So, this one is only a quick one, and I am not sure if I'll be able to update for a while. I reckon I'll manage something though.
This week has been a catch up week. I managed to catch up here at work, and I even had time to go for lunch with the boss's wife on Friday. The only thing left to catch up on now is the housework.
Saturday was my birthday, and as is often the case, I got spoiled. You will remember I received the iPad last weekend, so this time it was just the stuff for the day. I was given a lovely bottle of bath salts, some perfume, another perfume gift pack, and another bottle of bubble bath/shower gel. Plus, a heart-shaped box of chocolate cherry liqueurs. Yummo! Mum also sent me the most beautiful box filled with scrap booking bits and bobs. Plus, I was well-loved on Facebook to boot! I didn't do much of anything at all, which added to the fun.
Dobby had a friend over Saturday night, and on sunday that friend's mother had a Flashengeist licquer party. Lovely stuff. Check it out here. There were only the hostess and three others of us, but it was very nice. I ordered a couple of little things for myself! Even though I don't drink!
Then back home to pack. Before we left Dobby was packing and we realised she didn't have anything that fitted, so it was a very quick dash to KMart for some shorts and a couple of tops. And a couple of tops for me too :-).
Now I have this week at work, and that's about it. A visit to the hairdresser tonight to trim the wild mane, the house sitter is stopping by tomorrow to meet the animals (and Roger and Oz!) and guitar Wednesday will round off the week. Saturday will be spent furiously cleaning and making sure everything is ready. Fluffy booked the car today, and we were pleasantly surprised at the cost. I also bought travel insurance to make sure we'll all good.
So, I'll do my best to stop by but you might not hear much of me for a bit. Most of you, though I will be seeing in person, so consider yourselves warned! I'm on my way!
Monday, 26 September 2011
Monday, 19 September 2011
Checking in
It's been an incredible few weeks for me. Remember how I said I was training the Boss's wife? Well, that takes most of my work day, then it's a scramble when she goes home to catch up. I am way behind but hopefully that will sort itself out tomorrow when she's not in. I may even be where I should be tomorrow!
For quite a while it seemed that my life was a round of work and house work. I never seemed to catch up either way. That in itself can be quite stressful. Then Fluffy went away for a week.
But first, I must tell you about our weekend away. The weekend before last we went to Blanchetown with the caravan club. Turned out that the only families to go were committee members! So we had an impromptu committee meeting instead of meeting through the week.
Dobby bought her friend Sarah with her, which was nice for her. Because Fluffy was going away on the Sunday afternoon, and we couldn't take the dog, we decided to just go on the Saturday morning and stay in a cabin overnight.
It was soo cold, though. But the small intimate gathering made it fun all the same. Plenty of time to sit and chat, and a pool room with a TV to keep the big kids occupied. Apparently there was a pants-down game of pool the Friday night....
Anyway, we arrived kind of stars, which was good fodder for a bit of ribbing. See, the week before Dobby and I had our photos taken for a newspaper article on the joys of caravanning. We made sure to wear our SAPI shirts, much to the joy of the committee members. Lots of pats on the back for that! This is the result...


Of course, this opportunity couldn't come up when I was thinner and looked good. No, it had to arise when I looked like the caravan I was modelling and had crazy old-lady red hair! Haha.
Never mind, it was a bit of fun.
So, after the weekend we drove home, got there just after lunch. A quick pack and relax for Fluffy then off to the airport. He was off to Melbourne for a training course for work.
Dobby and I made a trip to the video store, then called out for Chinese takeaway, something we don't buy when Fluffy is home as it's not his forte.
Later that afternoon we get a call. "I'm pissed off," says Fluffy. Why? Work told him they'd book his room and he could pay for the taxi, claiming it back when he gets back.
Only, they booked him a room $80 away from the venue! Each way! First, the taxi dropped him at the wrong Quest hotel. Then, when he booked in he found he had nowhere to eat. Not a place within walking distance! He found someone nearby who would deliver, only to find that when it arrived, his fish and chips were literally swimming in a half-inch of water! He threw it out..
So on Monday he phoned the chick who booked it and told her to change it. She did. To another Quest hotel only marginally closer than he already was. So $40 for taxi's each way. And again there was nowhere to eat. He didn't. On Tuesday morning he went to the McDonalds across from the study venue for his first meal since, well, Saturday night really.
The finally booked him a room at the pub across from the venue. They didn't choose it because it was, well, a pub. But, as he said, I don't have to pay taxis, and I can get a great meal (booked to the room, I might add, as it should be!).
He was so stressed and upset that he thinks after all that he failed the course. How rotten for him!
And for us during that time, it was just as stressful. Dobby was on her worst behaviour, acting out and being a very difficult child. With the stress at work, and her at home, I was on a knife edge for the whole week. Then, when Fluffy phones, she tells him "we're doing all the housework so it's clean when you get home". He answered that see, it's up to him to keep the place clean.
I really took offense to that because the house was a mess because Dobby was just so darn hard to shift! She left a trail of mess behind her and resisted every attempt by me to get her to clean it up. I often did it for her, only to turn around and find it back. It was a terrible week.
And Fluffy wasn't due home till Saturday evening, even though the course finished Friday. Luckily for him he was able to change his flight. They even did it for free, even though they weren't supposed to. It was very good to see him, and he bought us gifts - heaps of Smiggle pencils for Dobby and a book on the Kerobokin Jail in Bali. Looks like a great read too.
Anyway, I also spent Saturday morning swapping around our bedroom. I like it's new look, and Fluffy does too.
Sunday morning we were all sitting outside in the warmth (it was an unseasonable warm weekend here) and I told Fluffy that I had been giving thought to buying an iPad. I don't like to get caught up in the techno hype, but had been thinking of a laptop. The one I wanted, though, was way too expensive.
I thought all I would use the iPad for was for books, and I already had a reader (like a Kindle) for that. Then, I realised that I could put small movies on it so it might be handy to take to away with us.
On the Sunrise program we were watching we saw an internet place that had cheap electronics. So he decided to do some research on pricing. Yes, this place was cheaper, but he wasn't sure he wanted to pay all that money at once. He found out that Dick Smith does interest free, so next thing we're all piled in the car and I now own an iPad 2. Plus he spent a small fortune on a cover for it, which is sooo pretty. It's cream leather, with pale cream suede animal print inserts. Very swish! Well, not sure if it's real leather, but it looks nice anyway.
