Book swap spoils from a while ago. I like to pick up random cds I don‘t know in the hopes of finding new music. If I don‘t, it gets donated back.

Freebies!

Did an op shop over on Sat after 🩰 Doc said I‘m not to be 💃 but I can‘t let the team down a wk before the eisteddfod + the dance is Balanchine‘s Seranade so not taxing eg. a lot of upper body. The 📕 is beautiful to look at. Not sure c. the poetry yet though. I‘ve got a lot of audio 📚 on the go so thought the embroidery might help me knock them over as I struggle with just listening on the 🚊 There was no wax in the 🕯️ when I opened it. 🟰 $14

Yesterday‘s Little Free Library haul. Magazine is already read and gone. The tagged book is by a local author about my home town. The DVD is for when the little people in my life visit.

Had an early 🛀 on this cold & wet Sat arvo while the house was empty. Don‘t worry I‘m not becoming a homebody. I went out last night for dinner & to see the excellent play Gaslight. After 🩰 this morn on my fractured but healing 🦶(I have an Eisteddfod next w/e & I can‘t let the team down) I visited a 📕 swap. I sometimes subscribe to the 🍷 delivery that comes along with this mag put not presently so it was a joy to find 1 in the wild for free.

This book has grabbed me and I‘m reading it fast which is unusual for me. Getting cold on the east coast of 🇦🇺 much to my disgust. Here I am drinking my delicious weekend just gone margarita in the hammock with gloves, a blanket and a🧣on 😭. I was still 🥶! Reminiscing about the Australian dust storms last drought! My parents have retired and no longer live on a farm so no more dust storms for them or me! My parents once lost each other in 1.

Last week‘s book swap scores. Magazine is read already. I love it when magazines give you wrapping paper.

Yesterday I had to go to the mall to pick up an online order after work. I snuck in an op shop visit too. Total $23 as I had filled up my discount card. It was out of date but no one seems to care about that anymore! I have a🧜‍♀️ themed 1st b‘day party coming up so the t-shirt may be used for that. The polka dot 👗 was only $1. I had no idea the tagged 📕 has been made into a series until I saw the tie in cover! I love the 🖼️ but not the frame.

A colleague told me during the week that there was a book sale on at the library. I was there with bells on on Friday afternoon. It was disappointing but the op shop around the corner delivered the goods for a total of $11.

The reason I got out of my pyjamas this morning of the long weekend #thankscharlie was to collect these free #sustainablestockton goodies. The littlest step daughter was very excited by the tagged book. It is stunning. Hopefully it will encourage her to read more. The fish book is for my nephew.

My niece had to do a written application and got the job. She is beside herself with excitement. She loves to read like I did as a child. I‘m a proud aunty.

On Mon morn the 🚃 decided not to work so I was late to work as that meant I missed my train. I kept myself warm while waiting for the next train at the local shopping centre‘s book swap. Thank the goddess I put an extra pair of socks on that morning and was able to get a tea at the cafe. I even had some ANZAC biscuits in my bag for a treat. I got the fishing encyclopaedia for my oldest nephew but it turns out he already has it so I‘ll donate it.

Now that my foot is improving, I am able to go for walks after work. I am only doing 3 hours at ballet per week now instead of 11. It has been very hard to get used to. Yesterday‘s walk yielded this gold from the Little Free Library. The books I wanted from the Sydney Writer‘s Festival but didn‘t buy seem to be falling into my lap. The tagged book is one of them. I also scored this Laura Ashley blanket from my building‘s hard rubbish collection.

Little Free Library finds from a while back.

Recent book swap scores! Some great authors and old copies of my favourite Australian magazine.

I got home in time last Sunday for a walk up the hill in the gorgeous arvo sunny weather and you wouldn‘t believe it but I got these Sydney Writer‘s Festival authors at the Little Free Library and one for a future #authorofthemonth @Soubhiville I‘ve already read and disposed of the magazine #MonthlyMagazineBlitz Go me!

