Kat's Cradle

Musings

2011-01-29T07:13:00.000+10:00

A week has passed since my last post and it's been a week of contrasts.

Right smack bang in the middle of week, Wednesday, was Australia Day, a public holiday. As usual, the weather was fine and hot and so the day was spent with family and friends around my daughter's and son-in-law's pool. Accompanying the water was yummy food and pink bubbles...no Australia Day is complete without pink bubbles...as well as fake tattoos of the Australian flag. This is in the spirit of celebrating all things Australian, you understand. It is mandatory that everyone sports a fake tattoo, placed anywhere on the body and some find the most interesting sites on which to place a tatt! It might have been a different story if the tattoos were real...

The next day, my youngest daughter posted on Facebook that she had that vital glowing and healthy look (otherwise known as sunburn). I had that look too. I think it had to do with the pink bubbles myself.

Yesterday (Friday) I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist to see if my cataracts had advanced enough to be removed. I figured it would be cheaper to do that than to keep having the lenses of my glass changed every few months. But sadly, no. I was given a script for new lenses instead. Oh well, the upside is that I can now see the road a bit more clearly when I drive...

Next month I have an appointment with a rheumatologist. Now that's a worry. One can't help thinking that rheumatitis equates to getting older. Oh wait...that's right, I am getting older...which was another event that happened during the last 10 days or so. I have officially been a pensioner for the last three years now, I have a pension card and a health care card to prove it. Anyway back to the rheumatology appointment...

A couple of months ago my left ankle became very sore and swollen overnight. This phenomenon also happened about five years ago. My first thought was gout, but an x-ray showed nothing. This time the doctor decided to do some blood tests and the rheumatology markers were raised...so he referred me to the rheumatologist. At least I get to have lunch with a friend, who works in the same medical centre...

I now go to yoga twice a week as a vacancy has come up in the Thursday morning class, much to my delight. I love yoga...especially this particular group. Our teacher is very good, the other ladies are a lot of fun (we're all of a "certain age") and the yoga stretches our minds as well as our bodies.

Jane's hand is completely healed and I passed your good wishes on to her, thank you very much. She's a fast healer, that one. We were worried she wouldn't be able to get in the pool on Wednesday, however she was able to swim and enjoy herself rather than sitting on the sidelines watching the rest of us.

We weren't able to go to the markets last week because of Jane's injured hand...she would have had trouble carrying things and she was too sore, anyway. So, tomorrow we're off. I need yoghurt, Jane needs the yummy organic sausages we buy and we are both hanging out for our weekly breakfast of Romanian pie. It's like a huge savoury pancake with bacon, feta, dill, spring onion, etc., with lemon juice squeezed over the top. We have half each and that, along with freshly brewed coffee, is our Sunday morning breakfast and it is soooo delicious! Occasionally we also buy cinnamon covered almonds, not too often, but as a treat to nibble on during the week.

* * * * * * * *

As if Queensland hasn't suffered enough, the poor people up north in Townsville are being monstered by a cyclone which is due to cross the coast Sunday or Monday. This cyclone, named Anthony, made it's appearance earlier in the week then drifted away from the coast as a low. Now it's turned itself into a Category 1 cyclone and has decided to pay a visit. Great...not!

Brisbane has got itself up and running again although the ferry services will be out of action for months, the River walk is going to take millions of dollars to repair and of course, some people's homes are ruined. But you can't keep people down for long and the optimism is quite palpable. How does the song go? "We get knocked down, but we get up again. You're never going to keep us down..." That about sums it up.

Have a nice weekend.

We Are Getting Over It!

2011-01-23T07:29:00.000+10:00

The big clean up of our city and surrounds is well and truly underway with thousand of volunteers from Australia as well as other countries pouring in to help. Already businesses and houses are being rebuilt, people are remaking their lives and schools will be opened tomorrow. Of course, there are exceptions with some businesses, schools and houses too bady damaged to be rebuilt or reopened immediately. However, the indomitable spirit of Australia shines through as does the sense of humour.

Some examples. A photo of our very swollen and swiftly flowing river showed a sign which said, "Missing since Monday, three goldfish." Another showed a flooded street and a notice announcing, "Caution. Wet surface", and still yet another example of the Aussie sense of humour. Someone had piled all their damaged and broken belongings on the median strip to await council pick up, with a notice, "Garage Sale". There were a lot more examples of humour in the face of adversity which goes to show that laughter is never far away and we really needed some light relief.

* * * * * * * *

On to other things...thank you for all the kind birthday wishes. I had a lovely time and my family also took me out for lunch, which was delicious. I just had an entree sized meal (I don't want to put on the weight I lost a couple of years ago!) of prawns and garlic sauce on basmati rice. It was absolute heaven on the taste buds.

A very funny incident happened during lunch. For some reason, we were talking about freckles (yeah, I know...we are weird) and Cooper, who is now four and a half, pipes up and says, "I got a freckle on my finger," and sticks up his middle finger in the age old gesture to show us. Of course, he was totally innocent of what it meant...it was just us adults who fell about in hysterics of laughter. However, because we were laughing, Cooper was laughing, too, but without really knowing why.

* * * * * * * *

You may or may not realise, but Jane and I go to the markets every Sunday morning to get our fruit, veges, meat and fish and anything else that may catch our eye. So yesterday, as usual we casually confirmed that we were still going. However, last night when I was watching the Australian Open on TV, a woeful Jane came over with her right hand all bandaged up. She had pulled a hot casserole dish out of the oven (using an oven cloth) and set it on the bench. She then checked a pot or something on the stove top, then turned around and grabbed the incredibly hot casserole dish...without the cloth! A trip to emergency ensued and she came home all bandaged up and not very happy at all. I'm going to pop over shortly to see how she is. Poor darling...she won't be able to work or drive anywhere for a while. I'll keep you posted.

* * * * * * * *

Margaret and I are planning a trip out west later on this year...during the Dry! We are taking the overnight train, "Spirit of the Outback" out to a town called Longreach which is where our national airline Qantas started. Qantas - an anagram for Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service. We will also be taking a coach trip to see the Stockman's Hall of Fame, petrified dinosaurs and evidence of the footsteps of a dinosaur stampede, as well as a cruise. This will all be first class and is at a good price.

Also four of us are planning a cruise up to the Whitsunday islands around August. It's for seven days and six nights. Toni and Darryl did that cruise last year and highly recommended it. By then, I'll be ready for a break. Gee, semi retirement is busy and I need to take some time out now and then...smirk. Anyway, that's this year's travel organised. Next year? I have my plans and will post about those later.

That's it for now. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Our Devastated City

2011-01-13T06:29:00.000+10:00

For graphic videos and pictures of Brisbane during the flood, click this link.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/

It's distressing to see our beautiful city so devastated. No power, domestic water supply threatened, limited transport and food shortages are just some of the things already being experienced. We have been asked to conserve water as one of the supply stations has been damaged. There is raw sewerage floating through the streets and the threat of E. coli is very real.

The State Emergency Service, Police, Red Cross and thousands of volunteers are doing a fantastic job. Roughly 30,000 homes have been affected, thousands are in evacuation shelters and of course, their pets are missing or dead. It's just too much to comprehend.

The whole State will be affected by this...the Port of Brisbane is closed and supplies are going to have to be airdropped or if possible, delivered by road. The supermarket shelves are almost empty. Because of the tsunami like wave of water in the Lockyer Valley, our fresh vegetable industry is no more. The farmers can't get their stock to the abattoirs, so no meat. Wheat exports will be badly affected. We have to boil our water and then there is the very real danger of mosquito borne diseases such as Ross River fever and malaria.