So then it was home to play with that for a bit. I put heaps of music and photos on it, and a couple (but not many yet) apps. I also found some movies to load on it, but apparently they take all night...
Anyway, today and tomorrow at work we have some people from Sydney over so I've been dealing with them, helping Mrs Boss learn, and still run the house. Hopefully tomorrow will see me up to date, and I can afford to slow down a bit, and not do any overtime! Not much each day, but enough anyway.
Not much on this weekend, but I'll try to find something to blog about!
For quite a while it seemed that my life was a round of work and house work. I never seemed to catch up either way. That in itself can be quite stressful. Then Fluffy went away for a week.
But first, I must tell you about our weekend away. The weekend before last we went to Blanchetown with the caravan club. Turned out that the only families to go were committee members! So we had an impromptu committee meeting instead of meeting through the week.
Dobby bought her friend Sarah with her, which was nice for her. Because Fluffy was going away on the Sunday afternoon, and we couldn't take the dog, we decided to just go on the Saturday morning and stay in a cabin overnight.
It was soo cold, though. But the small intimate gathering made it fun all the same. Plenty of time to sit and chat, and a pool room with a TV to keep the big kids occupied. Apparently there was a pants-down game of pool the Friday night....
Anyway, we arrived kind of stars, which was good fodder for a bit of ribbing. See, the week before Dobby and I had our photos taken for a newspaper article on the joys of caravanning. We made sure to wear our SAPI shirts, much to the joy of the committee members. Lots of pats on the back for that! This is the result...


Of course, this opportunity couldn't come up when I was thinner and looked good. No, it had to arise when I looked like the caravan I was modelling and had crazy old-lady red hair! Haha.
Never mind, it was a bit of fun.
So, after the weekend we drove home, got there just after lunch. A quick pack and relax for Fluffy then off to the airport. He was off to Melbourne for a training course for work.
Dobby and I made a trip to the video store, then called out for Chinese takeaway, something we don't buy when Fluffy is home as it's not his forte.
Later that afternoon we get a call. "I'm pissed off," says Fluffy. Why? Work told him they'd book his room and he could pay for the taxi, claiming it back when he gets back.
Only, they booked him a room $80 away from the venue! Each way! First, the taxi dropped him at the wrong Quest hotel. Then, when he booked in he found he had nowhere to eat. Not a place within walking distance! He found someone nearby who would deliver, only to find that when it arrived, his fish and chips were literally swimming in a half-inch of water! He threw it out..
So on Monday he phoned the chick who booked it and told her to change it. She did. To another Quest hotel only marginally closer than he already was. So $40 for taxi's each way. And again there was nowhere to eat. He didn't. On Tuesday morning he went to the McDonalds across from the study venue for his first meal since, well, Saturday night really.
The finally booked him a room at the pub across from the venue. They didn't choose it because it was, well, a pub. But, as he said, I don't have to pay taxis, and I can get a great meal (booked to the room, I might add, as it should be!).
He was so stressed and upset that he thinks after all that he failed the course. How rotten for him!
And for us during that time, it was just as stressful. Dobby was on her worst behaviour, acting out and being a very difficult child. With the stress at work, and her at home, I was on a knife edge for the whole week. Then, when Fluffy phones, she tells him "we're doing all the housework so it's clean when you get home". He answered that see, it's up to him to keep the place clean.
I really took offense to that because the house was a mess because Dobby was just so darn hard to shift! She left a trail of mess behind her and resisted every attempt by me to get her to clean it up. I often did it for her, only to turn around and find it back. It was a terrible week.
And Fluffy wasn't due home till Saturday evening, even though the course finished Friday. Luckily for him he was able to change his flight. They even did it for free, even though they weren't supposed to. It was very good to see him, and he bought us gifts - heaps of Smiggle pencils for Dobby and a book on the Kerobokin Jail in Bali. Looks like a great read too.
Anyway, I also spent Saturday morning swapping around our bedroom. I like it's new look, and Fluffy does too.
Sunday morning we were all sitting outside in the warmth (it was an unseasonable warm weekend here) and I told Fluffy that I had been giving thought to buying an iPad. I don't like to get caught up in the techno hype, but had been thinking of a laptop. The one I wanted, though, was way too expensive.
I thought all I would use the iPad for was for books, and I already had a reader (like a Kindle) for that. Then, I realised that I could put small movies on it so it might be handy to take to away with us.
On the Sunrise program we were watching we saw an internet place that had cheap electronics. So he decided to do some research on pricing. Yes, this place was cheaper, but he wasn't sure he wanted to pay all that money at once. He found out that Dick Smith does interest free, so next thing we're all piled in the car and I now own an iPad 2. Plus he spent a small fortune on a cover for it, which is sooo pretty. It's cream leather, with pale cream suede animal print inserts. Very swish! Well, not sure if it's real leather, but it looks nice anyway.
So then it was home to play with that for a bit. I put heaps of music and photos on it, and a couple (but not many yet) apps. I also found some movies to load on it, but apparently they take all night...
Anyway, today and tomorrow at work we have some people from Sydney over so I've been dealing with them, helping Mrs Boss learn, and still run the house. Hopefully tomorrow will see me up to date, and I can afford to slow down a bit, and not do any overtime! Not much each day, but enough anyway.
Not much on this weekend, but I'll try to find something to blog about!
Monday, 5 September 2011
Happy Father's Day yesterday
So this blog will be small. Not a lot to report. As I am going away in October, I have been training Mrs Boss to do my job. It's a trial. I don't mind training her at all, but it's a slow process. She can only spare me a few hours at a time, and each task takes several hours just to show her, not leaving her any time to do the job on her own.
We are hoping from this Wednesday that she can stay longer and will therefore be able to take in more of the tasks. There are some things she will do every day, others only once, but each of them require a written set of instructions, which have to take into account her lack of skill with Excel, which we use for almost everything. I know she finds it a trial too so I try to make it as easy as I can.
