tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45004802600445030442024-03-14T00:59:16.116+10:30Froggy FablesColleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.comBlogger346125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-12404988759307178222013-04-28T20:01:00.000+09:302013-04-28T20:01:17.940+09:30Where does the time go?It seems only yesterday I was sitting here all day with that stupid moon boot on. <br />
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But it came off about two weeks ago. The first day or two I thought I was doing great. The foot wasn't sore at all and it felt good to be free. But as the first week passed, the sole of my heel started to hurt. I thought with dread that it was the "other" heel spur I have, which till now has been dormant.<br />
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That first Saturday I was fortunate enough to be invited to photograph an engagement party of dear friends from the club. The night was a long one, and while I didn't get as many good photos as I would have liked, the happy couple were pleased with the results. During the course of the evening, however, my foot was hurting to the point of being barely able to walk by the finish (at one am!). It's all been downhill from there. So much pain. Not so much the sole of the heel, but the entire area, with the skin around the scar contracting and the whole area being super sensitive and aching non stop. And the worst bit is that it has played havoc with my right knee to the point I can no longer figure which hurts most, the ankle or the knee.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I spent the entire week (evenings of course) working on a slideshow, and after losing it once and having to start again, I completed it in the early hours of Saturday morning. The couple were due at lunch time to view the results. </span><br />
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But in between there were issues with Dobby. Monday we had a huge fight (nothing unusual) and Tuesday she decided to spend time with a friend. She sent me a text message to say she was going to spend the night with her and would be home the next day (Wednesday). By then she had calmed down and all was good.<br />
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Her birthday was Thursday and in the evening we had presents. An old friend of hers had come back to town so came for the day. She and I got matching piercings on our nostrils and Dobby got her eyebrows waxed.<br />
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Friday she sent me a lovely text message full of love and inspiration. I was very moved. <br />
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Friday night I had to go and pick up her cake from the other side of Adelaide.<br />
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On the Saturday, she reminded me she was having friends over for dinner and a sleep over. I sent her and her dad out to pick up sandwiches for us all (including the happy couple) for lunch and munchies for her sleep over.<br />
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The slideshow was shown and went off beautifully, and once they had left it was time for a quick clean up. Dobby's friends started arriving around four, the cake was cut, and at five-thirty we headed off to the restaurant. I love buffet. The girls (six of them) had a table to themselves and Fluffy and I could kid ourselves it was date night. We had a great time. They came home, ensconced themselves in the loungeroom, and Fluffy and I headed off into the bedroom to watch TV.<br />
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The cake was white mud, with white chocolate ganache under the fondant. Very, very tasty! Expensive, though. Next morning I had forgotten to plan anything for breakfast so I got Fluffy to go get some bread, eggs and juice. I think everyone enjoyed the boiled eggs and toast.<br />
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Once the last lass was picked up it was time to let the hectic week slip away and relax.<br />
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This last week then has been work, rest and play. We had Anzac Day on Thursday here in Australia and New Zealand, and from our family's point of view, it meant the State Rally that the organisation he has been the secretary off. A lot of people went on the Wednesday to make the Dawn Service, where we stop to remember our fallen war heroes, past and present. The Anzac tradition began in WWI with the invasion of Turkey where we lost something like eight thousand young men. <br />
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Fluffy, Dobby and her friend headed down around 8.30 Thursday. I have had a head cold so I did not much at all. Just rested here in the couch. I did a few odd jobs in preparation for the weekend but tried to rest my foot.<br />
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Friday I headed off to work, and had permission to finish early. My bride from the engagement party works not far away, and her fiancee was already at Victor Harbour (at the rally) so she walked to my office and we closed up for the weekend around 3.30pm.<br />
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At home it was just enough time to feed the cat and get the laundry in, and off we went. This rally was a meeting of about 18 clubs who are all members of the Association of Caravan Clubs of SA (ACCSA). So there were going to be around 120 caravans participating.<br />
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The weather has been cold and wet for the better part of two weeks, but Friday was sunny and warm. A very pleasant surprise. We got to the rally around 5.15 and it was time to wander around and say hello to all our friends. We thought our last rally was going to be in Port Broughton back in January, so it was lovely to see some of them again.<br />
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Friday night I ducked up to the local take away for hot chips, and then back home to enjoy them. A chat from the local CFS (Country Fire Service) about what to do when we're travelling and encounter a bush fire, then around the camp fire again after that.<br />
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Fluffy was kept busy with his official duties, such as organising Kids Club and helping set up. I actually didn't see much of him all weekend. Saturday morning we had morning tea in the big marquee. There seemed to be something going on weekend. There was treasurer time, club game (which none of our club participated in) Kids Club (Fluffy took them around to the museum as it looked like it was going to rain).<br />
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All weekend I could barely walk. I feel like my heel is on fire and my knee keeps locking up on me which causes great pain. But I try not to whinge about it because Fluffy gets angry and I slow everyone up. But I am going to have to address it very soon before it gets much worse.<br />
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At one point on Saturday some of the ladies in our club expressed surprise that I had not entered in the photography competition. One of them offered me the use of her laptop and internet so I could download some pics from Facebook (I don't keep any with me digitally). So I had to then race into Big W to print them off and get them back before 1.00 pm when judging would commence. I could only manage two of my favourites. No problem, though, it was at least something.<br />
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We had some other members come for the day so we did what we always do - sat around in the shade chin wagging. It was a lovely afternoon. We had Happy Hour there, and then dinner in the evening, which was put on by ACCSA. We were treated to a very nice roast dinner with all the trimmings, and pavlova for dessert. A lot of the other clubs had jumped in through the course of the day and put their tables into the tent and we (Family and Friends), being the laid back bunch we are, found no room left in the tent. We set our tables up outside the end door of the tent (and got told off by some old farts for "blocking the fire exit" which we actually weren't - some folk just like to complain about something). The weather held out beautifully. While it was spotty cloudy, the rain did not appear. <br />
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After dinner we were treated to a couple of musicians (one of whom played violin) and bush dancing. Some of us wandered to the camp fire and Fluffy set up the slide show for whoever wanted to see it. The audience seemed to enjoy it.<br />
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After crashing close to midnight, the rain wasn't far behind. It rained on and off all night then.<br />
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This morning we packed up as much as we could before morning tea. After morning tea we gathered for "farewell". The winners of the kids club were announced. The kids were given a match box and a sheet of paper and told to fill the box with as much as they could. The winners were all from another club (not the one with all the kids, ironically!) and two of the three were from the one family. They obviously had help from the parents, but hey, if that's what they want to do, so be it. Our kids (Family and Friends kids that is) were busy out playing and socialising so most of them didn't even finish the task.<br />
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The winners of the photo comp were announced. The Caravanning winner was a lovely photo from an older lady. And the winner of the Landscape category was moi. Then the raffles were drawn and I won one of those too. Legend. I chose a red plastic box (excellent for the van) that was filled with some grocery items including chocolates. That was all I saw - red box and chocolates!)<br />
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Yesterday evening, before we had dinner, the bride's family and Fluffy and I were standing around talking. Suddenly the bride ran off and came back with a lovely gift for us, as this was our last rally.<br />
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Isn't it beautiful? It is just so special as we really bonded with this family. They are real genuine, lovely, funny open people. And they said they'd come visit us when we move.<br />
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After final farewells it was time to come home. I was so glad to sit here and type this tonight because I can barely walk after the entire weekend on my feet. The toilet block was not close, and at rallies we seem to spend hours and hours walking around or standing around. Then to sit for over an hour in the car driving, and expect to walk again at the end, is quite difficult. I am really struggling. I want to give it time to see if it's just the nerve endings firing and re-finding themselves, or if it is something more sinister. So I'll just battle through for the next week and see what happens. <br />
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In the mean time, it's now time to settle down and get this move to Sydney organised. Time will be up before we know it!<br />
<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-61791882681991710882013-03-20T18:56:00.000+10:302013-03-20T18:56:02.518+10:30Almost thereSo, only about two and a half weeks left. I am enjoying the fact that I can drive now. Every day I improve, and it's liberating.<br />
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Being back at work this week sucks though. Well, it's good, because I can catch up properly, and am far more organised. But, well, it's work. And who really wants to be there I ask you? lol.<br />
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I managed the stairs with the crutches just fine on Monday. Tuesday I walked (well, okay, hobbled) around the office a bit without them, because they have started to hurt under my arms. The right one feels like it's pinching. When I got home I asked Fluffy if I had a mark, and it turns out I have a lump under my left armpit. Whoops. The right one hurts to touch but the left has the lump. Curious.<br />
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So I only use the crutches here and there. Today, Wednesday, I have hardly used them at all. I walked up and down the stairs without them today. My foot feels okay. It niggles a bit but nothing serious.<br />
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It's been a very busy time for Dobby. She has a job now. She works Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at a local fish and chip shop, packing food orders. She likes it. She also started her further schooling at a beauty college one and a half days a week. She goes Mondays and Wednesday nights. Plus, on the weekend she had her friend Tiny (friends since year two) Friday and Saturday night. Pity she had to work.<br />
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They went to Comicon on Saturday for a few hours, then had to walk home from the supermarket (Fluffy couldn't find them so he left them there), then was on her feet for four hours Saturday night. Poor kid could hardly walk :-).<br />
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She was supposed to work last night, but texted me just before she left school to say she had been sick. She still felt bad but when I got home she was dressed for work. When she got there she spoke to the boss and said she didn't want to chuck a sickie (her words) and he said that was fine, go home. She did. She didn't feel better until around eight. This morning she seemed fine, although she made the comment her stomach still felt bad. She has a doctor appointment Saturday to get it seen to. She has been experiencing pain and irregular bowels for some time now, so there is the possibility she has to be tested for celiac disease or Chrons. Sigh.<br />
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I'm not sure how I'm feeling. I have felt headachy since Monday, kinda stuffy. Tired. Run down. I wonder if that's the whole swollen gland thing? Maybe I am fighting an infection somewhere? Who knows. If it's still there Saturday I'll see if I can get in the same time as Dobby.<br />
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Anyway that's it from me. Just a little update to let you know I'm still here. Till next time...Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-32464035232740115072013-03-13T16:34:00.002+10:302013-03-13T16:34:18.764+10:30FreedomIs so close I can almost taste it. This saga is almost over.<br />
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So I got the moon boot two and a half weeks ago. On the weekend I took one of the wedges out and am putting weight on my heel.<br />
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Actually, this weekend was a huge step forward. We went to Sydney to start looking around in preparation for our move. We found a lovely spot we think we'd all like so that's one thing sorted. Can't do anything more until closer to the time now.<br />
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The motel work booked for us was the <a href="http://www.mirvachotels.com/sebel-resort-hawkesbury?gclid=CKHhk7f--LUCFYkhpQodNz4ATQ" target="_blank">Sebel Hawksebury Valley Resort</a>. It looks fantastic. And it was lovely too, but our room must have not caught up to the rest. We had a big kingsized bed which was very comfortable, and the bathroom and toilet were new (spa, too, but I couldn't manage that yet unfortunately!). But the lounge area had a rickety old sofa bed that Dobby slept on, a single leather old fashioned arm chair and a desk chair. A huge cabinet filled one wall, and it housed the fridge (no mini bar as promised though), and nothing else. Not even a table. So when we ordered room service Fluffy had to sit at the desk and Dobby and I had to put the tray of food on her bed and eat there.<br />
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Anyway, the resort was halfway between the suburb we wanted to check out and work, so it was well placed. But our room was up stairs. Lots of them. I could either walk the long way around or tackle them. I tackled them. And won. It helped having Fluffy around for support, but he was pleased with my progress. Coupled with being able to put weight on my foot I'm so much more mobile now.<br />
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Even going through the airport (on the way in via a wheelchair, and on crutches on the way back) was a big step. They are massive places, airports!<br />
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Anyway, the weekend was productive. We found some lovely spots, visited Parramatta (huge shopping centre there), had a very good dinner with my future work colleagues on Monday night at the Motel, a business meeting Tuesday to sort out some stuff with the accountants etc, and got home last night. Poor Fluffy had to go back to work today after four weeks off. I feel very bad for him.<br />
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Oh, another step forward, I drove today. So I'm all set to go! Next Monday I'm going back to work myself. I'm keen to get myself organised in there so I can do all that needs to be done properly. I need routine and I just haven't had it here at home. Too hard working from the dining table. I need to spread out and have what I need at my fingertips instead of in folders and files tucked here and there.<br />
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So, with that in mind, all that's left is to plod along here for the rest of the week. I have a mammogram booked for Friday that I'll take myself off to (hopefully I can stand there long enough for them to squash me good and proper without tiring too easily). Then Dobby starts working for Barnacle Bill's fish and chip shop on Friday night. She is now employed (but still on trial) Friday nights and Saturday nights. Will be a huge curb to her social life but she knows it's not forever. Keen as!<br />
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Well that's it for now. If I get some time over the weekend to find photos I will stick some up here. Bit hard now though. Till next time, toodleoo!Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-65016328389224127802013-02-24T07:58:00.001+10:302013-02-24T07:58:28.899+10:30EnoughYes, I've had enough now. Get this bloody thing off my foot and let me walk properly. I am so sick of sore hands, sore shoulders, sore hips and aching feet.<br />
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I have been trying to use the crutches as much as possible but I am still so bloody unfit and weak. I have been trying to work from home all week. It's hard when you need so much different stuff. I would really like someone to get me some folders so I can organise my paper pile. But trying to pin anyone down to ask for stuff is getting a tad difficult so I don't ask for more than I need.<br />
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Lucky for Fluffy he has had this week off. He's the secretary of a caravan association here, and there is a Caravan and Camping show on this week. His responsibility is to go down each morning, open the stand, put the cash tin out, liaise with folk. He has also been spending time going around the exhibitions. <br />
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He comes home for lunch, either bringing me something or making me something quick when he gets here. Sometimes he goes back after, sometimes he goes and runs errands, other times he has a nap. Then he goes back in the evening and collects the cash tin and puts the signs away. Then he makes dinner.<br />
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So some things have been a bit neglected. I try to do a little bit here and there but it's difficult. I can't do much. And everything tires me out. Just using the walking frame from the bed to the loo then into the lounge to sit first thing in the morning wears me out.<br />
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Yesterday I went out for the first time. I had enrolled in a photography course with a friend. Revision for me, with the hope of picking up some tips. Mission accomplished. She was such a gem, helping carry my bag, making sure I was comfortable. We had a great day. Then last night we had a double birthday party to attend. I managed that too. But by the end of the night (or should I say early this morning) I could hardly get myself into bed. <br />
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My foot is virtually pain free. Lately there have been nagging sharp pains through it. Healing over the stitches I suspect - I tend to keloid. But the real pain is in my hands first thing in the morning, and through my "good" leg during the day. <br />
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I know, anyone who has ever used crutches has been through the same thing so I'm not telling you anything new. I think the worst is that I'm so unfit. Because of that I get puffed really quickly. I could work through the pain if it didn't tire me out so bloody quickly.<br />
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Tomorrow I have a visit to the doc to get the bandage removed and a moon boot put on. Then I believe it will be another couple of weeks before I am weight-bearing properly. I am not sure how long till I can walk up stairs so I'll be working from home a bit longer I think.<br />
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Tomorrow will be a big day. The doc appointment is at 8.15 then Dobby has to go to a beauty academy in the city (not far from the doctor) to fill in paperwork for a course. Then I believe she has her orientation day as well. Not sure how long that goes for though. I'll wait in the car till Fluffy comes back after the paperwork is done. He'll find out what time he has to go back and pick her up.<br />
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Then I have to make a concerted effort to do as much work as I can. I was pretty slack last week. It's just too hard to juggle everything.<br />
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Anyway, enough crap from me. So over the whole lot. Blah.Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-1838721501020512212013-02-13T20:50:00.002+10:302013-02-13T20:50:15.798+10:30OuchiesSo a few of you may know I've been battling a heel spur for a year now. Some days it's good, others I can barely walk. I finally bit the bullet and saw a specialist about it. While it wasn't a bad one, it was not ever going to improve.<br />
