Snorkels.
I am not talking about the kind that you use to look under the water. I am talking about the kind you use to drive through the water.

A lot of the trucks that we see on the road have them. We were thinking, really? Who drives through water often enough to require putting a snorkel on their truck?

Turns out that when people camp here, they often go onto a remote beach that you can only get to during low tide. If you don’t time things just right, you might have to drive through water to get in or out.

I have a few problems with this concept. One: I don’t think I would want to be somewhere where I might get stranded. Gives another meaning to “deserted island.” Two: you couldn’t pay me enough to camp anywhere in this poison infested country, I don’t care how beautiful it is. Three: Mama always told me “never, under any circumstance, drive through water.” Especially tidal ocean water…

Reese’s.
Sigh… I ate my last Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup tonight. I sucked every last morsel off of the wrapper, trying to make it last as long as possible. Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote the blog about opportunities to get rich in Australia? If someone would open a PB cup factory or figure out a cheap way to import those delicious treats, I think the American population alone would make the business profitable here. And I know there are lots of Aussies that love them, as well. Can someone please send Mr. Reese’s a letter? Thanks.

Cuddles.
It never fails. Lily goes to bed at 8:00 every night. I can go to sleep at 8:30 or 10:00, and without a doubt she will fuss 10 minutes after I turn off my lamp. As annoying as it is, especially if I had started to drift off to sleep, those sleepy cuddles are some of the best ever. She is a snuggle buddy, deep relaxed breaths, chin on my shoulder, fist with a death grip on my hair. Love.

Nickled and Dimed.
After completing a very positive review of our Queenstown condo, we received an email saying that after we left the housekeepers had to do additional “spot cleaning” and were going to deduct $86 from our deposit. Um….hold the fort. We were barely there, and we were super careful about keeping it clean. I left that place spotless. But mysteriously some “stains” appeared. They could not provide pictures, said the spots were around the dining area and on the stairs. Um. Stairs? So I sent a few nasty emails expressing my disappointment about the situation. I am trying to decide if I should keep fighting it or let it go. So hard for me to not put up a fight. I am guessing they do this to everyone…

Vending Machines.
Whenever we come across one of the candy or toy vending machines, Ty usually finds either candy or money. The positive reinforcement has really worked for him because now he checks all of them. One night we were sitting on the deck at the marina and Ty went inside to the area with the games. Somebody must have felt bad for the poor kid whose parents didn’t give him money to play games so he had to scavenge for some spare change, because he came back to the table with a stuffed lizard. Not sure exactly how he worked that one…did he beg, or cry, or just bat those adorable little eyelashes? Whatever he did, it worked.

Mail.
I have always liked getting “real mail” in the mail box, but now I absolutely love it! There is something about a handwritten note from friends and family far away that makes my heart happy. So thank you to Jack and Molly (I know it is strange to say thank you for sending a thank you card) and mom, Steven, and grandma grandma for the newspaper article and letter.

Bachelor.
I have survived the things that I thought would push me over the edge. The lack of ice, the horrible coffee, driving on the wrong side of the road. But how am I going to survive without the Bachelor? I have heard there are ways around the blocks but my tech-savy hubby has been a little busy with month end lately so unfortunately solving my TV problem isn’t his top priority. Sigh…

G’day Mates!