Dobby started music in place of the dreaded Dance at school last week. She is quite keen this time, although I don't think she fully realises that "being part of the band" means she will be required to play in public... Hmmmm...well, while she's keen I'm not going to burst her bubble. She is also looking forward to learning the theory side of music, which to be honest, was the only subject I did really well at in school.
She also had Friday off, as it's Royal Adelaide Show time. The whole town goes into party mode for ten days. The schools give their kids one day off in that time so they can attend. I wonder, really, how they are supposed to go when the parents often still have to work?
Anyway, today is also a Student Free Day for her, so her friend's mum took today off work and is taking them. Whew! I get out of it for another year. Mind, she has a huge list of showbags to collect! Haha! Punishment!
I am working solo at the moment while the boss is away, and for me that means heaps of work getting done (except while typing this of course). Because I am training I am so far behind with my own work. I can't set tasks yet for Mrs Boss to do while I continue doing other things. Add to that, that most of my "other things" involve the computer, and we have a little problem.
However, I know we can get there in the end.
This weekend was so lovely, just to sit still for a bit. Saturday we took a drive up to Gawler to pick up some bottles of Ned Kelly drink. Never heard of it? Check this out. We tried it some time ago, and Fluffy really liked it. It's like a sweet carbonated wine. Friends of ours had been to the show and bought it for us, so we popped in and picked it up.
A very late lunch (or early dinner if you like) at Villis and we were home and relaxing by 4.30pm.
Sunday was Father's Day. I made breakfast for everyone (including Dobby who managed to drag herself out of bed reasonably early) and we sat outside while she gave her dad his gifts. Nothing flash because he's so difficult to buy for. We got him a few DVDs, a large Toblerone choclate block, and a box of Fererro Rocher chocolates.
Later, Dobby had been asking if she could have her tragis pierced. That's the little nobby bit in front of the ear. She thought I had agreed but really I had just been listening to her waffle while she talked about it. Anyway, she pointed out that because she wants to play netball she will only have this weekend to do it before it's too late, because you have to let it heal sometime before you can remove it, which she would have to do for sport.
So we trudged down to Marion, as she also had to buy a gift for a friend whose party she will miss on the weekend. I got a rude shock when I went to pay for it. It was 3 times what I had envisioned, but she is happy anwyay. She chose a tiny black spike. I don't have a pic, but apparently she does.
Then onto the jewellery store for something for the friend. That done, we wandered over to Bunnings because I had told Fluffy I had seen a tool box I would like to buy him. However, he saw it and mentioned he had seen a better, cheaper one, advertised recently at Repco, so off we toddled over there.
Yep, that's the one he wanted, so he left a happy dad. We also stopped in Dick Smith for a sticky and priced small laptops and wireless printers.
Back home and it was a semi lazy afternoon for me, but busy for Fluffy who cleaned the Fairlane and the back patio. I did the ironing, mopped the kitchen and dining room, and did the litter tray, then cooked dinner. Fluffy chose spaghetti bolognaise for some reason. Dobby agreed to vacuum the lounge because I paid for her earring.
After Underbelly it was time for a shower and off to bed...
We are hoping from this Wednesday that she can stay longer and will therefore be able to take in more of the tasks. There are some things she will do every day, others only once, but each of them require a written set of instructions, which have to take into account her lack of skill with Excel, which we use for almost everything. I know she finds it a trial too so I try to make it as easy as I can.
Dobby started music in place of the dreaded Dance at school last week. She is quite keen this time, although I don't think she fully realises that "being part of the band" means she will be required to play in public... Hmmmm...well, while she's keen I'm not going to burst her bubble. She is also looking forward to learning the theory side of music, which to be honest, was the only subject I did really well at in school.
She also had Friday off, as it's Royal Adelaide Show time. The whole town goes into party mode for ten days. The schools give their kids one day off in that time so they can attend. I wonder, really, how they are supposed to go when the parents often still have to work?
Anyway, today is also a Student Free Day for her, so her friend's mum took today off work and is taking them. Whew! I get out of it for another year. Mind, she has a huge list of showbags to collect! Haha! Punishment!
I am working solo at the moment while the boss is away, and for me that means heaps of work getting done (except while typing this of course). Because I am training I am so far behind with my own work. I can't set tasks yet for Mrs Boss to do while I continue doing other things. Add to that, that most of my "other things" involve the computer, and we have a little problem.
However, I know we can get there in the end.
This weekend was so lovely, just to sit still for a bit. Saturday we took a drive up to Gawler to pick up some bottles of Ned Kelly drink. Never heard of it? Check this out. We tried it some time ago, and Fluffy really liked it. It's like a sweet carbonated wine. Friends of ours had been to the show and bought it for us, so we popped in and picked it up.
A very late lunch (or early dinner if you like) at Villis and we were home and relaxing by 4.30pm.
Sunday was Father's Day. I made breakfast for everyone (including Dobby who managed to drag herself out of bed reasonably early) and we sat outside while she gave her dad his gifts. Nothing flash because he's so difficult to buy for. We got him a few DVDs, a large Toblerone choclate block, and a box of Fererro Rocher chocolates.
Later, Dobby had been asking if she could have her tragis pierced. That's the little nobby bit in front of the ear. She thought I had agreed but really I had just been listening to her waffle while she talked about it. Anyway, she pointed out that because she wants to play netball she will only have this weekend to do it before it's too late, because you have to let it heal sometime before you can remove it, which she would have to do for sport.
So we trudged down to Marion, as she also had to buy a gift for a friend whose party she will miss on the weekend. I got a rude shock when I went to pay for it. It was 3 times what I had envisioned, but she is happy anwyay. She chose a tiny black spike. I don't have a pic, but apparently she does.
Then onto the jewellery store for something for the friend. That done, we wandered over to Bunnings because I had told Fluffy I had seen a tool box I would like to buy him. However, he saw it and mentioned he had seen a better, cheaper one, advertised recently at Repco, so off we toddled over there.
Yep, that's the one he wanted, so he left a happy dad. We also stopped in Dick Smith for a sticky and priced small laptops and wireless printers.
Back home and it was a semi lazy afternoon for me, but busy for Fluffy who cleaned the Fairlane and the back patio. I did the ironing, mopped the kitchen and dining room, and did the litter tray, then cooked dinner. Fluffy chose spaghetti bolognaise for some reason. Dobby agreed to vacuum the lounge because I paid for her earring.
