Rent

So renting in Melbourne at the moment is a little crazy!

I heard that when we got here last year, rental vacancy was at a low 3% - now its 1%

And prices are going up and up and up.

There were a few things/repairs that I wanted done to the apartment, but since our one year contract was up, I was afraid to make contact lest they should decide to raise our rent....I wanted them to just forget about us.

We pay $165 per week ($715 per month) and there's a unit in our building up for lease...I looked online and it's going for $210 a week!

Then I really got scared! But we heard they have to give you 3 months notice to raise the rent.

We got a letter in the mail yesterday that they are raising our rent...but thankfully it's only being raise $15 a week....but the poor suckers who will be paying $130 more than us a month!

AND it doesn't start til February - so we won't have to pay too many months after that. Now I can get our bedroom door fixed!! And not stress everyday about a letter coming saying we'll be paying $200 a week!

Boo CRA

I'm in DIS-like with Canada Revenue Agency.

Conor's dad did our taxed for us, and Conor got his money months and months and months ago - but I was still waiting on mine.

After being told that I had to sign something to make Conor's dad a representative, they finally would talk to him about why I didn't have my money yet...but they actually didn't know.

This was awhile ago - then I got a letter saying that I needed to send some extra documents to them so that I could claim Conor's tuition. But still no word.

In the mean time, Conor got a bill for the GST checks that he recieved while we were here. Apparently you have to be a resident to get those, so he had to pay it back. I did pay it, and then we got two more of the same bills in the mail - so Conor's dad tried to call them about that, but the CONOR had to sign something to give his dad authority.

THEN! I get a letter in the mail saying that they aren't allowing me to use Conor tuition and instead of me getting $800 or whatever it was, I OWE $300! How terribly terribly sad.

Not to mention that I will be expecting another bill the same as Conor's for the GST that I got.

I can't wait til this is sorted out!

My 25th and More!

So my birthday was Monday the 19th, but we had my bowling birthday party on Saterday the 17th.

There were about 10 of us bowling and it was great fun! I did horribly, haha, but it was still fun! And I did beat a couple of the girls, so that was good.

Conor killed the competition by getting over 120, where the person in second got around 100 if I remember correctly. I've repressed my score so as not to be totally depressed, but it was pretty bad!

After bowling we went to this beergarden which was nice. It was this big outdoor place with lots of picnic tables, and then there were two canteen-type places: one for beer/drinks and one food. So all of us were able to sit together, and there was no pressure to get out or anything.

Really nice night as well, not blistering hot, but not cold either.

Conor and I waiting for the tram

Monica in her bowling pose

Bowling/space shoes!

Me and Monica

The gang!

Oh, it's "MOHvember" here...all the guys grow mustaches (handle bars are acceptable)

It's supposed to be supporting mens health, and some guys get pledged etc...Conor just wanted any excuse to grow a mustache.

It's really quite creepy seeing all these guys in mustaches!

My awesome new skirt!!

The scary possum living in the tree!

For my actual birthday, our friend that moved to Bendigo came out, and we had pizza and cake and just hung out. Thankfully it wasn't as blistering hot as last year! So far we haven't had as many hot hot days as this time last year, but word is that this summer in general will be hotter? Who knows!

Thank you to everyone for keeping my family in your prayers with the passing of my Aunt Margaret. My mom told me that there were around 800 people at her funeral! She definitely was a great person and very well loved.

May you rest in peace

My Aunt Margaret Stobbe passed away in a car accident on November 12.

My prayers go out to my Uncle Victor, cousins David and Colleen, and their families.

STOBBE _ Margaret Esther 1946 - 2007 On the evening of November 12, 2007, Margaret's Heavenly Father called her to her eternal home. Margaret was born to Roy and Laura Peterson on August 19, 1946 in Battle River (now Manning), Alberta. Margaret's early years were happy ones, spent on a farm near Manning with her sister Julie Ann and her brother David. It was during this time that she made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, accepting him as her Lord and Saviour. After completing her high school education, Margaret moved to Calgary where in 1966 she met her future husband and best friend, Victor. At the time, Victor was busy pursuing a professional career and so, was somewhat slow in developing his personal relationships. Margaret and Victor started dating in the summer of 1971, were engaged in October of that year, and were married on December 27, 1971. In 1973 they were blessed with the birth of a son, David Victor. A few years later, in 1977 the couple celebrated another happy occasion when a daughter, Colleen Elizabeth, was born. While in high school, both David and Colleen met their future loves. Margaret and Victor were so happy when, in the summer of 1999, Karly Gordon joined the family as David's wife. The following summer, they were thrilled to welcome Glen Hoare into the family, as Colleen's husband. It was not long for the grandchildren to arrive, Mariah, Hannah, Holly, Abbigail, and Micah. Each one was a special joy and blessing to Margaret. Margaret's life was marked by two special attributes - love and service. As an expression of Christ's love, she dedicated her life to serving the underprivileged and those in need at times of bereavement. Margaret loved to sing and spent many years as a member of the First Alliance Sanctuary Choir. Margaret is survived by her husband Victor, her son David and his wife Karly, her daughter Colleen and her husband Glen, and five precious grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother Laura Peterson; her sister Julie Ann and her family; her brother David, his wife Barbara and their family; Victor's mother Katie Stobbe; Victor's siblings and their families; together with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Roy Peterson and her father-in-law William Stobbe. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at First Alliance Church (12345 - 40 Street S.E.) on Sunday, November 18, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Celebration of Margaret's life will be at First Alliance Church, (12345 - 40 Street S.E.) on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through http://www.commemorativeservices.ca/ . If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Inn from the Cold Society, No. 106, 110 - 11 Avenue S.E. (Centre 110) Calgary, AB T2G OX5. Arrangements in care of COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES FUNERAL DIRECTORS. Telephone: 265-1199. Calgary Family Owned and Operated http://www.commemorativeservices.ca/

Christmas Cards

Well I've started on Christmas Cards today...might be a bit early, but better than being late!

Now don't be upset if we don't send you all a card...it's hard to keep up with everyone...but if you so desire to send us a card, here's our address:

13/11 Findon St
Hawthorn, VIC
3122
Australia

Baby Lily

I finally got to meet my boss's baby, Lily, today...her mom brought her into to work so I got to hold her too!

She's adorable - and I've volunteered to babysit sometime so they can go see a movie or something :)