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So we decided it had to come off. Well. I don't quite think I knew what I was getting myself into. I planned to take this week off work, working from home next week and back to the office in a moon boot the week after.<br />
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Wrong.<br />
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Fluffy and I arrived at the hospital early yesterday, around 12.30, then had to wait almost an hour for my room. Once it was ready I bid him farewell (he was in a one hour parking space) and made my way upstairs. However, the room still wasn't ready. While milling about the nurses station, I overheard two orderlies mention my name. Seems the doctor had rearranged the schedule and I was being called for pick up.<br />
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So I had to wait a few minutes down the hall while they finished my bed, then it was all systems go. I had one nurse helping me change, another doing my wrist band and asking me to confirm all my information, a third making my bed. I had to go to the bathroom but our shared room was occupied, so I had to wait a bit for that to free up. <br />
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Then it was here, lie down, and we were off.<br />
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They wheeled me into the waiting bay for a bit, then took me into theatre. Just before they put me under the clock read 1.58pm.<br />
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Next thing I woke in recovery, and the clock said 3.00pm. Quick. I hate coming out of anaesthetic. I shiver, cry, never feel like I am breathing properly, and end up with a throat full of crap. It's so annoying. This time I just couldn't stay awake. I dozed a bit for an hour before I went back to the room.<br />
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Once there it was the same. I wasn't hungry, felt off, and couldn't stay awake. But I also couldn't sleep. I only dozed lightly until around eleven, when they gave me something to help me sleep. Then I managed a few hours light sleep. But what kept me awake most of the time was the need for a bed pan. 8 times between 3.00 pm and 4.00am, with five of those before ten pm. They joked that if there was a prize for output I would win it. At least we know my kidneys are working.<br />
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This morning I felt a little better. I ate breakfast of semolina, half a cup of tea and a cup of juice. I wasn't allowed to move until the physio came and got me to have a go at crutches and a walking frame. She suggested the frame would be better for me because it's easier. Boy, how true that is. I struggle with it, but the crutches are even harder.<br />
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Eventually I was taken for a shower. Aah blessed relief being mobile. Tricky, though. I'm not sure how I'll manage here. Top and Tails I think. The shower is way too small for the chair, but Fluffy will help with a solution I'm sure. He's the thinker of the house.<br />
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So now I'm home, and been on the couch all afternoon. The pain block they put in my leg has worn off so I'm in a bit of pain. I am ensconced on the recliner, and don't move unless I have to go potty. I hope tomorrow I'll be stronger. I have to sit as much as possible with my foot raised so movement is limited for the time being.<br />
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I have to see the doctor on the 25th, after which I thought I was going to go back to work but he says he doubts I'll be mobile enough to tackle the stairs up to work. So another week working from home. Sigh. Not the best idea, because I don't have a big work area here in the couch. I'm sure I'll figure something out though.<br />
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For now, I think I'll just look forward to my next pain killer and the big sleep I'll have tonight in my own bed.<br />
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I'll keep you posted as new stuff happens...Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-35244324372587887582012-12-27T17:03:00.001+10:302012-12-27T17:03:45.325+10:30Bah HumbugSo, Christmas has rolled around for another year. I always have a bit of a giggle because it seems every year to be a mad dash for one day. Shops are so crowded you can't get a park then take hours to get through the register, work gets super busy. It's like the whole world goes mad, and for what? A single day of the year?<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas as much as the rest of the world. But admittedly, it doesn't have the same connotations. There are only three of us. We don't celebrate with other family or other people. That's a geographical thing though. We live in a different state to the rest of the family.<br />
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Anyway, this year, the build up to Christmas was the usual frenetic hive of activity. I got everything done I needed to do at work, and was very happy to divert the phone to the boss an hour later than I was supposed to.<br />
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We had a work Christmas party this year, with both old and new bosses, plus Fluffy and Dobby. It was fun. The food at Singapore House was lovely. I had red curried prawns. Great!<br />
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There was the usual round of sending out Christmas emails to everyone, making sure customers had their orders in before the break so we could make sure they got them in our absence. Getting shipping organised is fun too. We have many tanks on the water and luckily this year I have the work lap top so I can go online and check emails etc. Lucky because there was an issue with one of them.<br />
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So this holidays, I have done.....nothing. And boy, did I need the break. I finished at two on the Friday, and didn't move again. I had done all the necessary shopping (apart from a few perishables I picked up Christmas Eve). We had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Fluffy finished early too, so we all just relaxed.<br />
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Saturday I decided we were going to Lobethal to do the Lobethal Lights festival. Well, to look at the lights. But, as is typical for us, that did not go well either. We got a park miles away from anything, and took up a spot outside the Bank SA, as per the website, to wait for the bus. There were a few busses further up the street, but nothing our way. So eventually, after the appointed hour, we realised that the busses were leaving from up the road. We were not happy as we'd been waiting about forty minutes. When we got up there, everyone was cranky. So we sat and waited for the next round of busses. Nothing. After the appointed hour, we realised the busses left from where we were before. Not happy Jan! We eventually went back down the road to wait, about midway between the two places. Another hour of sitting doing nothing. Screw this. I took Dobby into the markets for a look.<br />
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Eventually we got a bus, and sat right up the back. It was a tight squeeze in there, but we got to do what we came for. And that was drive all around Lobethal, way too fast to take any photos, for about half an hour. We couldn't wait to get home. I made the comment that if we were different people we would have handled that totally different. Instead of all getting grumpy we should have explored the rest of the festival and just caught the next bus. But no, it's far easier to get cranky it seems.<br />
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Christmas Eve we stepped out for a bit, Fluffy finished work early again, and we just relaxed again. Christmas Day Dobby slept in, despite going to bed early. We had home made bacon and egg mcmuffins (well Fluffy did), Dobby had toasted muffins with tomato sauce and cheese, and I had bacon and an egg. Then we did presents.<br />
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So once the present thing is done the rest of the day is an anticlimax. I always get looked after at Christmas, though, by Fluffy and the rest of the family. This year, Mother gave me a Target voucher and a Proud's Jeweller voucher, SOL gave me a box with 4 bath bombs from Lush. The best thing about those is that you don't need to use a full one, you just crumble some into the tub. Wonderful! Fluffy gave me a very fine white gold chain (I have a couple of silver pendants and only a chunky chain to put them on), a silver silhouette heart necklace and earrings set, and a lovely Citizen gold watch with mother of pearl face. I really did very well. Oh, he also bought me a new hair dryer! Rat also gave me a kitty mouse pad and a lovely tin door hanger with a cat motif. I won't hang it till I get to our new house.<br />
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As I was doing lunch, cutting up ham, cooking chilli prawns, etc, Dobby and I had a fight. Then Fluffy got angry at me and I embarrassed myself my bursting out crying. I left them to have lunch by themselves and sat outside for an hour. I came in to clean up. I got my chilli prawns at 3.00pm. Stupid of me.<br />
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So that day was a write off. But Boxing Day was better. We all just sat outside for ages, did nothing. Ate plenty. The weather is lovely and it has been so nice to just stop. Today, the first shopping day, I had the pleasure (??) of taking Dobby shopping. She was given a Supre vocher that just HAD to be spent today. We bought Fluffy an external hard drive, checked out a few other bits and bobs, went to Supre, and then grocery shopping. Home again Now to kick back and do nothing until it's time to cook chilli for dinner. Bought corn chips, tortillas, salad fixings, and Fluffy is picking up sour cream. Should be a great night. Oh, followed by mango cheesecake. Just doesn't get any better, no siree bob!<br />
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<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-58447805353463723562012-11-19T13:43:00.002+10:302012-11-19T13:43:50.892+10:30Untitled No 1I can never think of anything witty to title my posts so I give up.<br />
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This week has been interesting. Kind of. The usual work stuff, of course. Archiving. Well, finishing the archiving.<br />
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I had done most of it is preparation of Rocket's visit from interstate Melbourne Cup week. But as he got called home I didn't get it finished (I had planned to get his help with the last bit).<br />
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When I finally got some time, I finished it off and got that all ready. He flew back in on Saturday.<br />
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However, Friday afternoon I got a call from the school. "I have something to tell you that you may not like. Dobby left the school at lunch time and did not sign out or return to the school. We have looked around the school grounds for her but she's not here". Great. Her dad was never at school so how do I handle this one?<br />
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I called her. No answer. Called again. Many times. Eventually she sent me a message "I'm in class, what do you want?". Hmm. No you're not, says I. Where are you?<br />
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Turns out her friend and her thought it would be a good idea to take off after their excursion. Silly girls. She told me some sob story about having a fight at school with the other girls, not being friends, and wanting to leave the school. I got upset, because I don't know how to handle this type of situation.<br />
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Anyway, when I got home I stuck my head in her room and said when she's ready to talk come see me.<br />
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Later, she did. And we had a very good, adult, conversation. She told me the truth. There was no fight, she and her friend just decided to leave. This is the same friend who she has been with when she's broken curfew - 4 times. I pointed out this was number 5. She knew. But she likes this girl. After speaking to the girls mother, I now understand the lass has some mental health issues. She likes Dobby as she seems to understand her and have patience with her where her other friends have turned their backs on her (she is quite high maintenance sometimes, but hopefully medication will sort that out in the near future).<br />
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Anyway, I told Dobby that if she wants to continue her friendship she has to take responsibility for doing the right thing and making the proper choices. She has said she will. Today she had to face the principal, and was given a three-lesson internal suspension. It goes on her previously clear record and she's saying she has learned her lesson. Guess we'll see.<br />
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Anyway, over the weekend, this friend asked if she could go stay with her. Actually, her mother did. This friend was upset because she felt she had convinced Dobby to wag, and gotten her in trouble. I felt it was probably good for them to get together, under the careful eye of the mum. And besides, I wanted some time alone with Fluffy. Works for everyone I say.<br />
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We dropped her off after lunch, and set about looking for a new camera bag. Fluffy suggested a back pack. My problem is that with my joint issues I struggle with heavy bags and stuff. So he suggested the back pack because we could all carry it. <br />
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We found one, which hold a laptop against the back part, then has space at the top for other stuff (my ipad, purse, and other stuff will fit in this), and the camera equipment goes in a bit at the bottom of the front section. You have to lay the bag down to get to the gear or it will fall out, but it's a great idea. The bag is black, with yellow interior. Comes with a good warranty, and she gave us $5 off. Nice. Fluffy also bought me a little zipped pouch thing to hold SD cars, card reader and notebook.<br />
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Then we went home to relax. I took my time to get ready, and we tarted ourselves up and set off for the Perfect Cup cafe in Melbourne Street. Rocket was flying in at eight in order to pick up the stuff and car early the next morning. We decided, Fluffy and I, to have dinner first. This place is part of the Meridien Hotel, where Rocket was staying.<br />
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Parking was minimal so being the cheeky people we are, we used the motel car park. Well, we were meeting someone who was booked into the motel so why not? We were told before hand that there were two large groups having functions so meals would be late. We didn't care - we had all night. We found a lovely plush leather lounge and got comfortable inside. The waitress set a table for us outside, but it was right outside the party group. The weather was perfect so we just sat in the little bar area for awhile and had a drink (bottle of merlot for the man and juice for me). Our starters arrived while we were sitting there, so we ate them there. Very nice. It was a share plate, with chicken tenders, salt and pepper squid, spring rolls, and another roll cut up. Very, very good. Would do as a meal on it's own.<br />
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Eventually when the sun had gone down a bit we ventured out to the patio. Our meals came not long after - steak for him and Cesar Salad for me. I couldn't finish it. We had not long finished when Rocket told us he had arrived and was on his way. I told him we had bought the lobster and a few bottles of champagne and charged it to his room, was that okay? No worries, he said. Heh.<br />
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After dinner Fluffy and I went back to the quiet bar area to our previous seat and Rocket saw us when he walked past. He came and said hello then checked in. He joined us, had the last glass of wine in Fluffy's bottle, then told us to put our meals on his room tab. Nice! Then he bought another round of drinks.<br />
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The bar area closed at 9.30pm so we packed up and walked down Melbourne Street to The Lion hotel. This place has won awards but it was packed. Outside though, we found a relatively quiet table area. The boys had to line up to get in the door so they bought double drinks and eventually, after I had thought they had picked up a couple of birds, they returned to the table.<br />
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We had a lovely evening, and it was only when Rocket said he was getting a bit chilly that we realised it was almost one AM. A lovely evening. We walked back to the motel and he used his gate key to let us out of the car park, bidding us farewell and expressing his gratitude for a great night. He said that after the last week (with the accident last week and all) it was the first time he had relaxed and had a drink, and actually laughed. We felt honoured.<br />
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Sunday morning Fluffy and I just sat around and relaxed. I was even still in my jammies at eleven. We just sat outside and did nothing. We even talked a bit. When I say that, I mean, we are not great conversationists. We just enjoy each other's company. But we seemed to have plenty to chat about. It was very pleasant. <br />
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But all good things must come to an end and after I made us lunch we headed off to the shop and to pick up Dobby. She had a good weekend, although she did realise she probably should have spent the time doing an assignment. Sigh. Some things never change...Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-20161247854205362902012-11-14T20:06:00.001+10:302012-11-14T20:06:19.229+10:30Whoops!Sorry, just felt the need to clarify something about my little rant last weekend. After reading my blog back, and reading feedback, it seems I have not gotten my point across correctly.<br />
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You're right, Sparkling Merlot, it's not about me. It was never actually intended to be about me. I didn't mean that my friends didn't support me, just that when push comes to shove, I thought I could count on people to get on board and make a donation.<br />
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I did want to raise $300. I thought I had enough friends and contacts to make that happen. That's what is disappointing. If all my friends or relatives (who could) donated $5 that would be that much more that could have been given to the Cancer Council. I am disappointed that people didn't seem to care enough about the cause to help.<br />
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That was all I intended. Every dollar raised is a dollar more. And I am glad to have done my bit. I am just saddened that people who couldn't make it to the fundraising night didn't make the effort to help out online.<br />
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Okay, nuff said, it's time for dessert. Night folks!Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-38438479565131474272012-11-11T22:46:00.000+10:302012-11-11T22:46:14.702+10:30Am I a bitch...to be somewhat disappointed with people? Let me start from the beginning.<br />
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As you may know, I hosted a Girls Night In this weekend, to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. The daughter-in-law of a very dear friend of mine has gone through this, and in fact her sister is still going through it. When she found she had it she urged her sister to get checked and the results were positive for her too. Luckily they both seem to be winning the battle.<br />
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Anyway, I decided to do my bit and host a Girls Night In. I had visions of a group of ladies, having a drink, sharing some laughs, dancing, sharing nibblies, and having a good night.<br />
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I even sent out the message to my interstate friends and family, so that people who couldn't come could help the cause by donating online. But I seriously think there is something wrong with me.<br />
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One by one, they all declined. Initially four ladies said they would come. One of those dropped out. One of the attendees invited her mother (luckily). A couple others sent messages to say they couldn't come. Most just ignored me. Including my interstate folk. <br />
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Close to the night a lovely friend donated online in case she couldn't make it. She and another friend did make the effort, meaning I had six ladies actually attend on the night, and one who stopped by on her way home to make a donation (of $50, thank you very much!).<br />
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I had been worrying what to do with 6 raffle prizes (one didn't bother to drop off her promised goods, so I had to go out and buy something small to add to the pool), and only 4 ladies coming. My Nutrimetics lady dropped off a $60 face cream and some raffle books, telling me to pre-sell them, and offering 10% of sales if I got a few orders. Luckily this was just before the last rally. My wonderful support team spent around $70 on raffle tickets and donations, which kick started me off. <br />
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On the night, there was a small enough gathering that everyone had plenty to talk about. Three ladies won prizes, with the other three going to club members. Everyone said they had a good night, which is the main thing. <br />
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But what really bothered me was, that from the 144 ladies I invited, only half a dozen turned up, and only a dozen even answered. Three people donated online, and one of them was me. Surely it wouldn't have been too much trouble for my interstate friends to donate $5 (not you, SOL, you're excluded from this rant x). <br />