After Underbelly it was time for a shower and off to bed...
Sunday, 28 August 2011
An evening with...
So, I didn't blog last week because nothing very exciting happened. Apart from Dobby having another week off school, and me taking her to the doc, nothing at all happened.
She and I both had doctor's appointments. Hers she had to have blood tests, then when we went back for the results I saw him for my half-yearly skin check. Her tests showed nothing abnormal except a thyroid at the lower end of the scale. He wants to repeat the test in a couple of months, we we'll have a look at that when we come back from Queensland. He said once we have done that, and if it still comes back normal he'll look at the psyche side of things. In the mean time, she complained all week of being sick again, even having me pick her up from school on Thursday because she was sick. Sigh. I don't know, it sucks. She's got yet another cold now, sniffling and coughing. Stupid.
Me, well, my skin test was all clear this time. He revisited my low iron levels, asking if we ever found out the cause. We didn't. So he suggested I go back off the iron supplements and get more tests when I do Dobby's. In the mean time, he wants me to do a poo test. Nice. Yeah, I'll get around to that one day. Well, 3 days actually. Have to take 3 samples. Plus, remember last year when I said I had to take vitamin B tablets? Well, it wasn't vitamin B, but vitamin D. Sigh. I have to now get a script filled (one of these days) for something or another.
And, just to top that off he wants me to have a sleep study done. But, see, the problem we have with that is that I'm not the one with sleep apnoea. Fluffy is. So what is a test going to prove?? It's his snorning and sleeping all over my side of the bed that keeps me awake. Not that it's his fault, at all. But that's why I don't sleep well. That's what makes me tired. That and adjusting my position because my tennis elbow and fingers are hurting.
Anyway, on with the post.
This week Boss was in Sydney for important business. Because I am taking two weeks off for the October school holidays, his lovely wife has agreed to come in and cover for me. So I had my first training session with her on Thursday. During which time Dobby phoned for me to come get her. It's going to take a lot of lessons to get her up to speed with what needs to be done, but I think we can do it. If she keeps and follows her own notes as well as my folder.
I also had the rare opportunity of a girls night out. I had answered a call for Catherine to go to see Thirsty Merc with her. I also contacted another friend of mine who wanted to go as well. So, Catherine, Eve and I decided we'd go to dinner first. Turned out to be just the 3 of us, which suited us all nicely. Quite an age group too, 35, 44 and 51.
I had plenty of time to get ready, so I made an effort.
What do you think? Not great, but not bad for an old goose!
Eve and I love totally over the other side of town to Catherine and the venue, so she got dropped off here at my place. I had reminded the girls to bring their ID as the tickets had their names on it. However Eve thought I was joking and didn't bring hers. So we had to stop back at her place way up in the clouds on the way. Didn't matter, we still got the the hotel on time.
Her house is way up a windy road, which the 380 would never make in a million years, being front wheel drive with a huge turning circle. But because Fluffy and I had taken the Fairlane out to fuel up and drop Dobby off for a sleepover, before having lunch together, all was good.
When we got there, I parked in the top car park, and we met Catherine at the table. We took our time over dinner, and stayed for dessert. After a toilet break we asked the barmaid where we had to go for the show, which turned out to be a rather long walk out to the main road and around the corner. She did advise, though, that if we were parked out the car park we might want to move our car to the carpark opposite the venue because of the type of persons who hang around late at night.
Point taken, we agreed. So we trudged up to the carpark, drove around the block a couple of times till we found where we were supposed to be, and disembarked in a great spot right opposite the door. And with half an hour to spare.
Okay, so now we're standing outside waiting. It's getting cold out here too. Finally just after 8 they open the doors. Into the night club. We spy an unoccupied table (you know those tiny tall things that you rest your glasses and not much else on?) and claim that as our own. Some random young guy comes over and starts to make conversation but we're not really interested, so after awhile he wanders off. I think he just wanted to share our table but decided we were not of the sharing type.
The place starts to fill up and about 9 or so the first act starts to play. It's a lead singer, acoustic guitar, and a drummer, the band is called Radar or something. They said to find them on Facebook but I was unsuccessful. They were good.
Then nothing for an hour. Then a group called Microwave Jenny, who were just a chick singing and a bloke playing guitar. Good, but not while we were waiting impatiently for a rock group. They didn't start until after 10pm. Then, we had to stand there bored as budgies through their music which sounded a lot like folksongs. Although they did do Forget You, after which he actually claimed to have written it and we all know that was bunkum!
Anyway, finally about 11.20, when we were all thoroughly bored and sore, and tired and yawning, and fending off a group of drunks who tried to take over our table, we got what we waited for.
These guys.
Not a great photo, I know, but anyway, it was good. Not many groups actually sound good live, but these guys did. I was always a fan, now I am a huge fan. Fantastic show, that went for around an hour.
Finally we were allowed out into the cold, while we waited just a few minutes for Catherine's lift to arrive. Then I took Eve home and crashed into bed (after a couple of painkillers) at 1.30.
Epic! Today was a lovely quiet slow day. Fluffy was at work, and Dobby at Sarah's house, so I just pottered about. I did do a little grocery dash, but Dobby just told me I bought her two conditioners instead of one of each. Whoops! Who's a blonde then!
Anyway, after an afternoon on the couch with Dexter (finally finished season 3) it's time to do some random chores and put dinner in the oven. Chicken fricassee tonight. Noice!
She and I both had doctor's appointments. Hers she had to have blood tests, then when we went back for the results I saw him for my half-yearly skin check. Her tests showed nothing abnormal except a thyroid at the lower end of the scale. He wants to repeat the test in a couple of months, we we'll have a look at that when we come back from Queensland. He said once we have done that, and if it still comes back normal he'll look at the psyche side of things. In the mean time, she complained all week of being sick again, even having me pick her up from school on Thursday because she was sick. Sigh. I don't know, it sucks. She's got yet another cold now, sniffling and coughing. Stupid.
