Friday, 29 April 2022

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

And also ~~~~

John and I celebrated 11 years together on Apr 21. Still together, very happy ~ 
Was wonderful dinner out and general yumminess <3






The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well it is now May 2022. Where does the time go?

I know I don't post here often, but I should post more. A lot has happened since the tale end of last year.
I have been diagnosed with several serious issues and will no longer be able to work. The good news is that I was accepted by the NDIS and by the disability pension here fairly quickly, so needing to find work is no longer an issue. A great weight lifted for sure ~

I have been blessed with wonderful care workers who have been so very good to me. I am also involved in hydrotherapy which very much helps with pain issues, and with music therapy which has really helped my overall morale and well-being. Very soon I will have the opportunity to participate in our community radio station here through Team Music Care - looking very much forward to that!

This last week has been spent attempting to get over a virus (not COVID-19) which has devolved into pneumonia, and so sadly, I have had to miss the disability event I had worked towards for the last 2 months. Have been so breathless I would not be able to make the journey down there - I am so proud of all the TMC people that are there and wish them all well in their singing and playing :)

Hopefully this next week will see me better and I can go back to my routine - very much looking forward to all going back to normal. Lots of hot soup, hot coffee, pain meds, huge antibiotics and steroids - fun times LoL

I will try to post an update soon! :)


Tuesday, 26 January 2021

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well now it is 2021 - We all made it! 

So now, Covid is still happening, although not front row center in Australia as it is many other places.
We have an outbreak once in a while - usually when someone escapes from quarantine, but we have, as a country, been exremely fortunate.

I am very proud to have a new US President in Joe Biden - I do not envy him this very difficult task of trying to fix everything Trump has broken but I know between he and Ms Harris, we are in good hands.

We are mostly retired now - happens when you get older, and enjoying our time resting and doing things we never got to do when we were working.

Still adding to this adventure of a life we have ~ yay! :)

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...
Update - I did become an Australian citizen  a couple of months ago and very happy and relieved at the same time! Proud to be Aussie! :)

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Australian Citizenship and Covid19

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well, my Australian journey is culminating in citizenship. I was invited to take my test back in March, which I passed %100 -- So HAPPY! :)

Well, then a couple of weeks later or thereabouts, Covid19 hit. Australia effectively shut down. The authorities here have done an absolutely marvelous job of containing the virus, but it meant that things like citizenship ceremonies are on hold since most government offices are still closed with the exception of social services.

On a good note, the 12 month cut-off to attend a ceremony has been waived so I wait for them to start up again. Hopefully that will be soon as things are now beginning to open back up after a couple of months - within this next month we should be getting back to normal - at least I am hoping so.

We have continued to work thru this pandemic as parcel couriers are now considered to be essential workers since most people have to stay at home and self -isolate. We have actually been crazy-busy as people are ordering tons of things online while they are at home. As  businesses begin to re-open, we have slowed a bit, but still going pretty strong.

I am thankful, we have been very fortunate, and my prayers are with those who lost their jobs an business because of this.

Peace ¬¬¬¬ :)

Friday, 1 January 2016

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

I have to say - Australia has the best fireworks shows of anywhere I have lived ~ I hope all of you have had an awesome and safe New Year's Eve, and wish you an even better and happy 2016! :)

Sunday, 27 December 2015

My fellow US expats:

Please do pay attention to your IRS filing requirements. Your deadline is in January ~

I don't want to see anyone lose their US passport, and effectively, their rights to travel or move back to the US.

If you owe over $10k USD, starting in February, this could be a reality. This bill has passed in Congress.

Things are getting serious so please make sure your are good with the IRS ~


http://www.emirates247.com/news/deadline-alert-report-foreign-income-or-lose-your-us-passport-2015-12-26-1.615107
The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Saturday, 26 December 2015

Holidays and the New Year ~

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

I want to wish everyone out there a safe and prosperous New Year ~ :)

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Older Workers in Queensland Being Ignored ~

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ~~~~

 Although I have been searching for work for over three years, have found that I seem to be too old to get a job. I am not surprised, it is the same in the US as well.

My partner owns a courier route, so I have been helping him with that. It's a rather large and busy route, so I save on any costs for extra help during really busy times like now during the Christmas season.

I am still hoping to get a job, however after 3 years, I do not expect I will find one. The world has moved on, it seems, and now wants younger people, despite Australian qualifications, and much experience in several areas. I rarely receive even turn-down emails any more, I now don't hear anything at all from my online applications.



A bit disheartening to say the least, especially when I keep hearing employers here talking about not being able to find good employees.

If you cannot find good young people that you can rely on, please consider us older folks. Lots of us out here need a job too, and we are reliable, dependable, and most of us are honest and hard-working. You are missing out on a whole set of folks who WANT to work!

Please don't discount us just because we graduated High School a bit earlier than you ~

Sunday, 31 August 2014

Permanent Residency

I have my Permanent Residency and am looking towards becoming an Australian citizen as soon as the timeline allows, about 3 years I believe. I was told I get credit for the extended time taken to obtain permanent residency due to issues with my FBI background check. I had to resend my prints 3 times before they were accepted.

I understand this is not uncommon and look forward to taking that test! :)

Saturday, 11 January 2014

For Brisbane Employers ~


I am seeking work in within your Facilities department. I have been employed in various roles in Facilities over 10 years, and have substantial experience with customers, employees, contractors and vendors; and have an excellent understanding the important role this department plays in ensuring the company runs smoothly.

Responsibilities of these positions have been:

  • Planning, consulting, maintaining and enforcing client security and emergency policies
  • Acting as liaison between the client company and my employer
  • Serving as first contact person for the client company
  • Planning meetings and seminar for employees (Internal)
  • Consideration of legal issues
  • Safety of employees and other persons on commercial property
  • Emergency First Responder for the clients property and persons present
  • Operating and maintaining client equipment pertaining to the position such as CCTV, Property security badging, radio dispatch, and safety alarm equipment
  • Other duties as requested by the client company

Other work experience includes:

  • Retail Marketing and display (2 years)
  • Mobile Phone Sales (1 Year)

I have also been business owner and have experience managing small groups of employees. I have been Licensed in Missouri as a Real Estate Agent and also have held certificates in First Aid and First Response, and have attended one year of Community College.

My goal is to begin attending classes for certificates in in Health and Safety. (Australian qualifications)
I am legally eligible to work in Australia with no restrictions and am in Australia long-term.

I look forward to speaking with you about opportunities within your organization.

Job Hunting

After a taking some time to adjust and enjoy my new life in Australia, it's now time to get serious about the job hunt.I have found that my background and experience puts me more in the Facilities category as most of my job duties would be in that classification here in Australia. This makes me VERY happy! :)

So, with this information in mind, I have re-written my resume to suit and have begun issuing them online to the closest matches. I am optimistic and looking forward to interviews, and ultimately, a great job!

I have also begun the task of networking in order to gain job contacts in the Brisbane area. So far things are going well and will keep this blog updated. :)

Saturday, 25 August 2012


Curb Appeal Beach Cottage
With an awesome backyard~

The PERK !!!
This is the house we did get - and couldn't be more pleased! Four blocks from the ocean :)
Only another 10 days and we'll be there - Can't wait! :)

Saturday, 21 July 2012

So excited to be going to Brisbane - House hunting awaits! :))))