Sun 01: Day 1 of the last month of Winter (in Perth, Australia). Day off today - but I had a lot of paperwork and housework to do - so I didn't go anywhere, except for a quick trip ti the local IGA. Most things got done. Barry (a friend of Troy and Tracey) invited us to a barbecue. Now it's ME time.

Mon 02: I am feeling relatively positive today. Made a couple of phone calls -including the ATO. My refund (which was due in the middle of last month) is being processed manually and I should have it in the next fortnight. Tracey made a couple of phone calls too - and things are looking up. I got home around 0200 (tomorrow ... if that makes sense), so I won't be getting out of bed too early either.

Tue 03: Woken just after 0600 - a diverted phone call (grrr!!!), but back to sleep and out of bed (eventually) at 11am. Checked my email. An overnight one telling me I had today and tomorrow off ... so I started some serious networking and job hunting after lunch today. Ron phoned - he is 'shattered' as a job he had his heart set on is ... gone. He applied for the job 3 months ago - but when he went to book in for the exam tomorrow - was told the position was closed A MONTH AGO! Bad luck, Ron. I sympathise. Got a phone call and email - I start at 3.30am tomorrow. Mum phoned just as I was having dinner - she is not well and has been admitted to the Mount Hospital. Please rest Mum. Come back home refreshed and recharged.

Wed 04: Quite an incredible day today. I went to bed early (at 2000 / 8pm) last night and immediately fell asleep - only to wake (wide-awake / eyes wide open type awake) at 2230 / 10.30pm. Took ages to get back to sleep and then it was 0140 / 1.40am today - time to get out of bed, shower and shave and head off. Fortunately the day went quickly and I headed home at 2pm, stopping at Harvey Norman to collect Tracey's laptop (in for waranty repair), drop into the local pharmacy to collect this month's medications and Woolworths to get some shopping essentials. Checked my email and found I finally had news from Witt. Had a quick chat - all now okay. Had a good sleep for a few hours (from 1500 / 3pm to 1800 / 6pm), did a bit of housework ready for tomorrow's rent inspection and watched a bit of TV to unwind. I feel another early night coming on. No news from Mum - so I will take that as good news. The only bad news to report is my car is losing coolant and overheating - a trip to the mechanic tomorrow is on the cards.

Thu 05: Two steps forward - only one step back. I went back to bed to sleep around 2000 / 8pm last night and slept solidly until 0300 / 3am today. Slept lightly until 0800 / 8am. Today is the six monthly house inspection. Not a great worry as things are always kept reasonably tidy. Last minute sweep and mop before I headed out into the outside world. Mum is home again at number 5 after a heart scare. Plans are under way for Ada's first birthday party here at number 13 on 4th of next month.

Fri 06: A long day today. Up at 0715 / 7.15am, out the door an hour later, home after midnight. Glad to get home and go to bed. Two Panadol and I slept like a rock.

Sat 07: Amazing what a good sleep does to one's body. Woke refreshed, did my laundry, after stripping and remaking my bed. Had toast and fruit juice for breakfast. Checked my emails, paid bills - as finally (3 weeks late!) my ATO refund has arrived. Went out with Tracey and Ron and had a Chinese massage on my neck and shoulders. Got a work sheet by email to check. Ironed some shirts. Early night tonight. In bed by 2000 / 8pm.

Sun 08: Up at 0130 / 1.30am for another early start. While I went to bed early, I woke around 2.5 hours later and I dont think I got back to sleep before my alarms sounded. A hectic day. Finished at 1515 / 3.15pm, then over to number 5 to socialise. Home to have a shower, some dinner and off to bed to sleep.

Mon 09: I had previously spoken to Viv, saying I needed a day to myself - so up at 0800 / 8am and dropped my car off at Auto Masters Malaga. They do a good job at a sensible price. Did some running around in their loan car (post office, shops etc) and then home to organise some paperwork. Made and received a few phone calls. Spoke with Witt. Tracey was successful with her job interview. She starts work tomorrow (Monday to Friday, 4 hours a day and every second Saturday). Dinner with Ron. Looks like being an interesting week.

Tue 10: Shops then Willeton today. Sunshine and blue skies - but the Weather Bureau is tipping rain for tomorrow. It's Mother's Day in Thailand this Thursday - so a lot of people are heading to their home villages to pay their respects to one of the most important people in their lives. I am hoping Witt contacts his mother. I discovered a large bruise on my right arm, just before my armpit - no idea how it got there. Also had a few aches and pains - hope it's nothing serious. Tracey had a good first day at work.

