Still knee-deep in boxes!

And I started work - did I mention that? I managed to find a part-time marketing job, locally, so I can do three days a week and with the help of Grandma and Mr Koala minimise the impact on the little koalas. So I'm learning my way around a new house and a new job all at the same time, there's nothing like a little challenge. I'll probably be dropping in and out for the next couple of weeks while I master the new schedules, but if any one in the challenge attempts to take advantage of that...snarl...

We're in!

Totally shattered, knackered and splattered, but we're in. Only a couple of branches have their twigs lined up in the right order, the rest is chaos. But it's a fabulous eucalypt with so much space and we just love it. More another time, just skimming around a few places tonight before crashing out and sleeping the sleep of the utterly exhausted.

Headache, neckache, chaosache!

If I said to you, tidy your room and hang everything up, you would understand what I meant, right?

Princess tidied her room and hung everything up. Hung. Everything. Up.

Poor teddy.

Eucalypt move imminent!

This week, in fact. So I'm deep in admin and oven cleaning. Noice. I'm also critiquing a manuscript (you know who you are) and I'm almost done with that and hope to get it sent back before the move. It's good, by the way.

If I have time I'll check the koala stats tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a little Princess story.

A couple of weeks ago we went en famille to a historic site on Sydney harbour. We joined a guided tour of a series of old buildings, as part of a fairly large group of people. As we wandered in and out of the buildings, Princess swiftly abandoned us for the far more interesting company of the tour guide and before we knew it she was pretty much at the front of the group, chitter chattering away to the poor guide and generally leading the way. The guide, a young woman, didn't seem perturbed, so we let Princess get on with it and trailed along at the back of the group, trying to persuade Soccer Boy that this really was an interesting experience.

As we peered dutifully around an ancient kitchen (look, Soccer Boy, imagine cooking on that old oven! look, Mum, rat droppings in the sink!) we became aware of laughter outside, where the main part of the group had proceeded. Eventually, as the laughter grew louder, we made our way outside. There was a spectacular view of Sydney harbour just outside this building and the tour group was lined up like a bus load of Japanese tourists, cameras at the ready. Nobody was actually taking photos, though, they were all too busy laughing. Because Princess, having detached herself from the tour guide, thought she knew what they really wanted photos of. What? Princess, of course! So there she was, standing in the front of this spectacular view, obligingly striking a series of her favourite fashion poses, hands on hip, pouty lips, the whole lot. After rugby tackling her out of the viewfinders I asked her what she thought she was doing. 'I thought they would like a photo of me.' Of course. Silly me. Why didn't I think of that. With all of Sydney harbour spread out before you, who wouldn't want a photo of a strange six-year old child?

Koala stats updated!

Some leeway given to some of you; none at all to others. Unfair? Well, who's the one not writing, then?

Note new status, Koala Supersmackdown, applied under special circumstances, namely to those who have been on Smackdown for quite some time and then dare to sass the one and only Vicious Koala of Benevolence. Note the lack of image. I'd ask JJdeGoblin to create one, but I fear it would be so bloody and awful and involve so many Troll guts that she would faint at her drawing table, so, please, use your imaginations. And then wash them thoroughly with soap afterwards.

I am proud of many of you for your diligence! I may have to think of Koala Awards for the end of the year, but let's see if you can keep it up and stay away from the bloody fate of....Supersmackdown!

*unsheathes claws*

Thank you so much for the kind messages re. the house sale! You would have given me the warm and fuzzies if I weren't so warm and fuzzy already.

But now...back to business...I'll be checking your stats soon...probably tomorrow...my time...you have been warned...

updated to add...today has been unexpectedly manic so enjoy 24 more hours to make up those numbers...

Sold!

Need I say more?

(The house, not the book!)