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I set my goal at $300 thinking that with all my friends this would be easily achievable. Apparently I don't have as many friends as I thought. I came in under $250 from online donations and raffle sales. I can't decide if I'm grateful, or hurt that I mean so little to people. How could I possibly have thought people would actually want to come to something I held, or to support me by donating, anyway? I am so grateful to the ladies who did (both at the rally and the party). That meant the world. But if every one of my friends who could not make it donated, I would have reached well over my goal.<br />
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Anyway, enough said on that topic. I just needed to get it off my chest. Note to self - no more parties or gatherings of ANY kind, cause people just don't care enough to come. <br />
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In other news, I had the interstate boss in town last week. He brought his Toyota Prado and trailer over, with the view of taking back archive boxes (and helping to clear some space in my office). He arrived Monday afternoon, and we killed a couple hours chatting while I was doing some work.<br />
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Tuesday morning my local boss went to a Melbourne Cup luncheon, and wouldn't be back for the rest of the day. Sydney boss took me to lunch. We were still eating and just on our second round of drinks (juice, thank you!) when he got a call. He was obviously distressed, and I knew the news wasn't good.<br />
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While on the phone, we left the restaurant, he paid with one had, and we raced back to the car. In a break between calls he told me that there had been an explosion back at the site in Sydney. Turns out they had been venting a tanker trailer, and without following certain safety procedures (from the look of it), they had brought it back inside and started working on it. Vapours have then ignited when a forklift drove by and the young fellow working on it was badly burned from a flash fire. Luckily a nurse working near by ran up and immediately put the hose on him to cool his burns.<br />
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Needless to say, boss was distraught. He continued to make calls, and in fact I made him pull over and finish a call or the police would have pulled him up for sure. <br />
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We raced back to the office in record time. He packed up his gear, booked a flight (with me standing over his shoulder reminding him to click here, click that etc). Back to the motel to check out, and back to pick me up. <br />
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He drove to the airport and told me to just take the car and use it. He would rather it be driven. So I drove it back to the office. When I phoned him later he said to just keep driving it. So I have had it all week. My little Shazza is still parked at work...<br />
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No word yet on when he'll be back but I suspect probably Monday or Tuesday. The fellow who got burned is in the burns unit with burns to his nose, ears, and exposed skin on his arms and legs.<br />
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The irony? He was going to be let go next week. I think that added to boss's distress. The guilt factor. When I spoke to him on the Wednesday he thanked me. What on earth for? I had felt like a spare dick - totally helpless and unable to do anything. No, he said, I kept him grounded. Must have been all the idle chat I kept him tied up with on the way to the airport, and all the "Rocket, deep breath" I kept saying.<br />
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So, anyway, it's been a rather stressful week, with the party to worry about and how everyone in Sydney was faring. They are like a family over there. I have worked closely with them for the last five years, and have met a few of them too, so I feel like I know them all very well. It's been very distressing for them to the point they had counselors in over the weekend to speak to them all.<br />
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Well, not much else worth rabbiting on about. Thanks for letting me rant. I promise to be more positive next time.Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-69548147612233001452012-11-04T20:47:00.002+10:302012-11-04T20:47:18.886+10:30BalaklavaSo this weekend the club went to Balaklava. It's a lovely little town north of Adelaide. Very strange to drive though - I got lost on both occasions I went foraging. Odd. However, it has all the mod cons - Foodland grocery store, pub, Thrifty hardware store, Ford car sales yard. And this take away/tobacconist/bakery/pizza shop. Wonderful junk food. Quite well priced too. I didn't cook this weekend...<br />
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So, I knew we only had about a ninety minute drive, and we are on daylight savings, so we didn't bother finishing work early. We were all home by 5 and on the road by 5.25. Would have been earlier but Fluffy was busy trying to get his CB to send. He could hear me (I guide him out of the tricky driveway) but he couldn't answer. Must get that looked at.<br />
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The drive up to Balaklava is long and boring. There are miles and miles of nothing. It's all farm country. There was clouds (well, it was actually pretty much overcast) so the promise of a lovely sunset was there. But nothing really grabbed me by the time we arrived. The caravan park was tiny - probably only about 15 sites. We held 9 of them, plus there were a few permanents. The whole area seems to be a community centre. There is a small building with a squash court and tiny kitchen/hall area. Very tiny. The toilets were in this building, accessed by a single door that opened into a hallway with the handicapped toilet at one end, and the Mens and Ladies branching off to the right. Quite an odd set up but I liked it. It wasn't open and in fact, one could walk between them all with no problem if one was so inclined. There were only two showers and two toilets but that never seemed to be a problem. They were very clean and serviceable.<br />
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Behind the toilet/kitchen/squash court is a playground, and beside on one side is the swimming pool (sadly only open Dec, Jan and Feb, cause we would have ALL been in there Saturday otherwise), and on the other side is the bowling green.<br />
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These pics were on the pool shed and the squash building.<br />
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We were not the last to arrive - The Palace arrived after us. The Queen and her husband were not sure if they were going to make it. Queen's dad is very, very ill and it's just a waiting game. But at the last minute (literally) she decided that's it, we're going. I'm so glad she made it, she has been under tremendous stress. It was good to see them.<br />
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After we had set up Dobby and I went in search of sustenance, finding the above mentioned take-away. Burger for Fluffy, chips for Dobby and a piece of fish for me and we're back. We had dinner then went to join the other folk around the fire. Not that we needed a fire. I think it was more symbolic of the gathering herd. Now that fire season is in, or will be soon, we will have to gather around something else. Perhaps a full esky?<br />
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Dobby piked out quite early for her (not other big kids to hang with, she got bored). I went at midnight. Fluffy wasn't too far behind me.<br />
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Saturday we rose to a warmish day. Rain threatened, though, and Fluffy and I decided to put a side on the awning. But angle it out to give more room. He wanted to use the solid canvas, but I suggested perhaps the mesh one. We used the mesh one. I'm glad we did, because the rain didn't last.<br />
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I wandered about and took some pics.<br />
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Queen's daughter drove up. Apparently she has been having a very rough time lately and everyone was quite concerned for her welfare, but she seemed to enjoy her day with us.<br />
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The day warmed up. We had club game after morning tea, and then spent the day sitting in the shade under trees. That pretty much summed up the day. Of course, we all got sunburned. Typical. We forgot what it was like to be hot, it's been so long.<br />
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Happy hour saw other friends join for a couple of hours. They borrowed another camper's bbq and stayed for dinner.<br />
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I am hosting a Girls Night In to raise funds for breast cancer research next weekend. I had been very worried because only 5 ladies are coming. I have somewhere between 4 and 6 raffle prizes planned, depending on if the last two follow through. <br />
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So I took the suggestion of my Neutrametics lady (who donated a skin cream valued at $60 plus 10% of any sales on the night), and thought the rally would be a good chance to pre-sell tickets. I took a couple of orders and sold heaps of tickets. I have kickstarted my fundraising with $70 raised from the weekend. Have to be happy with that!<br />
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It came over cloudy again Saturday evening and we thought we'd get rain (see photo below) but we only got a few drops. Enough so that I put the camera away but not enough to shift positions.<br />
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Anyway, late in the evening on Saturday, we had a bit of an incident. A young lad from the family camped behind us started to cry quite badly. Investigation found he had been bitten by Ozzie. Oh crap. He's never done that before. After seeing to the boy (luckily the skin was only grazed and lightly bruised) he was okay. Turns out that he was running past our van and Ozzie ran to play with him, nipping at him as he does (well, probably at the ball the fellow was going for) and misjudging his nip. Fluffy was very distressed and we were both terribly embarrassed. It quite ruined the whole weekend. The family were so good about it.<br />
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Sunday morning they came to see Fluffy expressing their concern because the lad who was bitten was worried Fluffy would get Ozzie put down (once they bite you can't trust them). They wanted to stress that it was only an accident - he did not go for the boy in anger, or attack him. They also wanted to reassure Fluffy that the boy was not frightened of dogs and held Ozzie no ill will. In fact, he came over, sat down, and Ozzie quite happily curled up against his lap (as he does when anyone sits on the floor). They were friends. Whew. We were very concerned.<br />
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Beside our caravan was a gum tree, and there was a flock of parrots in it. They started quite early in the morning and frankly, I cant' think of a nicer way to wake up.<br />
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So, we were all heading off after a lovely breakfast cooked by the park. The park was not actually manned as such, but the caretaker came by each day to clean and check we were all okay. His wife and daughter cooked the breakfast - eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato and toast. They provided everything from butter, sauce, food, to plates cups and cutlery. It was lovely.<br />
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We were home by one, and had the first load of washing out half an hour later. I have spent the day just putting through two loads of laundry (I left the 3rd in the machine) and doing not much else. I had done pretty much everything early Friday morning before I went to work. I should iron before I go to bed so Fluffy has work uniforms, but that's about it. Sometime this week I need to vacuum, and that's about it.<br />
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After breakfast the ladies had some leftover cut up tomato and some eggs. I scored six eggs, and a colander with about 8 tomatoes, halved. So for dinner tonight I cooked chicken rissoles, poached eggs, toast, and I put the tomatoes into a shallow dish, drizzled oil and balsamic vinegar over them, added a little sprinkle of cheese, and cooked in the microwave for about 8 minutes. Very nice. <br />
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So, now I am going to run a bath and then I think it will be early nights all right. This week sees my boss from Sydney in the office. He wants to take us to dinner Tuesday night so he can meet Fluffy and Dobby. That will be nice.<br />
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So, until I decide to blog again, TTFN.Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-58008308482588890362012-10-14T11:13:00.001+10:302012-10-14T11:13:29.588+10:30Surprised?Yeah, me too. I don't really have anything to blog about anymore. And no one reads this anyway (except you 3, you know who you are). <br />
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So, what's been happening lately? Stuff all. I had the iron infusion, as posted about in my last blog. I had my birthday. Nothing terribly exciting there.<br />
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The infusion seems to have worked a bit. I do feel a bit more alert. I feel like doing the housework now. Well, when I say I feel like it, I am actually getting more done than normal. It's only my back and ankle that stop me from doing more.<br />
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Recently we had a rally to Padthaway. Not going to bother putting up photos here, there wasn't much to take photos of. But it was a good rally. I took the Friday off, as did Fluffy, and Dobby was home from school, so we drove down early Friday morning. It took 4 hours. With two stops. And one where I thought I had to vomit because I stupidly thought I could eat chicken. Sheesh.<br />
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Anyway, we got there and were greeted (well, Fluffy was) with a little white paper bag holding assorted brochures, a sprig of Lavender, and two chocolates stapled to the side. Lovely.<br />
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Our site was small but plenty of room for the awning and the tent. But the weather couldn't decide if it wanted to be sunny or rainy, so we put up two walls of the annex. Not annex material, more like shade cloth. It helped protect against the wind and rain.<br />
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Saturday most of us trundled the half hour or so into Naracoorte for the day. But, somewhat surprisingly for a small SA town, everything closed at lunch time. I mean, when you go into a bakery at 11.30 and they say "the sandwich bar is closed, as we are closing in half an hour", it's a bit of a shock, right? <br />
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We wandered over to the "Tiny Train" ride at the local caravan park, and all the kids had a ride around this track sitting on the back of the carriages. They enjoyed it. Then we all drove down to the Naracoorte Caves for a tour of the Victoria Caves. <br />
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These were lovely, and we had a guided tour. Our Forward Planner had been quoted a particular price, then we all lined up to pay. The first two went, and when it came to me, I was going to be charged over $60 for the three of us. This was way more than we were quoted so I questioned it. Turned out the price he was quoted was waaay under what we should have been charged. After much negotiation, they came up with a new price which was less than the adult price we were quoted but more than the kids price. Everyone was happy and we made our way down to the cave entrance. One of the club young couples was on dog minding duty and off we went.<br />
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It was very interesting and lovely. On a couple of occasions our guide turned out the lights. Pitch black. I occasionally get claustrophobia but there was no reason to with these. It was wet down there, due to the recent rain, but very lovely.<br />
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I did well with walking around the caves, even up ladder-like steps. But the last bit, on the exit of the cave, was a 45-degree angle and that killed my calves. And everyone else's I think.<br />
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Anyway, we exited, thanked our guide profousely and the rest of the team made their way off to the pub for dinner. As we had Ozzie we chose to go home instead. I had bought a pasta bake from the supermarket so I put that on. <br />
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Sunday we had pancake breakfast. That was fun. There is always some left over but surprisingly this time, not that many. Only about a dozen.<br />
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After that we just sat around. Another couple and their daughter and future son-in-law (AKA the dog minders from yesterday) decided that because it was the mum's birthday, they, and us, would go for a drive to the two local wineries. I thought we might stop and sample some of the food but no one did. We bought a few bottles and I took a couple of photos, and headed back. The weather sucked anyway.<br />
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There was happy hour, and then dinner. But I started to feel ill. In fact, I developed a headache, chills and a not very happy tummy. It was no better Monday, and indeed the tummy thing settled in for the week. I suspect food poisoning because no one else got it. If so, the only thing I can say I ate that no one else did was maple syrup on my pancake. So perhaps I have to get rid of that?<br />
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Anyway last week I had my counterpart from Sydney in the office. He did his usual thing putting my accounts into MYOB, then on the Wednesday started teaching me to use it. Crash course. I think I'll be okay with is. I have some more to do on Monday so I guess we'll see wont we?<br />
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Other than that, I had a follow up doctor visit yesterday and he took some more blood. Literally. I had just missed the nurse and as I had fasted just in case he wanted to do follow up tests, he took the blood himself. So much quicker than the nurse. <br />
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Dobby has a friend over and they want to go to the beach. I'm off to lunch today with my 80 year old friend, and then I'll take them after that. Unless her dad takes them while I'm out. Leave that up to him to decide. We (when I say we I mean mostly he) have been doing work around the yard. Cutting back vines, throwing out rubbish. Yesterday he got in and scrubbed my shower. I can't do it, I can't get down there. He did a great job. I did the rest of the bathroom. Through the week I'll tackle other stuff.<br />
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Until then, it's time to go see about getting changed for lunch. Don't know what I'll wear - nothing fits me anymore. Sure I'll find something in huge baby tent....Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-51811456096868329692012-09-24T16:31:00.000+09:302012-09-24T16:31:10.025+09:30Feeling the love!Isn't it lovely when you receive positive messages from folk? Given my recent hospital stay, and my birthday, I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the good wishes I have recently received.<br />
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But, let me start from the beginning.<br />
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As you know, I had to go into hospital for an iron infusion last week. For whatever reason, I was required to stay overnight. Don't know why, it's a 3 hour procedure... But, anyway, stay I did.<br />
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My wonderful friend Marg came to my aid again and dropped me off at Ashford hospital. I bought her a birthday gift and left it in her car. She is a mad tiger freak so I bought her a resin one, about 30cm long. She phoned me the next day to tell me she loved it, and had named it, well, Fluffy's real name! Sweet!<br />
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Anyway, I digress. So, I got to the hospital, and was delighted after a phone call to find I didn't have to pay the $250 admission (my health fund declared I only have to pay it once a calendar year, and i had already paid it this year). Nice. I had not long sat down (after a loo visit) and was called through. They have a couple of elderly ladies who volunteer their time, to assist patients to their rooms. A lovely use of people, I feel. I might look at this when I get a bit older.<br />
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The poor lady, though, dropped me off in a crowded room with people waiting for day procedures, then just as I got squished into a corner, came back to get me to take me up to the ward. She had misread my paperwork.<br />
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Up we go, and I share a lift with an elderly lady in a wheel chair being pushed by a lady my age, and followed by an elderly gent. We proceed down a hall and I glance into rooms which I think look rather nice.<br />
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Around the corner we pass the nurses station, and head for the room directly across the hall from their desk, the same room as the other occupants of the elevator are headed to. Oh. So much for a private room. oh well.<br />
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I go sit on the bed, and eventually a nurse comes and checks I am who I should be, says she'll be back soon. Ok. I sit and twiddle my thumbs. The room is minuscule. And drab. And in need of some sprucing up. Sigh. the lady next door has a recliner beside her bed. Nothing will fit beside my bed. The bedside table is all. A chair like the doctor's surgery waiting room type chairs, with wooden arms, is sitting at the end of my bed, but in direct view of the door. So I sit, rather uncomfortably on the side of the bed. I am not sure what I am supposed to do with anything, and there is no table across my bed i can pull up to read either. So I just sit and wait.<br />
