Herb's Hiccups

So today wasn't the best day we've had. I had a pretty good day... but Nic had a lot of issues with Herb. Oh yeah, and I started up a love affair with my other boy toy, Facebook. Nic gets somewhat ignored in the morning when I have Facebook and he hasn't said anything yet, but I know he hates that I readded it. I had no choice, the threat of him deleting his was looming large and he doesn't really care for the blog much anymore either. He's gone on some total privacy kick.

So the update on the update is that yes, we are living in a van. I got some messages about people not believing this. Today is the first day we've set up the tent. We live in Caravan Parks. It's a bit expensive though. Usually 30 dollars a night. I love it. I really like the park we are currently at. We got here yesterday and because we'd done so much driving, we decided to have a relax day and stay one more. Nic barely relaxed at all though. We don't have good reception for the radio and Nic set out to fix that today while I read by the pool. He was taking a seriously long time and when he got back, he looked frustrated. I guess while he was driving down the highway, Herb's steering decided to lock and Nic couldn't move the steering wheel. While Nic was fixing this, I fell asleep. The sun just kills me. Apparently it's all fixed now though. Again, Nic's a handy person to have around. Why would a girl ever want to date a guy that couldn't fix things? I am pro women's lib- but come on. As the days pass on, I realize I am dating my father. Aside from the LL BEAN shirts (which I am certain Nic would wear if I let him), he thinks and acts like Phil. I think my Dad is pretty cool though, so it doesn't bother me.

Anyhow, I spent the entire day pool side. We are in Rockhampton, Queensland and it is the first time we've had heat that I find unbearable. It was hot from the moment we woke up (which is 5 am for me). I am seriously questioning us going to Cairns, but we need to sell Herbert and want to see the Great Barrier Reef. Nicholas and I were forced to have the finances talk today. By forced, I mean Nic forced me. I usually like to get to the last dollar and make a plan, but Armstrong doesn't work that way. So, after tabulating and planning, we think we'll probably be home 2 months earlier than expected. Which makes sense considering we quit our jobs 2 months early. That's okay, because we'll still have seen everything we wanted too.

So far we've done the Byron Bay, Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island and now I believe we are on what is called the Capricorn Coast. I was expecting more from Fraser Island. We were constantly going back and forth about whether we should rent our own 4WD, go on a 2 day camping trip or the 1 day and I am really happy we did the one day. Aside from our tour guide, Mark, being completely sexually frustrated and letting everyone know, my favourite thing was Lake McKenzie. It was so gorgeous. The water was tourquoise and the sand so white. We were told to exfoliate our skin and clean our jewelry because the sand was so good. Some people even brushed their teeth with it.

I think my most favourite day is the day we spent in Tin Can Bay. This was the day that was super cheap because we lived like hobos. We didn't do anything overly exciting. I was going to feed the dolphins but when I saw them, they looked really gnarly and were pink and grey. They did not look like Flipper at all. There were a lot of kids, so I saved my 5 bucks.

The East Coast has been good to us weather wise. We maybe had 4 days of rain. We do mainly cheap things, like go to the beach or inexpensive day tours... OR national parks. We've done a couple water activities... but it turns out my fear of sharks was greater than I expected. Apparently from now on we can't go swimming in the ocean just anywhere because we need stinger suits to protect us from jelly fish. This whole "camping" thing though has made me want to get a kayak for our home (wherever that may be) and I want a trailer when we're older... Nic a cottage, I say his current house is like a cottage.

Other than that, the highlight of my day was finding out that this park had a book exchange...and now I am reading James Patterson crime novels which are a far cry from my lighter-than-tofutti chick lit books. Oh, and I got a zit. I rarely get them.. I remember when I got one in Grade 8 on my forehead and Dean went on about my "Paki Dot". Don't think I've forgotten about that Dean. Anyhow, I haven't worn make up in like a month and I've tried to cover my face for almost the whole day so people can't see it. Casually holding lettuce to my chin at the supermarket. Life is pretty good right now.

Our next stop is Airlie Beach. We leave tomorrow. Hopefully Herb holds out and I don't spontaneously bust due to heat. I am officially known as Sharna here. Everyone thinks I am saying Sharna. How they get the R sound is beyond me. Nic's friends even asked after we'd been there for 3 days if there was an R. Nic seems pretty agitated right now, so I better get off the computer. He did cook dinner (stir fry) and cleaned up since I've been on here. We don't have any anniversaries but tomorrow is the day we had our first official, not a date, but a planned outing. It may have been 4 months after it was originally scheduled and 8 months after asking but it still happened none the less. I couldn't avoid it for forever. Turns out going against my better judgement was my best decision to date. I am so happy some days I could cry... annnnd I just started right now. Good lord, I am going to be a mess at the wedding.

Keep Warm Mates. (I so love this, we are everyones mate here).

Special shout out to my Dad as his last round of chemo is coming up. You're a tough cookie Phil. While it sucks, you have taught me more about important things in life than you'll ever know. I am so proud of how you've handled what life threw at you and love you so much.

Ahh, also a very happy birthday to the handsome Ryan MacIntyre as he celebrates his 5th birthday on the 17th. Since I've been here, you've turned into a little boy. I am so excited to see you! xo