Monday 30 November 2009

Up with the times

We had to be up early Sunday.

Isn't that always the way?

So we did. See, we got a new airconditioner installed. I had mentioned to the Landlord that I was worried about our old Rank Arena unit, with several fires around Adelaide being caused from faulty units.

He agreed it was old and brought a tradesman around last week for a quote. Landlord bought the unit and this bloke showed up at 8.30 Sunday morning to install it.

He left about 1.00...

But, we now have a you-beaut state-of-the-art Kelvinator reverse cycle unit. The installer said it's a very powerful unit that will do the whole house if we leave it open. I did find out one thing - if I keep hold of my beloved spot at the dining table I will get blown away... it is quite strong. But hey, now all we need is some hot weather to try it out!

We took Hermione home yesterday afternoon and stayed for almost two hours chatting. Home made scones, home made jam, cream, cup of tea... aaah.... very nice. Fluffy loved the fruit cake they left with us and has put his order in for more, if we supply the ingredients. Deal!

We pick up Scooter this afternoon. I just hope Fluffy understands the techno crap the fellow dishes out about what was wrong. I have to drop him off then come back and pick up Dobby from after school care. I hope he remembers to ask to get details. He has a couple of questions himself, and I want answers....

Keep you posted...

Saturday 28 November 2009

Thar she blows!

So this weather is crazy this weekend! Yesterday it dawned beautiful and sunny with the promise of a lovely warm day.

But by the time I left work it was pouring! The sky was black and it was windy.

Today, it is so windy it's gale force and we have periods of lovely blue sky followed very quickly by cloud bursts. That's the only way I can describe it!

I got a call to say my scooter is ready for pick up, but I took pity on Fluffy and told them we would pick it up Monday instead of today - I fear he would get blown right off the road today! I am not sure what was wrong with it. They said the it had an automatic fuel tap and they put a manual one one. Whatever that means. They also claim it was not full when we bought it. I don't believe that, the guage did not read 1/4 of a tank! That's ridiculous. Luckily, the arrogant bloke who fixed it is the one who will be there on Monday so Fluffy can pick his brains.

Today, Hermione and Dobby went to a birthday party at the Ice Arena. Brrr. After we dropped them off we wandered down to Harbourtown to pick up my eternity ring. What do you think? Sorry it's a bit blurry, but it's the top ring anyway.

We also bought a couple of towels from Designer Direct for the van. And a coffee.

Now, back home where it's warm and cosy, ready for a cuppa I think. Yep, sounds like a plan...

Friday 27 November 2009

Ouchies

So I got a phone call about 2.45 yesterday afternoon. From the school. Someone has hurt her arm, it's swollen, can I come get her.

I left work and raced off to the school. Ever notice how you only get caught in traffic when you're in a hurry? I think I got every red light possible on the way home, and caught behind two buses!

Anyway, I picked her up. Apparently she was quite pale for awhile but she was flushed when I got there. Her friend Tiny and her were swinging on an office chair, when Tiny pulled the lever to move the back of the chair forward, hunching Dobby forward. Then she swung the chair with the inevitable result. Dobby went flying.

She landed awkwardly on her arm, with her foot across it. It did look quite a bit swollen. I took her to the doctor, who proceded to twist and squeeze her arm, declaring it wasn't broken, and because she had had ice on it for an hour or so by this time, the pain had receded. He said if it was no better or indeed worse tomorrow (today) to take her back and he would send her for an x-ray.

When we got home I put it in a sling for her and she toddled off to watch tv. She took the sling off after awhile because it was hurting her neck. Later in the evening she found the pain was coming back quite badly. My little trooper, who makes a wonderful patient who is always on her best behaviour, refused pain killers though.

She found it too difficult to climb her bunk up into bed so slept on the mattress on the floor.

This morning she is in a fair deal of pain. It is sending shooting pain down her fingers now, and all the surrounding muscles are quite sore. She is still convinced it's fractured. Back on went the sling, with an unused dish sponge cushioning it behind her neck.