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Lunch arrives. I had ordered fish, chips, pears and custard. I got it. The fish was dry and the chips soggy but I was hungry so I ate all the fish. It would have been rather lovely were it not so dry. Dessert was left (the dry fish was sticking around my band so I couldn't eat any more). The nurse later put it in the fridge for me.<br />
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Eventually someone comes along and takes my blood pressure. It's high. It always is in hospitals. A lovely irish nurse comes to find a vein to insert the catheter for the IV. Despite me drinking heaps of water before arriving, she can't find one. She has a go in one elbow but is unsuccessful. She goes off to find help.<br />
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More waiting. I sit in the chair. Put myself on view. Get out my ipad and start reading. Another nurse comes along and finds a vein in my right hand. It'll hurt, says she, but it's the best we can do. It doesn't really hurt. But because they tape it up, I can't do much with that hand. And I'm right handed. Great. I head to the loo and use one hand to pull the dacks down etc. Lucky I wore jeans that are loose and stretchy... hmmm.<br />
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Back to the bed and wait a bit. Eventually they come to get me started. I ask if they can pull the table across my bed so I can read or do something. I lift the head of the bed and try to get comfy. I pull out the ipad and my crime book and settle in.<br />
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But they don't pull cross my table so I prop the ipad up in my lap. The blood pressure cuff is put on one arm (bloody hell those things hurt) and the oxygen monitor clipped to my finger, and the IV is hooked up to my other hand. <br />
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I'm left helpless in the bed for 3 hours, without the table, with my ipad propped awkwardly in my lap. Sigh. Oh well, I settle in to watch Megamind.<br />
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That keeps me occupied. I have to keep taking out an ear piece so they can take my temperature. My blood pressure is still high, as is my temp. No surprises there. When the movie finishes I take out my crime magazine and try to read some of that. And go of Facebook, and chat to SOL. But it's hard to do anything without the use of my right hand. So I lay back.<br />
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Eventually I need to pee. So I ask the nurse to give me a hand. She has to take the IV machine off the bed pole and hook it up to a wheeled unit. Takes a bit of untangling and stuff but we manage. Off I go to the loo. When I come back, the nurse brings me my pears and custard for afternoon tea.<br />
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Did I mention the old lady has a walking frame and is somewhat mobility limited. Going to the loo for me means removing her commode seat and putting down the toilet set. Great with one hand. But I manage.<br />
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Back to bed I trundle. Eventually the machine starts beeping. And beeping. And beeping. After a few minutes one of the aids follows the beeping and rescues me. It's stopped so she unplugs it and unhooks it from my catheter. Free! But my fingers are still taped up somewhat. Not too bad though. But the tape across the top holding the end of the catheter still is wrapped around my hand. One of the side effects of the infusion seemed to be, cold clammy hands and feet. Or maybe it was just me. Anyway, that meant the tape came unstuck. But because it was stuck to the clear tape patch they put over the needle site, I can't take it off. The ends flap annoyingly. Sigh.<br />
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Well, now what do I do? It's four thirty. Boring. Once I have finished my treatment, I am left alone. The lady next door's visitors leave, and she falls asleep so it's deathly quiet. I read. I sit back in my chair for a while just to move about.<br />
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Later it's dinner time. The lady's daughter comes back up to visit. The neighbour gets her dinner. She's scottish I think. The daughter is Australian. I am sitting back on the bed, and they are watching TV. The daughter asks a question I know the answer to, so I poke my head around and tell her. She invites me to sit with them for a bit, so I pull my chair over. We have a chat for a bit. My dinner arrives. We giggle - I ordered caesar salad. I also ordered some mashed potato. A small serve I say. Well, I got a small serve alright.<br />
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Now, I don't know about you, but I thought caesar salad was lettuce, egg, chicken and bacon... with dressing. The white at the top left of the plate is potato salad. The grey on the top right is chicken thigh meat, full of gristle, with a few shreds of bacon through it. There is cucumber, carrot, and a wedge of tomato. A square or two of dried bread for croutons. With a dollop of warm mashed potato on top. Served on a small bread and butter plate. That was dinner. I was a good girl and at it, except for the chicken. The fruit salad was nice, and it came with a chocolate milk. And a little tub of ice-cream, like the old Dixie Cups we used to get as kids. That was the nicest part.<br />
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After dinner I decide to go put my jammies on. Didn't bother with a shower, I didn't have a towel and her shower chair was taking up all the tiny cubicle so I just didn't bother. Felt better to be in my jammies. The daughter left and the old lady settled back into bed to watch some TV. I sat on my bed. And read some more. My how time goes slow when you're flat out. I found the only draw back to wasting the day as such, is my heel spur seized up. Well, the tendon area puffed up because I just wasn't using it at all. Very painful it became.<br />
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Later, after waiting till about 8pm, I decided to watch Mulan. Just to kill time. I settled in. The domestic came in and offered me tea. Heck yeah! with two little shortbread biscuits. Yummy.<br />
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Eventually I turned off the ipad and put the magazine away. Just before ten I thought I may as well go to sleep. But my pillow was uncomfortable. And my back was aching. And the nurses were talking outside at the station. But I dozed off.<br />
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Ten minutes later the old girl got out of bed, and wandered around to my bed. She was confused. She didn't know who I was and was quite surprised to find a stranger in her room. I told her gently she should go back to bed. She did.<br />
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Then, for the rest of the night, just as I dozed off she's start yelling for someone to come and tell her what's going on. Why weren't they going down to get her husband from downstairs? He'll be wanting his supper. Someone should come help her get his supper. Several times a night nurse had to put her back to bed. Or bring her a bedpan (because they raised the rails on her bed, which really miffed her because she couldn't get out of bed). She didn't use the buzzer, she didn't have to. They heard her. And I heard her. When it wasn't her it was the nurses laughing at the desk. Sigh. At around 3 someone actually stuck their head around the curtain and saw I was awake so took my blood pressure. But other than that they never once came to check on or look in on me. From when they took the IV off me, that was it. Their job with me was done. I was so stiff in the neck and had a headache. But I found that if I elevated the head of the bed just a fraction it helped. Dunno why I didn't think of that in the first place. Du-uh!<br />
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I gave up trying to sleep around 5. The nurse noticed I was awake and asked me if I had slept. Don't be silly said I. She said sorry, but even when I said half the problem was the nurses at the desk she didn't seem to grasp I was saying THEY were as bad as the old girl. I couldn't blame her, she wasn't herself, so she can't be aware she was keeping everyone awake. But the nurses should have had more respect. Anyway, I had a headache and felt like death warmed over. But what could I do? I just sat and read.<br />
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The old lady woke up, and they tended to her. Breakfast eventually came around 7.30 or something. By then I was sitting in the chair on public view. I was sick of lying in bed reading. So I was sitting in the chair reading. Resting my poor head. The old girl came and sat in the chair next to me. She was saying she wanted a longer gown to wear. The hospital one was open at the back and left her butt exposed. She was wearing a pair of Depends, and the lining was hanging out. Poor love, I felt so bad for her. So I got her long dressing gown for her, and she was very happy with that. I tried to look after her as much as I could. I even got her to drink some water - she was very stubborn in that nature!<br />
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My breakfast was porridge, yoghurt, warm like, sugar, and tea. I really did enjoy that. <br />
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While sitting there, I noticed this sign at the end of the bed. Rather made me laugh. I can't imagine why anyone would be UNDER the bed... but obviously someone was at some time!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6aSwA2gRyQ/UF_6BP3EE3I/AAAAAAAABmo/hRiySVsX68Q/s1600/photo+copy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6aSwA2gRyQ/UF_6BP3EE3I/AAAAAAAABmo/hRiySVsX68Q/s320/photo+copy+3.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I go get changed and brush my hair and teeth. Feels so much better. Eventually they come to take out the catheter. That's a relief. Just a bruise around the knuckle to show for my effort.<br />
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I sit around and wait some more. The young aide comes in about 9.40 and says whenever you're ready I'll take you down. I laugh and say I was ready two hours ago. Oh, she says, well lets go then. As we are walking to the door Fluffy comes around the corner (flirting as he always does with the nurses. Gosh he's a giggle). He comes back down with the nurse and I and I am free. He has dog hair on his shirt. He says the dog we are babysitting, Ruby, had done a runner that morning and he had to chase her all down the street and through people's hards. So glad I missed that. Dobby had a friend over the the house was a pigsty. She had not done the things Fluffy had asked. Aah, don't you love coming home to such a situation? I just wanted to go back!<br />
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Anyway, I got passed it. The friend eventually left and I ducked out. I went and bought crickets for my girls, and stopped in to find something to wear out to dinner for my birthday. I found a rather nice little black dress, all pleats and hanging straight, and on special for $47. I also found a silver and black long chunky necklace, $20, black earrings with diamonds, $10, and a silver small bag with a chain handle, reduced to $10. Thank you I'll have that. I also bought Dobby a lovely clutch for her new outfit. I was feeling pretty chuffed with myself.<br />
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I spent the rest of the day tidying up and stuff. I also made potato bake ready for a BBQ. We went up to the other side of town and had a lovely evening with friends. Great food, my potato bake was a hit, and we chilled out till around 10.30. Fluffy had had a few drinks so I drove us home. A pain killer (for my back and ankle and headache for me) and straight to bed.<br />
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Sunday I did some house work. Dobby had been invited by friends to go to the movies. I was going to drop her off. But then she said one of them was at Castle Plaze (near home) so could she go now? She walked down and I didn't have to go anywhere. Suits me. I told her to be home by 4 as we were going out. At 3.40 she sent me a text - what time should she be home again? Good grief. I told her 4. She said uh okay. But she'd be a bit late. Hmmm. Eventually, just before 5 I asked her where she was. Apparently they had missed the bus and walked! It's over an hour's walk! I told them I'd come pick her up but the others had to keep walking. She apologised so I wasn't too hard on her.<br />
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We all got dressed to go out, and Dobby took a couple of photos of me and I of her. I don't have them yet, they're still on the camera. I'll put them up next time.<br />
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During the day the weather changed. An awful icy breeze blew up. I forgot we weren't going to be able to park close to the restaurant (which is beside the beach) and was so totally under dressed. Luckily I had a black sequinned jacket, 3/4 sleeve, but it was still so cold I actually got chills.<br />
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Dinner was lovely. The restaurant had a house special from a set menu, $36 for 4 courses. Fluffy and I had that. Dobby had an asian inspired beef (or was it lamb) salad. The food was lovely and we shared with Dobby so we all had plenty to eat. Even dessert. It only cost us $128 including drinks. We staggered back to the car (I did find out that those shoes I bought, while comfy, are not conducive to walking any distance, for me anyway. Very painful on the balls of my feet). But it was such a nice night.<br />
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So today, my birthday, I have been very spoiled. Because I had already bought myself stuff, plus dinner, we didn't worry about something for me from the family. But Mother sent me the Amy Winehouse biography and money. Sister Tanya gave me money. Wally gave me a lovely little coin holder money box shaped like a frog. And some gold coins to get me started. Then, at work, I was given a gift voucher from David Jones by my boss (he had hidden it behind my computer screen - if he hadn't told me it was there it could have been there years! lol!). The new bosses in Sydney sent me flowers. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oh8ca9KfO_0/UGAC1EzMPLI/AAAAAAAABnU/QsOQRbkzXx8/s1600/photo+copy+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oh8ca9KfO_0/UGAC1EzMPLI/AAAAAAAABnU/QsOQRbkzXx8/s320/photo+copy+4.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />
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And my Facebook page has been inundated with messages. It's so nice to have such wonderful messages sent to me. Some made me feel very special indeed. At work it was very quiet, and now I'm about to go home and cook some lamb chops. Dobby doesn't have to go to guitar so I can kick back and do nothing. My favourite!<br />
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Hope this wasn't too long and boring for you, or that I didn't sound like I was whinging too much. That wasn't my intention, just trying to relay my experience.<br />
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Have a great week, folks. Catch you next week. xx<br />
<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-71736088574621382512012-09-17T15:16:00.001+09:302012-09-17T15:16:27.889+09:30Just a short notethis time, cause I ain't got much to say.<br />
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Last week has been busy at work. Boss was away in Sydney, but Thursday and Friday I had RV over from the accountant's office (the new one in Sydney). He is indian (Hindu) and very shy. An amusing chappie and we work well together. But come Friday afternoon, the work and done and I am caught up. Even with all my sick leave.<br />
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Speaking of which, I have to have another next Friday. I saw the doctor last Friday and he has booked me in for an iron infusion, but the hospital has changed the rules and it's now an overnight stay. Yay for health insurance. It would be nice if I could actually use the time to relax. Wonder if I can sneak my laptop in??<br />
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Actually it's going to be a busy weekend next weekend. I am going into hospital on Friday, the Jack Russell Ruby from over the back is coming to stay Friday, Saturday Fluffy is taking us out to dinner for my birthday, and Sunday I plan to do as little as possible.<br />
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This last weekend my back has been giving me so much trouble. I took Dobby shopping to the Supre outlet. Mistake. She went wild. They have a lot of cheap clothes and she bought lots. But then she topped it off with some dearer articles and it ended up costing a bit more than I anticipated. However, her summer wardrobe is set now. NO MORE!<br />
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I think I also felt bad for her. She just split up with Lurch. But, being the trooper that she is, she did it with dignity. She showed me the text message he sent her. She sent him a long one back, asking if he couldn't have done it face to face. His answer - "how, I never see you". Well, anyway, she wasn't upset or anything. She just shrugged it off and went about her business. I am so proud of my self-proclaimed "tough bitch". She handled herself very well.<br />
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So, anyway, not much else to prattle on about. My work mac is lying dead on the conference table at the moment. Apparently while I was on sick leave Boss told Geek that there was a huge problem with that machine. I didn't notice... so he arranged a new hard drive for it.<br />
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But when Geek went to install it, the thing wouldn't work. So he has had to go see if he can swap it for another. Lucky I have the laptop....Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-20452623925582785552012-09-09T16:34:00.003+09:302012-09-09T16:34:32.889+09:30BrrrrIt's been cold and wet this winter here in Adelaide. I'm really kinda over it. We managed to have a few days in the low twenties last week, which would have been nice, had I not been inside the entire bloody day! It was cool again by the time I left work so I didn't get to enjoy it at all.<br />
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This weekend looked like it was going to be lovely, and indeed here in Adelaide it was. Pity we were in Nuriootpa! The newly named Family and Friends Caravan and Camping Club had our first rally up there, and it was lovely and warm when Dobby and I left Saturday morning for the drive, but periodically overcast with light misty rain thrown in for good measure, all weekend up there (an hour's drive away). Here I am sitting in the office at home, and it's bloody cold.<br />
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Anyway I'm getting ahead of myself.<br />
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So I've been quite this last few weeks. Really, nothing at all has been happening. Until last week. I have been having health issues. As you 3 who read this know. One of the tests I had to do, as an elimination thing really, was an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. For those who don't know, that's a camera up each end... I seriously hope they washed the blasted thing! <br />
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The preparation is very hard on the body. When you're tired and vauge at the best of times, being food deprived does absolutely nothing to help that! I started by stopping my usual medications on Monday evening. Tuesday I could only eat bland white meats (microwaved or grilled chicken or fish - I cooked up some chicken breast Monday night and salted and peppered it), as well as a plain boiled potato or very well cooked pumpkin, white bread (plain or lightly toasted), plain biscuits, cottage cheese. That's all. I also had to drink plenty of clear fluids, such as apple juice, coke (Chris, you'd be happy there), water, lemonade, yellow jelly. tea or coffee (no milk) or, oddly enough, beer.<br />
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I drank plenty of apple juice and Zero on Tuesday, plus a slice of toast with cottage cheese for breakfast, and some thinly sliced chicken for lunch. Dinner was more of the chicken.<br />
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Wednesday I could eat breakfast (two slices of plain toast, no butter or toppings) with black tea, and that was all. I had to drink plenty of fluids, then I finished work at 12. After running a few last minute errands I headed home. At one I had to drink a preparation drink that tasted something like the Staminade we used to have a skids. It was fizzy but not too unpleasant. Than drink a litre of water or juice. Then at two I had to take another concoction that tasted like Salvital. Not so nice, (even prepared and refrigerated earlier). I had to drink it one cup at a time, followed by other fluid in between, over the course of an hour. <br />
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It was a wonderful laxative. Hence coming home from work early. Then I had to drink another two litres of fluid through the afternoon. My poor little botty was raw. I also started to develop a headache. By the time Fluffy came home from his meeting Wednesday evening and I could go to bed, I felt terrible. And I couldn't take any medication.<br />
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Thursday Dobby was going for a sleepover, and then to the Show the next day, so she packed a bag Wed night. Thursday morning I had to wake her then take some more of the Staminade-like preparation. This time, because I was physically so hungry and probably dehytrated, my headache was making me feel physically sick. I ended up having to ask Dobby's friend, who I usually took to school, to ask if her dad would mind taking the girls today. He is so lovely and agreed. <br />
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Eventually I felt well enough to venture out to buy some last minute necessities for the others before my friend Marg came to pick me up for my hospital visit. I still felt so terribly, with the headache and nausea, but a little better.<br />
