Australia

A few years ago D and I sold mom and dad's 57 Ford Retractable to Pete and Linda in Australia. Getting the car ready for shipping and then driving it to the dock in Oakland was a real adventure.  D had removed all chrome, knobs, lights, etc and locked them in the trunk for safe keeping.  We drove from home to the Port of Oakland in the most illegal fashion possible and didn't get stopped once.  I was a nervous wreck but D just took it in stride.

The car was in nice condition but after Pete got done with it, it was and is in absolutely beautiful shape.  Mom and dad would be so proud of what he's done to the car.

Anyway, Pete and Linda have become family to us.  He's become like a brother to me and keeps me in stitches with his emails and phone calls.  He's got the funniest laugh.  That alone will start me laughing uncontrollably.

Every once in awhile a package will come out of the blue from Australia.  It's always packed with cool stuff from Pete and Linda.  Now, I should know by looking at the package where it's from because as you can see, Pete has absolutely no fear of tape.  He actually never really needs a shipping box, just 10 rolls of tape will do.

Check this box out.  It's another home made version from Pete.  I can't believe I actually had to look at the label to see where it came from.  Wouldn't you think the shape and massive amounts of tape would tell me by now who it's from.  LOL!

Pete knew I've always wanted a boomerang and here one is.  Yep....made in Australia.  I only wish it was nice and warm out so I could take it for a test spin.  Since D has refused to chase after it if it doesn't come back, I've decided I'll take it to the soccer field where it's nice and open and give it a try.  I know...I know...it's going to take lots of practice and I should be patient.

I don't drink tea but I think Pete and Linda have been rooting around in my head.  I've been reading about the health benefits of Jasmine tea and thought I should give it a try.  I haven't bought it yet but guess I'd better because now I have an adorable tea bag holder.  Oh yeah, I also got an apron, and two tea towels with definitions of Aussie sayings.  D got the car magazines Pete sends him.  I think he's already read them cover to cover.

I love these coasters.  The colors are so vibrant and the wood is absolutely beautiful.  They had a little blurb in them from the artist Hugh Symonds saying how much he traveled and then settled in Australia because of the beautiful landscape.

As you know I'm taking a digitizing course recognized by the country of Australia.  It turns out the other day I ran into a word I didn't understand.  They used the term overleaf.  I tried to put it in context of the subject matter and still drew a blank.  A quick email to Pete and I find it means, "next page".

I love talking to Pete and Linda because I learn so much.  Sometimes I have to ask what a word is but for the most part, we communicate very well.  D and I swear we're going to do two things before we die.  The first is a trip to Australia to see Pete, Linda and the kids.  The other is to go to Ireland.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my goodies from Australia.  I have trouble coming up with cool American stuff to send them, so if you've got any ideas, send them my way.