Feeling sore and sorry for myself...

...is probably nothing unusual really. Yesterday I received a wonderful gift from Dobby. She was generous enough to share with me her cold. What a treasure. Can't really complain, I haven't had one in years, and this one is not a bad one.

I did, however, worry that it would interfere with my doctor appointment this afternoon. Luckily it didn't. See, I got two skin cancers removed today. One from my forearm and one from my lip. The one on my lip is quite sore, and keeps bleeding here and there. Plus, with the cold I have to keep blowing my nose so I keep bumping it. He actually cut into the lip so it feels sticky too where it touches the other lip.



You can't really see it from the photo, but it does go down onto the fleshy part of the lip. I wonder what sort of scar it will leave?

The one on my arm has a subcutaneous stitch with a middle stitch on the surface. I go back on Thursday to have them removed, but the sub stitch I take out myself in two weeks. Ew. Think I will get Dr Fluffy to do that one.

Anyway, so now I am feeling rather sore and sorry for myself. Good side though I get to take tomorrow off, which I need because of this stupid cold. I have to go to my GP for my pill script, then get that filled on the way home, but I seriously intend to be as slow and laid back as possible tomorrow. Fingers crossed I get the chance....

I forgot!

To add yesterday that to top off the weekend, the TV died Sunday night right in the middle of Bones.

I was in the kitchen making a cuppa when I heard a click, then the TV turned off. I was about to blast Fluffy for turning it off when I was still listening to it, but he was nowhere to be found.

So I thought someone had accidently set the sleep button. I turned it off. I turned it back on. Nothing. I light whirring sound then... nothing.

So I dug out the paperwork, looked up the Panasonic service centre details on the web, and put it all out for Fluffy to call Monday.

The fellow turned up yesterday afternoon, pulled it apart, and declared a board was gone. He replaced that, then found it was still not working.



He suggested a second board was gone (apparently often when one goes it takes the other with it... strange interrelationships going on in the back of televisions). But he didn't have one in stock.

So, he removed said television, took it away with him, and left me with this....


It should be back Wednesday. Yay for warranties! Oh, and I managed to jam my finger in the cupboard door yesterday, giving myself a nasty black mark under the nail. Then burned the same finger on the hot oven shelf putting the dishes away last night. *sigh...*

The week that was...

Interesting... to a point.

Last week seemed to never end. I was very busy at work and a lot seemed to be happening with my personal life too.

We have been having a few issues with Dobby and her temper lately so by Monday I was at my wits end. I made an appointment to see a psychologist, and had to take time off work for that. Fluffy had to stay out of bed too. As it was late in the day on Thursday I was originally told I could go home after. So, Dobby and I made plans, subject of course to her cleaning her room.

By Thursday morning she still hadn't done anything so I canceled the plans. Then, the boss said that because I had to come pick up my car I could come back to work. So, at 3.00 I had to come back for the rest of the afternoon. Dobby was not impressed to say the least, and nor was I.

The consult went well though, and it was deemed that Dobby was not a bad child, but we had communication issues between the 3 of us that need to be addressed. That means several more visits that I have to go to, which can only be done during office hours, so more time off work.

As it is, I have to take Thursday afternoon and Friday off this week (as sick leave though) but man, it's getting ridiculous!

I am still so very tired, and feel very flat. But I have learned that must be a state of mind so I have to get my act together and move forward and stop bringing everyone else around me down. Fine.

On Saturday our visitors from interstate returned after a week at Lady Links. That was great because I had dinner cooked for me Saturday night. A very lovely garlic prawn pasta dish. I made a cheesecake to go with it (thanks Wally). Sunday we had to get up early though to bid them farewell. Fluffy decided we would drag ourselves out to Smithfield and say goodbye there. Their Sat Nav would have taken them a different route through town and Fluffy thinks this way is quicker. So, off we trudged. We saw them off and returned home. After a bit of cheesecake and a cuppa we made our way to Designer Direct for some cheap bed linen for Dobby but they didn't have anything. We bought her some new $3 towels instead.

Harbourtown for bras next, found 3 and a pair of shorts for $30 total, plus the checkout chick put into the bag the sample I had taken off the shelf to see if they had any in Dobby's size. Anyone know anyone who wears a 12DD? It ain't going anywhere near Dobby's 12B frame! lol!

We also found her a comforter set for $50. There, that's all my money gone. Lazy afternoon after that. I cooked a roast pork for dinner which came up a treat.

End of a busy week. I hope this week is quieter at work and home. Short netball session Tuesday, Dr for me Thursday afternoon, and I need to make another with the GP Friday for pills... wonderful....

Bags, Bags, Bags...

So I was reading a freind's blog today and she had a link to a give-away.