As she has a dentist appointment this afternoon I am not sure how she will go if she needs to go back to the doctor. Hermione is also coming tonight so I hope it settles down.

I'll find out this afternoon I guess how the day progresses...

Thursday 26 November 2009

Scooter's gone to hospital

Yes, it has. I don't know what the issue with self starting was, but Fluffy and I both got told we were dreaming because it's impossible. Quite rudely too.

Anyway, Fluffy phoned them yesterday with our latest problems. We took it for a drive down to the local learner driver centre. It was closed but around the back we found a desserted basketball court, which suited me no end. I spent some time learning how to turn, and getting lots of confidence. Feeling pretty good now!

I noticed that although when I got on it only had 18km on the clock, but had used half a tank of petrol.

So, anyway, Fluffy rode it home and I got home way before him in the car. I wandered down the street to find him sitting there quite angry. Apparently it kept cutting out. Stopping in mid lane. Very frustrating.

And, it had used almost all the petrol.

So, Fluffy phoned them and was told they couldn't collect it, he had to take it down to them.

I phoned them and said our issues had not been resolved. I again mentioned it self-starting, to which I was rudely told that's impossible. A lady this time. I conceded it could be that the remote, across the other side of the house and buried in my handbag, may have been responsible, but that aside the other issues had not been resolved.

She went away to check. Yes, she said, your husband is bringing it down. No, he can't! He has come off night shift, has not been to bed, can you imagine him riding it down South Road (the busines, main road in Adelaide) with it stopping all the time? It can't be ridden!!

Oh, very sorry, she says, yes, we will come and pick it up. And, I mentioned, the other bloke told Fluffy that there would be a set of books with it - service and manuals etc. Well, we didn't get anything. Oh dear, well, we will put a set under the seat for you when it comes in.

It was quite funny because she went from being quite rude and up front to bending over backward to help in a blink of an eye. I guess she figured I was getting cranky...

Anyway, some young kid who looked like he didn't give a toss picked it up yesterday and took him off to hospital. Just waiting to see now what the issue was...

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Spooky...

It would appear the scooter is haunted.

At least, that's Dobby's impression. See, on the weekend she came running inside to tell us that the scooter was running briefly. We laughed her off, that's a ridiculous notion! It's parked there, under the tree, beside the car. How could it be running? Pffft.

Later, she said she heard it beep (the alarm beeps as does the scooter when it turns off, so you know it's turned off...). I couldn't hear it.

Next thing, she comes running in puffing "it's going again! I just flicked that button to turn it off!" That button being the red cut-off button that turns it off immediately.

Fluffy goes out to investigate. He came back some time later saying it was warm so maybe it had been on, but we didn't know how. Maybe the rain had shorted something, even though it's covered? I went back out with him to investigate because I am a stickybeak afterall.

I took my keys with me. Him had tried to start it with his remote. It wouldn't start. He turned it off, turned it on, set the alarm, set the alarm off, all things. When I took mine out, he found it worked. The bike still wouldn't start with the remote, but it did something else it couldn't do earlier, but what it was escapes me.

Anyway, it is designed to start with either the brake held in and the key turned, or with a button on the remote. It won't start with the kick stand down.

So, as a precaution, we put the kick stand down.

It stayed quiet.

Until last night.

When I walked Fluffy out on his way to work the bike was puttering away again. And it had been for a few minutes at least because the exhaust was hot. That's dangerous because it was covered with a nylon car cover.

Him had shifted it a few days ago and put it back on the full stand, not the kick stand.

I was lying awake last night wondering what was going on and the only conclusion I can think of is that the remote was in my bag, and something was pressing on it, and the bike was within range and started. That's the only thing I can think of.

Anyway, Fluffy just phoned to say he would meet me down at the learner driver centre with the scooter after work today so I can go for a practice off road. Eeep!

