New Home

Finally, we are home. Today we moved into our very own apartment!  Doug is in Singapore for a month so it was up to me to move our household once again. We made three trips in a taxi throughout the week moving what we had with us. The movers arrived Wednesday morning. It truly was like Christmas/Hanukkah!  Every box we opened held a surprise. What would we find?  Why did we pack this? Where is that thing we need? Everything arrived safely except for Tofie’s wheelchair which we are hoping to find somewhere in the warehouse.

"the old lady with the chapstick"

The boys were THRILLED to see their toys again. They spent several hours playing and rediscovering each and every toy.  It was so cool to watch Tucker play as he has changed so much over the last 2 months and plays very differently than before we left. Cooper does too I suppose. The stories he tells as he plays are much more involved.  In fact, just yesterday he played “Scott at Quarantine.” Scott was the dogs’ attendant while in quarantine. He tended to the dogs daily and we got to know him quite well.  Cooper first created an air control tower for the airport, then loaded the airplane, then decided to load a truck headed for quarantine.  Before the animals arrived at quarantine there was a great fire and all the fire trucks, ambulances and helicopters were called to the station and Scott and “the old lady with chapstick” were both hurt and had to be transported by “e-bulance” to the hospital/control tower.  Once well again, Scott returned to quarantine to care for all the cats, dogs and horses and he never missed a beat!  It was amazing how this scenario evolved!  Fascinating to watch.  

Scott at quarantine during the fire

Since moving day, the boys have continued to enjoy their toys. Cooper has rediscovered all his videos from home and has spent some time “catching up” with old television friends. As of yet we still do not have television or internet so we are just watching DVDs on my computer.  Hopefully we will be back in touch with the modern world by next week.  

Coop so happy to have his stuffed animals back

Tucker enjoying his crib again

The apartment itself is great. Great location, clean and quiet. The concierges have all been wonderfully helpful and patient with all my questions.  We finally have a fridge and a washing machine and I seriously have done thirty-thousand loads since we got it.  Everything smelled kinda funky from the move and needs a good wash!

 The boys’ rooms are almost done. Those of you who know me well know that there was no way that I was going to wait to unpack.  I just unpacked the last box and the movers will be back on Monday to pick up the empties.  Actually, movers here are “removalists.”  I am even sending a few boxes back with them to put in storage.  I plugged in Coop’s “boombox” and nearly caught the place on fire!  The voltage here is way stronger than back home. Almost blew up the vacuum too!  So, I am send all our “little appliances” to storage and perhaps we will purchase some here or maybe not.

New Home

Finally, we are home. Today we moved into our very own apartment!  Doug is in Singapore for a month so it was up to me to move our household once again. We made three trips in a taxi throughout the week moving what we had with us. The movers arrived Wednesday morning. It truly was like Christmas/Hanukkah!  Every box we opened held a surprise. What would we find?  Why did we pack this? Where is that thing we need? Everything arrived safely except for Tofie’s wheelchair which we are hoping to find somewhere in the warehouse.

"the old lady with the chapstick"

The boys were THRILLED to see their toys again. They spent several hours playing and rediscovering each and every toy.  It was so cool to watch Tucker play as he has changed so much over the last 2 months and plays very differently than before we left. Cooper does too I suppose. The stories he tells as he plays are much more involved.  In fact, just yesterday he played “Scott at Quarantine.” Scott was the dogs’ attendant while in quarantine. He tended to the dogs daily and we got to know him quite well.  Cooper first created an air control tower for the airport, then loaded the airplane, then decided to load a truck headed for quarantine.  Before the animals arrived at quarantine there was a great fire and all the fire trucks, ambulances and helicopters were called to the station and Scott and “the old lady with chapstick” were both hurt and had to be transported by “e-bulance” to the hospital/control tower.  Once well again, Scott returned to quarantine to care for all the cats, dogs and horses and he never missed a beat!  It was amazing how this scenario evolved!  Fascinating to watch.  

Scott at quarantine during the fire

Since moving day, the boys have continued to enjoy their toys. Cooper has rediscovered all his videos from home and has spent some time “catching up” with old television friends. As of yet we still do not have television or internet so we are just watching DVDs on my computer.  Hopefully we will be back in touch with the modern world by next week.  

Coop so happy to have his stuffed animals back

Tucker enjoying his crib again

The apartment itself is great. Great location, clean and quiet. The concierges have all been wonderfully helpful and patient with all my questions.  We finally have a fridge and a washing machine and I seriously have done thirty-thousand loads since we got it.  Everything smelled kinda funky from the move and needs a good wash!

 The boys’ rooms are almost done. Those of you who know me well know that there was no way that I was going to wait to unpack.  I just unpacked the last box and the movers will be back on Monday to pick up the empties.  Actually, movers here are “removalists.”  I am even sending a few boxes back with them to put in storage.  I plugged in Coop’s “boombox” and nearly caught the place on fire!  The voltage here is way stronger than back home. Almost blew up the vacuum too!  So, I am send all our “little appliances” to storage and perhaps we will purchase some here or maybe not.