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At the hospital I was way early but they didn't mind. I didn't have to wait long until they brought me in to undress and don one of those wonderful backless gowns. This place gives you a blanket to wrap around yourself for modesty sake. As there were several doctors doing the procedures in-house there were a few of us waiting. I made friends with another lass from the country. We chatted a bit to waste some time.<br />
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She was called and not long after I was also summonsed. I had to lose the knicker then, and got to make myself comfortable (as much as I could with my stinky headache) on the trolley with the blanket over me. I met my anaesthetist. A very lovely chap named Andrew. Quite dishy he was. Oh to be 40kg lighter and 25 years younger! They ended up wheeling me into the room the wrong way and as they were turning my bed I quipped "Ooh, procedure and a circus ride". Heh. So, they lay me on my side, put the drip in my arm, and next thing I was out to it.<br />
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I woke up before they had finished and my first vision was Andrew. Aah. He let the doc know I was awake and he finished up (thankfully). I had been spun around again while asleep so I know they started with my throat (thank goodness! lol!).<br />
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In recovery I still had my headache but i lay there for a few minutes. Probably about fifteen. Then they walked me over to a lovely recliner and fed me a cup of tea and an egg and lettuce sandwich. Although the headache lingered I felt much better. They phoned Fluffy to get him to pick me up but it was an hour before he came - he had missed the call and didn't get the message. <br />
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Anyway, on the way home we had to stop and buy him dinner and I was still hungry. So I also bought myself a piece of battered fish. Yummy. Later we had cheesecake. Geez, I'm not doing a very good job of taking it easy and eating healthy am I!<br />
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After sitting watching TV for a while I took a headache tablet and we went to bed. As Dobby was at her friends it was lovely and quiet and I got quite a good rest.<br />
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Friday, Fluffy went to work till lunch time and I pottered about. I was eating normally although being careful just in case. I managed to pop out to do some grocery shopping and get some last minute things done in the caravan.<br />
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Fluffy came home at lunch time, hooked up the van, and headed up to Nuri. I checked the Show website and found out that the fireworks Dobby and her friends were checking out weren't going to be on until 9pm. That gave me the whole afternoon and evening to relax. I did just that. I didn't get up off the couch except to top up my drink and nibbles or go to the loo, as well as soak in the bath. Total bliss! <br />
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She got home about 9.30 and the friend's father had bought them Hungry Jacks for dinner. That man is so good to the girls. She then proceeded to open all her showbags and put the stuff out on the couch for me to admire.<br />
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After a while I insisted she clean up and head off to bed. She did. Saturday morning we got up early and were on the road by 7.45 am. We stopped for fuel and got to Nuri at 9.00 pretty much on the nose. We found the rest of the group, and wandered around to see who was there. Fluffy was happy to see us, and Dobby was happy to see him (as, of course, was I!).<br />
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We had morning tea with the group, then Club Game. After that we were sitting around our van magging when one of the other members asked if I would like to go for a drive with them. I figured they were going to the lookout and wanted to know did I want to take photos so I grabbed my camera and left Dobby and Fluffy to hang out together (Dobby had just been complaining that she didn't spend any time with her dad so that was the perfect opportunity).<br />
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We drove up to the looking and I took some pics. It was so bloody cold and overcast, but still interesting. The looking is a park area with chunks of lovely marble and other rock carved into interesting shapes.<br />
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After we left there, we travelled to Kaiser Stuhl conservation park for a short walk. We got to see a family of kangaroos beside the road. One of the other folks (there were about 4 or 5 cars in our group) had a japanese student with her as well as her kids. She was very happy (the student) to see the roos.<br />
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After another member got dumped in a small creek (her boyfriend had picked her up to step over the creek and overbalanced!) we all headed back to camp. It was a lovely afternoon. Kids Club followed and the kids had a blast. The lass with the japanese student did Kids Club and she always has plenty of physical activities to keep them amused.<br />
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The club put on a sausage dinner (those cheese kranskies are to die for!) and we all chipped in with salad. Some of the more adventurous made theirs, the rest of us bought ours from the supermarket.<br />
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At dinner Fluffy said he wasn't feeling well, and indeed went to the bathroom. He had a bad pain in the belly and went to bed. The teens Dobby had been hanging with went home (just visiting for the day) and she came inside too. The three of us were just sitting inside. Fluffy went to sleep and Dobby was asleep b 7.30 too. Boy, talk about boring. And the party was right outside our van, around the fire too. I watched a bit of telly, then went up and put my jammies on. Eventually I decided it was too early to go to bed so I joined the fireside again for a bit. I checked on Fluffy again, and he was awake. Whatever it was, had passed and he felt better. The fellow who, with his wife, took me for the drive, popped in to see Fluffy and eventually they both joined us at the fireside.<br />
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Rather later we all went to bed, early by club standards though.<br />
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This morning we all packed up (nothing for us to pack up, just roll up the awning and wash some cups up!) and Dobby and I left about 11.15. We were home by 12.30. Fluffy stopped at the office to talk to the park owners about hosting the 2022 National Rally there. It's a huge event, with a budget of $8m. He got home around one. The van was tucked away back in the yard, and we were all veging out bu 2. I've uploaded some photos to Facebook and done this. it's now 4pm and I'm buggered. Oh crap. Just remembered I totally forgot to hang out the washing, and the weather was lovely here this afternoon! Sigh...<br />
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Fluffy mucking around on the kids ride on the camp kitchen</div>
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Because the park fire pit was behind our van, Fluffy was Firestarter this time. No one was allowed to touch his fire except while he was in bed convalescing.</div>
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This tree was behind one of the vans in our row. Rather interesting it was, all hollowed out and showing signs of having been burned.</div>
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The view from Menglers Hill Lookout Sculpture Park. Note some of the sculptures adorning the grounds.</div>
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Wattles always remind me of my mother, because she once told me one of the few happy memories she has of her childhood was stopping to eat her lunch under the huge wattle trees.</div>
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I rather liked this huge eagle.</div>
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Max through the eyes of the eagle. Rather clever I thought.</div>
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Wildflowers on the hill.</div>
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Some of us milling about in the cold, waiting for the boys to plan where we were stopping next.</div>
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I'll take a picture of you taking a picture of me!</div>
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This is at the back of the parking lot on Menglers Hill lookout. I didn't have time to read it, as we left just after I snapped this shot.</div>
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A little creek flowing across the path at Kaiser Stuhl conservation park.</div>
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I found this bit if fungus growing on a tree rather interesting.</div>
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This bloke and his family were sitting quietly beside the road. They didn't seem to mind us stopping for a look.</div>
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Oh, for the record, my tests were all negative. So, next week I make a time with the doc for a 3 hour intravenous treatment and then take supplements. They made some money from our health insurance for nothing!Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-38082330701449993442012-08-19T12:56:00.000+09:302012-08-19T12:56:45.865+09:30Goodness meBlogger has changed yet again. One way to get a bit of web experience I guess.<br />
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Anyway, it's been an interesting week. Recently I was called in to the doctor's office to get some test results. We have been working toward eliminating my pain centres.<br />
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We changed my medications - Panadol Osteo for the arthritis, Indocid for the back. Coincidently the Panadol helped the back. But it didn't help the achilles tendon, which worsened when the back went out.<br />
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Turns out I have some degeneration of where the tendon joins the bone, due to wear and tear. Favouring the back has put more strain on the ankle. And my iron levels are low again. Sigh.<br />
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I left there armed with a note for an X-ray and ultrasound, with added steroid injection for my ankle, and a referral to a specialist for my iron levels. Both in the same building.<br />
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But with my interstate visit, I deferred it to this week. It's been a week of stuff going on. First, Dobby lost her retainer, so on Tuesday I had to leave work early and take her down to the dentist to do another mould on her teeth. Wednesday I worked back an hour, and Thursday I had to go to a meeting for the Family and Friends Caravan and Camping Club. That's right, no more SAPI. Sad, but exciting all the same. It was also pouring down rain! Amazing the amount of rain we had.<br />
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Thursday morning was also ankle day. I was unable to get both the appointments for the same day, so it was just the ankle. I had the X-ray, then the ultrasound, then the radiologist grabbed a medico and they gave me the steroid injection. I have had a permanent limp for about nine months or more now. Very painful. I remember one rally where I could barely walk, I felt like a cripple.<br />
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So imagine my surprise when I get to the take away shop Thursday night, and walk limp-free down to the grocer and back. It was amazing. I am now pain free for the first time in months. Well, in the ankle anyway. That was way quicker than anyone expected. I was told it could take at least 5 days.<br />
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Then, Friday morning was the specialist visit. I parked the car a couple of blocks away, and as I alighted the car, I noted the sky was black. Very black. I popped the boot and as I was removing the umbrella from my bag, it started to rain.<br />
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I closed the boot, locked the car and while crossing the road opened the umbrella. By the time I got it all the way open it was pouring! And windy to boot! I got to the crossing lights, and the rain had turned to small hail. It was pouring, wet and windy. The umbrella got blown inside out and I had to walk very fast (I simply do not run) to get to the shelter of the hospital.<br />
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I made it with time to spare but was soaked all down one side. Never mind. That aside, the visit went well.<br />
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I found out that my tiredness and blonde moments were typical to low iron (I already knew that) but I also found out that my restless leg symptoms are a direct manifest of the condition as well. That made so much sense. I have been suffering for some time with achy, tingly, jumpy legs. Feels horrible. I can't get comfortable and they don't seem to relax. Jiggling them is the only way to feel any type of relief. What an amazing thing to find the conditions are related.<br />
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Anyway, when I told him that's what I was experiencing, he changed his plan of attack.<br />
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First we are going to have an endoscopy with a colonoscopy. Nice. Not. That is just to rule out any pathological reason for the low iron levels. Once I go back for the results for that, we will make a date for a drip feed. I could go on supplements again, but he said that for the restless leg symptoms, he would like to kick start my treatment with a direct infusion via IV, which takes about 3 hours, and has a faster effect. The pills will take a couple of months but the IV will take a few days to a week. I like that idea.<br />
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I was feeling a bit crap so now that I have my laptop, I was able to pack up a bag of work and head home early. I also had to take Dobby back to the dentist to pick up her plate. Poor lamb, though. Her teeth have shifted and the once-straight front teeth have shifted and one now slightly overlaps the other. She is sooo not happy.<br />
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In other news, Dobby has a boyfriend. I am not sure how I feel about that. When we were young it wasn't done. At all. And add to that, she is 15, he is 17. They don't see each other, she goes to a girls school and he lives in a small town outside Adelaide. But they are in regular contact.<br />
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Apparently he has been pushing her to meet us, so we arranged for him to come to lunch Saturday. They were both nervous. Ain't that sweet?<br />
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So he comes over around ten Saturday morning. He's very tall (around 6'). Has a stretcher and snake bites, glasses, short hair, and is quite imposing. No, that's not the right word. He's a presence. Loud. Dobby introduces him and Fluffy invites him to sit at the table where we are. I ask Fluffy to make coffee but he doesn't move, so I make it.<br />
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Conversation is awkward. He's not a great communicator, and I think the poor bloke was nervous. Dobby was. She was also doing the 40 hour famine, so she's not eaten either.<br />
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I send them off to the shop for cheesecake ingredients, which keeps them occupied for a while. When they get back they disappear to Dobby's room (she at the desk, he on the bed, don't worry we checked!) while Fluffy and I go about our business. I cooked Fettuchini Bolognese for lunch with a salad. <br />
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There is a lot of laughing and chatting coming from down there. That's nice. He makes her laugh and she him. Sweet.<br />
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At lunch he tells us he wants to be a body piercer. No problem with that. He is doing a type of bridging course equivalent to year twelve so hopefully he can get good enough grades to get into TAFE for his apprenticeship. I hope he finds something he can do which he enjoys. <br />
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They again retreat to the room for a bit, eventually deciding to go for a walk. They are gone 3 hours before Dobby comes back, but she was on FB so I asked what they were doing and she said they walked to Castle Plaza where she saw him off on the bus. They both enjoyed their day and she had a great distraction from her hunger.<br />
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She came home, briefly spoke to us, then put herself into bed to watch TV. When Fluffy checked on her later she was sound asleep. We sat and watched Karate Kid together before heading off ourselves. What a day.<br />
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Sunday sees the end of the famine at 12.00. At 12.01 Dobby is at the kitchen table munching on leftover pasta. Happy kid. I am very proud of the job she did.<br />
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I brought work home on Friday afternoon so I had better do a little of that today. Otherwise, think I'll just sit quiet. Yes, think that's just what I'll do...Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-5346877604922273782012-08-12T09:13:00.001+09:302012-08-12T09:14:38.542+09:30Interstate Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This blog will be a long one, because it's got lots of visual art for your enjoyment. I won't bother blogging about the last two weeks, cause that was just work and stuff, so nothing worth reading about there. However, this last four days has seen a visit from my bestie Wally.</div>
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I'd like to say we turned on great weather for her. She thinks we did - there was no hail or snow, so she's happy! Today, she flew home, and the sun's out and there's not a cloud in the sky - typical! </div>
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Wally arrived on Wednesday afternoon, while I was at work, and settled herself in at the motel down the road from home. I picked up Dobby from netball and we headed over to collect her (and pizza for dinner). It was lovely to see her again. Dobby was also beside herself, seeing her Godmother again.</div>
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We brought Wally back home for dinner, but as she'd been a busy little beaver that day she called it a night before seven. Piker... :-)</div>
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Thursday I had the day off work, and Fluffy took the van up to Port Wakefield for the weekend. It was also the SAPI AGM. He needed a few days peace and quiet and I needed serious girlie time.</div>
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Fluffy took Dobby to school, came home and hooked up the van. After I saw him off Wally and I headed down to Hahndorf for the day.</div>
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We both were inrtigued by the candles in one store, and she wanted to buy me one, and I wanted to buy her one. But she bought me a big one and only wanted a little one for herself, the wicked girl. They had virtually no smell in the store, but when we got them home the smell was very strong. Weird.</div>
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We stopped for a look at the Beerenburg farm outlet for some fresh jams and things. I found some garlic sauce which looked very nice. Wally found some other little delights.</div>
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After this we parked a bit closer to town and did the walk up the street. We had lunch at "the top pub" although I think we should have gone to the "bottom pub". Poor Wally had to go to the bathroom almost immediately after. Badly. While she was in there I took advantage of the flora outside the toilet block.</div>
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Kept me out of mischief for a bit anyway.</div>
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Then we crossed the road and did the other side. Wally's dream has been to see the pandas, so you can imagine how excited she was to find this:</div>
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What she is pointing to there is the initials TW, scratched onto the Panda's forehead. She swears she hasn't been here before to do that... we wondered if her sister hadn't been here before her!</div>
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Eventually we decided, after spending more money, on afternoon tea at a dear little bakery, that had three tables with massive cow-hide covered chairs around them. We chose a berry mousse type dessert and scones with jam and cream. Lovely.</div>
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One of the more unique things we did was "make our own candles". This little shop tucked up the back had some lovely (but expensive) candles. They are made with wax particles which are melted. We had the opportunity, for $14 each, to make our own. Wally shouted, because it was a unique expereince. The lass in the sorter advised us to keep them upright, but of course, that was near impossible. This is what happend when you don't. Each colour is a separate scent, but although mine didn't do too bad, poor Wally's all blended together. She didn't mind at all. This one is mine. I tried for the rainbow look...</div>
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Eventually it was time to go home. Dobby was waiting excitedly for our return. I bought her a coffee cup with a delicious bubblegum scented candle inside it, so she was happy.</div>
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Chinese for dinner in front of the crime channel completed the day.</div>
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Friday Dobby got the day off school so she could go to the zoo with us. Fluffy came back later that afternoon to pick her up and take her up to Port Wakefield with him, to give Wally and I some girlie time. Bless him...</div>
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Pretty much the first stop (after the flamingos) was the Pandas. This display was outside, and the girls had to stop for a pic.</div>
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Wally was in heaven. Don't blame her really. This one is Funi, she's the female. She was happy just lying in the sun sleeping.</div>