Monday 23 November 2009

that was the weekend?

I must have missed it. Suddenly I woke up and it was Monday again.

Last week went fairly quickly because I was quite busy at work. For a change. Then Saturday we did some housework and wandered to Bunnings to get some plants for my empty pots, and do a bit of grocery shopping on the way home.

Dobby had a sleepover Saturday night so we drove down to Reynella and dropped her off. They had a big tent set up outside. It was supposed to be a pool party but the weather turned cold and wet. I doubted that would stop them. I was right.

Fluffy and I stopped off at Nando's on the way home for dinner (spicey hot chicken, good stuff!). I thought we might laze in front of the telly for the night but Fluffy decided we would clean out under the bed in the van. So we did. One job done anyway.

Sunday we did some more housework and went down to pick up Dobby. She was just getting changed when we got there and still dripping wet and cold because her change of clothes got wet.

Anyway, we stopped at spotlight on the way back for some tassles, Fluffy wants to make tie backs for the caravan curtains. Or should I say he wants me to make them. Sigh. And the stuff was expensive. I tell you, we have wasted so much money lately, we are bordering on broke! Anyway, we got home and I did some more pottering around then off to an Undercoverwear party at Belair with Dobby, who I might add, had only an hour or so sleep all night.

The party was great, just the hostess, her daughter, Dobby and I and two of the daughters friends who turned up much later. I spent more money. Sigh...

then, home to cook dinner. I managed to keep Dobby awake until about seven then she crashed. I even struggled to get her up this morning.

We all got up and dragged ourselves up to begin the working week again....

Wednesday 18 November 2009

A bikie

...I am not. Sadly. I knew I would be woeful, but I even surprised myself.

If someone had a video camera it surely would turn up on Funniest Home Videos. I got on. I realised I cannot touch the ground. Fluffy reprimanded me gently about not trying it out at the shop. Dutifully chastised, I found I can drop one foot on the ground. Not two. That's okay, one is all I need.

I sat astride, gingerly let go of the handbrake, and pulled on the throttle. And took off. Wobbling all over the place, trying to put on the brake and forgetting to let go of the throttle.

*Note to self - apologise to neighbours for the marks on their fence...*

I got back on and tried again. Well, I can speed down the road doing 30kph. Bravo! Now, to stop further down the road I must remember to ease back on the throttle and when almost stopped, apply the handbrake, and remember not to let myself wobble...

I did several laps up and down the street and can almost turn the bike around. I know I should have stayed longer but there is much to do. I hope I am not too nervous tomorrow.

Fluffy said he will take me down to the learner driver depot on the weekend so I can practice without traffic.

At least I got my helmet on without any fuss... one should always look for the positives...

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Wheels!





So, what do you think? So many people have laughed at me for getting a scooter, but the people who count are supportive, so thanks guys!

Now all I have to do is learn how to ride it and I'll be set!

Sunday 15 November 2009

Zoom!

Wow, what a weekend I just had.

Dobby went for a sleepover to Hermione's house Friday night. She stayed two nights. Utter Bliss! We bought KFC for her to take with her, dropped her off and then Fluffy and I drove down toward Brighton in search of somewhere to eat. I had a massive headache again (the heat I think) and we just couldn't find a carpark in Glenelg or Brighton. So we drove up Morphett Road to the Morphett Arms Hotel and had a lovely dinner there, just the two of us.

After dinner we wandered home and watched TV then went to bed.

Saturday we decided to go to Harbourtown to get Fluffy some casual footwear. He had thongs but they broke last summer so he has been wearing the Volleys he got for his birthday in October. We went to Rivers and found him two pair of casual slide type sandals and a pair of rubber thongs for the caravan.

I found a long dress in Sparkles which is black, knitted material (t-shirt material) with crocheting down the back. Very nice.

