Bend in the Weather (Entries tagged as birthday)

It's my birthday!

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:56:58 +1100

Well I turn the big 3-5 today. I'm starting to feel old... well not young anymore!

I've already been spoilt... Pauline has given me my pressie and I just love it.

I have so many geeky 'toys' that I really wanted something non-geeky for my b'day this year. Another geeky toy just means I'll be spending more time on the computer... and I do enough of that already!

We saw some artists painting several months ago and in passing I mentioned to Pauline 'I'd love to do that as a hobby!'

You know the drill, away from the computer, out in the country-side taking in some sun and fresh air.

Well it looks like it will become a reality now! Pauline bought me a French Easel Art Set.

Click image for a larger view.

On top of that she also gave me a bunch of paints, brushes and a bucket to wash out the paints in... all very cool!

As I'm moving down to Bannockburn later this year, it will be great to actually get out easily to places like the Otways, Steiglitz and the Brisbane Ranges National Park to do some painting.

Whilst I'm a beginner, it's more for the enjoyment and the great-outdoors. I'm likely to enroll in a short-course to pickup some technique but I expect it's something that I'll improve on with practice over time. (lets hope!)

So I'm all raring to go and paint myself silly! It will be a good break from the keyboards and a nice way to relax without any electrical devices within miles. (The mobile will stay home those days!)

AC's Birthday

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 13:23:42 +1100

Last night Pauline and I headed down to Geelong to celebrate AC's birthday!
We took her out to Mexacano's Mexican restaurantin Moorabool St in Geelong. (highly recommended!)

Everyone enjoyed a fantastic meal (boy they have big servings!) I don't think any of us finished our servings.

We all then headed back to AC's place and watched our favourite TV show House.
Pauline prepared a birthday cake, whilst AC put on a fresh brew of coffee for us all to enjoy.

The Black Forrest was a little dry, but we all took a generous piece.

All in all, it was a great evening.

A fun night for all!

My own 33^rd Birthday

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 23:32:29 +1100

Yup... even I celebrate birthdays!

A fun day for everyone there... Even though it was 35^oC that day!

Pauline's 30^th Birthday

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 23:25:04 +1100

This wasn't Pauline (my wife), but her cousins birthday!

Pauline's Dad's 70^th Birthday Photos

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 23:16:00 +1100

We've had a series of birthdays last week... and I've finally gotten around to posting them!

We all went to Pauline's parents place to celebrate his 70^th Birthday. The same day was Renee's Birthday. (Pauline's niece). So we also had a cake for her!

My own personal Atom bomb!

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 20:23:00 +1100

We have all grown up thinking an Atom bomb is a bad thing!

I've since learnt that you can indeed get a 'good' Atom. My bomb helps take the hassle out of the gardening.

I purchased an Atom Edger (well I got it for my birthday!) The thing is incredible! We have very tough buffalo grass that has just taken over in some parts of the yard.

However this little marvel is an Aussie invention that takes the back-ache and pain out of doing your edges.

Similar machines are almost double the price, and with their Australian and World-wide patents on the 'wheel-barrow' design they are exporting it around the globe.

In recent time, Atom Industries have been advertising on Australian TV. The model listed is their 2-stroke, 31cc petrol engine version. It's a pleasure to start and extremely easy to operate.
I've tried using a whipper-snipper previously but found the buffalo grass was so woody in parts that I just couldn't cut through it. I spent more time feeding the reel than actually cutting!

Not now! This device makes life a breeze when it comes to keeping the edges looking great, whilst keeping the grass at bay.

Here is a before and after view of the Atom in action.

As you can see... it makes a big difference! There was a footpath under all that. You can see where the grass was on the 'after shot' by the dirt marks.

It was the first attempt at using it, so I suspect over the coming weeks I'll get better and the edges will be more defined and sharper. For a first go I can't be more happier.

It's great to actually be able to walk on some footpath again!

The best feature, it's so easy to start, and easy on the back and arms... much better than the twisting required when using the whipper-snipper that left me with a sore back and dodgy edges!

So you can expect me to be using my Atom bomb more often to take the war of the lawns to a new level!

Birthday Party

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 09:42:09 +1100

Wednesday I celebrated my birthday.

It was a fantastic day! I had great day and had visitors all day!
It turned out much bigger than I expected and I wasn't wanting a fuss made.

Our parents from both sides, my sister, aunt, former neighbour and brother-in-law and his partner all stopped by.

I cooked up a BBQ at lunch (albeit the chicken was underdone). and it went well. We started partying at 11:00am and finished up at 11:00pm!

I did extremely well on the pressie front... I'll post a dedicated entry later on the pressies.
Thankyou to all that came over, you made it a great day!

Weekend of parties

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 08:45:00 +1100

It's been a weekend of parties!

First we had Pauline's Dad's 70^th birthday on Saturday, then we celebrated Pauline's cousin's (also named Pauline!) her 30^th birthday.

We had an excellent time at both!

Also on Sunday Pauline's niece (Renee) celebrated her 18^th. That was a bit of a reality check... the little child we have know as now grown up into a young lady! How quickly it happens...

It was good catching up with Pauline's side of the family for her Dad's birthday. John cooked up a storm on the BBQ and it was a relaxing day with good food, good conversation and good weather.

I didn't know many people at Pauline's party but was made welcome by both Joe and Pauline's family. Their 17 month year old son Samuel has grown and is now a "little man". He was having a ball with everyone chipping into to push him on the swing (ohh the life!)

We'll have to catch up with Pauline and Joe more often... like most friends time goes by so quickly that it's 'years' before you see each other. *sigh* We'll have to make more of an effort to see them.

Pauline has taken some photos at both parties... so I'll post them up once I get a chance to read them off the memory card.

What does your Birthdate mean?

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 09:02:00 +1100

Your Birthdate

Watch out Donald Trump! You've got a head for business and money.
You'll make it rich some day, even if you haven't figured out how yet.
A supreme individualist, you shouldn't get stuck in a corporate job.
Instead, make your own way - so that you can be the boss.

Your strength: Your undying determination

Your weakness: You require an opulent lifestyle

Your power color: Plum

Your power symbol: Dollar sign

Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/

3 score and 10

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 16:17:06 +1100

Yesterday we celebrated Pauline's Mum's 70^th birthday.

It was a fantastic night with all her children and grand-children there to celebrate it. (though Geraldine was unable to make it, as she was in Shanghai, China).

We had a great 3-course meal in at Hoppers Crossing,
Everyone had plenty to eat and there were plenty of photo occasions.

I'll put some photos up when I get sent a few (I unfortunately forgot the camera!).

Happy Birthday Silvia! Hope it was a fantastic day.