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See Funi in the background?</div>
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This bloke is Wang Wang. Wally nearly wet herself, because he was sitting so close outside eating. It was wonderful to see them upclose and active. Lovely creatures they are.</div>
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After the pandas we wandered about looking at the rest of the animals. The seal feeding was interesting too, but I didn't put up any photos of that.</div>
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We walked through the bird sanctuary, and right inside the door was a black cockatoo. He was jumping all around the railing, making himself quite known. He was very friendly too, you could get right up close. Dobby took her chances and he let her pat him very carefully.</div>
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Mum would have loved that bit. I think we would have had a hard time getting her out of there.</div>
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These monkeys were cute. They were the white-cheeked something or others. The little white baby was playing with her black father. It was sooo cute!</div>
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The other animals that took my fancy were these lemurs. They always remind me (and everyone else I guess) of King Julian from Madagascar. Lovely creatures they are.</div>
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Wally bought us both gifts from the gift shop (Dobby loves her owl, it went to Port Wakefield with her) and I love my bookmark and bag). We dropped Wally off at the motel and Dobby and I came back to wait for Fluffy.</div>
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After they left I had time for a quick shower then off to pick up Wally for dinner. We had to make a stop first to see a lady about some skin care samples. That took a bit longer than I had planned but we eventually made it to the Buffalo Bistro. </div>
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Adelaidians will know where I mean. For the rest of you, the Buffalo is a ship that sits in the water at Glenelg. It's a lovely old place, although it's not very busy. I believe it's in a spot of financial bother too. But the food (although in the uppper end of the price market) was fantastic and the service lovely.</div>
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Here are our desserts...</div>
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After dinner it was back home. Wally was happy for me to drop her off home for an early night. On the way out to the car I dropped my scarf. As Wally was bending down to pick it up an elderly lady walked past and farted. Well Wally just lost it. She says "that old lady just farted". I'm giggling like a loon trying to get her to shut up, but she's adamant the lady should have said excuse me. Very embarrassing but totally hilarious as well. We couldn't stop laughing all the way home. You just can't take some people out in public.</div>
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That evening, the frogs decided to croak. Roger came for a look...</div>
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Saturday we had to drive up to Port Wakefield for the AGM. This was an important one, as we had to vote in our name change. Fluffy has a hammock set up outside the van. Wally decided to try it out...</div>
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I didn't get any photos of her exit. I was too busy laughing....</div>
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This tree stump was beside the caravan. I was quite taken with the worm markings on it.</div>
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After the meeting, we acknowledged that the SAPI Caravan and Camping Club is no longer with a ceremonial lowering of the SAPI flag.</div>
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We are now known as the Family and Friends Caravan And Camping Club. Here's to new beginnings.</div>
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Wally and I drove home after the flag lowering, and I said my goodbye's about 6.15pm. I had a giggle actually because I had planned on letting Fluffy know I got home, but Dobby phoned me just as I was driving down the next street. Had I gone directly home and not taken Wally back to the motel, I would have been just parking the car. Great timing.</div>
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Anyway, last night I got the place to myself, nothing to do, no one to answer to. I really have enjoyed the peace and quiet. I sure did ned it. Even the cat likes me again. When Dobby is home he seems to gravitate to her (dunno why, she doesn't even like him). So he has been sleeping on my bed and smooching all around me. Lovely.</div>
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Today it's going to be a quiet morning, then off to buy some crickets for the frogs. I have done one load of washing (sheets) then it's just the second load to do and vacuum the floors before the others come home. I wonder when I can convince them to go away again? I'm not sure if the cat misses the dog or is enjoying the quiet - at the moment he's asleep on the dog's bed...</div>
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<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-66401986060961833452012-07-29T20:02:00.003+09:302012-07-29T20:03:19.621+09:30Getting in touch with my inner criminalWell, not really, but about the only exciting thing lately is what we did to day. But I'll get to that shortly.<br />
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Boss left for overseas on Friday, so last Friday he presented me with an anniversary gift (I have been with the company for 5 years in August). He recently updated his coffee maker and it came with a free milk frothed. Before I figured how to use Fluffy's new coffee machine to make hot chocolate, I had asked boss what he was going to do with his. So anyway, he gave me his. I haven't needed to use it yet, but it was a lovely gesture.<br />
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Earlier this year he updated his laptop. He also bought a second hand one from our geek for his wife to use. Cost him $900.<br />
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Then, just a couple of weeks ago he updated again. Then he gave his "old" one to Jane, and gave the ex-geek one to me. There had been talk among the new people of buying me a laptop to solve my issues of sickness, days off, or leave etc. So he organised with the geek to replicate my desktop onto the laptop. The only thing being that I own it, not the company.<br />
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That's great. Except while someone is in my chair (as they will be when Wally visits) I will have to leave it at work for them to use. Ouch. Lucky, I still have the old home Mac to use!<br />
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So, apart from that, not much has happened. Yesterday I had to duck off to the shops, then came home, picked up Fluffy and we went up to the docs. Apparently my iron levels are low again, and I am supposed to see the specialist about my achillies tendon. Seems it needs a steriod injection. Nice. Down to Castle Plaza for a coffee together then I had a visit with the optometrist. I have him my crap glasses I got from OPSM (don't EVER go to OPSM at Castle Plaza) and when they do the whole "is this better or worse thing" he actually showed me what my previous pair were like. Absolutely crap. No wonder I couldn't wear them.<br />
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Anyway, after that it was race down to Morphette Vale to pick up Dobby, back home for dinner.<br />
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Today I went for a quick visit to Marion for Dobby. She wanted a particular jumper from Big W that they didn't have any more of. But I was lucky enough to find a similar one in Best and Less (plus some new undies for me, about time). Then race home and scoff a pie, pick up Dobby and off for a walk around the Old Adelaide Gaol. That was fun. A couple of weeks ago we did the historic walk around Adelaide, you may remember. This tour was done by one of the ladies who did the walk. It was good, I think I wouldn't mind doing it at night. Wasn't scary like everyone said. Although at one point Dobby said she felt something touch the back of her neck. But then, she was a but jumpy. But she was disappointed we didn't' get any ghost photographs too!<br />
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I did get some, and tried to put them up. But after waiting an hour or more for them to upload, the screen wouldn't close and it wouldn't let me insert them.<br />
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So, if you want to see them, try this link:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4319394547797.2177236.1375020677&type=3&l=0facccdb66" target="_blank">PHOTOS</a><br />
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Other than that, quiet here. I'm in a nice bit of pain but trying to cut down on the amount of baths I have a week. Mind you, if ever there was a good day for one it's today. Perhaps I'll just have one tonight.... with a hot chocolate and good book.<br />
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<span id="goog_827908291"></span><span id="goog_827908292"></span>Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-68361378510458061252012-07-15T10:54:00.004+09:302012-07-15T10:57:53.231+09:30It's been a whileSince I've been on here. Just because no one really reads this, and the gossip that I have I share with SOL every day anyway.<br />
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But, out of a sense of duty, here I find myself again.<br />
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So, what can I waffle on about? Oh, I know. Things are on the move at work. You may know that the business was up for sale. A portion of that has been sold, and my new "boss" in Sydney has some great ideas for moving forward.<br />
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One of my biggest bug bears has been my lack of back up. If I am sick or have to go away the pressure is really on me, as there is no one to really do my job in my absence. The Boss's wife comes in when I am on leave to do invoicing, but even that is difficult for her (she is not a young lady anymore) and it's a lot to expect her to do.<br />
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So I try to limit the time I actually take off.<br />
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The new people have had two sets of visitors in the office recently, with the view of one of them, being single and flexible, can just jump on a plane and fill in for me. She was in my office for a week, is also visiting again for two days next week. The other, the "other" boss himself, was over for three days. We had some lovely chats (he is young and forward thinking) and when my friend Wally comes to visit, this fellow aims to spend the first three days of the week learning the basics of my job, so I can take the Thursday and Friday off and he'll "drive" my chair. So long as I am contactable, it should work...<br />
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A few other suggestions that have been bandied about have been a laptop (so that if I am home sick I can still action the emails and other issues that arise, or if I have to stay home for personal reasons), and relieving me of some of my work load.<br />
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I am a bit reluctant to do that, because although there are days when I am pushed to the limit, there are others when I find myself slowing down. If too much gets taken off I would find it necessary to drop a few hours (although I doubt it would ever come to that) so we'll play that one by ear.<br />
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But on the whole, their main focus has been on support for me. It's all positive.<br />
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In other news, the frogs are doing well. Now and then I am lucky enough to hear them croak. Yesterday, while veging out here in the office, I heard them loud and clear. Usually they are very quiet. Dobby has been home on school holidays for two weeks (she goes back to school tomorrow, lucky her) and she said she has heard them croak quite a bit. Nice. They are fat frogs now, so I am trying to cut back on what I feed them. But it's so much fun watching them it would be very easy to over feed them. As it is, I have changed to feeding them every 3 days instead of 2. There are still 3 distinct sizes, Tub-O-Lard being the biggest, Niggs being next and Petite the smallest. However, Petite has grown a lot through hand feeding her (she only eats one cricket to Tubb's 3!). Some times when you look at all three spread across the tank, it's hard to pick who is who.<br />
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The caravan club has it's AGM the weekend Wally comes to visit, so being the good friends we are, we are dragging her along with is. I have to go to the meeting and I don't want to miss out on spending time, so it makes sense. Plus, Fluffy is taking Dobby up Friday night, and Wally and I are going up Saturday, so we get some girlie time to sit and watch telly and eat take away. Heaven! lol!<br />
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Well, it's almost eleven. I am still sitting here in my jammies. It's getting quite cold, and I have to pop out to buy crickets and <a href="http://www.robernmenz.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=2&product_id=82&Itemid=54" target="_blank">Raspberry Fruchocs</a> plus if I can find one, a cheap fan heater to put under my desk. It's always cold in there even with the heater on. Brrr!<br />
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So, catch you later. Perhaps next week I'll have some more gossip to pass on. Don't hold your breath though... :-)Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-91288350908760921692012-06-25T11:58:00.001+09:302012-06-25T11:58:21.791+09:30Stupid ovenSo about the only exciting that has happened in the last few weeks is that my oven went kaput last night.<br />
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Boring, yes? It's been raining. And raining. I've not worried too much, the laundry just dried in the loungeroom. But it does mean it's been cold and wet. Real winter weather.<br />
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This last week has been an interesting one. Boss went to Sydney on Wednesday evening. It's a good time for him to go because it's fairly slow here. That means plenty of slow time for me. I get my chores done and i can take a bit longer over lunch.<br />
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Friday afternoon I got a call to say the deed has been done. Boss is in his late 60s and wants to retire. But being a one-man business, that means he has to sell up. He's signed all the paperwork and the cheque has changed hands I believe. Whew. It's been so long coming that we had all but given up hope.<br />
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What does this mean for me? Good question. In the near future, nothing. My job won't change. The new management doesn't want to mess with a good formula so for now it will be just waiting. I believe they want to bring in an expert to review the work we all do, and allocate jobs accordingly. The best thing from my point of view is that I'll have back up.<br />
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Now, as to whether I get that back up before the 10th of August is another thing. I have a friend coming to visit and would like to take a couple days off, but Boss will be in Scotland visiting his daughter. So we'll have to wait and see.<br />
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The froggies are doing well. Their names appear to have stuck - Petitie is the smallest, Niggs is the middle sized one, and Tub-O-Lard is the big girl. I am sure they are all girls, but who knows? Fluffy and I and Dobby cleaned the tank out on the weekend. Huge job that is. Fluffy has said he will help me every time, about once a month, and carry it outside and hose it for me. This time, Dobby and I took all the stones out (there are large river rocks and tiny gravel in there - I did the river rocks, she did the gravel) and I washed them in hot water.<br />
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Fluffy also relocated the water heater to under the waterfall where the pump is. And he turned it up a notch. See, if the frogs are males, they might croak if they think it's mating time. This is done with the light left on longer and the water temperature turned up. Fluffy cranked it up a degree. Last night we both did a double take because we thought we heard the quietest of croaks. Can't be sure though, and it wasn't repeated. Just have to see. But they still bring me joy. I can sit and watch them do nothing for hours. Drives the other two insane because I run a monologue when they are actually doing something. My favourite bit is feeding time. Lots of fun. That Tub-O-lard is soo quick! And yet, she is the one you can hold in your hand. She is quite placid. Lovely.<br />
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Anyway, so life has been motoring on quietly. Just the usual endless round of work, sleep, fight with the teen. Until last night I thought I would bake seasoned chicken halves and potatoes. About an hour in, Dobby was in her room (wish I could say cleaning it, but that would be a lie), and I was in the office, when suddenly there was a deep boom sound, and the lights flickered.<br />
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She and I both rushed out to the kitchen, and the only thing we could figure is that the oven crapped itself. We turned it off, waited for the element to stop glowing, then turned it back on again. It didn't heat up.<br />
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When I phoned Fluffy he suggested we check to see if it had tripped the oven switch in the power box. I went for a look and one was indeed different to the others. But I didn't touch it because I'm not convinced.<br />
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See, when you turn the oven back on, the indicator light lights up. And when you turn on a hot plate, it makes the usual ticking noise it always did. This means that power is getting through. But the plates don't heat up. So something is not right. I'll get Fluffy to check it out. Then we have to pull it out and clean it before we can call the landlord...<br />
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Oh well, looks like take away tonight.... pity that....Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-42589307689418923002012-06-13T11:11:00.001+09:302012-06-13T11:11:51.945+09:30Lake AlbertSo just a short post today, and then only because it was requested.<br />
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This last week has been odd. I've been kind of sick with a cold, but the tablets the doc has me on for pain seem to be working wonders on my back. That's great. I haven't made my appointment with the pain clinic yet, because I'm too lazy I think...<br />
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This weekend, though, has made me wonder if I shouldn't. Thursday night Fluffy and I did some shopping. Dobby went to the shopping centre after school with friends, and stayed to watch a movie. Fluffy and I went to do the grocery shopping and pick her up when she'd finished.<br />
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We walked in, and before we could even grab a bite to eat, he said he just wanted to stop at the phone store to find out if they had any help for him with getting his phone to play music through blue tooth in the car (which runs through is stereo).<br />
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Forty five minutes later we were done. They talked him into a new phone and updating his plan. Sucker. Haha. He is very happy though with his new phone. He's gone onto a plan similar to mine, but he gets a discount and I'm still paying for his previous handset with my plan. Something wrong with this picture I'm sure.<br />
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Anyway, after walking around aimlessly while he did that we had not time to shop. So it was a nice sit down meal while we waited for Dobby.<br />
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That meant that she and I had to shop Friday night. She was supposed to find beads for Kids Club she was hosting at the rally on the weekend, but she couldn't find any. We stopped at the cheap shop and she found paper and pens to make Chatterboxes instead. While there though, she got some ideas for other crafty things they can make. Good O then, that'll keep them amused next time.<br />
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Then we had to do the grocery shopping. By the end of the night, going home and unpacking it all, preparing dinner etc, my back was quite sore.<br />
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We decided that we would leave for Meningie early Saturday. It was a long weekend, but Meningie is a couple hours drive away. So we were up with the chooks Saturday and ready to go before six-thirty.<br />
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Unfortunately we had a bit of a snag. Fluffy is an ace at pulling the van out of the tight spot it has to go in. But it was dark, and the landlord hasn't picked up the garden rubbish he said he would get, so that was blocking part of the way. During his struggle to get the van out, Fluffy accidentally hit the front veranda support with the awning on the van. And it was stuck. If he went forward, the back of the van would hit. If he went back he ran the possibility of ripping up the awning.<br />
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Being the legend that he is he gently ran it forward, back, forward, back, until it was clear enough for him to pull the van out away from the house. We were then on the road just a few minutes from our preferred time.<br />
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The run down was lovely. Not much traffic. A quick stop at Tailem Bend for fuel and food, and we were on the road again.<br />
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We arrived not long after eight, and found someone had parked their car on our site. They were in the shower... but apparently the car had been there all night, according to our neighbours. Odd. Anyway, eventually he moved it and we could set up.<br />