Check out this site belonging to Cyndi and see all the bag patterns she is giving away. I would LOVE to win one so Dobby and I can do a project together. I would love to give her something small to work on.

Good luck!

Good grief, it's Monday again!

So this week saw interstate visitors arrive on Thursday. A lovely couple I met 22 years ago in Brisbane. Extremely funny, generous, and good friends.

Before that though, Fluffy handled the insurance claim for the storm damage to the van. He phoned 3 places before he found someone willing to come out to us (so we didn't have to hook up the van and be without it when our visitors arrived). The gent came out, gave us a quote for an entire new awning, and also found a dent in the side panels of the van, so quoted to replace the damage panels and decals.

Then the assessor came out, and had a look. Fluffy mentioned to him that our Waeco fridge was not really working properly but was told he would have to make a claim against our contents insurance (another excess payment) so hadn't bothered, the assessor told him to phone the insurance company back, tell them that the assessor had seen it, and it would be covered by this original claim. Bargain!

So Fluffy did that, got a quote for a new fridge and bag, and submitted that. Approved... and so was the new awning and panel repairs. Whew! That meant our visitors had somewhere to stay.

So, they came Thursday, about dinner time. I had put on a corned beef in the slow cooker, and after a cuppa and chat I remembered to put potatoes in the oven so it was late dinner but no one seemed to mind too much. I also whipped up an apple and rhubarb crumble for dessert. Very tasty!

Then Fluffy told me he was working Friday night to get some extra money. I admire his work ethic, he isn't afraid to do extra, but his timing sucked. See, Hermione was also coming that Friday so I would have a house full of people and have to handle everything myself.

So on Friday, too, he had an appointment for his pampering session. He has misplaced his voucher but luckily it was one of the few places to take details when I bought the voucher, so all he needed was his driver's licence. I am not sure what the visitors did, but I had to work, and Fluffy went for his shave, facial and massage.

Friday evening I had put a hot pot on, because it was going to be busy. Nan dropped Hermione off at 5 and stayed for 2 hours. I just added salad to the hot pot for speed and ease. No one seemed to mind and everyone cleaned their plates... couldn't have been too bad.

Saturday after Fluffy got home from work we decided to head south. Our visitors are members of the same vacation club as us, so booked a week at Lady Links. We headed out about 11, and decided to stop at Glacier Rock for a look and lunch. Sadly, I didn't have the map in the car anymore and when I had looked at the one at home, only noticed one road cutting across the bottom of the peninsula. I was sadly mistaken. We took the wrong road. But I blame Fluffy, he was the one who drove where I said to go!

After taking the long way round, we found the kiosk at Glacier Rock and had a lovely lunch, which our visitors shouted (that was nice). We were not in a hurry so took our time. Then we headed to the resort.

The girls had been promised a swim so they headed straight for the pool while we settled into the room (yes, we invited ourselves for the afternoon). I took the girls and the wife shopping for supplies, then as Fluffy was about to go to sleep, we headed home. As we had eaten out for lunch we agreed on a light dinner.

On Sunday Fluffy woke up with a choke and a cough. He had been snoring terribly bad through the night (nothing new there, but worse than usual) and woke up with swollen uvula, which looked terrible and was actually occasionally blocking his throat. He had to stick his finger down his throat to un-stick it from his tongue, and when he did he found he was bleeding. We debated taking him to the hospital, but he said he would see how it went. I have him a warm salt mouth wash (which he chocked on and it stuck again) but it seemed to help a little.

Over the course of the morning it settled down a bit so he left it be. We had arranged to meet our visitors at Mclarenvale for lunch. He thought he felt okay enough to do so, so off we went. We met them outside The Almond Train, and after a look at the Menz sweets outlet (spending way too much on sweets) we headed out to the visitor information centre so they could take stock of some of the wineries around the place. Lunch was at The Magnum Bistro at the pub, and this time we had to buy our own, bloody expensive too! But it was lovely, and we had doggy bags for the girls' nachos and my cesaer salad. Worth every penny. Fluffy's mouth was still sore so he just had calamari.

We left them to it, and headed home. One of the members of the caravan club dropped something off in the afternoon, then Nan came for Hermione about 4.30ish. They brought down fruit cake and cockle biscuits on Friday, and then some more cookies and a few slices of a delicious apple cake on Sunday.

We were all very tired by Sunday evening so had an early night. Quite a busy week, and then we were informed this weekend our visitors are staying again Saturday night, but the husband is cooking us a seafood marinara for dinner, so I won't complain... have to find something lovely for dessert to go with that.... Suggestions?

Port Broughton...

...Sure brought on the wild weather!

