Day 11, A Cup of Coffee

Hi Rosemary,  it’s been a while since you and I left Adelaide and headed off in opposite directions – you to Perth and me to Brisbane.  It’s been a while too since we caught up over the phone so, we have just met for a virtual coffee – probably at the usual haunt.

If we were having coffee right now I’d be telling you how upset I was  when I heard on Monday that I didn’t get the job I’d had an interview for.  I was in Longreach with no mobile reception and when I arrived back in Brisbane, I had two missed calls from them. The HR manager doesn’t work Fridays so I had to wait all over the weekend to find out.  I was gutted and they ended up ‘splitting the nitty-gritty’ between me and one other and I lost out.  As Ellie said at least it’s making way for an even better job and a smooth sea never made a good sailor!  So wise that one!

If we were having coffee right now I’d be telling you all about the wonderful trip I’ve been on over the last couple of weeks with my temping role.  I’ve been conducting work, health and safety audits in Mareeba, Mt Isa, Longreach, Charleville and Emerald.  It was fabulous to visit rural Queensland, I just wish I’d had more time to explore these rural communities.  Have you ever been to Charleville?  I really liked it there and I said to the girls in the office, that I reckon I must have been the only pom in the town (apparently not, there’s an English lass who works in the bakery.)  They really want to take me on one of their rural road trips, and I’d really like to do that BUT, would need to take the coffee machine with me (and a toilet come to think of it!)  Who would believe that it’s actually living in Australia that’s turned me into such a coffee snob!

If we were having coffee right now I’d be glowing with pride at Ellie’s HD she achieved with her marketing assignment and now head down, bum up with revision for mid-year exams.

If we were having coffee right now I’d be excitedly telling you that Tom is coming up for the weekend and the two of us will be watching the Wallabies, England match at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow evening.  AND we are fortunate enough to be enjoying corporate hospitality too!  There had to be a perk with this job somewhere.

If we were having coffee right now no doubt we’d be exchanging our views on our book club reads over the last couple of months.  Although we are no longer able to gather with our wonderful girlfriends to discuss our reads (and so much more!) I’ve been reading the books – Not Forgetting the Whale, by John Ironmonger and I’ve just started My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante.  I really enjoyed the John Ironmonger book, what did you think of it?

If we were having coffee right now I’d be wishing you were going to be in Adelaide the same time as me so we could catch up.  I’ll just have to make the time to visit you in Perth won’t I?

If we were having coffee right now I’d be whinging to you about my fear of being fifty this month.  It isn’t sitting very well with me I have to say.  I just can’t believe that I’ve hit this mile stone so soon.  I know fifty is the new forty and I should be grateful for good health and all that, but FIFTY!

If we were having coffee right now I’d be letting you know that I really enjoyed reading your book reviews on your blog The Yarn Spinner’s Chronicle and I can’t wait to read some of your own work soon.

If we were having coffee right now I’d be asking how the girls are doing and how Jerome and you are settling into your new life in Perth.  I really hope you are settled and happy.

If we were having coffee right now you’d know that I’m missing you, our friends and my old job, my old home and of course the children (that goes without saying really). I’m the first one to say pull yourself together and get a grip, but sometimes it’s just not that easy is it?  I know you’ll be missing your beautiful girls too.  If it’s any consolation at least we can stand back and admire our handy work and realise that we have nurtured four children into grounded adults who are teetering on the edge of something wonderful – we did that!

The cafe has put the closed sign up Rosemary so it’s time to head off now.  It’s been a great catch up as always, take care my friend – Bye.