Me, well, my skin test was all clear this time. He revisited my low iron levels, asking if we ever found out the cause. We didn't. So he suggested I go back off the iron supplements and get more tests when I do Dobby's. In the mean time, he wants me to do a poo test. Nice. Yeah, I'll get around to that one day. Well, 3 days actually. Have to take 3 samples. Plus, remember last year when I said I had to take vitamin B tablets? Well, it wasn't vitamin B, but vitamin D. Sigh. I have to now get a script filled (one of these days) for something or another.
And, just to top that off he wants me to have a sleep study done. But, see, the problem we have with that is that I'm not the one with sleep apnoea. Fluffy is. So what is a test going to prove?? It's his snorning and sleeping all over my side of the bed that keeps me awake. Not that it's his fault, at all. But that's why I don't sleep well. That's what makes me tired. That and adjusting my position because my tennis elbow and fingers are hurting.
Anyway, on with the post.
This week Boss was in Sydney for important business. Because I am taking two weeks off for the October school holidays, his lovely wife has agreed to come in and cover for me. So I had my first training session with her on Thursday. During which time Dobby phoned for me to come get her. It's going to take a lot of lessons to get her up to speed with what needs to be done, but I think we can do it. If she keeps and follows her own notes as well as my folder.
I also had the rare opportunity of a girls night out. I had answered a call for Catherine to go to see Thirsty Merc with her. I also contacted another friend of mine who wanted to go as well. So, Catherine, Eve and I decided we'd go to dinner first. Turned out to be just the 3 of us, which suited us all nicely. Quite an age group too, 35, 44 and 51.
I had plenty of time to get ready, so I made an effort.
What do you think? Not great, but not bad for an old goose!
Eve and I love totally over the other side of town to Catherine and the venue, so she got dropped off here at my place. I had reminded the girls to bring their ID as the tickets had their names on it. However Eve thought I was joking and didn't bring hers. So we had to stop back at her place way up in the clouds on the way. Didn't matter, we still got the the hotel on time.
Her house is way up a windy road, which the 380 would never make in a million years, being front wheel drive with a huge turning circle. But because Fluffy and I had taken the Fairlane out to fuel up and drop Dobby off for a sleepover, before having lunch together, all was good.
When we got there, I parked in the top car park, and we met Catherine at the table. We took our time over dinner, and stayed for dessert. After a toilet break we asked the barmaid where we had to go for the show, which turned out to be a rather long walk out to the main road and around the corner. She did advise, though, that if we were parked out the car park we might want to move our car to the carpark opposite the venue because of the type of persons who hang around late at night.
Point taken, we agreed. So we trudged up to the carpark, drove around the block a couple of times till we found where we were supposed to be, and disembarked in a great spot right opposite the door. And with half an hour to spare.
Okay, so now we're standing outside waiting. It's getting cold out here too. Finally just after 8 they open the doors. Into the night club. We spy an unoccupied table (you know those tiny tall things that you rest your glasses and not much else on?) and claim that as our own. Some random young guy comes over and starts to make conversation but we're not really interested, so after awhile he wanders off. I think he just wanted to share our table but decided we were not of the sharing type.
The place starts to fill up and about 9 or so the first act starts to play. It's a lead singer, acoustic guitar, and a drummer, the band is called Radar or something. They said to find them on Facebook but I was unsuccessful. They were good.
Then nothing for an hour. Then a group called Microwave Jenny, who were just a chick singing and a bloke playing guitar. Good, but not while we were waiting impatiently for a rock group. They didn't start until after 10pm. Then, we had to stand there bored as budgies through their music which sounded a lot like folksongs. Although they did do Forget You, after which he actually claimed to have written it and we all know that was bunkum!
Anyway, finally about 11.20, when we were all thoroughly bored and sore, and tired and yawning, and fending off a group of drunks who tried to take over our table, we got what we waited for.
These guys.
Not a great photo, I know, but anyway, it was good. Not many groups actually sound good live, but these guys did. I was always a fan, now I am a huge fan. Fantastic show, that went for around an hour.
Finally we were allowed out into the cold, while we waited just a few minutes for Catherine's lift to arrive. Then I took Eve home and crashed into bed (after a couple of painkillers) at 1.30.
Epic! Today was a lovely quiet slow day. Fluffy was at work, and Dobby at Sarah's house, so I just pottered about. I did do a little grocery dash, but Dobby just told me I bought her two conditioners instead of one of each. Whoops! Who's a blonde then!
Anyway, after an afternoon on the couch with Dexter (finally finished season 3) it's time to do some random chores and put dinner in the oven. Chicken fricassee tonight. Noice!
Monday, 15 August 2011
It's hard to think of titles every week
so this week I won't bother.
What a week. Its been rather slow, but somewhat stressful. Dobby complained on Sunday night of stomach pains and the runs. Plus a headache and her cold was again causing her grief.
As this has been going on for weeks I decided to take her to the doctor. We went on Monday night. He suggested a whole blood work regime, and a urine sample, and if nothing showed up, perhaps a psyche visit. I suggested perhaps she has an aversion to school... Her stress test showed mild stress levels.
Tuesday she stayed at home again. Tuesday evening it's discovered her phone is missing. As she still hadn't unpacked from the weekend away I wasn't too worried.
Wednesday she proclaimed herself well enough to go to school because she wanted to play netball. She went. Complained all day apparently, but went anyway. They won at netball. Dobby reckons they played sucky for the first quarter until her taxi load arrived. Apparently the powers that be forgot to book a bus so had to order several taxis instead.
Anyway, Wednesday night, after guitar (she didn't go Monday because of the doctor app), she was still not feeling great, and in fact went to bed early. So I decided it wasn't worth sending her and kept her home the rest of the week.
As she had her monthlies this week the doc suggested delaying the bloods until finished. Then, because she didn't go to school we didn't get the opportunity until Saturday morning. We rocked up there nice and early, and she did her bit.
Then a quick stop at the supermarket and it was home again.
And you know what? We turned that house upside down, and her phone has not shown up anywhere. On Sunday evening she cleaned her room a bit more, but it still eludes us. The only thing we can think of is that she dropped it out the car at the video shop on Sunday afternoon, but her father originally thought she was using it to show him a video on Sunday or Monday evening. It's a complete mystery...
And, of course, it's flat so phoning it does not good at all... If there are any psychics out there willing to help, we'd really appreciate it!
