Interstate Visit

This blog will be a long one, because it's got lots of visual art for your enjoyment.  I won't bother blogging about the last two weeks, cause that was just work and stuff, so nothing worth reading about there.  However, this last four days has seen a visit from my bestie Wally.

I'd like to say we turned on great weather for her.  She thinks we did - there was no hail or snow, so she's happy!  Today, she flew home, and the sun's out and there's not a cloud in the sky - typical! 

Anyway, where to begin.  

Wally arrived on Wednesday afternoon, while I was at work, and settled herself in at the motel down the road from home.  I picked up Dobby from netball and we headed over to collect her (and pizza for dinner).  It was lovely to see her again.  Dobby was also beside herself, seeing her Godmother again.

We brought Wally back home for dinner, but as she'd been a busy little beaver that day she called it a night before seven.  Piker... :-)

Thursday I had the day off work, and Fluffy took the van up to Port Wakefield for the weekend.  It was also the SAPI AGM.  He needed a few days peace and quiet and I needed serious girlie time.

Fluffy took Dobby to school, came home and hooked up the van.  After I saw him off Wally and I headed down to Hahndorf for the day.

We both were inrtigued by the candles in one store, and she wanted to buy me one, and I wanted to buy her one.  But she bought me a big one and only wanted a little one for herself, the wicked girl.  They had virtually no smell in the store, but when we got them home the smell was very strong.  Weird.

We stopped for a look at the Beerenburg farm outlet for some fresh jams and things.  I found some garlic sauce which looked very nice.  Wally found some other little delights.

After this we parked a bit closer to town and did the walk up the street.  We had lunch at "the top pub" although I think we should have gone to the "bottom pub".  Poor Wally had to go to the bathroom almost immediately after.  Badly.  While she was in there I took advantage of the flora outside the toilet block.

Kept me out of mischief for a bit anyway.

Then we crossed the road and did the other side.  Wally's dream has been to see the pandas, so you can imagine how excited she was to find this:

What she is pointing to there is the initials TW, scratched onto the Panda's forehead.  She swears she hasn't been here before to do that... we wondered if her sister hadn't been here before her!

Eventually we decided, after spending more money, on afternoon tea at a dear little bakery, that had three tables with massive cow-hide covered chairs around them.  We chose a berry mousse type dessert and scones with jam and cream.  Lovely.

One of the more unique things we did was "make our own candles".  This little shop tucked up the back had some lovely (but expensive) candles.  They are made with wax particles which are melted.  We had the opportunity, for $14 each, to make our own.  Wally shouted, because it was a unique expereince.  The lass in the sorter advised us to keep them upright, but of course, that was near impossible.  This is what happend when you don't.  Each colour is a separate scent, but although mine didn't do too bad, poor Wally's all blended together.  She didn't mind at all.  This one is mine.  I tried for the rainbow look...

Eventually it was time to go home.  Dobby was waiting excitedly for our return.  I bought her a coffee cup with a delicious bubblegum scented candle inside it, so she was happy.

Chinese for dinner in front of the crime channel completed the day.

Friday Dobby got the day off school so she could go to the zoo with us.  Fluffy came back later that afternoon to pick her up and take her up to Port Wakefield with him, to give Wally and I some girlie time.  Bless him...

Pretty much the first stop (after the flamingos) was the Pandas.  This display was outside, and the girls had to stop for a pic.

Wally was in heaven.  Don't blame her really.  This one is Funi, she's the female.  She was happy just lying in the sun sleeping.

See Funi in the background?

This bloke is Wang Wang.  Wally nearly wet herself, because he was sitting so close outside eating.  It was wonderful to see them upclose and active.  Lovely creatures they are.

After the pandas we wandered about looking at the rest of the animals.  The seal feeding was interesting too, but I didn't put up any photos of that.

We walked through the bird sanctuary, and right inside the door was a black cockatoo.  He was jumping all around the railing, making himself quite known.  He was very friendly too, you could get right up close.  Dobby took her chances and he let her pat him very carefully.

Mum would have loved that bit.  I think we would have had a hard time getting her out of there.

These monkeys were cute.  They were the white-cheeked something or others.  The little white baby was playing with her black father.  It was sooo cute!

The other animals that took my fancy were these lemurs.  They always remind me (and everyone else I guess) of King Julian from Madagascar.  Lovely creatures they are.

