Yesterday was my first day of Long Service Leave to prepare for my ballet exam on Sunday. It was a busy day but I also found some time to relax at the beach. Even getting a little sun burnt! I enjoyed my favourite snacks from the cafe downstairs. The butter on the banana bread is divine. They do the most expensive but delicious banana smoothies too. Surprisingly I am tearing through this book. It was in my building‘s book exchange for ages.

My building‘s book swap finds on Sunday night.

Loving this book. Reminds me of The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood with the multiple timelines going on. It is my best book ever so that is high praise. I am so much happier when summer shows me it‘s on the way and I can smell jasmine in the air.

After 🩰 exam rehearsal on Sun I did over Vinnies. Grand total🟰 $23. The 📕 includes a gorgeous pop up. Afterwards I went to the Veteran‘s markets but every1 was packing up so I didn‘t come away with anything. I usually come away with lots. I walked home picking up a click & collect on the way, I visited the Metro for groceries, had my Zoom 🩰 class then visited my aunt who was staying in the apartments next 🚪. My favourite cousin was there too.

First and foremost living by the ocean, having grown up in the bush. I ❤️ that I‘m so close to Sydney and some great wineries. I can catch a bus back home or a train up the east coast. I can fly to Melbourne and now Hobart. I used to love the anonymity of being in a city but now I can‘t walk down the street without bumping into people I know! The winters are fairly mild compared to living on the farm but I could always be warmer or even plain hot.

Stolen from the Little Free Library on my walk up the hill yesterday afternoon. I read 1 of the mags on my travels to work today. It made going back to work after the holidays much more tolerable. Yesterday was a perfect last day of school holidays. A sleep in, crepes for breaky, dunk at the beach (still a little too cold for my liking. Thank god for the sun), watermelon punch and Gardening Australia TV show, salmon for dinner and early to bed.

Last op shop on Wednesday was Lifeline. Grand total🟰 $84.

Next op shop was the Red Cross. This was a much better score than I usually get from there. The books were excellent. Lots of which I already own. The scrapbook supplies were super cheap and the clothes were fun. Grand total 🟰 $46.00. I didn‘t spend too much considering I downed 2 delicious margaritas at the Mexican restaurant for lunch along with 3 fish tacos beforehand.

Yesterday was a Maitland shopping day. I haven‘t had one for ages. After a morning tea at my favourite patisserie. I headed to Vinnies as it was the furthest op shop from there & the day was going to reach 35 degrees so in the cool of the morning I thought I‘d get that one out of the way. Grand total 🟰 $124. The pink bag is to byo to restaurants. Was happy with the vintage towels as they are hard to find in the wild. The pants are to wear to 🩰.

Monday night‘s book swap finds after my ballet exam class.

Last working week before school holidays. As for after work… Monday= ballet exam class. Tuesday= ballet class plus pointe class. Wednesday= beauty appointment and online ballet class, Thursday advanced ballet class then exam class. Friday= ballet photo shoot then pole class. Saturday= leave at 3am to catch 2 trains to get to my parent‘s place at 1:45pm. Sunday= Mum‘s birthday at the Gold Cup Races Dubbo. Dad‘s new horse races for the first time.

Last Friday‘s quick op shop after work. Grand total 🟰 $19 with my credits. I use the heel shields to raise up my left hip as apparently I am a wonky donkey according to my ballet physiotherapist! My bus was late so I missed my pole dancing class so I kept op shopping the afternoon away. More pics to follow.

Saturday‘s quick op shop stop at Salvos Hamilton before heading to watch the finale of Downton Abbey in Gold Class at Kotara. Grand total 🟰 $23. I read the magazine on the right on the train this morning on the way to work with my tea. Delightful. As was the movie and my 2 margaritas and margarita pizza. It‘s what I order just about every time. The magazine is a local one and is beautifully presented.

Sunday‘s Little Free Library finds from 2 different LFLs on my way to ballet. Top and bottom are gifts.

Yesterday‘s 10 minute op shop before ballet. Grand total🟰 $43.95. I heard the writer of the swimming book speak at the Sydney Writer‘s Festival. He adores swimming at Coogee as I do. I heard the tagged book‘s author and Peggy speak at the Byron Writer‘s Festival last year. All the talks for both festivals are available online if anyone is keen. I‘m perusing the magazine on the train this morning on my way to work with my tea.

Last Thursday I couldn‘t get to work as the trains were down. It‘s never happened in my 20 years at my current job. I made it a treat myself day. First stop was the local Little Free Library. I also visited St Paul‘s Thrift Shop Stockton and Starter Stories, the yummy sourdough bakery there where I spent $60 on treats! My tummy was sore the next day after dieting for so long for my showgirl performance. It was a shame it was windy and rainy.

Last night‘s scores from the book swap after my extra exam ballet lesson. It was nice to walk home after in the warm evening air with the full moon rising. Summer is on its way to save me! I also scored the stool from next to the bins downstairs. Yay for a new pot stand!

Finds from a while back from Marketown Book Swap.

Last night‘s scores from the 📕 swap downstairs. A few there for gifts including the war ones for my dad. I get so excited when I take the lift to the basement then take the stairs to round the corner to a pile of 📚 in the yet to be sorted basket. I always go down to check after my 2 🩰 classes on Thurs night. I‘m going to read the Hello Molly mag on my way to work this morn on the 🚆 while enjoying my 2nd tea of the day. Happy Friday everyone!

From the book swap closest to me from a while back. The tv series of the tagged book is also great.

Got these from the nearby book swap a little while back.

Last Monday I scored at the library book sale. $2 each!

For those following along with my not 📕 related journey, my 1st showgirl performance was a success. I loved it! It‘s so hard to go back to normal life after a night on the stage. I managed all the quick changes with the help of some very organised dressers. The 🍾 that night was extra delicious as was the food! I can‘t wait to do it all again. I hope to be less nervous next time in the lead up. Though I was very calm when waiting in the wings.

Yesterday‘s op shop purchases. Grand total 🟰 $62.75. I did use my credits. The coloring castle is to use with my nieces and nephews. I think I‘ll wear the dress out on Sunday for lunch to celebrate what I hope is are great performances at Showcase. It will be nice to rest after a good party. My body is starting to worn me it‘s had just about enough.

More Friday after work op shop purchases. Grand total= $54. I saw Myf speak at the Byron Writer‘s Festival and have been waiting for the op shop gods to deliver her to my hands. The festival was rained out after one day this year so thankfully I decided not to go and devoted my time to preparing for my showcase this weekend. Still quite a bit of preparation to do so I have taken this week off on long service leave to get ready to do my 6 dances.

Fridays op shop spoils after work for the grand total of $105. The patchwork stuff is for my mum as her birthday is coming up.

Finished this one on the way to work and cried on the bus. Book of the year is my prediction. So believable and so human. I ❤️ Betty. We should all try to be more like Betty. This is a picture of the creek I walk along every morning on my way to work. This book was loaned to me by a lovely friend at work, Sally.