RELEASED!! (June 3, 2011)

Last train trip to quarantine

Oh my! What an amazing day this has been. We woke up at our usual time and dragged ourselves to the quarantine station ready for another visit with the dogs and a return trip to Sydney. When we walked in Melanie, the receptionist, looked shaken and said to me, “I am so excited and embarrassed.” It took me a minute to register what she said (the Aussie accent still gets me at times) and I asked, “Why? Is everything okay?” She whispered to me, “Your dogs can go home today.”  Needless to say, I was taken aback.  I must have had a dumbfounded look on my face and said, “What? How? What?” She said that they were discussing the logistics for tomorrow (the release date I was given) and she looked at the file and it said, “Eligible for release.”  So today, June 3, 2011, we were able to take the Pugs home!  We were so surprised and so amazed and so speechless!  Everyone was so happy for us. They asked, “The question is are you ready for them to go home?” Duh! Of course we were!  The whole thing wassurreal.  It was like when the boys were born early- of course I was “ready,” but not yet!  Anyway, our friendly taxi driver was planning to drive us to IKEA (near Sydney), but instead we packed up the dogs and headed back to home.  

The girls out for a "walk"

So good to be home...

Upon arriving in our apartment, Manzie ran all over checking things out. Tofie did a bit as well.  After exploring, we took the dogs for a walk and to the park across the street. Then, a celebratory drink at Starbucks!  What a great day and a great surprise to bring our girls home early.

RELEASED!! (June 3, 2011)

Last train trip to quarantine

Oh my! What an amazing day this has been. We woke up at our usual time and dragged ourselves to the quarantine station ready for another visit with the dogs and a return trip to Sydney. When we walked in Melanie, the receptionist, looked shaken and said to me, “I am so excited and embarrassed.” It took me a minute to register what she said (the Aussie accent still gets me at times) and I asked, “Why? Is everything okay?” She whispered to me, “Your dogs can go home today.”  Needless to say, I was taken aback.  I must have had a dumbfounded look on my face and said, “What? How? What?” She said that they were discussing the logistics for tomorrow (the release date I was given) and she looked at the file and it said, “Eligible for release.”  So today, June 3, 2011, we were able to take the Pugs home!  We were so surprised and so amazed and so speechless!  Everyone was so happy for us. They asked, “The question is are you ready for them to go home?” Duh! Of course we were!  The whole thing wassurreal.  It was like when the boys were born early- of course I was “ready,” but not yet!  Anyway, our friendly taxi driver was planning to drive us to IKEA (near Sydney), but instead we packed up the dogs and headed back to home.  

The girls out for a "walk"

So good to be home...

Upon arriving in our apartment, Manzie ran all over checking things out. Tofie did a bit as well.  After exploring, we took the dogs for a walk and to the park across the street. Then, a celebratory drink at Starbucks!  What a great day and a great surprise to bring our girls home early.

Doggie "Outing"

Today we were able to take the dogs to the "exercise yard" which is simply a large, fenced-in area where the dogs can run around. Now, as those of you who know my dogs there was not much in the way of "running around" going on.  Manzie spent the short time we were there bumping into the wire fences (that she cannot really see since she has only 40% of her vision) and whining at the gate to leave. So much for exercising her. Tofie, on the other hand, loved it.  I held up her hind-end and she ran all over the place.  Poor thing, she hasn't moved that much in ages.  She loved chilling out on the towel we brought and soaking up the sun.  I loved being out of the kennel with them and seeing their cute faces in the sunshine. I think it was a bit of a mood lifter for them both...and for me. :)  Ten days and counting until we can bring our sweet Pugs home. 

Doggie "Outing"

Today we were able to take the dogs to the "exercise yard" which is simply a large, fenced-in area where the dogs can run around. Now, as those of you who know my dogs there was not much in the way of "running around" going on.  Manzie spent the short time we were there bumping into the wire fences (that she cannot really see since she has only 40% of her vision) and whining at the gate to leave. So much for exercising her. Tofie, on the other hand, loved it.  I held up her hind-end and she ran all over the place.  Poor thing, she hasn't moved that much in ages.  She loved chilling out on the towel we brought and soaking up the sun.  I loved being out of the kennel with them and seeing their cute faces in the sunshine. I think it was a bit of a mood lifter for them both...and for me. :)  Ten days and counting until we can bring our sweet Pugs home. 

A Trip Line for the Boys

So this posting is more for the boys than anything. I am pretty sure Tucker will have no memory of our trips to quarantine and I am hoping Cooper will have some memories of it. If not I have made a little photo trip line so they WILL always have photo memories.

GETTING TO THE TRAIN

The boys in the lift at Central

 Cooper takes great pride in pushing Tucker in his stroller.  Tucker is usually okay with it, but sometimes he just wants mom.  Just love Cooper's get-up- sunnies, Dad's backpack and he is singing!

TRAIN RIDE TO BLACKTOWN

Snacks on the train are imperative. The take up a good 10 minute- usually before the train even departs the station!  I am getting better at packing snacks that take more time to eat.  

TRAIN STOPS

Strathfield Station

Granville Station

No clue what goes on in these towns, but they are the first stops after leaving Central Terminal

Paramatta

Paramatta is a pretty big town. Lots of people alight the train here and many get on. A branch of the University of Sydney is located here and a HUGE shopping mall.

WE'RE HERE!

Our destination 

our train

Waiting for the lift in Blacktown

inside of the Blacktown station

often our breakfast stop

taxi ranks

in the lift

QUARANTINE STATION

Animal Quarantine

quarantine grounds 

walking to the kennels

kitty in quarantine

one of the catteries

row 7- home to the Pugs

the pug's "view"

neighbor dog

inside the daytime kennel

Coop hanging out with the dogs

the girls spend the day sitting
in the sun

Leaving quarantine

Plant Quarantine Station

The driveway out

Cooper opening the gate

RETURN TRIP

back at the train plaform

waiting for the express train

trains arriving and departing

BACK ON THE TRAIN