Wally bought us both gifts from the gift shop (Dobby loves her owl, it went to Port Wakefield with her) and I love my bookmark and bag).  We dropped Wally off at the motel and Dobby and I came back to wait for Fluffy.

After they left I had time for a quick shower then off to pick up Wally for dinner.  We had to make a stop first to see a lady about some skin care samples.  That took a bit longer than I had planned but we eventually made it to the Buffalo Bistro. 

Adelaidians will know where I mean.  For the rest of you, the Buffalo is a ship that sits in the water at Glenelg.  It's a lovely old place, although it's not very busy.  I believe it's in a spot of financial bother too.  But the food (although in the uppper end of the price market) was fantastic and the service lovely.

Here are our desserts...

After dinner it was back home.  Wally was happy for me to drop her off home for an early night. On the way out to the car I dropped my scarf.  As Wally was bending down to pick it up an elderly lady walked past and farted.  Well Wally just lost it.  She says "that old lady just farted".  I'm giggling like a loon trying to get her to shut up, but she's adamant the lady should have said excuse me.  Very embarrassing but totally hilarious as well.  We couldn't stop laughing all the way home.  You just can't take some people out in public.

That evening, the frogs decided to croak.  Roger came for a look...

Saturday we had to drive up to Port Wakefield for the AGM.  This was an important one, as we had to vote in our name change.  Fluffy has a hammock set up outside the van.  Wally decided to try it out...

I didn't get any photos of her exit.  I was too busy laughing....

This tree stump was beside the caravan.  I was quite taken with the worm markings on it.

After the meeting, we acknowledged that the SAPI Caravan and Camping Club is no longer with a ceremonial lowering of the SAPI flag.

We are now known as the Family and Friends Caravan And Camping Club.  Here's to new beginnings.

Wally and I drove home after the flag lowering, and I said my goodbye's about 6.15pm.  I had a giggle actually because I had planned on letting Fluffy know I got home, but Dobby phoned me just as I was driving down the next street.  Had I gone directly home and not taken Wally back to the motel, I would have been just parking the car.  Great timing.

Anyway, last night I got the place to myself, nothing to do, no one to answer to.  I really have enjoyed the peace and quiet.  I sure did ned it.  Even the cat likes me again.  When Dobby is home he seems to gravitate to her (dunno why, she doesn't even like him).  So he has been sleeping on my bed and smooching all around me.  Lovely.

Today it's going to be a quiet morning, then off to buy some crickets for the frogs.  I have done one load of washing (sheets) then it's just the second load to do and vacuum the floors before the others come home.  I wonder when I can convince them to go away again?  I'm not sure if the cat misses the dog or is enjoying the quiet - at the moment he's asleep on the dog's bed...

Getting in touch with my inner criminal

Well, not really, but about the only exciting thing lately is what we did to day.  But I'll get to that shortly.

Boss left for overseas on Friday, so last Friday he presented me with an anniversary gift (I have been with the company for 5 years in August).  He recently updated his coffee maker and it came with a free milk frothed.  Before I figured how to use Fluffy's new coffee machine to make hot chocolate, I had asked boss what he was going to do with his.  So anyway, he gave me his.  I haven't needed to use it yet, but it was a lovely gesture.

Earlier this year he updated his laptop.  He also bought a second hand one from our geek for his wife to use.  Cost him $900.

Then, just a couple of weeks ago he updated again.  Then he gave his "old" one to Jane, and gave the ex-geek one to me.  There had been talk among the new people of buying me a laptop to solve my issues of sickness, days off, or leave etc.  So he organised with the geek to replicate my desktop onto the laptop.  The only thing being that I own it, not the company.

That's great.  Except while someone is in my chair (as they will be when Wally visits) I will have to leave it at work for them to use.  Ouch.  Lucky, I still have the old home Mac to use!

So, apart from that, not much has happened.  Yesterday I had to duck off to the shops, then came home, picked up Fluffy and we went up to the docs.  Apparently my iron levels are low again, and I am supposed to see the specialist about my achillies tendon.  Seems it needs a steriod injection.  Nice.  Down to Castle Plaza for a coffee together then I had a visit with the optometrist.  I have him my crap glasses I got from OPSM (don't EVER go to OPSM at Castle Plaza) and when they do the whole "is this better or worse thing" he actually showed me what my previous pair were like.  Absolutely crap.  No wonder I couldn't wear them.