I'm so proud of my family. My daughter and her husband were out all day yesterday with their truck and trailer helping people move their belongings and will be out again today and for as long as it takes. My granddaughter and her friends have registered as volunteers to work all weekend from Friday evening on, after working a full week at work.

There are some dreadful stories coming out of people trying to save others and losing their own lives. But there are uplifting stories of people risking their lives, with no thought of their own safety, to help strangers.

The one blessing at the moment is that the sun is shining, which makes it harder to get one's head around the devastation. However, one of the worst things is the stench and then the clean up. It's going to take months, possibly years, before Brisbane is returned to its former self. But Queenslanders are a tough breed and in interviews, the most common attitude is "just to start all over again, there's nothing else to do".

It's the CBD and 32 river suburbs which are the most badly affected. Brisbane is Australia's third largest city and a major port for imports to the country. Unfortunately, those container ships will have to be diverted elsewhere. Three quarters of the State of Queensland has been declared a disaster area...our Premier, Anna Bligh, although I have never been a supporter of hers, has done a fantastic job of keeping everyone updated.

I must give credit to the Queensland Police Service who, through Facebook, have kept those of us with power or fully charged batteries informed with constant updates. There are stupid morons who disseminate false information and the Police are onto those immediately, putting people at ease that the dam walls are not going to collapse and so on.

Then, of course, there are the low lifes who have been looting. What sort of mongrels are they to steal from people already devastated by this disaster? They have been caught, which is wonderful to hear, and all I can say is, what goes around comes around and in those cases, will be well deserved.

We would be grateful for your prayers for our beautiful city and the poor souls who have lost everything. Thank you.

A Sombre Time

2011-01-11T07:01:00.000+10:00

It's been rain and floods of biblical proportions in Central Queensland over the last few weeks. People have been evacuated, some have lost everything, businesses are awash and roads are cut causing Outback towns and a major city to be isolated. Now the floods are heading our way. The Darling Downs city of Toowoomba was hit by a huge surge of water yesterday. People had no time to prepare...it was totally unexpected.

There was a horrifying situation caught on camera yesterday. We could see three people trapped in their car which had been washed off the road by an enormous wave of water. The woman in the passenger side had her head in her hands in despair. The car was slowly sinking. The next shot showed the three had managed to clamber out and onto the roof of the car...two adults and a child. The news helicopter notifed the SES and we heard later that one person was airlifted off in a very dangerous operation. We then heard that the car had disappeared with the two remaining people. I have never seen anything so terrible in all my life and felt absolutely powerless...those poor, poor people.

* * * * * * * *

Now the Government, Council and SES (State Emergency Service) have put Brisbane Metro on flood alert, especially residents living by the Brisbane river and creeks. During 1974, a massive flood devastated the city, which is built with the river running through the middle of it. To prevent such a flood happening again, Wivenhoe dam was built miles upstream.

Not so long ago, Wivenhoe was nearly empty...we were on very severe water restrictions and had suffered years of drought. Now, the opposite has occurred. The dam is more than full, all flood gates are open and water is pouring into the Brisbane river. However, the Lord Mayor is stressing that although there will be flooding, it won't be as bad as 1974. But he has warned people to be on alert and to prepare their properties and effects for the worst.

The Government has instituted a warning system where residents are notified by mobile phone that there is a flood alert in their area. My granddaughter received such a message yesterday and although she was aware of the danger, she appreciated being contacted.

So...is this phenomenon a natural disaster caused by "global warming", climate change or just the usual cycle of drought/flood that happens once every hundred years or so? Who knows? The boffins all have their theories, the churches have their beliefs and there are the pragmatic souls that put it down to the vagaries of nature.

Whatever the reason, people suffer and our hearts go out to them. That is evidenced in the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal which so far has reached just under $30 million. That is only a drop in the bucket (no pun intended) to what is needed. However, Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State has generously offered much appreciated support and Queensland thanks the US for this welcome gesture.

Although this all sounds rather parochial, we are well aware that there are other disasters of equal and greater proportions in other parts of the world and our hearts go out to those who are suffering. It is a sombre time indeed. But taking a leaf out of the book of the hardy souls in these disasters...we just need to get on with it and try to put lives back together as much as we can. Unfortunately, for some, it is too late...

Dear Blog...

2011-01-09T11:37:00.000+10:00

It has been so long since I posted that it's taken me half an hour to find out how to sign in!

I must apologise, dear Blog, for my shameful neglect of you and all the friends you have found for me. I have no excuses, just reasons which I won't bore you by listing. Let it be said that life has been hectic.

On with some of my doings of the past little while...

I spent Christmas and New Year in New Zealand with my family. Queensland has been a trifle damp for the last couple of months so it was lovely to see some sunshine for most of the time I was there. I flew in mid afternoon on Christmas Eve and was met at the airport by my brother with my mum and stepfather.

Christmas Day was spent on my cousin's farmlet...an absolutely idyllic spot with a lovely lake. We had a rather peculiar game of cricket, by peculiar I mean there were no rules and one was batting until sick of it. (I missed every ball...par for the course). There were lots of laughs and plenty of bubbles...which didn't really help the batting average.

A couple of days later we drove 2 hours north to see Brooke and Harry at their father's place. Most of their family were there and we had a lovely afternoon. They, too, are on a farm which runs right to the beach with the house on a hill giving the most wonderful outlook of the ocean and outlying islands.

New Year's Eve was quiet...out for dinner and then home by about 10.30 pm. None of us could be bothered staying up until midnight but Harold set the DVD to record the celebrations at Sky Tower, Auckland's casino, which we watched the next day.

I must admit I was pleased to get home to my own bed and to the cats. I put them in the cattery...much to their disapproval, they wouldn't look at me when I said goodbye. Anyway they were as pleased as I was to be home.

So, dear Blog, that is a little of what I've been doing. Even my book was placed on the back burner until the craziness of the silly season passed.

I'm still working and really enjoying it. I get asked, in total amazement by some, why I'm still working. Well, it keeps my brain active; I work my own hours (except leading up to Christmas, when the hours were loooong, to get the work out); I enjoy it and I have the most wonderful lifestyle because it's very well paid and besides, what else would I do? Talking of well paid...I had a lovely fat payrise plus an unexpected bonus for Christmas...why would I give that up?

Now I'm planning my next trip. A friend and I are talking about taking a week long trip out west (once it stops raining...in the Dry Season, hopefully) on the Spirit of the Outback. So we are going to meet in a couple of weeks to organise a time that suits us both and go from there.

The next overseas jaunt is the very strong likelihood of a cruise...I'll keep you posted on that one.

Below are a few photos taken in New Zealand...

One of NZ's native birds, the tui or parson bird, so called because of the tuft of white feathers at the throat. This one is feeding from the nector of the flax flowers.

This is the flower of an enormous water lily called the Victoria lily. The alien looking growth behind the flower is a new leaf pad, which will be about 2 - 3 m across when it opens fully.

My brother cooking bacon and eggs on the barbecue on Boxing Day.

I took a liking to this fish and the feeling was mutual!

But there's no love lost on this guy, a 5.1 m salt water or estuarine crocodile, originally taken from Darwin Harbour and now residing in a suitable habitat in Auckland, New Zealand.

Harry and Brooke with their great grandmother.