And that‘s a wrap on the Sydney Writer‘s Festival pics. I finally ventured downstairs to have a 🌮 at Hotel Hacienda. It‘s so convenient that I‘ll probably stay there again next year despite the paper thin walls and lack of hospitality! After I checked out of the hotel Sunday morning with my bag full of new 📚 I headed home. 🚂 travel between Syd and Newcastle can take up to three hours. I got home about 3 hours later and that was an express 🚂!

Day 4 at the SWF. First up was Celeste Ng talking about Our Missing Hearts which is her latest. My girlfriend @Miss__astrid came to visit me at the festival and we went to the farmer‘s markets. Then I went to see the above lecture. Both of these people are lovely humans. Afterwards we had scones together then went to a lecture about ADHD. Then she went home and I stayed to listen to one about history and another about art history minus men!

A shot of a free lecture I attended at the Sydney Writer‘s Festival on Friday by the tagged author. #whereisallissa hint I am wearing a pink coat. I headed off to op shop after this. That morning I‘d been to fascinating lectures on 🎣(so I could impress my nephew & dad with my knowledge), turning plays into books & how Australian author Kate Forsyth uses myths to create her novels. I learn so much at these festivals and love using my brain again.

Scores from the Little Free Library in Shepherd‘s Ln Redfern on the way back to Hotel Hacienda from the 3rd day of the Sydney Writer‘s Festival. I had just listened to the History of Sex and Dirty Laundry lectures which were both very funny with interesting combinations of people. I adore the earrings and have had my eye on The Vanishing Point for a while. I‘ve already returned the top two books after a peruse as they weren‘t what I first thought.

Day 3 of the SWF & I had spare time up my sleeve due to lectures selling out & me missing out so I headed to the op shop. I couldn‘t believe that Syd prices are cheaper than Newie. I‘ve been eyeing off some of these 📚 for some time. The post cards are for #LitsyLove & the crossover for 🩰 now the weather is 🥶. I‘m also loving the variety of groceries at the shops here. So much more multicultural than at home. I was back at the hotel for GA. $18.

Day 2 of SWF saw a visit to the LFL I discovered last yr. Physically it has deteriorated but I still got some 📚. I visited on the way to the festival & on the way home & I‘ll do the same each day. I‘m here until Sun. Yesterday was all about beautiful female friends. I cried at the 1st free lecture when the author read the last letter of 40 years of correspondence between Hazzard & Harrower. Then laughed at Patchett & Mason‘s stories last night.

Day 1 of SWF done & dusted. Was late to the 1st lecture due to my 📱 leading me on a wild 🪿 chase but it was a great 1 on Syd identity 🐝 Miles. I caught up with a beautiful family friend. Then the excitable Lauren Groff. I didn‘t know about her banned bookshop in Florida. I had a yummy salad & wine for lunch at a restaurant called Eatola. Service was exceptional. I was in 🛌 at Hotel Hacienda enjoying my treats before an early night in this pic.

Exciting Sunday arvo Sustainable Stockton freebies… books and plants! Made the biggest step child come for a walk to get her out of the house. The sun is dangerous for teenagers you‘d think. She was equal parts embarrassed and chuffed. She always talks my ears off on walks. She no longer swings off my arm and is capable of walking in a straight line nowadays. We hand fed some parrots and it was a nice little warm outing on a cold autumn day.

Finally getting around to posting about the Newcastle Writer‘s Festival back in April. Right before I head to the Sydney Writer‘s Festival next wk. I learn so much at these fests & ❤️ using my 🧠 again. This lecture was called The Case Against Marriage. It‘s so fab to have a writer‘s festival in my home town. I went Sat & Sun & caught up with friends both days. My highlight was seeing Girl in a Pink Dress author, Kylie Needham twice.

Tuesday‘s scores at the 📕 swap on the way home from work. I returned the day after with a replacement bag of 📚 for the swap. Had a massive long weekend so needed a 📕 swap blow out! We had been to a friend‘s 50th at a beach further up the coast and many crazy fun times were had. The beach was beautiful. It poured most of one day then the sun came out just in time for the 🥳 night. I danced so hard that night the 🍷 I drank came back out. Opps.

A quickish op shop before leaving for a weekend away on Friday. Grand total $24.