We stopped at Coffee Club for morning tea then I decided to look in Sheils, as I often do, to get ideas for an eternity ring. I had looked at several previously, mainly inlaid small diamonds, in a 'V' shape or straight line, to fit around the engagement ring, usually priced about $450.

In Sheils we looked at a group of 5 diamonds arranged in a claw setting semi circle. I hadn't considered something like this before. It sat grouped around the engagement ring setting quite nicely, and the diamonds were approximately the same size. However, it was priced at $1200.

But, Sheils were having a 50% off sale. So I got the ring for $614. It's in being sized but I will have it in about ten days. God Bless interest free!

After that we stopped at the cheap shop to find decorations for the van. The next rally we are going on is a Christmas rally, and I mentioned there was a prize for the best decorated... oh dear. Fluffy had a field day! I also had to find something for two parties Dobby is going to over the next two weekends. I found some nice little jewellery pieces. And a ladies gift for the Christmas rally.

We then stopped at a friend's place so Fluffy could pick up his laptop, the friend's husband was repairing for him. We stayed a couple of hours and it was lovely. On the way home we decided to window shop at a place Fluffy found my Christmas present. The owners were just leaving and saw us looking in the window, came back and opened up for us.

See, I am getting a Zoot scooter for Christmas. A 50cc step through. Black with red accents. We have just looked and decided what to buy, but haven't done anything about it yet. Fluffy is cashing in his sick leave and that will pay for it.

Back home and we parked ourselves in front of the telly to watch The Bank Job, and I stuck some chips, fish and mini spring rolls into the oven to eat while watching the movie.

Sunday morning Dodge woke me up early again playing around to get my attention (the little shit) so I got up and started the washing. Actually, I didn't start the washing, I put away the last of the Chrisco hamper into the pantry, cleaned the toilet window sill, dusted off the frogs on the sill, and cleaned the toilet. While dusting one of the frogs fell and landed on the knuckle of my toe. Bloody hell it hurts now!

After Fluffy got up I did the washing, he vacuumed the floor, and we made our way to Marion. He showed me the Zoot display there as well and we chatted to the lady who opened up the shop yesterday for us.

We had a look in Best and Less for swimmers, didn't find any, but I found a pair of shorts each for Hermione and Dobby. I also found 4 for $10 undies, quite nice lacey ones too, for me, and a pair of wide band undies for Dobby.

We moved down to Big W and they didn't have any reasonable togs either. I bought two more pairs of knickers for Dobby. On the way out I stopped at Millers and bought a long sundress for $28. Bargain! Nice colours - oranges, purples... very pretty.

We stopped off at Foodland on the way home for a few basics and settled down to watch some golf before the peace was broken by the return of Dobby. Nan, Hermione and Bruno stayed for awhile and then they left. Now, an hour or so later, it's time to start dinner. I probably should get the washing off the line too, but man, it's hot out there!

Anyway, when I get my wheels and my diamonds I will try post photos. My camera doesn't take close up's very well so I won't promise anything!

Monday 9 November 2009

Tenunda

Well, although we all seemed to be snappy this weekend, it was a bloody hoot.

Friday Fluffy took the van up early and set it all up ready for us that evening. Remember he has just come of night shift. Tenunda is almost two hours drive from our house, and he did it 3 times that day. I guess that gives him reason to be picky. I had a screaming headache and he didn't want to cook the sausages for tea so I had to go into the township and find a takeaway.

I got real mad at that. And I got lost. So I got snappy. Poor Hermione probably wondered what hit her. Anyway, after paying $28 for 4 pieces of fish, chips and gravy, we sat around and ate. It was late so we didn't do much else.

As we travelled with the group, we were toward the end of the double row. About ten pm or so some of the more "shandied up" of the group ventured up toward our end of the row and decided to check out the newbie site. Soon more gravitated up our end and it was bloody hysterical because Fluffy was in his element showing them all the modifications he had done. One bloke reckoned he wanted to marry Fluffy. What a scream! At one point he had 7 women in the van (none of which were me). They have dubbed his van the Swiss Army Van. It stuck...