Pidgin English

2010-09-23T12:20:00.000+10:00

On Tuesday night I was watching QI hosted by Stephen Fry. QI is a quiz show with a difference. First of all, it has a very catchy reggae signature tune and secondly it has a panel of four who are nuts. The idea of QI is that the panel are asked a question, something like "Why don't pigeons like the movies?" The panel can be right or wrong but they must never be boring, hence QI - Quite Interesting.

At the end of this week's show Stephen gave us a piece of useless but quite interesting information. According to him, and who knows how he found out, but during an eclipse of the sun some years ago, an Australian Aborigine, when asked about the eclipse, replied, "Kerosene lamp belong Jesus gone buggerup."

Now, I quite liked that and before I went to bed last night, posted the definition on Facebook. No explanation, just that. This morning I had three comments. One from my daughter (whom you may know as Flossy) who asked if I had been drinking again (charming), another from Liz (Finding Life Hard ) who said it made perfect sense to her and third comment from my grandson in Holland who replied with a comment which was worse than the pidgin English.

So, out of those three, one knew what I was talking about...which goes to prove that 1 out of 3 people is as warped as I am.

And the reason why pigeons don't like the movies? Disregarding the weird and wacky answers the panel came up with, apparently they see movement a lot faster than we do. As one panel member commented, "Going to a movie for a pigeon would be like watching a slide show".

Food and Flowers

2010-09-21T16:29:00.000+10:00

Jane and I have been going to the markets every Sunday morning for the last couple of months. We leave home at 5.30 am (not much fun in the middle of winter) and head off. The first market we hit is where we get our meat, fish and eggs...organic and soooo tasty.

The second market is where we buy our fruit and veg, plus Greek style yoghurt and I get my organic sour dough rye bread there as well. That market also has a lot of bric a brac so after we've had coffee and breakfast, we spend an hour or so looking for something to read, cheap clothes, etc, before buying our produce.

But let me tell you about the yoghurt. I love yoghurt but I will never buy it from the supermarket again, not after tasting the stuff I buy every Sunday. It's organic, rich, creamy and the flavours are to die for. There is plain, mixed berry, mango, apple and cinammon (my favourite), lemon and myrtle and raspberry and coconut. Just delicious with fruit and muesli.

At the moment strawberries are very cheap and we bought a kilo of first grade fruit for $3...bargain. Mangoes were available for a while but we haven't seen any for the last couple of weeks. They were first on the market in early August thanks to last summer's rain. There is a bit of a lull at the moment, but soon the mango season will begin in earnest.

Not only do I get my own meat, fish, eggs, veg etc, but I also shop for my daughters. Consequently we take Jane's station wagon (my car is far too small), a couple of eskies with ice bricks, our trolleys and extra bags. By the time we've finished Jane's car is rather full.

We have bagged some really good clothing bargains, too. There is one lady who sells all her clothes for $2 a piece. She has good quality stuff, all freshly washed and sorted into size. So far, I've bagged two pairs of jeans (one pair are pink), and a pair of shorts. Jane's just about refurbished her whole wardrobe. At another stall I bought a beautiful cardigan in a lovely dusky pink, brand new for $3. It's winter weight but will be great for next year.

Last week a couple had pots of hippeastrums for sale, some in flower, some in bud but due to open in a day or so. What caught our eye were a couple of hippeastrum with double flowers...neither of us had seen anything like it before...so Jane bought one. I put a photo below...it's just beautiful.

So...that's what we've been up to over the last couple of months. Also, after about three attempts I've finally been successful in getting on to Facebook...wonders will never cease. Already I've caught up with members of family who are living overseas and whom I haven't seen for years. Good stuff.

Right...here are some photos.

Jane's double hippeastrum

This is a bromeliad flower...they look like berries

My daughter and son-in-law gave me this for Mother's Day. It's not as showy as it usually is...it has flowered non stop since May. All I do is keep it well watered and it's absolutely covered in these pretty pink flowers. Don't ask me what it is...no, it's not a primula, although it looks similar.

Pink begonia flowers...everything is very pink today.

Facebook..grrrr!

2010-09-04T21:30:00.000+10:00

Facebook is a pain in the arse! I decided to open a Facebook account/page/wall...whatever. What a piece of work that was.

To cut a long story short...I needed to enter my mobile phone number (I really don't like that at all, but without it I can't get onto the damn site). So I did that, received a confirmation email with a verification code which I duly entered as requested...only to be told that someone else has my phone number! Now that's one hell of a worry.

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned Facebook can get stuffed. I was on it last year (and no, I never put my mobile number on) and ended up with a virus, so I guess I'm being told something.

Just thought I'd have a bit of a rant...

Hello, Hello, Hello, Hellooooooo

2010-08-27T21:28:00.000+10:00

The title is my Stephen Fry impression...as on QI.

Life is rather interesting at the moment...actually it has been for the last couple of months. My new job is going well...I work four hours a day and earn more than twice the amount I did in the other job. For those who want to know, I only retired from going out to work, as in driving to the train station, travelling 40 mins into the city, spending eight hours a day bashing away on a keyboard then returning to the train and driving home from the station. OK, it was only two days a week, but I was heartily sick of it. So I decided to work from home permanently. And for those of you who are interested, I am a medical typist and my current job is typing doctors' letters for the surgeons in a large private practice orthopaedic clinic.

I actually used to work there when they first started the practice about eight years ago. At that stage, there were three surgeons, a receptionist and me. Then they hired a fourth doctor and some more staff. Now there are nine doctors, each with their own secretary plus four off site typists and a two or three other people who do whatever.

The practice manager is a friend of mine and a couple of years ago she rang me and asked if I wanted to work for them from home but I turned it down. However, a couple of months ago, I was getting totally fed up with the other crowd and decided to ring my friend. After catching up on the news, she asked if I wanted to meet for lunch but I said no, that wasn't the reason I rang...I actually wanted a job. She said ok and that was it...I had a new job.

When I'm not doing that, I'm working on my book which is now on the fourth draft. Boring...

Early on Sunday mornings Jane and I brave the cold and hit the markets. We go to two...the first to buy our meat and fish; the second to get our fruit and vegetables, as there is more variety and they are cheaper than the first. The second market also has mainly bric-a-brac stalls so it's great to poke around and see what we can find.

Any spare time is taken up with family, grocery shopping, paying bills and buying shoes...I've bought two more pairs. Summer shoes this time. No comments, please...

Oh, by the way. The real reason for this post is to tell you Jane has a new baby...Gemma.

This is Gemma, a ruby King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. I couldn't get a very good photo of her...she just doesn't keep still. I think she's hyperactive. She and Kayla (see below) have a wonderful time tearing around the lawn. They play together for hours, then flop in a heap and pass out from exhaustion.

Kayla...little cutie she is.

Ken...he was watching me trying to get a photo of the dogs and laughing his silly head off...so I snapped him!

Right...that's it. I'm coming to visit you, now.

Spending the Kids' Inheritance...What Fun!

2010-07-27T13:44:00.001+10:00

Jane and I have been going to the Sunday markets lately...yes, that's right. In the cold weather, we've been heading off at about 5.15 am to bag the bargains. (Pardon the pun, which you will understand when you read on).

At the moment it's our strawberry season, so Jane's been getting jam strawberries and making her wonderful jam. With lemonade scones and whipped cream...you ain't tasted anything until you taste Jane's scones.

The range of fruit and vegetables at the markets is amazing and there are Asian veges there that I've never seen before...real strange looking things. If I remember, I'll take my camera next time and get some photos. One of you may know what they're called, how they're cooked and what you use them for...