What a week. Its been rather slow, but somewhat stressful. Dobby complained on Sunday night of stomach pains and the runs. Plus a headache and her cold was again causing her grief.
As this has been going on for weeks I decided to take her to the doctor. We went on Monday night. He suggested a whole blood work regime, and a urine sample, and if nothing showed up, perhaps a psyche visit. I suggested perhaps she has an aversion to school... Her stress test showed mild stress levels.
Tuesday she stayed at home again. Tuesday evening it's discovered her phone is missing. As she still hadn't unpacked from the weekend away I wasn't too worried.
Wednesday she proclaimed herself well enough to go to school because she wanted to play netball. She went. Complained all day apparently, but went anyway. They won at netball. Dobby reckons they played sucky for the first quarter until her taxi load arrived. Apparently the powers that be forgot to book a bus so had to order several taxis instead.
Anyway, Wednesday night, after guitar (she didn't go Monday because of the doctor app), she was still not feeling great, and in fact went to bed early. So I decided it wasn't worth sending her and kept her home the rest of the week.
As she had her monthlies this week the doc suggested delaying the bloods until finished. Then, because she didn't go to school we didn't get the opportunity until Saturday morning. We rocked up there nice and early, and she did her bit.
Then a quick stop at the supermarket and it was home again.
And you know what? We turned that house upside down, and her phone has not shown up anywhere. On Sunday evening she cleaned her room a bit more, but it still eludes us. The only thing we can think of is that she dropped it out the car at the video shop on Sunday afternoon, but her father originally thought she was using it to show him a video on Sunday or Monday evening. It's a complete mystery...
And, of course, it's flat so phoning it does not good at all... If there are any psychics out there willing to help, we'd really appreciate it!
Monday, 8 August 2011
The Week That Was
well... interesting.
At work, Boss was back so I had to actually do some. However, it was good because he brought me back some gifts. I'll try to post photos through the week, this is just a quick note.
First, he gave me, as I had asked for, a cheap "knock off" watch. It's a Bvlgari copy. Yes, that's how it's spelled. Apparently Mrs Boss bought herself one the same but hers stopped the next day. I did discover that I cant' get it wet though... It's silver, with a traditional stainless steel linked band, a navy blue face, and a date window. Plus it has a large numerical 12 and 6. I like it.
Then, also in the bag was a Tiffany necklace, chosen by Mrs Boss. It's a silver snake chain, with a circle on the bottom approx 2cm across, with Tiffany & Co embossed in it. I couldn't find a picture on the website so I'll have to try to photograph it later.
I also received several DVDs, so that was nice.
There was a caravan rally this weekend, and Fluffy went early. He was going to go Wednesday but decided to leave early Thursday morning instead. I got a call around ten saying he was sitting outside the park waiting for the attendant to come back. It seems she had an appointment in Willunga, came all the way back just to open the boom gate for him, and left again. He was the only van there...
He chose himself a site, set up the van, and sat back to relax. As other older members of the club started to arrive, he was given the instructions to let them in and help them onto a site, as she was still away.
Dobby and I bought chinese for tea on Thursday. Well, I bought it on my way home from work. Never buying from that Noodle Box again. It used to be lovely there. This time, I couldn't understand a word the bloke on the register said, and when I finally got home, the boxes were so sodden they split and the bag filled up with water. I had ordered Honey Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Fried Rice, and a pack of 3 spring rolls.
What I got was a bag of water, two boxes of spinach and onion, a fried rice, and a steamed rice. Both the chicken dishes contained barely any chicken, and tasted so washed out they had no flavour. One had a few chunks of pineapple so we guessed that was supposed to be sweet and sour. No spring rolls... Absolutely terrible.
We ate some of it, and binned the rest.
On Friday I got to work a half day. That was nice. Boss was working from the beach house, so it was quiet. I had to work very hard to get done my chores before I left. But I managed to head out just after noon.
First stop was The Pug Mill pottery place, where I took Bertha for firing. If you don't remember, Bertha is the clay bust I did in January. She's all set to get fired this week. Can't wait!
Then, a quick trip to the shop for lunch stuff and a few emergency rashions, then home. I hadn't done any washing apart from the towels, which went into the dryer before work, as the weather looked nasty. By the time I got home it had fined up, so I stripped the bed, washed the clothes, and remade the bed ready for our return on Sunday.
I hung the sheets on the patio line, and the clothes in the lounge on an airer. At about ten to three I set out to pick up Dobby from School.
We ducked back past the house to check if the postie had been (no mail) and hit the road. We left about half three, and arrived about ten past four. The park was lovely! We had an ensuite site, which I reckon should be compulsory! They are soo much better.
Fluffy wasn't too happy to see us, I don't think. Dobby is not the tidiest person and of course the minute she arrived, his pristine set up was mucked up. Not much I can do about that.
So anyway, we pottered around, spoke to people, then at six headed up to the local pub for dinner. There was eleven of us, so it was a nice evening.
Till we got home and Fluffy realised he had lost his glasses. All the next day he searched. They are brand new, with Transition lenses too. Not a happy camper. It was my fault, of course, because he went out for a smoke and left us inside, and when we were ready we followed him out. I should have picked them up.
But, after phoning the pub, visiting it, they still hadn't turned up. The rally had it's AGM meeting on Saturday at two, and we all traipsed along to that.
I am now an official committee member, with my first meeting this Thursday. Fluffy is the Safety Officer (not a committee position, but an important position anyway). He kinda got dobbed in for that, and didn't refuse the nomination.
After the meeting we all hung around and then had a club-shouted dinner of chicken, chips and salad. It was very good and everyone had fun.
After, we all came back to the park and settled around the camp fire.
It rained on and off all weekend, with the hardest falls on the way home from the pub. Some members came just for the AGM, others took cabins and stayed just overnight. It was a very enjoyable weekend.
Fluffy bought Dobby an new 30-second-tent. She had two friends sleep over. It rained so much that the tent leaked a bit. But it's a great tent and very easy for her to put up with minimal help.
As we were packing up on Sunday morning, Dobby came running over. She'd found Fluffy's glasses! They were tucked down beside the seat in the car! I had looked in the driver's side, thinking they had fallen out of his pocket, but hadn't thoroughly searched the passenger side. Apparently she dropped a pen, and when she was fishing about she found the glasses. He was very happy!