We didn't get away until 4.30 Friday afternoon, and Port Broughton is on the Yorke Peninsula, so we had a 2 hour trip ahead of us. Add to this equation Peak Hour traffic, Plus Long Weekend... and you have our trip. Stop. Start. We arrived about 7.15pm, after a quick pie along the way while Fluffy adjusted the tow hitch.

Anyway, it was windy as all heck when we arrived. Adelaide had been forecast showers starting Friday night, and through to Sunday morning. Those who arrived earlier in the day were assured by the local yokels that it wouldn't rain up there.

So it was windy. We got everything set up quickly, despite the wind, and Dobby promptly disappeared with her friends. One was going to sleep over Friday night but wasn't feeling well so Dobby stayed alone. But it's always good when we get together. The group dynamics have changed, with a lot more younger people joining and a few of the older members not coming as much. And so many of us have children.

As always we sat around chatting all evening until late. Again.

It continued to blow throughout the night on Friday, and Fluffy had wandered off to socialise so didn't put the legs down on the van. I swear, it was like being on a boat on the ocean! What a ride!

Anyway, Saturday a few of us wanted to go to the trash and treasure at the local scout hall, plus check out some garage sales. Fluffy didn't want to go, and Dobby was at the pool, so I tagged along with a couple, I will name Flo and Jim. They had brought along Flo's daughter and Jim's son and daughter. Dobby spent most of the weekend playing with them. Perhaps I shouldn't say playing, teens don't "play", they "hang..."

Our first stop was the Trash and Treasure. Lots of trash, extremely little treasure. I did buy two small wine glasses for Fluffy, two tumblers with gold leaf design for me (make good Baily's and Milk glasses), plus some mulberry jam and tomato chutney (note to self - remember to get those out of the van...).

Next stop was a garage sale where I found Pop's father's day gift - an old Kodak camera still in it's box, including film and batteries! Guess how much! 50c! plus some candles... Next stop was in town, at a local stall and I found a little cow money box for Dobby, similar to one she already has. Plus Jim found another Kodak disc camera in a battered old leather case. $5 that time. Next garage sale I found a hand made patchwork bedspread and bed surround for the van for $8. Almost perfect fit, too!

Anyway, we got home and the kids had Kids Club, where they were given a list of things to find and stickers to collect. Things like The Man With The Swiss Army Van. Fluffy. Wearing Their Partner's Name Tag - Fluffy and I had swapped. Stuff like that. Kept them busy for a while.

Anyway, after this it poured down rain. I mean poured! We had seen it come in, but didn't expect quite that!

A bit later Flo and I took the dog for a walk along the beach (he won't do his business close to the van) and we commented on the impressive storm fronts that we could see building around us. Not long after we went back, Dobby came back from the pool with her friends, one of whom decided to go up with Dobby for a shower. No sooner had she walked around the corner of her van and the storm hit. It was that quick! She raced under our cover and I sent them inside. She even dropped her shower gel but I wouldn't let her go back and get it. It poured!

Then it hailed! Only pea-sized, but it pelted down! Fluffy and I were standing outside the van door watching it, and as I was getting wet I stepped around him and up into the van, and suddenly CRACK! The awning collapsed! The wind was so strong it snapped the awning off the wall of the van, and as a result the barrel of the awning snapped off the other leg. The whole thing collapsed around Fluffy. Then the flood came!

The storm lasted about ten minutes, but afterward, when people started emerging, the drains had blocked and the entire area was under water. There is no grass on the back of this park so it was all mud and silt. Our site was ankle deep before it finally receded. Fluffy and I inspected the damage. Oh shit.

And do you know, others in the club came to check on each other, as they do, and the amount of people that surrounded our site and helped lash down our awning was humbling. Practically every guy (in fact, I think every guy and a lot of the women) came to help out. We went from a double awning covering a huge area to a single half-rolled up awning barely big enough to house the table and chairs.
The collapsed awning - it has dropped because it tore from the other wall, and here it has snapped from the support arm. See the hail?

Poor Ozzie's bed is full of water and hail.

Jonesy helps hold the remaining arm while Nigel ties it into place.

Fluffy ties the existing support to the ground while some members hold it steady for him.

This is where the arm actually snapped off the wall. The awning blew back over the van, which is why the other end of the barrel snapped off the support arm.

This is all the rubbish left by the rain. Fluffy has tied the remaining arm in place and is picking up all the supports that were spread around. We found ropes out on the road, and never found the velcro anti flap straps or velcro bands that hold the arms agains the side of the van when traveling. The barrel end of the awning here is only tied to the support arm now, as this is where it snapped.



But you know what? Dobby's tent didn't flinch. And apart from a tiny area in the front the size of a shoe, it didn't get wet. I was very impressed!