I have a wheat intolerance and have trouble sometimes finding bread with no wheat added. I can eat rye and oats as gluten doesn't bother me and last week I found a rye sourdough loaf that was to die for. It had that wonderful crusty top and when I got home, I cut off a thick slice and had it with loads of butter and vegemite...my idea of heaven. However, after demolishing that loaf, I decided against buying it every week or I'd be deserving of the name Mrs Michelin...

But...I've been getting some bargains in other things, Over the last couple of weeks, I've bought four handbags. When I told Suzie that, she asked me why I was collecting handbags. "Because they're there," I replied. At $25 each brand new, who cares why I'm buying them...

During the week, I decided I needed some new joggers. My current ones are so battered and disgusting looking, they're only suitable for gardening in now. I tried a few pairs on and they were ok, but then the shop assistant showed me some new ones that had just come on to the market. Oh, my feet were in heaven. Wearing these shoes is like walking on a cloud. They are so light, have a very good arch support and fit like gloves, so I bought those.

Now once I'm in a shoe store, I can't see the point of leaving until I've had a good look round, which I did. Much to my delight, I found a pair of brand name leather wedge heeled smart black court shoes. They were originally $130 but I got them for $90. So two pairs of shows for under $200...not bad, I thought.

Below are some photos...

One,

Two,

Three, and...

Four!

The last word in comfort for walking

How are these for smart?

Ok, I hear you say, I didn't spend an awful lot of the kids' inheritance on the above. Well, I've also booked a flight to New Zealand over Christmas and New Year...I should be able to get rid of a bit more during that time...

Take care of yourselves until I next put up a post.

Hello, it's your long lost blogger friend...

2010-07-11T12:17:00.000+10:00

deciding to do a spot of blogging. Yes, yes...I know. Shock, horror, whatever...That's all I'm going to say on the subject.

Since I last posted, there has been a change in the work scene for me. At 65, I've found myself another job. I'm still working from home for four hours or so a day, but getting heaps more for it. I used to work for this particular orthopaedic practice about eight or nine years ago. A friend of mine is the practice manager and a couple of years back she rang me and asked if I would work for them again. It wasn't the right time then, but about a month ago the timing was impeccable. I really enjoy this work and it's lovely to be back with them...even if it is off site.

Three friends have had babies in the last month...one lady who I used to work with, had twins; our neighbour had a little girl and another friend I worked with until recently is having a C section on 14th. As well as these three, the manageress of the bookshop where we have our monthly writers' group meetings had a little boy in May. I'm surrounded by fertile women...thank God it's not catchinig!

Last Thursday was my youngest daughter, Suzie's 40th birthday. I had said I'd take her out for lunch, however, it was the last week of the school holidays and Harry was over visiting from New Zealand, so we decided to leave it for a few days. Then around Tuesday last week, Gabbie phoned me and asked me to take Suzie to lunch as she, Brooke and Harry were planning a surprise evening for her. Gabbie had told her mother she'd cook dinner for her that night.

I love partaking in surprise events for people...all the secrecy, biting of tongues and skulduggery that goes on...great fun. The kids wanted to get their mother out of the house for at least the afternoon so I thought it was a good time have the birthday lunch. We duly went to the Springfield Tavern where Jane's brother, Roger, is the chef. Unfortunately, he had gone home sick so we missed him, but still had a lovely lunch. Suzie had a fillet of Tasmanian salmon with Hollandaise sauce and Asian greens and I had Springfield chicken, which is breast with avocado, semi-dried tomatoes and Camembert cheese on a bed of sweet potato mash accompanied with vegetables. We both had a glass of wine as well.

After that, we thought we'd better walk it off in the Orion Shopping Centre as well as seeing what was on sale. Some shops are putting spring stuff out already...yay. I've had enough of winter. After about an hour and a half, it was time for a coffee and after that then drove back to my place. Suzie wasn't allowed home until 6.30, so she jumped online and looked for a dress for Brooke's grade 12 formal. What the girls are doing here, is going onto the American websites, ordering their dresses and having them sent to Australia. The styles and fabrics are to die for and there is soooo much choice. With the exchange rate and postage added in, the price is about the same as here, but with the attraction of the dress being sent from the USA. Great resale value.

We spent a lovely couple of hours browsing through the designer's websites and I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were. I've decided I'm going to have a look for next year's winter clothes that way...for me!

We finally left to go to Suzie's place which is about a half hour's drive from me. I waited until Suzie had driven off, then packed all the food I had prepared that morning into an esky, grabbed a bottle of wine and followed her. The kids had put up party balloons and streamers and those invited were there waiting for the birthday girl . Suzie knew her kids were up to something, but wasn't sure what. When she mentioned it to me...I just gave a non committal "Oh yeah" and didn't say anymore.

We had a lovely evening. I didn't stay too late as I was going to the markets with Jane the next morning and had to be up at 4.30 am. Three of Gabbie's friends arrived and everyone was making noises about finishing off the rest of the evening at the local pub where there was live music. Whether they did or not, I didn't wait to find out. Let's just say that by the time I left, a few sore heads were well in the making....

I've been working hard on my essay for our writers' group anthology, which we hope to publish early next year, as well as working on my book. I was looking for a publisher a few weeks ago and found a local one. Deciding it would be nice to support local business, I duly emailed a submission and a couple of chapters only to have it bounce back. When I mentioned this at our last meeting, two others had the same experience. As one said, the company was in business for a week...and we missed it!

I hope all is well in your world. Below are some photos I thought you might like to see. Now, I'm off to visit your blogs.

I couldn't resist this...it's a web made by a St Andrew's cross spider, so named for obvious reasons.. If you enlarge the photo, you'll see her behind her very artistic web.
.

The birthday girl hamming it up with her glass of red.

Who brung this lot? A lovely photo of Brooke...pity about the rest.

A family photo...and Brooke gets her own back. From L to R. Brooke, me, Suzie, Gabbie, Harry

Like mother...

like daughter.

When she was young, every time I took a photo, Suzie's head and grin would be in it somewhere. Nothing's changed...and her daughter does the same thing,

A Brush WIth the Law and Do I Have a Cold or Don't I?

2010-06-14T16:51:00.001+10:00

Life is very interesting, but some days it's more interesting than others.

Take yesterday, f'rinstance. It's a beautiful Sunday morning, the middle day of a three day long weekend. I decide to go to our local shops about 5 or 6 km away to get a few bits and pieces...notably some cough drops, but I'll come to those later. As I drove in, I noticed a police car to my right with its red and blue roof lights on, and another car. Someone's been caught, I thought to myself. I drove on, noticed that the first of the two carparks was fairly empty and drove in...right under police crime scene tape.

"@#%^*@!!!!" I said, "now what?" I looked up and saw a copper coming towards me shaking his head. I also noticed why the carpark was empty, apart from several police cars and two forensic units. I opened the car door as the copper came over and apologised rather sheepishly.

"I just didn't see it." I explained.

"You didn't see it?" He sounded rather astonished.

"Hey," I replied, "I didn't expect our quiet little shopping village to be crawling with you blokes on a Sunday morning. It's not usual round here."

He held up the tape for me to back out. Just at that time everyone else decided they wanted to leave or enter the shopping village...I must take the tell tale transfers off the back window...my car is far too conspicuous.

It's amazing how strong that tape is. I mean I barrel through it and it didn't even give, let alone break. Anyway, the reason why the place was knee deep in coppers was because some idiots tried to blow up the two ATMs...