Wed 11: An early start today. The red sky sunrise gave way to the odd drop of rain, but nothing serious all day - although I did need to have the windscreen wipers on for an hour or so. A bit of news to report: the Foxtel repairman came this morning and replaced our IQ Box (it was faulty). Tracey spent the day with her Mum. A welcome SMS from Witt - he is in Chonburi and is opening a shop-house business starting tomorrow. That will keep him busy until he returns to Australia in late October this year. My bruise is getting better (don't know what I bumped with my arm). Ron is still sick. Without a doubt - this HAS to be the story of the year. More here.

Thu 12: Another early morning - this was an interesting day - one way or another. It was also a long day. A very tiring day. I can't say any more for now.

Fri 13: Friday the 13th. Traditionally a 'bad day.' However it was 100% better than yesterday. I could sleep in and was only out and about for 4 hours. I feel much better - but wish I could get off this roller-coaster of mood swings. I don't think I am ready for this - but I'm probably not not ready for the funny farm yet - then again - maybe I am (it would make a nice free holiday).

Sat 14: Early start today - finished around 1400 / 2pm. Troy and I went to see Mum and Ian at number 5 - Mum's been cleaning out her linen cupboards and we scored a bundle of serviettes and a couple of tablecloths. Plus - my polo shirt is now washed and ironed. Then via Woolworths for sliced meat and Lenards for chicken.

Sun 15: Went to Bunnings with Troy this morning to get some new lawn mower blades and some fertiliser. Came home - Troy went out his Amy and Ada. I mowed the lawns and did some washing. Spoke on the phone with Witt and brought him up to date. He will return home next month. Tracey spent the night at number 72 - to clean her old room.

Mon 16: A hectic day today - but I got a lot done. Out of the house and off to Morley by 0900. Then home and off to Midland and Malaga, before dropping Tracey at Girrawheen to spend some time with her mother. Back to Midland and spoke with a lawyer - before coming home. Mopped the floors and then made a few phone calls. Spoke by phone with Witt - he will return to Perth in a month's time.

Tue 17: Peter & Troy's birthdays. A busy start to the day. My morning run was cancelled at the last minute and I was diverted to Fremantle to spruik a new promo. Then I did my good deed for the day - driving Ron's mum to collect her car after it had been towed and serviced (hope they did a good job!). Ron and Tracey took me to lunch at Beeches Tavern. I got a few shirts for my birthday - then home to unwind. Thanks to everybody who took the time to contact me by phone, email or SMS with birthday wishes.

Wed 18: The roller coaster ride continued today - an early start to the day - the radiator in my car boiled. Fortunately, I had spare coolant in the boot. It shouldn't have happened as the cooling system was serviced last Monday. Home around 2315 (11.15pm) to a nice healthy caesar salad created by Tracey. Today was also my father's birthday.

Thu 19: The 'roller coaster' is slowly climbing the track upwards. A more positive day today. My car ran well. Witt phoned to advise he will be returning to Australia (from Thailand) at the end of this month. People were pleasant. A quick trip to Woolworths with Tracey this afternoon. She has gastro again. Troy and Amy bought me a mobile phone pouch to replace the one I lost about a week ago.

Fri 20: The roller coaster continues - slowly upwards. Troy and I were up early today and off to Midland. Home around lunchtime - checked the mail and then off to Morley to get a few jobs out of the way. We both had haircuts and did some banking. I went to Officeworks for some stationery and found them very competitive. Troy received a phone call telling him his car was ready for collection - so we headed to Mt Hawthorn. Troy headed to see Amy and Ada and I headed home. Still some confusion about when Witt will return to Perth - but I am expecting him home in about a week.

Sat 21: Election 2010: I got out of the house and had a good day today. Caught up with Ron and we went to a few garage sales. I didn't want to buy anything - but I ended up paying $4 for 3 long sleeved shirts and a paperback book. Off to Warwick Grove shops for a few odds and ends - then I dropped into number 5 to say hello to Mum and Ian. Home to unwind and catch up on my email and have a quiet evening. I have kidney pains, so I'll probably see my doctor first thing on Monday. Still waiting to hear back from Witt about his plans to return to Australia.