On the way home, Dobby and I took a detour to the video shop. Fluffy got home before us, and told me he couldn't park the van on the boards it usually sits on. Why not? The front yard was so badly sodden, it had pooled in places. The car couldn't get any traction to push the van up onto the boards. The van itself had made deep grooves in the grass. If I owned the house, I'd pave that area...
Even the back yard was so sodden you could hear it squelching underfoot. Amazing!
Anyway, it's time to go to work. Dobby is home sick again today. I suspect she has developed an aversion to school, so I am taking her to the doc today to get it sorted.
Catch ya soon.
At work, Boss was back so I had to actually do some. However, it was good because he brought me back some gifts. I'll try to post photos through the week, this is just a quick note.
First, he gave me, as I had asked for, a cheap "knock off" watch. It's a Bvlgari copy. Yes, that's how it's spelled. Apparently Mrs Boss bought herself one the same but hers stopped the next day. I did discover that I cant' get it wet though... It's silver, with a traditional stainless steel linked band, a navy blue face, and a date window. Plus it has a large numerical 12 and 6. I like it.
Then, also in the bag was a Tiffany necklace, chosen by Mrs Boss. It's a silver snake chain, with a circle on the bottom approx 2cm across, with Tiffany & Co embossed in it. I couldn't find a picture on the website so I'll have to try to photograph it later.
I also received several DVDs, so that was nice.
There was a caravan rally this weekend, and Fluffy went early. He was going to go Wednesday but decided to leave early Thursday morning instead. I got a call around ten saying he was sitting outside the park waiting for the attendant to come back. It seems she had an appointment in Willunga, came all the way back just to open the boom gate for him, and left again. He was the only van there...
He chose himself a site, set up the van, and sat back to relax. As other older members of the club started to arrive, he was given the instructions to let them in and help them onto a site, as she was still away.
Dobby and I bought chinese for tea on Thursday. Well, I bought it on my way home from work. Never buying from that Noodle Box again. It used to be lovely there. This time, I couldn't understand a word the bloke on the register said, and when I finally got home, the boxes were so sodden they split and the bag filled up with water. I had ordered Honey Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Fried Rice, and a pack of 3 spring rolls.
What I got was a bag of water, two boxes of spinach and onion, a fried rice, and a steamed rice. Both the chicken dishes contained barely any chicken, and tasted so washed out they had no flavour. One had a few chunks of pineapple so we guessed that was supposed to be sweet and sour. No spring rolls... Absolutely terrible.
We ate some of it, and binned the rest.
On Friday I got to work a half day. That was nice. Boss was working from the beach house, so it was quiet. I had to work very hard to get done my chores before I left. But I managed to head out just after noon.
First stop was The Pug Mill pottery place, where I took Bertha for firing. If you don't remember, Bertha is the clay bust I did in January. She's all set to get fired this week. Can't wait!
Then, a quick trip to the shop for lunch stuff and a few emergency rashions, then home. I hadn't done any washing apart from the towels, which went into the dryer before work, as the weather looked nasty. By the time I got home it had fined up, so I stripped the bed, washed the clothes, and remade the bed ready for our return on Sunday.
I hung the sheets on the patio line, and the clothes in the lounge on an airer. At about ten to three I set out to pick up Dobby from School.
We ducked back past the house to check if the postie had been (no mail) and hit the road. We left about half three, and arrived about ten past four. The park was lovely! We had an ensuite site, which I reckon should be compulsory! They are soo much better.
Fluffy wasn't too happy to see us, I don't think. Dobby is not the tidiest person and of course the minute she arrived, his pristine set up was mucked up. Not much I can do about that.
So anyway, we pottered around, spoke to people, then at six headed up to the local pub for dinner. There was eleven of us, so it was a nice evening.
Till we got home and Fluffy realised he had lost his glasses. All the next day he searched. They are brand new, with Transition lenses too. Not a happy camper. It was my fault, of course, because he went out for a smoke and left us inside, and when we were ready we followed him out. I should have picked them up.
But, after phoning the pub, visiting it, they still hadn't turned up. The rally had it's AGM meeting on Saturday at two, and we all traipsed along to that.
I am now an official committee member, with my first meeting this Thursday. Fluffy is the Safety Officer (not a committee position, but an important position anyway). He kinda got dobbed in for that, and didn't refuse the nomination.
After the meeting we all hung around and then had a club-shouted dinner of chicken, chips and salad. It was very good and everyone had fun.
After, we all came back to the park and settled around the camp fire.
It rained on and off all weekend, with the hardest falls on the way home from the pub. Some members came just for the AGM, others took cabins and stayed just overnight. It was a very enjoyable weekend.
Fluffy bought Dobby an new 30-second-tent. She had two friends sleep over. It rained so much that the tent leaked a bit. But it's a great tent and very easy for her to put up with minimal help.
As we were packing up on Sunday morning, Dobby came running over. She'd found Fluffy's glasses! They were tucked down beside the seat in the car! I had looked in the driver's side, thinking they had fallen out of his pocket, but hadn't thoroughly searched the passenger side. Apparently she dropped a pen, and when she was fishing about she found the glasses. He was very happy!
On the way home, Dobby and I took a detour to the video shop. Fluffy got home before us, and told me he couldn't park the van on the boards it usually sits on. Why not? The front yard was so badly sodden, it had pooled in places. The car couldn't get any traction to push the van up onto the boards. The van itself had made deep grooves in the grass. If I owned the house, I'd pave that area...
Even the back yard was so sodden you could hear it squelching underfoot. Amazing!
Anyway, it's time to go to work. Dobby is home sick again today. I suspect she has developed an aversion to school, so I am taking her to the doc today to get it sorted.
Catch ya soon.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Where does the time go?
I swear, the weeks are getting shorter. It's not like I'm sleeping through them, cause I seem to be getting less sleep each night too. But nowdays life just seems to fly by.
This week has been monumentally boring. Nothing happened. Again.
It was my last quiet week at work with Boss overseas. Have to love that. Dobby wanted me to pick her up on Wednesday after school because there was no netball, and bring her to the office. With the boss out of town I thought why not? So, a quick trip to the accountant's office, then dash to school and pick up the kid, then bring her back here to work. She helped me for the afternoon, then we again went back to the accountant's office and dropped some stuff off.