* * * * * * *

Now for the cough drops. I've been sniffling and sneezing with sinus and allergies for the past two or three days...so I thought. It felt as if someone had punched my head and nose and my eyes felt twice their size...but I felt worse than usual and I was starting to cough. I mean I do have asthma so coughing is not unusual, but this was a different cough.

I tried antihistamines with no luck. I steamed my head over a basin of eucalyptus and hot water. That didn't make much difference, either.

I was whinging to Jane about bloody allergies not really noticing that she was giving me strange looks. She then said to me,

"Have you thought that you might have a cold?".

Now I don't get colds. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had a cold. But, it made sense and it explained why I was feeling so lousy. It's also the reason why I drove under the police tape...well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Posting Once a Fortnight??

2010-06-06T17:40:00.000+10:00

Yep, it seems that I only get around to blogging once a fortnight now. However, I've been doing lots in that time.

My youngest granddaughter turned 16 last week. This is a girl who's very quick witted but extremely laid back, much to her mother's frustration at times. She is a very talented netballer...her position is shooter and her stats are 98%...without trying particularly hard. If she actually had a little fire in her belly, who knows what she could do, but...that's her.

Then Cooper turned four...can you believe it? He's enrolled to start Prep next year...I feel so old (not really).

Last Sunday a friend and I went to Tamborine Mountain. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a bitterly cold westerly blowing. After fortifying ourselves with a cup of coffee, we explored Gallery Walk, up one side and down the other, with all the other hardy souls braving the cold wind. However, once we were walking, it wasn't too bad; or we were so cold there was no feeling...have to work that one out. There are some very clever people who have shops in that stretch. Artisans of all kinds and we had a wonderful time peering at this and that and marvelling at people's imaginations.

I had packed a picnic lunch (quiche, salad and a yummy chocolate brownie for afters), which we had sitting in the car. It was too cold to eat anywhere else. We had a stroll around the Sunday markets and I scored a rather nice photo frame. It didn't cost anything...the lady who had the stall said that what was on this particular table she had was free, so I spied the photo frame and grabbed it.

After leaving Tamborine, we stopped at the Bearded Dragon Hotel where there was a band playing in the grounds, had a drink and sat and listened for an hour or so. Very pleasant indeed.

Today, it was Cooper's fourth birthday party. His actual birthday was Thursday but his party was today. My daughter had arranged for some widelife people to come up from the Gold Coast with a range of native animals, which had been hand reared, for the kids to hold and pat. The kids were so good and the animals so quiet it was really quite civilised in that no one was bitten or eaten...

Here are some photos.

The birthday boy dressed in his khakis. His top says "Raised by Chimps". I must admit before I saw the whole word, I thought it was going to say "Raised by Wimps"...

With a bearded dragon

And a carpet snake

His all time favourite, a baby salt water crocodile

A tawny frogmouth...so called because of their wide mouth.

I get snaky

My turn to hold the dragon

A green tree frog. This one comes from the southern states and is a paler green than the Queensland tree frogs, with yellow spots on his back. A very pretty frog.

Cooper holds the tree frog

A squirrel glider. I couldn't get a better photo because it kept going after the pot of honey, but as you can see from the keeper's hand, they're not very big. We have a colony of these in one corner on our block of land. Unfortunately, cats like getting them, that's why my two are indoor cats...unfortunately there are cats around that aren't kept indoors at night and they kill these beautiful little creatures.

Life is Busy

2010-05-23T11:37:00.000+10:00

For some reason or other, the pace has picked up lately. Apart from the work I do at home, I gave my daughter a hand in their business the other day, I've been helping Jane out with her work, then mum was worried that she hadn't heard from her brother who lives on the other side of the country (it was cheaper for me to ring him than for her to ring), so that was a long chat...but it was lovely to speak with him; then my youngest daughter rang and asked me to go shopping...had to do that, just to keep an eye on her! So what with one thing and another my blog writing, as well as other writing, have taken a back seat.

However, I have been taking photos...the camera has been in use, anyway, with the thought that I'd eventually get a post done. See...I do think of you all...

These two photos below are from a fishing trip I went on last Sunday. Didn't catch anything, it was more of a fish feeding exercise. The pod of dolphins hanging round didn't help much either. They were rounding up the fish for a good feed and wouldn't chase them our way, although it was lovely to see dolphins.

We went out onto the Broadwater from Runaway Bay down on the Gold Coast and eventually anchored just north of Couran Cove (sorry, Queenslanders will know where I mean). On the way to this spot we passed a couple of interesting homes...have a look:

This one is built over three acres at a cost of approximately $A30 million...that's right...$30m. Some bigwig in business is building it. It's so long, one would need a golf buggy to go from one end to the other. However, it would be very handy if one had a row with one's spouse...they could disappear quite easily and wouldn't be found for a week!

Now this one belongs to the Big Kahuna of Nike Australia. See the swoosh on the roof? I guess that makes the house a tax write off because it's advertising. Good thinking...

Nothing like starting 'em young...

Cooper mowing the lawn with the hand mower. Well, he has to learn sometime...

Remember, I had previously mentioned our peculiar weather...the seasons out of whack and so on? Check these out...

One of the two magpie chicks that I've been feeding lately.

A frangipani that still thinks it's summer. These trees are deciduous and usually bare by the end of March, early April. This photo was taken last week...as you can see, it's still flowering and has all its leaves.

A cattleya orchid with the same problem...the flowers, I mean. They don't die down.

Another cattleya orchid...love the colours. I've never seen one with these colours before.

I trust you're all well and enjoying your life, and if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope the weather is just lovely for you...notwithstanding Icelandic volcanoes spewing dust through the atmosphere.

Exhausted!

2010-05-03T06:55:00.000+10:00

My youngest daughter decided to have a garage sale and I suggested she have it here, as it was more central. A friend of hers also had a lot of stuff to get rid of, I rummaged around and found things to add and Jane had a few bits and pieces as well. All in all, we had a pretty good lot of things for people to browse through.

The ad was in the paper for a 6 am start on Saturday morning. We were up until 11 pm Friday night setting up trestles, putting everything on display to best advantage and pricing. None of us slept particularly well, fearing we'd sleep in. However, I was awake at four...had set the alarm for five...you'd think I'd go back to sleep, but no. At 4.30 am I got up and had a shower then put coffee on while my daughter used the bathroom (she stayed overnight...I wasn't going to be the only bunny at 6.00 am, staving off the hordes). It was a trifle chilly, being 01 May and all, but not too bad.

People came and went. Some bought something, some didn't. However, it wasn't particularly busy and I couldn't understand why...then the light went on. Long weekend equals people away and winter Saturday morning equals kids' sports. We really must learn to plan things better...

Anyway, we sold a little but between the four of us, we didn't make $300, which was disappointing.

A couple of browers.

Anyone want a camp bed, a tv or an ornamental fish to hang on the wall? No? How about an underbed storage container?

Have a cupcake...they're only $2 each and are delicious!

How about a book? Recipe books, craft magazines, children's reading, fiction...even a Macquarie Dictionary (I've got an Australian Oxford).

Pretty containers for the kitchen, vintage trios or some craft items.

Kids' toys

A small selection of the clothes and bags we had.

We started packing up at about 11.30 and tallied up our takings. I made the grand total of $35, Jane made $10 but spent $33! My daughter did the best...she made over $100.

I was exhausted after that little lot and only three and a half hours' sleep and decided that's the last time I have a garage sale here. I'll either take stuff to the op shop or see if I can flick them on Ebay.

