OUT AND ABOUT (24 down)

 (Here we are sharing/counting UP Forty Days and Forty Nights of our lives, our last on the inner-west side of town and, eventually, some of our first on the other (far) side of town, where we envisage some big changes coming our way. Thanks for joining us as we remember, celebrate and experience gratitude for our time here, and sometimes feel completely overwhelmed and exhausted by the changes underway!)

A funny day this one or, a busy one at least. I'm about to give you a run-down of our day but only because it happens to highlight a few of our favourite things about Melbourne's inner west.

• An early morning wake-up and lightening and thunder by 7.30am, which had the kids running about the house in that mixture of nervousness and excitement - a great opportunity for cuddles on the couch.

• A visit to the doctor as Rafael appears to have caught a second virus, probably at the hospital last week (urghhhh, such is the contradictory nature of such places) - the encouragement I needed make an appointment with a herbalist for some extra support for his little system;

• A brief, but enjoyable bit of window shopping here - such a great shop.

• After Elsa's swimming lesson, an early lunch at Grigons and Orr while we waited for the doctor's appointment - we always  enjoy this cafe with it's quirky retro feel including the box of crocheted blankets at the front door (handy on a cold Melbourne day), the mix-match of second-hand 'dinner-ware', teapots, cups and saucers etc etc and the milk bar feel in general - the dollar mixed lolly bags are always appreciated!

• Collected some packing boxes - slowly, slowly.

• Preparations for yet another house-showing, hopefully the last - more on that time come tomorrow (fingers crossed - and toes).

• A Dada home for dinner - a rare treat! (and not only home for dinner, home at 3pm - wooohoooo).

• After quickly heating up some of the fifty-million (okay, not that many) spanakopita I hastily made last night, we headed to our favourite local park for dinner while the house was on display - surpringly, the pies tasted good but the kids were mostly too busy having fun!

Looking at all of that, I wonder what I was thinking. But really, most of it was unavoidable and only possible because his temperature dropped and Raf perked up, thankfully. "Perked up" or not, I certainly would have preferred to stay home keeping him close by. Tomorrow will be much calmer. Tomorrow, tomorrow...I feel like breaking out into an Annie song...actually, in my head, I am! Inner thought Ange, inner thought...keep it to yourself!

To help retore some balance, tonight we read many a story from this book, which a sister-in-law of mine gave to Elsa when she was but a wee babe. It's always a great choice after a busy day; a good way to encourage calm. Around here, it always succeeds in providing inspiration for mediatation and general relaxation and tonight, both kids fell asleep to me reading from it's pages, Elsa with her head in my lap - true bliss.