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Because it was a smaller site, we only needed to roll out the awning and put up Dobby's tent. Too easy. Time to wander around and see who was about before morning cuppa even.<br />
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After cuppa Dobby did her thing with the kids. She had help from another teen, and they decided to take the kids for a walk first. Then back to camp to make the Chatterboxes (folded paper with numbers, colours and affirmations written on them).<br />
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The kids seemed to have fun, and indeed some of the Chatterboxes made further appearances over the course of the weekend.<br />
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We had plenty of time after that for lazing about. The only thing left was Happy Hour at four, and club hosted dinner (sausages with a bring a plate salad) at six thirty. A lovely, lazy day. But boy, was it cold!<br />
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I took plenty of photos of the sunset (as usual). Not bothering to put them up here, you've all seen them on Facebook.<br />
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Sunday it was sooo bloody cold in the morning. I think it got down to about 3 degrees. My Achilles tendon started to hurt a bit, as it does when I am on my feet a lot.<br />
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Morning tea was at ten, followed by treasurer time (where we pay our fees) and Club Game. I don't recall doing too much standing around.<br />
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I did walk into town though, with one of the other mums and Dobby, so perhaps that contributed, but through the course of the day my foot was so sore I could hardly walk on it. I hate limping. It becomes habit. I have been trying to walk normally and not limp for some time, but the nipping pain that lingers still makes it hard. How it was impossible.<br />
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The rest of the day was so quiet. Fluffy had a nap, I almost did. Most of the families went for a drive, and the family of the lass who helped her with Kids club (who was also sharing her tent for the night) took her with them for the afternoon. Aaah, bliss. Nothing to do, no time limit, plenty of nibblies. I just spent the time reading, and downloading a couple of extra books onto the iPad.<br />
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Dinner was toasted sandwiches, then we had the SAPI Mini Olympics. That was fun. I stood there taking photos, but did participate in one event. I sucked at it, but it was still fun. All the cool people ended up on the Swedish team. They are the funniest of the group. Each team member was given a country and an event. Mine was Germany, Archery. The events were things like throwing little bean bags into rings or the furtherest across the room. Where I was standing as a popular spot... I narrowly missed a few bean bags to the feet.<br />
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They also had bouncing a tennis ball in team relays, twirling hula hoops, and throwing plastic plates (discus). Dobby one a medal for shot put (throwing the little bean bags the furtherest). It was actually a fun night, but then most of our Socials are.<br />
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Sweden won, followed by France. Australia and Germany tied third and Jamaica came last. I had a laugh though because Inga from Sweden kept telling the Jamaican kids their flag was upsidedown... and they believed her... <br />
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Monday morning was pack up time. It's always hard to leave. This time I got to go home with a bite to the finger from Bruce the Galah. It's come up in a suspicious spot now, so might have to keep an eye on it.<br />
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There is no rally in July, but we are all gathering for a Port River Dolphin Cruise so I'll make sure I have the camera out for that. After that is the AGM rally, where we will officially become the Family and Friends Caravan and Camping Club. Very exciting....Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-84533820340411009652012-06-03T19:02:00.000+09:302012-06-03T19:02:15.559+09:30It's soo good...to have hubby home again. This last couple of weeks have been, well, interesting.<br />
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You may remember I said Fluffy was going on a Boys Road Trip across the Simpson Desert. It's been raining a lot here in Adelaide, so we were not sure what was going to happen up north, but apparently it wasn't bad at all.<br />
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But before that... <br />
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Dobby has been saying she is quitting cadets. That has been a huge bone of contention in our family. We strongly want her to keep it up - she's only just earned her hat for goodness sake. She only offers the reasoning that she is falling behind at school. Now, I have to tell you, we accredit that to poor time management, laziness and an unwillingness to change. However, she is 15 so we were forced to listen.<br />
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In Fluffy's absence I was not willing to pursue this, however she had talked to her counselor at school, who suggested we sit and discuss it like adults. She prepared Dobby with points of reasoning, including compromises. I still strongly resisted, and this lead to Dobby storming off. I realised I couldn't let it drag on anymore and was forced to admit defeat. This saddens me terribly, but I recognise that she needs to make her own decisions. But, as I knew it would, it didn't last long. She spent all last week doing assignments, but sadly, doing just the smallest bit before ditching them in favour of Facebook or Skype, or texting her friends. <br />
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Again this weekend. It's taken her all week to do an assignment that should have taken no more than two hours. However, I cannot say anything as it leads to a fight.<br />
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Anyway, enough of that little rant.<br />
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Her father's adventure, however, is a wonderful tale. He was offered a place on this trip by a fellow caravanner. He, of course, jumped at it. The fellow in question, lets call him Bob (he's a builder, don't you know), is a very mild mannered, pleasant, quiet fellow. Most of the time.. tonnes of fun otherwise. His whole family are beautiful people.<br />
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So Fluffy bid us all farewell on Thursday the 24th, with his car all packed up with camping gear and a box of food, and headed up to Bob's place. He called me when they were on their way to meet the rest of the pack, and that was the last I heard until the Saturday night.<br />
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Dobby and I got off to a good start. Thursday we went shopping after work, grocery that is, and I made us dinner while she finished unpacking our purchases. Friday we had a gathering of other "desert widows" to attend. There were actually only two of us with husbands on the road, a 3rd who is a good friend, a 4th who is a workmate of the hostess, another who is a single mum, and the last whose husband is a soldier in Afghanistan.<br />
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As usual, we had a lovely evening. I took up two bags of clothes that sadly no longer fit, and the next day I got a lovely message from the hostess saying that she got lots of goodies for her upcoming cruise and was very happy. That's good to know.<br />
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Saturday, Dobby spent some time on her homework, and I ran a few errands. I'm sure we did something else but it escapes me right now. Saturday evening I promised Dobby Chinese dinner. One around the corner does a family pack which used to be cheap but is creeping up in price. It had 3 meat dishes (we chose beef and black bean, sweet and sour pork, and honey chicken) plus a container of vegetables, a container of fried rice, 4 spring rolls and a bottle of drink. Still great value at $40.<br />
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While there I got a message to phone Bob so I could speak to Fluffy. It was lovely to hear from him. he was telling us that one of the boys had a brand new swag. Through the night the rats had chewed through the canvas, through the interior, and bit him on the face. Nice! I found out today, that the bush telegraph really does work fast up there, that by the time they got to Birdsville two nights later, they already knew about it, because of one fellow who they told at a little pub.<br />
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I won't go into details of where they stopped here because it's too confusing for me, and Fluffy is otherwise occupied, but perhaps in a future one I'll give more details.<br />
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I can tell you, though, that they had a lot of fun. They saw emus, camels (including a couple loaded up with a traveler and his goods), eagles, chicken hawks, and other native birds. A flock of emu actually almost caused an accident. They decided to race across the road between cars, then double back and almost wipe out the next car!<br />
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They crossed three states - South Australia, Queensland, and Northern Territory. There is a triangular marker at the junction of these three, too, which they took photos of. They traveled the Birsdville Track, Oodnadatta, Strezleki Track, Innaminka, William Creek, and various other little places (if you want to have a look on your map). There are road warning signs out there. In the event of rain the roads are closed due to the dangerous conditions. They are clay and very slippery. Apparently there are huge fines for traveling on those roads while they are closed too.<br />
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From Birdsville they took 4 days to cross the Simpson Desert. Photos show miles and miles of nothing but sand hills. With a single two tyre track winding over them. You are obliged to call every few kilometers that you are on the road, so that other travelers are aware of you as you cannot see over the tops of the dunes. 4WDs are also supposed to have tall orange flags attached so that they can be seen. The going was tough, but Fluffy said they saw plenty of other vehicles on the track, too, so it must be a popular thing to do.<br />
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In all they were gone ten days. He said that they had written slogans in the red dust and mud on the back windows of the cars, which some readers may find offensive, so please be warned. They included such gems as "Sorry Ladies I'm Gay", "Poofter", "Will Suck For Beer" and the one on Fluffy and Bob's car "Just Married". That cracked me up. Fluffy reckons he'd yell out "Wife! Have you got my coffee on yet?" and Bob would make him a coffee and cook breakfast... Hmmm not sure that went very far to making him self sufficient, do you?<br />
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So, anyway, back to Dobby and I. That Chinese dinner did us Saturday, Sunday, and Dobby finished it Monday. Have to love that. But things went bad for us from Sunday when we started discussing the cadets issue. We finally resolved it Tuesday evening with a lot of tears and some home truths from both of us. It hurts, but I have accepted she is quitting. She has something on this Tuesday night, but I told her she has to have her gear all packed up ready to take back next Tuesday.<br />
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Wednesday was a terribly busy day. She had netball straight after school. I sometimes pick up a friend as well as her, and when I do I have to bring her almost back to our place. It's also guitar day. This week, however, the friend had other arrangements, so we decided to stop for dinner at Hungry Jacks, and sat outside guitar eating it. <br />
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After guitar it was straight up to the hairdresser. We didn't get home until 8.30 pm. Long day. Tuesday I cooked us cranskies and vegies for dinner, Thursday it was stir-fry and rice, and on Friday we had spaghetti while she did more work on her assignment.<br />
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Saturday morning I had a doctor appointment. It was a follow up to one the Saturday before (I knew I did something else - she was supposed to have one too, but had a head cold and stayed home). I had a few things to talk about but he focused on my increased pain. The doc sent me for a CT scan on my lower back to find out what's going on there, and changed some of my medications. Saturday he reviewed the results and it turns out I do have some Facet issues - the tiny joint to the right of my back bone on my hip. It's just wear and tear but terribly painful. He wrote me a letter for a pain clinic but tells me they are very hard to get into. He also is happy that my pain medication routine seems to be working, although this weekend I have been in agony. It's girlie time, and that has been playing havoc with my back. I have actually been in intense pain all weekend, and didn't even get any sleep last night (which I couldn't even blame on the fact that hubby was home!).<br />
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When I got back from the doc we did a quick clean of the house, and went to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Quite a good movie. Kind of chick flick-ish, funny, poignant, and one I would probably see again. Then it was home, finish some last minute stuff before Fluffy came home. It was so lovely to see him and hear his tales. He has a full face beard (which makes him look a lot like his brother, although taller and better looking). I suspect it will come off tomorrow, though, sadly.<br />
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Back to work for me, he's got some cleaning up to do. All their gear is full of red mud and dust. You should have seen the cars. Boy. But the dog was happy Dad's home. Very happy. And so am I. Now I just need to convince him it's my turn next... haha.<br />
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I do have some photos, but won't put them up till I have Fluffy's permission which ones to use. He's a bit reluctant yet, because all the boys are pooling their pictures, which will be great. When I am allowed, I'll pinch some. There are some good action shots, and some lovely nature ones. Good sunsets. Can't wait to share them.Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-48477423035903384142012-05-20T19:24:00.000+09:302012-05-20T19:24:44.515+09:30Finally!I was hoping to post about my Mother's Day present, as it's been slow going. Now I finally can. Soon.<br />
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This last few weeks have been slow. Stressful. Wishing I could just curl up and disappear sometimes. Some of you may know that a particular part of my work, shipping, is a real stress factor for me. And it's getting to be a much bigger portion of the job. I hate it. And I can see no end to that. I cannot do anything about it, but it sure does make the job horrid.<br />
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Dobby has had some personal issues, too, which as a parent are particularly stressful. As a parent, when your child is cranky, you wear it. It's hard. But, she seems to have hissy fits and gets over them rather quickly. She just has them regularly. Sigh.<br />
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Mother has also been in hospital. She experienced pain and shortness of breath on Mother's Day. You can imagine what sort of flack we gave her about wanting more attention on Mother's Day, can't you? She had fibrillations of the top portion of her heart so they kept her in for several days while they did tests. I think that place stressed her more than being at home though. Terribly understaffed they are. Anyway, although she still has flutters and the occasional pain, she is much better, although terribly miffed at being put onto rat poison for the next few weeks. Fingers crossed it settles down anyway. I need her around for a bit longer yet, never mind everyone else!<br />
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Things with Fluffy are going very well. He's such a lovely person sometimes. The week before Mother's Day, just before I was drifting off to sleep, he rolled over and said "I'd like to get you something very special for Mother's Day". Really? "Yes," he said, "Your frogs."<br />
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If any of you know me personally, you know how long I have wanted to keep frogs. In Queensland, where I am from, they are so plentiful that when you step out your back door, you literally step on several of them. They are everywhere. But here in Adelaide they are very rare. Some of the remoter areas have them, and I am told that you can create water features in your yard that encourage them. But I am not sure how, in built up areas, that would happen. Probably up in the Hills but not here.<br />
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So, anyway, as I always do, when I go to pet shops I price the kits or frogs or just generally have a look. Recently I had gone to the pet place down the main road from us, and told him that they had the terrarium all kitted out for $320. You just needed a few other bits and bobs to put it in. I jokingly said I'd have to save up a bit more. Previously we had priced this set up at $600 complete.<br />
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Anyway, on his day off he went for a look. He also spent some time on the internet. He found a place that had the set up, including a waterfall background, for about the same price, but you had to buy other stuff for it.<br />
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He decided that was the way we were going, and on the Saturday before Mother's Day he took me down to purchase one. The tank, water heater, light fitting, extra greenery, and water pump, cost him $355. But the water pump and cover had to be ordered in.<br />
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We came home and set it up, and just waited for the extra bits. I couldn't get the frogs until it's all done. Then, finally, yesterday we were able to pick up the water heater and cover. We discovered, after wandering around a couple other places, that we had too much water in the bottom, so we drained off some of that, and added more gravel. It looks fantastic, but I am worried the heater isn't working properly. Then, I figured, that it will probably just take some time for all the water to heat. After all, it has to work it's way through the gravel.<br />
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One place had a wonderful big tank with about 4 huge green fellows in there. they also had white pebbles in the bottom, with a well dug out as a a water holding area. We used brown natural gravel, and river rocks for ours, and left a small area as a natural pool. The picture doesn't do it justice.<br />
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Oh, we also bought a couple boxes of crickets and a bag of the stuff to keep them in. What we didn't realise is that you need a container to store the crickets in as well. We had one big enough that they can't jump out of. In they went, with some fresh carrot. Now my house has the sound of running water and chirping crickets all through it. Nice!<br />
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A friend has several frogs she was selling for $35 each. I got a message the other day to say I can have two for $50. They are only 5 months old so I am taking her up on that. Might see if she'll give me 4 for $100... worth the ask I reckon.<br />
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The shop that had the white gravel in their tank also said that you should handle them as much as possible while they're small to get them used to it. I think I just night do that! Of course, you have to have clean, wet hands to do it. But it will be fun. The 'un-funest' bit will be feeding them the crickets. Need some little tweezers for that I think.<br />
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This afternoon I got the message that I can go have a look at the frogs. Wow, they are so cute! About 2" long perhaps. <br />
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This one is not actually this pale. They have changed colour several times. One of them is lighter green, one more grey and the other blue-green. But apart from a couple of spots on the lighter one, tis difficult to tell them apart. </div>
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Fluffy gave them a couple of crickets today, just to see how they would go. Man, they are quick! Feeding day is going to be fun!<br />
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All 3 are in this photo. You know what we find amusing? Everyone has a different theory on what to do with them. Some say you definitely need a heater, some day they don't even use one. Another says just a small dish of water, they don't go in it anyway, yet we have found ours are never out of it. Still, I think they will like their new home. Haven't got any names yet, except Larry, Curly and Mo...</div>
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On another note, see the stick? I had said to Fluffy that I really wanted a stick in the tank, just so they had something other than the waterfall or the stony bottom to sit on. When they were all in and settled he disappeared for a minute, then came back with this one. Well, you know what? They love it, and it's just exactly what I was thinking of. He cut it off some old tree branches that have been lying in the back yard for ages. </div>
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Anyway, that's my exciting couple of weeks. I hope I haven't bored you too much. Thanks for reading!</div>
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<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-32927285414327079062012-05-07T20:44:00.000+09:302012-05-07T20:44:03.007+09:30Okay, so I know winter is almost here, but...that doesn't mean I want it to be that cold yet! According to Fluffy, a couple of areas around Mount Pleasant are ranked amongst the coldest in South Australia.<br />