A Quick Catch Up

2010-04-18T17:40:00.000+10:00

Ken's home from hospital, looking slightly the worse for wear after a week there. His nasty kidney infection is better but he's not too impressed because he's been told to modify his lifestyle. Eat better food (he has a terribly sweet tooth and loves pies and pasties, too), lose weight and exercise more. Smirk...

He's a big man, by that I mean tall...6 ft 5 in but he has put on too much weight over the last year and is complaining about a sore hip. I bluntly told him a few weeks ago to lose weight, and he looked a little sheepish. However, I think they probably got stuck into him at the hospital, because he is making a concerted effort to eat better. I told him that when he gets his strength back properly, I'll walk with him...just around the property at first and then gradually increase it. He agreed to that...I even offered to hold his hand!

* * * * * * * * *

Regarding the webcam. A couple of people (my brother amongst them), told me about Skype. So I've signed on to that...apparently that's the most popular app for webcamming. My problem is to remember to log in to Skype so people can see I'm online...

Okay, not much news at the moment. I'm still alive, for which I'm supremely thankful, as I don't much like the alternative...

Great News and a Worry

2010-04-10T11:06:00.000+10:00

The first of the great news is that I've just bought a webcam...I've arrived into the 21st Century, technologically speaking. So...if you want to chat, email me and I'll give you the email address I use for the webcam.

* * * * * * * *

The worry is Ken. He's back in hospital with a really nasty kidney infection, poor old sausage. It hit him very suddenly on Thursday night and yesterday morning, he looked very ill. Jane took him to the doctor who gave Ken antibiotics but they didn't do any good...so, it was off to hospital this morning. I'll keep you updated.

* * * * * * * *

Now here's the best news of all. Remember I told you my daughter won a car a few weeks ago? Well, she was presented with it this morning and in turn, she presented it to her mother-in-law, whom we got there under false pretences. Joan was speechless, but oh, does she love her new car. She can now get rid of her old petrol guzzling, unreliable old clunker and zip around in her little Hyundai Getz.

The local newspaper was there, so they'll have their photos in the paper, too. Joan couldn't really understand why she had to go to the produce store with her daughter to buy horse food...then she realised, and said that there were funny little things that now added up.

Here are some photos...

Toni is presented with the keys and...

then gives them to Joan, with a nice speech.

Joan trying out her car with Toni as passenger.

With the new car

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T07:55:00.000+10:00

Happy Easter to All. I hope you've had a lovely long weekend with your loved ones.

My Easter has been family, friends and dogs! On Saturday our friend, Naomi, came to visit with her two "boys", Bentley and Major Happyfeet. We ended up having wine o'clock (surprise, surprise). Jane had a bottle of pink bubbles and I had some asti spumante I had received as a birthday gift. Ooooh, it was nice. I hadn't had asti for about 40 odd years. My parents used to have a licensed restaurant back then, and asti was the drink of choice. I rang my mum on Sunday and mentioned to her what we'd been drinking and she said the mention of it took her back to those days. That was also the last time she'd had asti, too.

Anyway, the evening was lovely, except for the bities which were out in full forces. I have their legacy on my feet to prove it and the itching has been driving me nuts for the last couple of days. However, I'll get over it...

Sunday, I spent with my daughters and grandchildren. My eldest daughter was at a dog show in the morning, so I had lunch with my youngest daughter and her two girls, then called in to see No 1 Daughter (Cooper's mum) later in the afternoon. I know one thing...I'm all chocolated out. Well, for the time being, anyway.

I took a couple of photos of Naomi's two boys...

Bentley, the Sharpei. A big gentle boofhead of a dog. Actually, he's not that big yet...still has a way to go.

I love his worried wrinkles and sloppy grin.

Major Happyfeet smiling beautifully for the camera. He's a very energetic little Pomeranian, who thinks he's a jack in a box.

A Report from Party Central

2010-03-29T13:06:00.000+10:00

I've just realised this is my 500th post. I think it's taken almost five years...or is it four?...to reach that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TONI AND FRED!

Anyway, to last Saturday. The day was busy...there were people everywhere...the lawns were mown and tidied around the edges, the marquees raised and the tables and chairs set out. Decorations were made and balloons were blown up, which worried the animals at little, especially when the odd one burst. I tried to bring Ebony into my place but when the cats came to see what was going on, Ebony decided discretion was the better part of valour. Not that the cats are frightened of her, far from it, but I guess Ebs didn't feel too comfortable. So I put her inside at her own place.

Anyway, Jane's kitchen was humming with activity (Jane had taken the boys to their respective soccer games...which both teams won). Fred's nieces and nephew and various out-laws had taken charge.

Around about three, the band arrived. We couldn't get our usual band, you know, Jacquie, Greg and Nigel. The boys were up the coast at a gig and Jacquie was partying with us. At one stage, I happened to glance out the window and saw a huge bank of speakers. My God! I thought. Then Kylie, Fred's niece, asked me if I had taped my windows up! I was starting to wonder about it all...as I think Ken was. The band started a sound check and the music sounded pretty good. But it was only a sound check... There were six guys plus a couple of female vocalists all up...almost an orchestra. Apparently they were friends of Kylie's.

People started arriving about 6.30...the usual suspects plus a few strays. There were lots of nibbles and we sat around and talked for a bit until dinner was served. During this time, the band was playing relatively quiet reggae (if reggae can be quiet...but we could hear ourselves talk). After everyone had eaten, then things really got started. The sound was cranked up and people jumped up to dance.

We had Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Guns'n'Roses and some great classic Aussie rock by AC/DC (or AccaDacca in Australianese), Cold Chisel and Australian Crawl, to name a few. It was pretty good stuff. One of the band members was very versatile...he played saxophone, keyboards and harmonica. The bass player also took his turn on the drums. There were three, sometimes four, vocalists. They made some good noise...and I guess we kept the neighbourhood in the surrounding 5 kms awake.

All quietened down at midnight "before the coppers arrived" as the band leader said. I did suggest they carrying on playing until that happened...

The next day, I was very subdued. I really can't take these late nights/ early mornings the same as I used to. I only had a couple of glasses of wine, but drank four 600 ml bottles of iced water...the temperature was rather warm that night, especially as I was doing a lot of dancing. The next day I was meeting a friend for brunch, fortunately not until 11 o'clock, so that wasn't so bad. I did think at one stage, that maybe the day after a party wasn't very good planning, but what the hell...

Black and white was the theme...

The Twins' Rogue's Gallery

Not sure if this can be read but it says "Happy 20th Anniversary of your 30th Birthday", which is quite a witty way of saying Happy 50th Birthday, I think.

The band, plus the obligatory esky of Four X in front, to keep their throats from drying out...yeah, right!

Girding our Loins...

2010-03-20T16:12:00.000+10:00

Next Saturday is another party...not that we have very many of them (ahem). Fred and his twin sister, Toni, turn 50! So it's all on...again.

Preparations are going on. Foodwise, Jane is going to cook three pork roasts tomorrow, I've donated heaps of stuff I had in the freezer from my party. Yummy things like spanokapita, sausage rolls, mini dim sims and spring rolls, etc. They always go down well and now I have a lot more room in the freezer!

Fred and Toni went out shopping for the do today and came back from the Plaza with bags full of interesting and exciting things. Jane is being driven mad from the phone continually ringing with people accepting, or not, as the case may be.

Ken sits outside on his little patio, watches the fun and games and keeps well away...wise man. Me? I do the same...