One caravan suffered a hole in the side from a flying table leg. This was a brand new van on it's maiden voyage too. Another site lost their brand new pergola, which I later saw twisted and bent dumped outside the camp kitchen. And the poor lass behind us was in a tent suffered very wet sleeping bags from the flood. I believe the dryer sorted those out okay though.

We were to have fish and chips supplied by the club for dinner that night, and after lashing down the remains of the awning as best we could, we all headed off to the local RSL hall. We had to bring a salad too, and although I really didn't feel like going, I did. And I am glad I did. After dinner Dobby's friend from the next van thought she might like to try sleeping over again. She did. They had fun.

Saturday night brought more strong winds and showers. In fact, it rained almost all night, sudden, heavy showers. Scary.

Sunday Dobby hit the pool again, and Fluffy and I decided to walk into town. We stopped at the bakery for lunch, and the dog enjoyed his sausage rolls. Up to that little stall again and I bought a honey log cake (just finished a piece, very nice). Back to the park for a rest. We were going to pull down the remains of the awning but I suggested we wait. It did serve as some protection, and with more storm fronts floating about I didn't want to leave us too exposed.

Later in the afternoon we took the dog for a long walk again. Most of the men decided to go fishing, but Flo stayed behind to plan the evening's Social activities, so Dobby hung with her kids. We enjoyed our leisurely stroll by ourselves (with the dog). We could see this storm building, and by the time we got back it was quite overhead. Nothing happened though, but it was pending...

As you can see...

After dinner we met at the RSL hall again for games. It ended up being quite fun. We were divided into 4 teams, ABC & D. We played games like carrying the balloon between your knees, picking up lifesavers with a straw, musical chairs (I got down to me and 4 others before I got out, and 3 of the others were from the one family! What a cack that was! Mum pushed dad off the chair to claim the crown). We had supper then came home. When we emerged we discovered it had poured during our games.

Sunday night was more wind. And because the awning was roughly attached to the van and not as stable as it should have been we were pulled in all directions. Fun!

This morning we got up, had hardly anything to put away, so we took our time. Dobby helped me do the tent, and a few of the boys helped Fluffy and I wind up the awning, then disconnect it from the side of the van. It then got put inside the van and the remaining let cable tied to the side of the van. We were on the road by 11.

Now, we are home, I have done two loads of washing (although it's windy and cloudy outside so they won't dry) and Fluffy has gone to bed. He is working tonight poor thing. We are having bacon and eggs for dinner, cause I don't want to cook! Easy! lol!

Old age...

... seems to be racing up on me at an alarming rate. I don't know why, I mean I am a healthy person on the whole. I don't get sick, rarely get a cold even. Only the occasional headache, and almost constant reflux thanks to my lap band.

But I am feeling lately that my physical future may be looking a bit grim. My joints are increasingly painful, and whatever is going on in my hip is getting worse every day.

Like this weekend. We have had a busy week at work, so I haven't walked as much as I should, so that could be something.

On Saturday my friend's little boy was 2. He is so lovely. There is a joke between our families concerning his parentage. See, both is parents have brown eyes. We have always joked, for many years, about swapping between our partners (I think they would get the raw deal there as they are younger than us), but when this little bloke was born he has the most beautiful blue eyes. So does my husband.

Sometimes his mum will say "come say hello to your daddy" when she sees Fluffy, and on the weekend his own dad told him to go find is father, Fluffy, who was standing behind him. It's quite funny, the poor fellow.

Anyway, I digress. We were there for almost 3 hours, and a great part of that was spent on my feet (filling my face with party treats, true). I had comfy shoes on, but I did feel it through my back and hips.

Then, yesterday we went to the Caravan, Camping and Outdoor show. That's a huge expo with caravans, boats, tents, camping equipment, rides and food. Expensive food too. But we love to go, and usually go early so we can visit the Farmers Markets prior to entry into the show.

That meant we were there almost 5 hours yesterday. A HUGE part of that was spent on my feet. I was wearing comfy joggers, but still, I am so stiff and sore through my back and hips today I am really struggling!

We bought only a few small things, although Fluffy bought a new fluro light for the van, and it looks great, and Dobby scored a new sleeping bag with fur lining the top of the hood piece, in blue, with Foxy Lady written on it. She loves it but it was quite expensive.

She did clean the majority of her room though, and has to finish it tonight. Netball tomorrow night so she can't do it then. She has been to one training session, and finds it a challenge as it's very physical. But I know she loves it and is looking forward to this season. She finally gets to play for a real team, after 3 huge training and selection sessions. I am sure they get a place if they register.

So, now it's back to work, and I think I really need to get out for a walk today to try to stretch my hips and back out. Hopefully I will sleep better tonight (last night I kept dreaming of a friend who recently split with her man, for some reason!)