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Well, either last year, or the one before, we had a rally in Mount Pleasant. And it was the coldest we have ever experienced. There was ice on the windscreens and dog bowls the next morning, and another family couldn't bear to camp out again and left the next afternoon.<br />
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This time we were pleasantly surprised. It was quite as cold. But it was still cold, and very moist. Fluffy drove up Friday morning, but as I had to work Dobby, Lawsy and I followed later. I left the servo up the road at 4.15 pm to be precise.<br />
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It drizzled on and off most of the way up. We arrived just on dark, about 5.20pm then did a couple of laps of the main strip to find somewhere to buy dinner. I found a bakery that did take away, and bought hot chips and a couple pieces of fish. I also bought dessert. Hey, it's a bakery after all!<br />
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When I found the park, Fluffy said he thought we were supposed to be joining the rest of the club for dinner at the pub. Oh. I must have missed that portion of the conversation. Last I heard I was to pick up dinner and we were to go out Saturday night. Oh well. He had the place set up lovely, with the girls tent up and their stretchers in already. He had, I also found out, served several cups of coffee from his new you-beaut coffee machine.<br />
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It was his (very) early Father's Day present - he didn't want to wait. He loves it because it's a one-touch machine. So, from the next rally, it will be gold-coin donation to cover the cost of the pods and milk. And from the feedback, people are going to be happy to pay that.<br />
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After dinner we joined the rest of the group as they wandered back from the pub, around the camp fire. Wouldn't be a SAPI rally without the camp fire. This time, we were under a huge tin shed, with wooden grandstands, where they hold sheep sales. There are several of these sheds, and they also hold dog shows and horse trials here. And, on Saturday mornings they hold a farmer's market.<br />
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At the fireside, Crate, one of my favourite members, presented me with my very own pair of fluffy fleece lined croc shoes. We are now the Croc Club apparently! There are a few of us, whose standard uniform is one of those beanie hats with the ear covers that tie under the chin, (although any beanie will do), fluffy crocs, and often pajamas. It's a lot of fun.<br />
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Camped next to us was also a new family... with a teenage boy. Talk about laugh. On the way up Dobby, who has just discovered the opposite sex, was lamenting there needs to be more boys in the club. The family joined us at the camp fire and I met their son, who is almost 17. I had to go find Dobby and tell her. Next thing, she's donned some make up, fluffed up the hair, sprayed herself and joined us at the camp. It was so cute to watch because all the men of the club were teasing her mercilessly. Hilarious.<br />
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She took it in good faith and had some fun.<br />
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Saturday morning, as I said, it was foggy and cold. I took a few pictures, and wandered back to the warmth of the van. <br />
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I gathered the girls and we walked over to the markets. I didn't have a lot of cash on me, so I bought us cupcakes (choc orange), and some popcorn for the girls. There was lots of fresh produce, and local condiments to choose from. But I just stuck with the cupcakes.<br />
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Then, a little later we had morning cuppa, followed by the counting of the votes for the club name change.<br />
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Fluffy was a bit upset, as the name he put forward lost by 4 votes. It was very close and rather exciting. We did it publicly, with the president of another club reading out the votes, and our secretary keeping tally on the whiteboard.<br />
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Once the count was done our new name, which still has to go before the AGM in August to be official, was announced. Unless something drastic happens, we will be known as the Family and Friends Caravan and Camping Club. Exciting. <br />
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We then had some quiet time, so I chilled out catching up with some of the other members I hadn't seen for awhile.<br />
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Just as we were playing club game after lunch, another member Wenz came with her two girls Minnie and Akkers. They are either side of Dobby (14 and 16). They are Dobby's favourite kids to hang with. Lawsy likes to hang with the younger boys of the team (Crate's sons). They had fun. Oh, and Crate's husband was home for a very brief leave from Afghanistan, so it was so lovely to see him. Crate's parents are from Bundaberg in Qld and they have been staying with her, helping her out. So they have been to a few rallies as honorary members. They are so funny. They presented me with a lovely "prum" pudding (yes, prum because it has a lot of rum in it, although this one is not as strong as the pudding that penned this name).<br />
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While we were at Club Game Ozzie and his dad shared some close time...<br />
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Oh, and while I think of it, while waiting for the food on Friday night, I looked about the bakery. It was an old house, with lots of little bits and pieces to look at. Here are a couple.<br />
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After club game we retired to the hall for Happy Hour (drinkies and nibblies). Then, as I overindulged, I didn't feel like going to the pub for dinner. Neither did Fluffy really, so much to the disgust of Dobby, he took her and Lawsy back to the bakery for tea. She was placated with wedges and a container of lollies. Doesn't take much...<br />
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Back to the hall for social at 7.00, and this time we played some unusual games. First we were split into 4 groups, with a mix of kids and adults in each. One game involved runners (kids) from each group taking items up to the adjudicator, such as drivers licences etc.<br />
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We had to guess a lot of local places, sing songs with key words (like valley, river etc), we had to tie all our shoes together, we also had to put all our shoes in the middle and the team who collected all theirs (relay style) won, we also had to make mountain ranges out of people (our team won that one).<br />
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Overall it was... interesting.<br />
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Then, back to the fireside. The new teen boy in the group thought he would see how many marshmallows he could get in his mouth. 15 apparently.<br />
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He ended up spending a lot of time with Dobby, Minnie and Akkers. Hmmm...<br />
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Then, Sunday it lightly rained. We all packed up and as a lot of the group had to rush home for various things (sport, jobs etc) we didn't even do farewell morning cuppa. But it was still a lovely weekend, and it's always nice to be home in one's own bathtub and bed, yes? Specially with prum pudding and home made custard.<br />
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<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-8319610918827576462012-04-22T19:29:00.000+09:302012-04-22T19:29:34.835+09:30whoo boy!My, sometimes it doesn't rain, it pours. Last week was rather slow, with a somewhat relaxing weekend. Dobby had a friend over for the day who ended up staying the night. That's about it. This past week has certainly made up for that.<br />
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It's birthday week, so Fluffy and I spent some time on the weekend doing the last bit of shopping. I also stopped at Wendy's and ordered the cake. Icecream cake of course. Expensive but hassle free.<br />
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Monday was rather quiet. Dobby was asked last week did she want to go to her old OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) to help out. They get free labour and she gets to add something else to her resume, win win I'd say. She agreed, so Monday morning I dropped her off on the way to work. She stayed the whole day and I picked her up on the way home.<br />
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Tuesday she also spent the day there, getting a free ticket to the movies. She was home around 3.30 though that time. Tuesday night she was complainign she didn't feel well. As Wednesday was birthday day, I hoped she wasn't coming down with something. She got out of bed to ask her dad if she could have some money for a new school bag. She had arranged to go shopping with a friend for the day, with the friend staying over. We agreed, and gave her some money. She was hoping for a bit for shopping too, but we didn't give her any.<br />
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Wednesday she was actually out of bed without me having to wake her. Naturally. I told her she had to be ready before the friend arrived at ten, so she was. I gave her her birthday card - with $100 in it. One happy birthday girl.<br />
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I went to work and she went shopping. She didn't find a bag, and surprisingly enough, gave me all the money back. We agreed we'd go shopping on Sunday at Harbourtown to see if we could find something there. She bought herself a pair of blue pants for school and a pretty knitted salmon-coloured jumper. When I got home they had actually cleaned the dining and lounge rooms. Apparently Dobby had cooked herself breakfast, washed up, and put the dishes AWAY. Amazing.<br />
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She had asked another friend to come over but she could only come at dinner time. So it was agreed she'd stay over. The first friend, Tiny (from years ago), was also invited to stay over. So much for no birthday party. Mum's a schmuck.<br />
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Anyway, when I asked what she wanted for dinner, she decided party style nibblies. So on Tuesday I picked up party pies and sausage rolls, spring rolls, and some lovely chicken kiev balls. Fluffy and I went for a drive and picked up hot chips and a pizza too. He and I then filled our plates and retired to the lounge to leave the ferals in the dining room. From the sounds of it they had fun.<br />
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Later when we'd (and by we'd I mean I'd) cleaned up, we did the cake. Dobby was very happy with it. Her friends didn't want to be photographed but agreed eventually. I've not put their pictures up here.<br />
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Then I went to the office, Fluffy went outside (and fell asleep in the hammock poor fellow) and left them to take over the lounge. I did have to yell at them several times because they kept waking me up.<br />
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Thursday I took great pleasure in waking them up early. Another friend, Sarah, was coming for the day as her kitchen floors were being sanded and they had to get out of the house. Not sure I like that idea - 4 teenagers in my house unattended. One left about lunch time, another at 3 and the last just before we got home. The house was even clean when we did. Aaah. Looks like Dobby has the capability to look behind her after all!<br />
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Friday Dobby had a quiet day at home. the house still looked good when I got home. Not sure what she did. Friday evening some friends from the club stopped in to drop off their two daughters. They live an hour away so it's easier for them to drop them over, and the girls stay the night.<br />
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Saturday we took the girls go kart racing, meeting another SAPI daughter there. The girls paid $25 for ten minutes, and Fluffy treated them to a round of laser skirmish and another ten minutes of racing. They had a blast! Their time finished just before it began to rain, which was good because half the track is outdoors.<br />
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Here's a short clip of the hoons in action (that's Fluffy overtaking Dobby at the start, with the rest of the group following).<br />
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After the racing, we met the parents at Hungry Jacks across the road for a late lunch. Everyone was very exhausted, and the weather had turned cold, so it was a very tired family that headed home. Fluffy set up camp in the hammock with the dog and a blanket, Dobby put herself into her bed, which was still made made up from last night and put Mr Bean on the TV. I went and lay on the bed watching Contagion. Good movie. Toasted chicken sandwiches and ice cream cake for dinner. Yum.<br />
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Sunday and Fluffy was back at work. Dobby and I had a previous engagement with our friend Marg for lunch. She'll be 80 this year and I think she's finally starting to feel 70. Lovely little thing. She insisted on treating. Usually I pay or let her pay for dessert. Today our whole order was only about $37 so I relented. Truthfully, I had to keep money aside for something Fluffy wants to do on Monday so wasn't game enough to spend too much today.<br />
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After lunch Dobby and I went to Harbourtown to find that school bag. She knew what she was looking for, so it was just a matter of looking at any shop that may have back packs. She found it on about the 3rd shop but sensibly decided to keep looking. Along the way I stopped at Rivers to see if I could find a replacement pair of work shoes. I didn't find what I was looking for but did find a nice pair of black patent cort/loafer style shoes for winter. And they were on special. Dobby found black suede ankle boots she loves. She bought those herself. Even better.<br />
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I also found the white ceramic garden gnome a friend had asked me to get if I happened to see one. Harbourtown is a big place and my back isn't what it used to be, so by the end of the day I was quite exhausted. When I got home it would have been very easy not to move again. Apart from getting the washing in and cooking dinner, I didn't do much. I also have a headache. Not a bad one, but if I don't take care of it tonight it will become one. That's the result of watching movies yesterday afternoon. Which is why I don't do it much.<br />
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Anyway, that's my week. Thankfully I only have two days then Anzac day off. And at that Dobby is bringing a friend home from cadets Tuesday night. Sigh.... oh well.... at least we can all sleep in!<br />
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<br />Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500480260044503044.post-35259093179422988582012-04-10T09:04:00.002+09:302012-04-10T09:28:38.443+09:30Bunny HoppingSo, I hope you had a good Easter. As always, we went away with the club. I'm not going to bother putting pictures up, because the one or two who actually read this are also FB friends and can see them there.<br /><br />It was a horribly busy week last week. Work has been rather stressful (for both Fluffy and myself) and Dobby has been busy with an incident at school. Seems some immature young girls posted a stupid video on Youtube, which caused a minor riot at school. The poor students were inundated by media and horrid taunts from other school kids. Dobby was very stressed about it. She mentioned it to me late on Tuesday night, after cadets, while she was checking Facebook, and said that some girls had done this stupid thing and that the proverbial was going to hit the fan the next day.<br /><br />It blew up on Wednesday, and the girls were put into lockdown. They were not allowed to walk home from school alone, and her friend, who lives close by, asked if Dobby could walk home with her. I picked her up on my way to run a million errands, and as a result completely forgot about guitar. Sigh. Means I have to pay $50 this week... they rip you off cause you have to pay whether you go or not. Stupid.<br /><br />Anyway, we got through that, and it was time to pack up and head up to Eudunda Area School for the long weekend.<br /><br />Fluffy took a couple hours off on Thursday afternoon, so headed up early. Dobby and I left around 5pm and got up there just before 7. We even took the long way around because we missed a turn off...<br /><br />Later that night Fluffy realised he had left the most important part of the weekend at home, so had to go back on Friday morning to get it. He took a lovely fellow named Danno with him and left early.<br /><br />But through the morning a horrible gale force wind blew up, and where we were parked we bore the brunt of it sweeping down the oval. All his awnings blew down, with menfolk running from all over to help me dismantle it all.<br /><br />Naturally, when Fluffy got back and saw what we had done, he was livid. He pulled down the remaining stuff, hooked up the van, and turned it around. Then that's where it stayed for the day with no awning or anything. That wind was ferocious! The tent that Dobby and her friend had slept in the night before fell over, so Fluffy put up her tent (facing backwards) and added the side walls and then strung our spare awning across the front as an extra wall. That left a tiny gap in the side for access. Did you know what you can fit 3 stretchers and a mattress in there? Mind there was no walking space... but it was fun to set up for them.<br /><br />Friday night Dan's father died. Wenz came into the room in tears saying she had to go. Her daughter was sharing a tent with our kid and another teen, who arrived that day, so they stuck together to wait for more news, while Wenz and Danno drove the short trip to the next town to be with the family.<br /><br />Later that night there was a terrible cry. They had just told the young lass that her pop had passed away. Her sister was brought back with them, and the girls (including my kid) all rallied around and they all stayed in a 2 man tent ...<br /><br />On Saturday the wind had stopped (thankfully) and the sun came out for the most part. I think a lot of people were a little unsettled. Danno drove back to Kapunda but the girls and Wenz stayed. There wasn't anything anyone could do until Tuesday when businesses opened again. We kept them all distracted.<br /><br />But then later in the morning Sally, a rehab nurse, found out that one of her patients had passed away. He had been there for quite some time, and apparently all the girls who travelled used to send him postcards. So that was a little sad too.<br /><br />But the Advisory Committee (as us girls call ourselves) rallied around and had some lovely girly time doing our toenails out in the sun.<br /><br />Saturday night we had a hot pot dinner. There were supposed to be 20 families there (67 people in all). I think that may have been close. We all put dishes out on the long centre table and helped ourselves. I did a slow cooked chicken curry with corn, but it really needed just a bit more coconut cream. I have the leftover for lunch today...<br /><br />That was followed by what Crate labled "prum" pudding (it was a wonderful boiled plum pudding her dad made, which was 2/3 rum! Bloody good it was!) with custard.<br /><br />Sunday was a visit by EB. I had to help put out the little eggs for the egg hunt. I gave my camera to one of the lads to hold, and it came back with pictures of a dog's bum, keys hanging out a car door, ME (ugh), car tow hitches, and other ramdom stuff. Funny as.<br /><br />The kids had a ball. After, they all go and sit on EB's lap (including the adults). As I was taking photos I was happy to stay there but then they all started chanting my name so I had to hand over the camera to Dobby and go up for my bunny. Sigh...<br /><br />Sunday night we had a social. They are always fun. We never know what we are doing until we get there. This time Crate and Jenny had organised a game show themed night. We had a game of Price is Right (which was hilarious because they got 4 kids for each team to hold a grocery product, while two families had to arrange them in order. One of the kids was 17 and over 6' tall, and another of his team was 7 and about 4' tall).<br /><br />Then we played some family feud type games, followed by a wheel of fortune game, which I participated in. Couldn't get the clue, but eventually someone did and got the question right.<br /><br />Then of course, it was Monday and time to pack up. It rained. But luckily it was only light, and by the time Morning cuppa was over the tents and stuff had dried out. We took our time, and headed off spot on 12. We were home by 1.45. Always nice to come home after a weekend away. It was an odd sort of weekend. Because he has been under a lot of stress, Fluffy spent a lot of it alone reading or sleeping. Dobby disappeared with her girls for the most part (coming home only to eat and leave a mess), and I got some paperwork and a lot of reading done.<br /><br />It was so cold, though. We found ourselves pulling on winter coats quite a bit. It's even cold here today, and overcast. Dobby is on holidays now, and spending the day with a friend helping keep her two fluffy cats out from under the feet of the renovators doing their kitchen. Should be an interesting day for her...<br /><br />Anyway, not sure if there will be anything to post for the next couple of weeks. Dobby is on holidays, I am at work, nothing new. She is marching in the Anzac Day parade on the 25th, so that will be the next lot of photos I'll have up. If all goes well she'll get her slouch hat on the night before, so keep your fingers crossed for her please!<br /><br />Till then, stay well and finish that chocolate off! Mmmm!Colleen Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501980104933362752noreply@blogger.com1