I'll let you know how the celebrations go.

Oh, yes, it's being held here...at least I don't have to drive anywhere...

The Garden Grows...Again

2010-03-15T17:15:00.000+10:00

The flowers in the garden just don't know what season it is. Fred's orchids are bloomin' wonderful...for the second time this summer. It's been the rain...we've had lots and there's more on the way with a cyclone approaching the Queensland coast which should arrive about Wednesday, according to those who know these things.

The driveway was finally done on Saturday after being put off for a week...and then it bucketed down on Sunday. We wondered if the drive was going to cope or wash away again. But a good job was done and we still have a lovely smooth drive down to the gate rather than oh, so slowly driving over the deep ruts.

Anyway, here are some photos of the second blooming...

One of Fred's orchids

I love the perfection of this "Fruit Salad" frangipani flower

A strange looking ginger flower...well the flower is the cream part and they grow underneath the foliage. It's very invasive so Fred is going to pull it out and put some in a pot rather than letting it take over.

An enormous crow's nest fern. This is how they grow in the rainforests, big and lush. The tree trunk is actually rather large, it doesn't really show in the photo.

Another orchid

A beautiful cymbidium

I think this is the little Cooktown Orchid, which is the floral symbol for Queensland.

So that's what we've got at the moment. Hopefully the winds from the cyclone (which is Category 5, by the way), don't ruin these lovely blooms.

Good Things Come in Threes?

2010-03-12T20:36:00.000+10:00

My eldest daughter rang me, quite incoherent with excitement. The reason? She'd won a car! It's a Hyundai Getz (like mine). When I asked her what she was going to do with it as it was too small for their family and they have a 4WD anyway, she wasn't sure. However, later on she rang again and told me she had decided what to do. She's going to give the car to her mother-in-law, who has an ancient enormous old station wagon that costs and arm and a leg to fill up with petrol. Plus it's almost on its last legs and she doesn't like driving it too far.

So by giving her MIL the new car, my daughter is giving her more freedom and independence. As you can imagine, her hubby is rapt. But they're not saying anything to MIL as yet. My daughter is going to ask her to come to the presentation and when she gets the keys, is going to go over and give them to her MIL. Isn't it exciting?? I've asked her to let me know when the presentation is and I'll try to get some photos.

Then I had another phone call today from my younger daughter, who also sounded over the moon, and she is moving closer to a place with 3 acres so she can have her vege garden, chooks and a goat! She wants a milking goat so she can make goat's milk cheese (which I love) and also for the milk. So it's all go for her as she moves on 27 of this month.

Also, their netball club has been given a $96,000 grant from the local council to go towards upgrading and adding new netball courts. They found out from a journo from the paper who was at the council meeting last night...they didn't know until then!

I went to my writing group last night and we have decided to put out an anthology at the end of this year. So our assignment for next month's meeting is to do a draft of an essay we'd like to put in the book. We['re all pretty excited about it because our group has only been going for about 14 months and membership is growing all the time.

That's my news for the moment. I hope the world is treating you well.

A Very Proud Granddaughter

2010-03-07T15:48:00.000+10:00

Here's a very proud Gabbie with her very first car, which she had owned when this photo was taken, for three days. That's her youger sister, Brooke. hamming it up at the back.

New and Old Faces

2010-03-06T14:42:00.000+10:00

Kayla, Jane's baby. This little dog has such a beautiful temperament. She takes it for granted that everyone loves her...and they do.

Hooks looking outraged because I'd called her an old tart...well, she is. I wondered why the photo was so dark...I'd forgotten to turn the flash on.

First new face. Charcoal, one of two Dexters that Fred and Roger bought.

This is Rusty, the second one. Apparently they're being grown for the freezer. I don't think I can handle that.

Finally, Bella the secretary cat, loafing on the job.

Another Car Drama

2010-02-23T19:27:00.000+10:00

Like the softie I am, I said I would work for a friend of mine while she was on leave for a couple of weeks. This was in the city where I used to work for a group of doctors.

So, I got myself up bright and early, drove off merrily on my way and all went well until I hit the highway. From there to the city, it was nose to tail for about 30 km. I eventually made it into the CBD, thinking I wasn't too late for work...and my car died...in the middle of three lanes...in peak hour traffic.

I rang my boss (or ex boss...whatever) and told him what had happened, then rang for roadside assistance (Thank God for RACQ!). Peter, my boss, arrived first, tinkered around and said he thought it was the battery. The Traffic Response Unit guy arrived and agreed but added he thought it could also be the alternator.

I had the car towed to a service station where they said I could safely leave it, went to work and phoned my mechanic. He also thought it was the alternator and said he'd be out tomorrow at 10.30 am, bless him.

I rang RACQ and arranged for the car to be trucked home (and a lift for me). None of this cost me anything, by the way, as I'm a member. For those who don't live in Australia, RACQ is an organisation drivers join in case of break downs. Most countries have them in one form or another.

So, tomorrow I'll find out the damage...to my bank account. Methinks it could be a tad expensive.

What amazed me were the people who blew their car horns, yelled at me and give me the finger. I had my hazard warning lights on yet one woman pulled up behind me and kept sounding her horn. I really felt like getting out and telling her, "Yes, I am doing this deliberately to totally p**s you off!"

I've decided that cars are expensive items...especially after last weeks little escapade as well. I think I'll get a horse...

Sprung!

2010-02-17T19:57:00.000+10:00

Yes, both Jane and I have been caught by speed radars in the last week. She was doing 71 in a 60 kph zone and I was doing 65 in a 60 zone, going through road work, today.

I'd met a friend of mine for lunch and on the way home, saw the radar gun pointed at me. I said a very rude word...funnily enough Jane said the same word. Wonder if the coppers can lip read...

Some pictures from the garden

2010-02-16T15:39:00.000+10:00

I dunno about yours, but our plants aren't sure of themselves at the moment. We've had a lot of rain over the last year so the mango season started in July (extremely early and extremely expensive!) and is just finishing now. Usually the mango season starts September/October...just goes to show that the trees appreciated the rain.

Likewise, Fred's orchids have decided to flower for the second time this summer. He has about six orchids with stems of buds on them. It'll be interesting to see if others follow suit.

Meanwhile here are a few photos I took a little while back.

I'm not sure what this tree is, but see how the flowers grow all along the branch, later they turn into green berries of some sort.

My crepe myrtle. The dark green spiky leaves belong to a yucca.

This is a poinciana not quite at its best when I took this. It was a show of brilliant red a week or so later. Now the flowers have gone and it has lovely thick foliage. It's a wonderful tree for kids to climb and hide in...as Scott and his little friend, Sarah, do. These trees don't grow particularly high, but spread, and some older trees have fabulous shapes.

A close up of the poinciana flowers. The round "berries" are actually new flower buds.

Hellooooo! It's me

2010-02-07T11:24:00.000+10:00

It was Australia Day a couple of weeks ago and what better way than to spend a hot sultry day than in my daughter and son-in-law's new pool. It was bliss...

A game of water volley ball in progress.

The sunlight sparkling on the water.

Superfish Cooper.

A Trifle Late but Better Late than Never!

2010-01-31T17:57:00.000+10:00

Well, my big birthday bash has come and gone. Actually the few days after were pretty hectic as well as the day or two beforehand and of course, the Australian Open has been on so I've been really caught up with the tennis over the last week.

