So about the only exciting that has happened in the last few weeks is that my oven went kaput last night.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Oh well, looks like take away tonight.... pity that....
Monday, 25 June 2012
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Lake Albert
So just a short post today, and then only because it was requested.
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...
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
The kids seemed to have fun, and indeed some of the Chatterboxes made further appearances over the course of the weekend.
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!
I took plenty of photos of the sunset (as usual). Not bothering to put them up here, you've all seen them on Facebook.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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....
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...
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
The kids seemed to have fun, and indeed some of the Chatterboxes made further appearances over the course of the weekend.
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!
I took plenty of photos of the sunset (as usual). Not bothering to put them up here, you've all seen them on Facebook.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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....
Sunday, 3 June 2012
It's soo good...
to have hubby home again. This last couple of weeks have been, well, interesting.
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.
But before that...
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.
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.
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.
Anyway, enough of that little rant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
But before that...
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.
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.
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.
Anyway, enough of that little rant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!).
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Finally!
I was hoping to post about my Mother's Day present, as it's been slow going. Now I finally can. Soon.
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.
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.
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!
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Suggestions, anyone?
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.
Anyway, that's my exciting couple of weeks. I hope I haven't bored you too much. Thanks for reading!
Monday, 7 May 2012
Okay, 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She took it in good faith and had some fun.
Saturday morning, as I said, it was foggy and cold. I took a few pictures, and wandered back to the warmth of the van.
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.
Then, a little later we had morning cuppa, followed by the counting of the votes for the club name change.
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.
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.
We then had some quiet time, so I chilled out catching up with some of the other members I hadn't seen for awhile.
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).
While we were at Club Game Ozzie and his dad shared some close time...
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.
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...
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.
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).
Overall it was... interesting.
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.
He ended up spending a lot of time with Dobby, Minnie and Akkers. Hmmm...
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She took it in good faith and had some fun.
Saturday morning, as I said, it was foggy and cold. I took a few pictures, and wandered back to the warmth of the van.
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.
Then, a little later we had morning cuppa, followed by the counting of the votes for the club name change.
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.
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.
We then had some quiet time, so I chilled out catching up with some of the other members I hadn't seen for awhile.
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).
While we were at Club Game Ozzie and his dad shared some close time...
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.
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...
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.
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).
Overall it was... interesting.
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.
He ended up spending a lot of time with Dobby, Minnie and Akkers. Hmmm...
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.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
whoo 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Bunny Hopping
So, 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.
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.
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.
Anyway, we got through that, and it was time to pack up and head up to Eudunda Area School for the long weekend.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
But the Advisory Committee (as us girls call ourselves) rallied around and had some lovely girly time doing our toenails out in the sun.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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).
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.
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.
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...
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!
Till then, stay well and finish that chocolate off! Mmmm!
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.
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.
Anyway, we got through that, and it was time to pack up and head up to Eudunda Area School for the long weekend.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
But the Advisory Committee (as us girls call ourselves) rallied around and had some lovely girly time doing our toenails out in the sun.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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).
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.
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.
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...
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!
Till then, stay well and finish that chocolate off! Mmmm!
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