Getting in the mood

I WAS happy at the weekend. To be shopping to the sounds of Christmas jingles and festive choruses. This time last year, the build up to Christmas was .... er.... none. And Christmas Day was like any other. It could've passed unnoticed, like any other.

You see, I'm particularly used to the cold weather, the dark nights and the constant festive tunes that emanate over the airwaves. But here, Down Under, you just don't get that. I've even invested in a Christmas CD to try and get me into the spirit but when it's 34C outside, you just don't fancy jiving along to 'Rocking Around the Christmas Tree' that's for sure. You just want to crack open another tinny and lie in the hammock til the sun goes down and the mosquitos get their fill of you.

In order to get a bit more cash to save up for the festive spirit, I've taken a second job. In addition to my thrice-weekly shifts at the hot springs, I now do two days a week homecare for Australian's seniors. Or those who just need a bit of a post-operative helping hand after a spell in hospital.

I take on three a day, each at 90 minute stints, when I'll travel to people in their homes and give them the assistance they need. Some need their washing hanging out, some need help to make their beds. Most need the vacuuming doing and they all like to have their kitchen floors mopped over. For some clients, I go out with their shopping lists and pick up their weekly groceries and even manage to grab a few 'must haves' for myself while I'm out and getting paid for it. Bonus.

These people are so appreciative, it hurts when I leave them. They force feed me their pumpkin scones and weak coffee and like to hear about where I'm from. They want to know all there is about why we moved to Australia and how we were enjoying it. They love it when I tell them that visiting them is one of the highlights of living here. But to be honest, it is. These people are awesome. After 90 minutes, I feel like they're part of the family and visiting them is what I would have normally done anyway.

But as summer beckons, I'm not sure how I'll cope with vacuuming someone's gaff while they have the heating on full pelt. They feel the cold do my little old ladies and it'll take me all of my pre-existing persuasive powers to get them to crank it down a notch so I can get through their domesticities without passing out.

So tomorrow, I'm off again to vaccuum around the gold shoes and matching cardi's - all laid out and ready for the senior's Christmas parties they're getting off to over the weeks that follow. They look forward to seeing me and I look forward to seeing them. It makes the job all the more worthwhile to know you're appreciated.