Sun 22: Went to bed early last night (around 2000). I havent been able to contact Witt lately - with the exception of a couple of brief messages on Facebook. As far as I know, he's returning from Thailand to Perth at the end of this month. I woke around 0800 - just before my alarm sounded today. I was planning on going with Tracey to see Peter (one of her brothers) play in a football match - but Tracey still has gastro - so I stayed home and did some paperwork.

Mon 23: My roller coaster is still steadily climbing the hill. It's going slowly and steadily and my life seems to be back on track (again). Witt will travel from Udon Thani (in NE Thailand) to Bangkok on Thursday this week and have two nights in Bangkok, before flying with Tiger Airways to Perth this Saturday evening. Tracey is still very sick with gastro so I have insisted she drink a lot more fluids as I am concerned she is seriously dehydrated. Overnight temperature: 2.9ºC.

Tue 24: Tracey is much better today - not totally cured - but she has some colour in her cheeks. My washing is up to date and I was commenting to somebody today that I could probably count on one hand the number of rainy days in Perth this winter (which ends in another week). Without doing some research, I can't recall a drier winter. I feel severe water restrictions will be imposed this summer. Fortunately, we have a bore to water our lawns and gardens. A few drops of rain.

Wed 25: A relaxing day today. A sleep in until nearly 1000. A quick shower (no breakfast) and I headed off to Willeton. A hectic 5 hours before heading back home. A fine, sunny day today. Tracey had a bad headache all day. Troy is fine. I filled my car on the way home this evening at $1.14 a litre (for ULP). The price will jump up to 20c per litre from 0600 tomorrow. A quick chat with Witt - who will spend 2 nights in Bangkok before returning to Perth Saturday evening.

Thu 26: Brrrr!!! Another cold night - I was told around 2ºC this morning, but I havent had time to check the Weather Bureau's website for Perth's forecast. I was up early and got a lot done today. Much better than Tracey (who is recovering slowly) and had 2 appointments - which took her all day. Not her fault - but annoying, nonetheless. I spoke with Witt tonight. He is happy to be coming back to Australia - but I warned him not to exceed the Duty Free limits when he goes through Australian Customs. In case the link doesn't work - its 2.25lt of alcohol, 250 cigarettes and $AUD900 of gifts. Exceed the limit and you pay duty on everything you bring in - not just the amount over those limits.

Fri 27: Early start and late finish today. I am anxious to have an early night as this promises to be a hectic weekend. Witt is having his last day and night in Bangkok. Sent me a message on Facebook. Tracey has gone back to stay at her mother's place tonight - to clean her old room. I told her she can come back here when it's clean (that could take ages!).

Sat 28: Housework today. I got stuck into the housework, while Troy cleared some of the maintenance backlog. Loads of washing (including 24 pairs of socks from Troy) hung on the line. The dishes done. The floors vaccuumed and mopped. Tracey is at number 72 - I have told her she can return when the room she vacated 9 months ago is cleaned to her mother's satisfaction. Troy, Amy and Ada went to an engagement party this afternoon. I ache all over (housework is hard work!) - but I had my car to vaccuum and clean before I tried (unsuccessfully) to have a brief nap. Witt touched down at Perth International Airport tonight - on Tiger Airways, 10 minutes early. Home via KFC.

Sun 29: Winter is leaving up - officially - cool nights and warm days. Today in Perth the temperature hit the 20ºC mark around 11am. A great day for the City To Surf fun run - with around 40,000 people taking part in various events ranging from 42km marathon to 4km walk.

Mon 30: A sleep in today - as my back is still aching from housework. A pleasant day - but some showers this afternoon and evening - not much but every drop of rain is welcome. A nice home-cooked meal by Witt this evening (pork cutlets and mixed vegetables). Yes - I even ate my carrots!

Tue 31: Officially the last day of the Southern Hemisphere Winter. I think Witt brought the rain with him when he returned from Thailand last weekend. A day of steady rain in Perth, but the Weather Bureau says this winter in Perth was the second driest, the coldest and the sunniest on record. I was woken at 0230 and had to save the world (again ...). It's hard being a super-hero. A pleasant (but wet) afternoon. Witt and I went to Warwick Grive Shopping Centre as everything we needed (Post Office, ANZ Bank, All Phones (Optus), Harvey Noman and a food court. More rain and cloudy days are forecast for the next week.