Another magazine bites the dust!

A quick op shop last term before catching the bus home from work.

Wednesday‘s visit to the book swap on the way home from work.

Yesterday was a great op shopping day! The 2 kids items at the bottom are for my cuz Emily‘s baby girl due in June. Handmade from material the op shop gets. The women‘s clothes were 1/2 price but these weren‘t. Grand total $38.50. I wear slips and black pants to work so it was great to find these. 1 with 🏷️ still on. The op shop lady also makes great earrings. I bought 2 different sets of 🫖. I got some scrapbooking stuff for me to be creative.

Wednesday‘s book swap finds. I had a fire safety inspection on my apartment that was supposed to take up my morning but was over by 8am so I was straight out the door. Usually I have to take time off work to get it done but this one fell in the holidays.

Spent this school holiday morning 🛌 with a pot of French Earl Grey ☕️ reading this mag. The teenagers were still asleep and the man of the house had gone to his office in the backyard to work after delivering me said tea. Bliss. I tried to rest up today as I am back at my 🩰 exam class for the first time tonight in over a month. Let‘s hope I can catch up quickly and my injury doesn‘t flare up again. I‘ve booked a drs appointment just in case.

Second op shop visited on my birthday was Father Riley‘s. It‘s not normally opened and it has true op shop prices. Grand total $24. I am collecting the tea set from op shops. It‘s so pretty. I think I‘ve found 3 in op shops so far. The belly button fluff remover is for my dad. I love a still life so thought I‘d have a go at painting one myself. The earrings reminded me of Princess Di‘s engagement ring. This pic doesn‘t do justice to the vibrant🧣

Yesterday after the library book sale, I did over Vinnies in Cessnock. Love a cheap linen tea towel. Some op shops charge too much but these were only $2. Their prices in general were all over the place!

1. Three working days then long service leave two days before the school holidays actually start. One day for my birthday and the next day to go to a library sale in a town just a bus ride away and perhaps a spot of op shopping while waiting for the bus back. A nice meal out for lunch perhaps. 2. Red wine after 12 pm or a pot of organic earl grey tea in the morning. 3. Fold the page if it‘s my book. A bookmark if it‘s not. #motivationalmonday

Today‘s op shop purchases with my discount card. I looked forward to doing this all day. Grand total $24. No ballet = more op shopping time 😢 I spoiled myself with a cheesy naan for dinner and a glass of red. I had to intake test a child with a history of violence today but it all went well.

Over extended myself yesterday morning by walking up a hill to entertain myself by visiting the Little Free Library. I spent the arvo with my foot up watching gardening and cooking shows. Not used to sitting still so I decided to go to the beach. Sand is no good for sore feet either and I spent the night in pain! I‘m so over this!

When your book matches your mimosa. Can‘t say I‘m loving this, too millennial. With no ballet for a while yet and being made to rest I have been having some restful weekends. Yesterday it was tea in bed before a cooked breakfast, a book in the bath then a lay in the hammock, an arvo nap followed by dinner and a show with my cousin. Today it was a pot of tea and the papers in bed. Some white wine and Gardening Australia later then early to bed.

Yesterday‘s op shop purchases. I probably should have laid off my foot but I needed the distraction as I‘m not allowed back at ballet. All for the bargain price of $28 which is pretty good in today‘s climate.

I‘ve got a🦶injury & I ain‘t coping! Thanks to Kylie, the author of this 📕 for keeping me slightly sane this week & hopefully only this week, while I rest from 🩰. Turns out I‘m not good at that. Kylie‘s old friend, Jo recommended this 📕 to me & I already owned it so bumped it up my TBR list. I don‘t normally read a 📕 in a week but this is an 🖼️ in itself. I may actually get the author to sign it at the Newcastle Writer‘s Festival & keep it.

Little Free Library scores from last school holidays.

I love me some op shopping down time. Had a discount card on this day a while back too as I had 5 stamps on my card. It gives you a discount on the clothes. Woo hoo!

Saturday‘s book swap scores after ballet. I had the day to myself as my partner was off leprechauning at a Beer Festival. I don‘t drink beer. Bliss!