Anyway, after that it was race down to Morphette Vale to pick up Dobby, back home for dinner.

Today I went for a quick visit to Marion for Dobby.  She wanted a particular jumper from Big W that they didn't have any more of.  But I was lucky enough to find a similar one in Best and Less (plus some new undies for me, about time).  Then race home and scoff a pie, pick up Dobby and off for a walk around the Old Adelaide Gaol.  That was fun.  A couple of weeks ago we did the historic walk around Adelaide, you may remember.  This tour was done by one of the ladies who did the walk.  It was good, I think I wouldn't mind doing it at night.  Wasn't scary like everyone said.  Although at one point Dobby said she felt something touch the back of her neck.  But then, she was a but jumpy.  But she was disappointed we didn't' get any ghost photographs too!

I did get some, and tried to put them up.  But after waiting an hour or more for them to upload, the screen wouldn't close and it wouldn't let me insert them.

So, if you want to see them, try this link:

PHOTOS

Other than that, quiet here.  I'm in a nice bit of pain but trying to cut down on the amount of baths I have a week.  Mind you, if ever there was a good day for one it's today.  Perhaps I'll just have one tonight.... with a hot chocolate and good book.

It's been a while

Since I've been on here.  Just because no one really reads this, and the gossip that I have I share with SOL every day anyway.

But, out of a sense of duty,  here I find myself again.

So, what can I waffle on about?  Oh, I know.  Things are on the move at work.  You may know that the business was up for sale.  A portion of that has been sold, and my new "boss" in Sydney has some great ideas for moving forward.

One of my biggest bug bears has been my lack of back up.  If I am sick or have to go away the pressure is really on me, as there is no one to really do my job in my absence.  The Boss's wife comes in when I am on leave to do invoicing, but even that is difficult for her (she is not a young lady anymore) and it's a lot to expect her to do.

So I try to limit the time I actually take off.

The new people have had two sets of visitors in the office recently, with the view of one of them, being single and flexible, can just jump on a plane and fill in for me.  She was in my office for a week, is also visiting again for two days  next week.  The other, the "other" boss himself, was over for three days.  We had some lovely chats (he is young and forward thinking) and when my friend Wally comes to visit, this fellow aims to spend the first three days of the week learning the basics of my job, so I can take the Thursday and Friday off and he'll "drive" my chair.  So long as I am contactable, it should work...

A few other suggestions that have been bandied about have been a laptop (so that if I am home sick I can still action the emails and other issues that arise, or if I have to stay home for personal reasons), and relieving me of some of my work load.

I am a bit reluctant to do that, because although there are days when I am pushed to the limit, there are others when I find myself slowing down.  If too much gets taken off I would find it necessary to drop a few hours (although I doubt it would ever come to that) so we'll play that one by ear.

But on the whole, their main focus has been on support for me.  It's all positive.

In other news, the frogs are doing well.  Now and then I am lucky enough to hear them croak.  Yesterday, while veging out here in the office, I heard them loud and clear.  Usually they are very quiet.  Dobby has been home on school holidays for two weeks (she goes back to school tomorrow, lucky her) and she said she has heard them croak quite a bit.  Nice.  They are fat frogs now, so I am trying to cut back on what I feed them.  But it's so much fun watching them it would be very easy to over feed them.  As it is, I have changed to feeding them every 3 days instead of 2.  There are still 3 distinct sizes, Tub-O-Lard being the biggest, Niggs being next and Petite the smallest.  However, Petite has grown a lot through hand feeding her (she only eats one cricket to Tubb's 3!).  Some times when you look at all three spread across the tank, it's hard to pick who is who.

The caravan club has it's AGM the weekend Wally comes to visit, so being the good friends we are, we are dragging her along with is.  I have to go to the meeting and I don't want to miss out on spending time, so it makes sense.  Plus, Fluffy is taking Dobby up Friday night, and Wally and I are going up Saturday, so we get some girlie time to sit and watch telly and eat take away.  Heaven! lol!

Well, it's almost eleven.  I am still sitting here in my jammies.  It's getting quite cold, and I have to pop out to buy crickets and Raspberry Fruchocs plus if I can find one, a cheap fan heater to put under my desk.  It's always cold in there even with the heater on.  Brrr!

So, catch you later.  Perhaps next week I'll have some more gossip to pass on.  Don't hold your breath though... :-)

Stupid oven

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....

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....

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.

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.  

 

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.

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!

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!