Anyway, our new friend Nan (I shall call her for this blog) we had met on the first rally, stopped by for what seems to have become her ritual late night cup of coffee. She didn't leave until after eleven....

The tent was horribly quiet and it turns out the girls crashed about nine (with the dog) and didn't hear about 10 drunks milling about the campsite. Aah to be young and ignorant.

Saturday the girls were itching to get into the pool. Friday evening they went to the office to inquire as to when it would be ready. They were told lunch time Saturday. Lots of huffiness followed that. So Saturday they noticed the pool bloke checking the chemical levels and asked again. Not long, says he.

We went up to morning tea, said hi to all the drunks from last night and sat around chatting with some of the regulars. It was nice to be remembered. The girls quickly changed into their bathers and waited very impatiently for the pool to be ready. About 11.15 it was. They disappeared.

Fluffy and I walked up to the kiosk for an icecream. It was blimmin hot and we needed to cool off. We sat around outside in the shade for a bit and Fluffy asked if I wanted to go check out the path that was supposed to lead out to the pub. I said I had told the girls I would take them when they finished their swim. Fluffy said okay he was going for a walk.

He was gone almost two hours! I was left sitting around. Couldn't go anywhere or do anything because the girls were in the pool (opposite our site). Bloody men. Turns out, when he finally got back to tell me, he had gone on the walk himself! And, as poetic justice, it was a long, steep, hot walk and he got blisters. Hah! We didn't take the girls.

We had happy hour sitting in the shade of a stage thing that was opposite our sites. That was fun. It extended quite late and eventually we wandered off to make tea. As we had all been nibbling on munchies during happy hour we weren't particularly hungry. The girls had grabbed a pack of 20 little bags of chips and taken it back to the pool (they were there all day, and Dobby looks like a little tomato despite the sun cream). So I just made them nachos for tea.

After dinner we went back for games. That was fun! We played that disc throwing game again, and again we made it to the finals. We played the fellow who introduced us to the club in the first place. His wife was in Melbourne shopping (lucky girl) so it was just him. He beat us in the final (story of our life hey) and rubbed it in all weekend! very funny!

We stayed on after games and shared stories of favourite or memorable places we had been to on our travels.

Eventually we made our way back to camp. I was tired from the big weekend and we found we had a problem with the sullage drain not working. It was dark and late and Dobby was in one of her moods so they went out to the tent to bed (whew) about half nine. Fluffy and I continued to try to unplug the sullage pipe. Our friend nan wandered in yet again and parked herself down while we unblocked the pipe. There was a wad of melted cheese blocking it. And a grape it seems...

I went for a shower and left Fluffy and nan chatting. When I got back I had a cuppa and joined them. The group next door were still sitting drinking after eleven when we finally got to bed. So much for that early night.... I woke up briefly at twelve to roll over and everything was quiet...

Sunday morning I went for an early shower and fought again with the girls who just wouldn't get moving. We sat them down later and told then that we expected better and if they wanted to come away for two weeks they had better be prepared to do what we want. Dobby came back from her shower in such a better mood she was very cooperative and well behaved.

Fluffy started breakfast while they were up there and we had almost finished before Hermione came back. Wonder what took her so long. Anyway, after breakfast they both cleaned up their stuff without being told and we packed up.

We had morning tea with the club again at ten, and everyone went back to packing up. We left just after eleven after bidding everyone farewell until December Christmas Rally and headed to Lyndoch to the german bakery. We met up with half the travellers there too. It cost me $40 for 4 pies, 4 flavored milks and 2 gingerbread men! Bloody hell, this weekend cost us a small fortune!

We made it back to Smithfield to meet Hermione's lift but he didn't answer his phone so we had to take her all the way back to our place. He picked her up at half five....