On the way home we figured we'd go unhealthy and bought KFC. Meh. Who cares? Already fat, what's another kg, right?
On Saturday we made arrangements to take the Fairmont in for a tune up. All they do is replace the air filter and spark plugs. As it will be towing the van this week we thought we'd get it done first.
Also, Fluffy wanted to go to the Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show, and Dobby asked if she could go too. So bright and early Fluffy and I dropped off the car.
When they were ready I took them down to the show, intending to have several hours to myself. First, though, I had to go to the chemist for Fluffy's pills. While there the workshop phoned. The car is ready. I agreed to go down and pay for it, pick up the key, and wait till Fluffy was done before picking it up. No worries, they said.
So, I still had to go to the post office and pick up a parcel that had been waiting there since Monday. As it wasn't our closest post office, it was too out of my way to get to within weekly business hours.
So, off to pick up that. It turned out to be the new Telstra T-Hub. Ours (the second since September last year) was not working properly. Back to the car place and pay for the tune up. I also had to pay for new spark plug leads as one had broken in 3 places. $80 more, but we were told about that first. They didn't charge for labour for that one.
Anyway, a quick trip to the shop for lunch supplies, and it was home to kick back for a while and watch Dexter.
About ten minutes into lunch, my phone rang. We're ready, can you come pick us up? Darnit! What happened to my peace and quiet and ME time??
I was told I could finish my lunch first though, which I did. We picked up the Fairmont on the way home and all was good.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet. Apart from Dobby helping me set up the new T-Hub, I didn't do much.
Sunday I promised Dobby I would take her to see Harry Potter. I had free tickets so we chose that movie to use them on. After vacuuming the floors, stripping the bed, and doing two loads of washing, we headed down to the cinema. It was great! We really enjoyed it. After we ducked across to Cheap as Chips and I bought more scraboooking supplies, plus a second album for Mother's birthday next year.
Then it was grocery shopping and back home.
I had to put the shopping away by myself, because Fluffy was home from work and fluffing about outside with the caravan. Dobby was being Dobby and unhelpful. I finished that, then had to put a roast in the oven and get the washing in. First, though, I had to peg out one that wasn't done when we left home that morning.
Then, it was doing some odd jobs around the house, finish dinner, wash up, make sandwiches for today's lunch, and stand there ironing. I think I finished about 8.45. As a new Midsomer Murders was on ABC I decided to forgo my bath, in which I was going to have my evening chamomile tea and a treat of 3 liqueur filled chocolates I had bought Saturday, and plonk in front of the TV instead.
Once the movie was over it was quick shower then into bed. I don't think I even remember Fluffy coming to bed...
This week will be more exciting, but I'll tell you all about that next time!
Oh and today is Moose's birthday! Big 39! Hopefully she'll do something nice for herself next year, being 40 and all that! Hope you have a great day, chookie! Mwah! xx
This week has been monumentally boring. Nothing happened. Again.
It was my last quiet week at work with Boss overseas. Have to love that. Dobby wanted me to pick her up on Wednesday after school because there was no netball, and bring her to the office. With the boss out of town I thought why not? So, a quick trip to the accountant's office, then dash to school and pick up the kid, then bring her back here to work. She helped me for the afternoon, then we again went back to the accountant's office and dropped some stuff off.
On the way home we figured we'd go unhealthy and bought KFC. Meh. Who cares? Already fat, what's another kg, right?
On Saturday we made arrangements to take the Fairmont in for a tune up. All they do is replace the air filter and spark plugs. As it will be towing the van this week we thought we'd get it done first.
Also, Fluffy wanted to go to the Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show, and Dobby asked if she could go too. So bright and early Fluffy and I dropped off the car.
When they were ready I took them down to the show, intending to have several hours to myself. First, though, I had to go to the chemist for Fluffy's pills. While there the workshop phoned. The car is ready. I agreed to go down and pay for it, pick up the key, and wait till Fluffy was done before picking it up. No worries, they said.
So, I still had to go to the post office and pick up a parcel that had been waiting there since Monday. As it wasn't our closest post office, it was too out of my way to get to within weekly business hours.
So, off to pick up that. It turned out to be the new Telstra T-Hub. Ours (the second since September last year) was not working properly. Back to the car place and pay for the tune up. I also had to pay for new spark plug leads as one had broken in 3 places. $80 more, but we were told about that first. They didn't charge for labour for that one.
Anyway, a quick trip to the shop for lunch supplies, and it was home to kick back for a while and watch Dexter.
About ten minutes into lunch, my phone rang. We're ready, can you come pick us up? Darnit! What happened to my peace and quiet and ME time??
I was told I could finish my lunch first though, which I did. We picked up the Fairmont on the way home and all was good.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet. Apart from Dobby helping me set up the new T-Hub, I didn't do much.
Sunday I promised Dobby I would take her to see Harry Potter. I had free tickets so we chose that movie to use them on. After vacuuming the floors, stripping the bed, and doing two loads of washing, we headed down to the cinema. It was great! We really enjoyed it. After we ducked across to Cheap as Chips and I bought more scraboooking supplies, plus a second album for Mother's birthday next year.
Then it was grocery shopping and back home.
I had to put the shopping away by myself, because Fluffy was home from work and fluffing about outside with the caravan. Dobby was being Dobby and unhelpful. I finished that, then had to put a roast in the oven and get the washing in. First, though, I had to peg out one that wasn't done when we left home that morning.
Then, it was doing some odd jobs around the house, finish dinner, wash up, make sandwiches for today's lunch, and stand there ironing. I think I finished about 8.45. As a new Midsomer Murders was on ABC I decided to forgo my bath, in which I was going to have my evening chamomile tea and a treat of 3 liqueur filled chocolates I had bought Saturday, and plonk in front of the TV instead.
Once the movie was over it was quick shower then into bed. I don't think I even remember Fluffy coming to bed...
This week will be more exciting, but I'll tell you all about that next time!
Oh and today is Moose's birthday! Big 39! Hopefully she'll do something nice for herself next year, being 40 and all that! Hope you have a great day, chookie! Mwah! xx
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