One week in

We've been here just on a week and have settled in quite comfortably. I've tried to get and keep the kids outdoors with bike riding, swimming at my lovely sister's house, walking and playing wiht the dog and some gardening. It's been good.

I tend not to need to hover over their every move here. They can go out the front or the back of the house and play and I don't worry about them. It's just a different feel. I'm not saying it safer here than anywhere and they're not allowed to go to the park by themselves or anything like that, it's just a little different. We feel better here or that's how it seems.

On Saturday my lovely friend took us out on her husband's boat. She must love me a lot because she doesn't go out on that thing for anyone. I, on the other hand, love boats- being in them, driving them, being around them - motor boats, yachts, kayaks - it's all good. The weather, though windy, was warm and cooler out on the bay. We had an exciting, speedy ride to begin with which was fun and then cruised much more slowly around the Docklands (which I've never seen) and then up the Yarra to some little island in the middle with an art gallery on it and some rather strange 'art' standing around. I didn't get the art. I'm not arty at all. After a very hot 20 mintues walking around trying to figure out the art, we got back on the boat, scoffed more food and headed back. It was a good trip out, even if a little hot.

We haven't really been anywhere else. Just at home, eating, talking and enjoying the pleasant weather. Went to the Melton Specialist School concert and that was OK. Have visited Mr Scorpio and had a chat and a cuppa. Been Christmas shopping where my eyes went wide with the choice of crap available. Seriously, there's so much stuff that people think they need. But I did pick up my son's bestest eva Christmas present - Spongebob Lego set and my sister bought him another set that he's been wanting forever. Mum bought him Lego too. He's going to be ecstatic Christmas day. I can't wait to see his face.

I've started ringing some friends and organising to see them. We're off to Sorrento on Saturday for an annual catch up with two families who we've kept in touch with. should be good, though it's going to be a long day. It's only a day trip as we've got my niece's 18th birthday BBQ on Sunday.

My niece is autistic and is on the verge of becoming an adult. Next year, because there are no suitable programs for her to go to, she'll be at hom with her mum (my sister) who will officially become her carer. My niece is a talented cartoonist and I'm trying to convince her that she should put her designs on a t-shirt or something like that. I hope I can talk her around and later I want to set her up with her own blog so she can publish some of her work... and maybe earn a little income for herself, just like any normal adult.

Things are tense with the family. Brother and sister still not speaking and so we will go down there. I don't think I'm going to be able to fix this one, they are going to have to sort it out for themselves. My brother is too volatile and I don't want to put myself in his firing range. He hasn't sorted his stuff out with his partner either but I was telling my sister that I don't really think he's knows what to do with all his shit - he doesn't have the skills to resolve the stuff he's done, so I hope in the future he seeks counselling. Everybody has their shit don't they? My mum won't talk about it either - she gets started on a conversation about it all (the massive fight they had when I was here last) and then states she doesn't want to talk about it. So I don't know if she does or doesn't. Is it my place to ask and then fill her in on the details (it all happened when she was sick so she only knows half the story)? I don't know. I don't want to start talking about something then have her get angry and stressed and then not be around later on to talk about it some more and help her deal with it.

This town I live in, or rather I'm going to live in, is, for the moment, rather depressing. The population looks sad. The people are tattooed and scary. A lot of people are really overweight and a lot of people wear black (not that there's anything wrong with that, just sayin'). People get around with an attitude, sometimes they scowl. They are rude. They scare me and make me not want to live here. But I guess it's because I'm not used to being here. Once I get used to being here again, I'm sure it will be OK.

Anyway, I've got to go now. I will post more later. My eldest niece is here and needs to use the computer.

Cheers

Nicola, good luck with the move this month.