Well, it was definitely an early night last night, and back to work today. It's going to be soooo hot this week I am grateful for the airconditioning. Not looking foward to losing all my garden plants again but I just can't keep the water up to them. I think I will find some geraniums and plant them in the pots. Yep, nothing kills those things!

So, until next weekend, stay cool and have fun!

Monday 2 November 2009

Where did all that money go?

So Saturday I took Hermoine and Dobby shopping. Hermoine needed new bras and as I had time and money (and because I offered) I got the job.

Dobby hadn't cleaned up her room so it looked like she was going to miss out big time until she got in Friday evening and did it, and finished it early Saturday. Lucky save... We wandered out to Salisbury and collected Hermoine at the appointed hour and took her back to Harbourtown.

Now, here we did a whole lot of bargain hunting. Our first stop was Cotton On Body because I knew we could get cheap bras there. We did. I bought her 3 for $10 each. Dobby also scored a pair of black shorts.

Next stop was swimmers. We looked at a few places, and Ice had bikinis for $10. One pair fitted Hermoine. I thought they were a bit on the skimpy side, but she assured me she was allowed (turns out she wasn't...) but for $10 who cares? They also had a 3 for $10 rack, so I bought them matching white jackets with a colourful skull and flower motiff on the back and front. Plus a skirt for Dobby. Looks great on her legs.

Then they wanted to go to Jay Jays. On the way we passed another store that had bathers for $20 a pair. I bought her a sky blue pair and Dobby a bright yellow. Again, I should have taken more care because on the way out after my purchase I found a tankini for $10 dearer. I should have bought those...

Anyway, at Jay Jays they didn't really find much so we went to Sparkles. Always good for a bargain there. I bought Moose two pair of the jeans she liked but couldn't get up in Qld, so she was happy. I also bought Hermoine a shirt that said something like Do Not Disburb, already disturbed enough or something..... she liked it. And a pair of pj's for me...

Then, I think that was all, it was lunch time. Lunch was not-very-nice nachos from an indian place, and cost me as much as the bras! There went the last of my money.

But the girls were happy. All day from lunch on, well, all weekend really, they were making jokes about indian curry. Strange two they are.

Saturday night Hermoine had tickets for a magic show. We dropped the girls off inside and Fluffy and I walked down the road to find a cafe. Found one and stopped in for coffee and cake. It was quite funny because Fluffy is a cheesecake fan. He ordered coffee and a piece of cheesecake. The lass took his order. My cake arrived, but not his. There was a moment of amusement when someone dropped a plate with an almighty crash.

Then, they were all looking in the cabinet, one came out and looked from the other side. We watched, and I started to laugh. Sure enough, the lass came over and told him they were out of cheesecake. Normally they have at least 3 varieties. Not tonight. He had mudcake. When my hot chocolate arrived he stole my marshmallow so the lass grabbed me another, bless her!

Anyway, after coffee we wandered back to the theatre. There were people milling about outside so we thought perhaps they had finished early but inquiries revealed it was intermission. Smartly, the girls stayed inside, just in case we were not outside. Clever decision! I was proud....

They eventually finished and we took them home. Dobby had said earlier they planned to watch a movie after they got home but they ended up sitting up on her bed chatting. When I was ready for bed after ten, I looked in on them and they were both asleep.

Sunday we stopped off at a girlfriend's place for morning tea. It was closer to lunch because she had asked me to pick up a zipper from Spotlight on my way, which doesn't open until eleven. We took a bun and had a lovely chat. Then a quick stop at the grocery shop and back home.

The girls played outside with the dog or sat in Dobby's room chatting till Nan came to collect Hermoine after three. They stayed for coffee and a look through my wedding album, and then all was quiet. Aaah, blessed silence... we dagged about till dinner then early nights. Fluffy fell asleep in front of Bones. I had a bath and went to bed myself....

This weekend we are off to Tenunda. That will be another story...