3 cars and 12 people in our group. It was great fun! Natarsha was a pro at bobbing for apples!After Trick or Trunk we decorated sugar skulls and ate Halloween cake. Lots and Lots of sugar for one day.

I do love spreading Halloween fun.
I even managed to finagle Halloween at Work. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Search for the Great Pumpkin

No matter how I try, it is very hard to get a lot of Australians super enthusiastic about Halloween. Some people here have even called my favorite holiday satanic... Whatever! If it's satanic how come 1000's of churches have halloween carnivals? As a kid how can you not love a holiday where you get to wear whatever you want, run around the streets at night and eat as much candy as humanly possible?? I LOVE IT!!! So with the lack of Halloween enthusiasts comes a lack of Jack o' Lantern type pumpkins. We found some last year at the Vic Market but they were $50 a piece and that just seemed crazy. Winn Dixie sells pumpkins for $4.99...how could I blow $50 on a pumpkin? Last year we passed but this year at the South Melbourne we found a bargain..$35! Ok so not a BARGAIN exactly but better. It was well worth it for Matt to see his first Jack o' Lantern and have his first pumpkin seeds. Now we are getting ready for Trick or Trunk with other Halloween lovers..WOOHOOO!!!

Best Day Ever at Jirrahlinga

Matt organized the BEST Birthday present ever for me this year!! Tehree Gordon (Senior Australian of the Year 2004) runs a sanctuary just outside of Geelong. I had visited before but never thought I would get up and personal with the koalas there. Matt organized for me to shadow Judy (the koala keeper who is absolutely lovely) with Mrs. Gordon. I got to help clean up the animal hospital and change over the eucalyptus leaves. I was over the moon happy just to be around the koalas and it gave me such a great appreciation for all of the work the people at the sanctuary do. The big guys above was injured in the bush fires and he is scheduled to be released back into the wild any day now.

This little bub isn't gaining weight the way she should be so she is getting supplemental feedings. She has to be fed almost every two hours 24 hours a day. Making sure she grows up takes a big commitment but she is so beautiful I can see why wildlife carers do what they do.

There are loads of orphans who end up at the sanctuary. I got to meet baby ringtail possums, brushtail possums, magpies and this rolly polly wombat. She was very busy.These two dingo pups, Itchy and Scratchy, absolutely captured my heart. Theya re so cute! The little girl got scared at one point and ran in between my legs. I wanted to pop them in my pocket and take them home. In some states Dingo's can be pets but it takes special licences and they are supposed to be big howlers so aren't often popular with neighbors. These two sure are gorgeous. It really was one of the best days ever!!

Mom and Dad in Australia Part 2

One not to be missed stop for Mom and Dad was the Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Here they are meeting Elliott for the first time. He came out especially to say hello. He is so beautiful and was very excited to meet his foster grandparents!!

Luke and Natarsha were showing this kangaroo how to hop.

After the park we went up to Bendigo to stay at the historic Shamrock Hotel and got there just in time for sunset.

This is the old post office in Bendigo which is now the visitor's centre. When Dame Nellie Melba stayed across the street at the Shamrock she couldn't sleep because of the clock on the post office tower. She demanded the hands be stopped. Ahhh, the perks of being an Opera Diva.
Matt, Barry and Dad in front of the Talking Tourist Tram.
On the way back to Melbourne we went to the see the cross on Mount Macedon. We also saw a massive kangaroo and a little dark brown wallaby. I was so happy Mom and Dad saw some native animals in the wild.
We had the best time with Mom and Dad and were very sad to say goodbye. At least there was a good entourage to see them off.

Mom & Dad in Tasmania

Matt and I were trying to figure out the best place to take Mom and Dad that would be something unusual for them to see. We figured Tasmania was the best bet. We started out in Port Arthur which is really a very sad place both because of the history of the convicts and the Martin Bryant massacre. Dad was really moved by the depth of human cruelty that took place here. At least now it's very beautiful with gorgeous gardens. The next event was a bit more upbeat..shopping at Salamanca Market. Yay Shopping!! My sister, Anna, has become a massive fan of a spice mix called Tasmanian Bush Dust. I looked and looked and looked for the dust but found myself in a completely dust free zone. Luckily through some research on my sister's part she has found someone that sells it in Melbourne so I have to pick some up there.

We went and bought some fresh seafood right off the boats.

And my Master Chef hubby got to work on some Oysters Kilpatrick and Scallops...YUMMY!!

We also drove up to the pinnacle of Mount Wellington. The view was beautiful but the drive up was not too enjoyable for a few people with a fear of heights. Nope, not fun at all.
The last day was pretty blustery with downed power lines and trees on the road but we still had a great time!!