Anyway, it was a very hot day and a warm night...hot for those dancing. The band excelled themselves as usual...I had lots of birthday hugs and wishes from Greg, the guitarist. Nice. Actually, I had lots of birthday hugs all night...I like that.

There weren't as many guests as I thought would come but that wasn't a bad thing in the end because I was able to get around and have a really good chat with people. Actually my timing was really off...it was a long weekend and when I decided on the date about five months ago, I never gave that fact a thought. Not to worry...those who did come enjoyed themselves.

My brother, Peter, came down from the Sunshine Coast (about two hours away), but he stayed the night. Fellow bloggers Peter and Warren arrived decked out in Australia Day hats and tattoos, with red, flashing outlines of Australia...a great fashion statement. At one stage, I saw Warren lurking about in the bushes and wondered what he was up to...I wasn't game to find out. Turns out he'd dropped his flashing Australia pin and was hunting for it...well, that's his story.

My family arrived first. Toni and Darryl and Suzie with their respective kids. Harry was over from New Zealand and I couldn't believe how much he'd grown...he's taller than I am and his voice is breaking...he doesn't sound or look like my Harry any more.

They all found themselves a seat and started having a good time immediately. There were great gusts of laughter coming from that table. Someone asked me who the noisy ones were...hey, they were enjoying themselves...especially when trying to throw pistachio shells down Gabbie's strapless top.

It all went very well but I had a heap of frozen food left over so some of that was eaten on Harry's birthday a couple of days later...but that's another story.

Sorry there aren't too many photos. I'm amazed I got these. If I wasn't talking to people, I was dancing...no time to take photos.

Putting a marquee up

Many hands make light work

My eldest daughter, Toni

Suzie and Gabbie with Cheshire cat grins

Brooke's supposed to be smiling, not grimacing

A lovely photo of Cooper with big sister, Stacey.

One of the two reprobates, Warren. I'm not sure why I didn't get a photo of Peter...I think he might have been hiding or something. Note the "tattoo" of the Australian flag on Warren's cheek.

Dinner on the Lawn and P Day Tomorrow

2010-01-22T16:15:00.000+10:00

Last week we had a lovely dinner on the lawn cooked by Jane's brother, Roger, who's a chef, with his friend, Naomi, as the apprentice. It was a lovely surprise and as I'd had an awful day fighting with my phone and broadband provider (that's another story), I was ready for something nice to happen.

Anyway, Roger and Nomes disappeared out for a couple of hours and came back with grocery bags with interesting looking things inside. The weather was beautiful and warm although there was a stiff breeze which dropped about an hour later. I anchored the tablecloth to the table with clothes pegs.

There were delicious smells coming from the kitchen, a couple of bottles of Chardonnay chilling and hungry people drooling.

First, there were nibbles of chips and dip and then a prawn entree. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the main course (I was too busy eating it), but Roger had bought two red emperor, scaled and gutted them and baked them in the oven with herbs. With that we had various salads...green, coleslaw and pasta...yummm.

Dessert was tropical fruit salad with ice cream. It was a beautiful meal and we sat around the candle lit table talking until about 10 pm. Needless to say, there weren't any leftovers.

Ebony guarding the table...just in case.

Roger and Nomes doing their chef thing.

Ken waiting for dinner and having a chat with Naomi.

The prawn cocktail served in 60 year old crystal...I'm sure that added to the taste.

Dinner time... (L to R) Jane, Fred, Ken and Roger.

A special guest was Naomi's little Pomeranian named Major Happyfeet. He looks like a little fox...I thought Basil Brush would have been a perfect name.

Tomorrow night is my big birthday bash...I can't believe it's arrived (well, almost). I've done everything except fhe nibbles which I will slice, dice and prepare tomorrow, as well as clean the house...sigh. I went up and filled in the Party Safe form at the Police station...they wanted to come, too....and not as part of the job! Especially when they heard there was going to be a live band.

We have a lot of hoons up and down our road. Because it's about 4 km long, for them it's a great place to do burn outs and donuts. Although we live up a very long driveway and the house can't be seen from the road, I wasn't taking any chances and decided to let the police know about the party. That way they can come quickly if we need them to. I'm not anticipating any trouble but I'd rather be prepared.

I wish you all could come...but I know you'll be there in spirit (or spirits?). I'll put up a post and photos when I recover...

Suspect Supermarket Sweet Talker

2010-01-10T08:24:00.000+10:00

The other day I mentioned I had to go the supermarket for a couple of things. As Ken was also going in that direction, he suggested we may as well go in the one car.

I had a couple of other things to do first, then went into the supermarket, picked up the stuff I wanted and made my way to the fast check out. Ken was already there, turned and gave a brief wave when he saw me.

As he finished at the check out, I went up to the same check out lady, put my purchases down and rummaged around in my bag for my wallet. Ken turned around to me and said,

"Gee, you're a nice looking lady. Would you like to come home with me?"

Meanwhile I've suddenly realised I'm a dollar short in change and rather than putting it on my card, turned around and asked Ken if he had a dollar. He pulled out five dollars and handed it to me.

"That'll do," I said, grabbing it and handing it over to the check out lady.

Ken then made the comment, "It's easy to pick up women...just show them money."

I happened to glance up at the cashier and she had very bemused look on her face. Ken and I walked out the supermarket giggling like a couple of school kids.

Budding Pop Stars Make Their Debut...Not!

2010-01-09T15:26:00.000+10:00

Jane and Fred's boys got a Wii for Christmas which included Singstar. Last night we had a Singstar party. Budding pop stars? I think not, but we had a great time. Abba, Elton John, Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil and the like...it was great fun.

The next thing Jane and I want to have a go at is Wii fit. Apparently, one can do oneself a mischief...should be fun!

Then we can play soccer, go skiing, play 18 holes of golf or compete in the Australian Open of tennis. Actually, I think ten pin bowling is more my level and I find I'm the best gutter bowler in Australia!

All this stuff is rather addictive, but great fun. Blow the washing and vacuuming, I think I'll be Taylor Swift today, or shall I play against David Beckham? Decisions, decisions...

18 Days and Counting Down

2010-01-05T11:28:00.000+10:00

That's right...in 18 days it's my BBB (big birthday bash). However, I'm a little concerned. I've sent out about 30 odd invitations and have received five answers back...they can't come. At this rate, there'll be no party!

So far...there's me, Roger from down the back (his wife has another party she would prefer to go to), Jane, Fred and Ken, Jacqui and David and...that's it! Still, the RSVP date is 15 Jan...hopefully I'll have a few more acceptances by then.

It's getting to me though. I've been having anxiety dreams...you know the ones, where you dream of all the disasters that could happen before and on the night? In one dream, Greg (who has the band I've hired to play) sent his song list to me....and there were 20 songs on it to chose from! Oh-h, it's not good.

Another worry is the weather. We are in our wet season after all and so far we've had heaps of rain just in the last two weeks. Then I heard some weather forecaster on TV say that there's a 90% certainty of a cyclone around 20 January...like I really needed to hear that!

Still, with all the goodies I've bought so far, if no one comes, I'll have plenty to eat...mini sausage rolls, spring rolls, spanokopita, party pies, Italian meatballs, crackers, chorizo and kransky, dips and the associated dipping bits and bobs...you get the picture.

I really need to chill out, I think. Tell my subconscious that!

Give me that bottle of wine...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

2010-01-01T13:26:00.000+10:00

We had a very impromptu New Year celebration last night. Jane stuck her head in the door and asked me what I was doing that evening. I replied that I would be sitting on my arse watching Lord of the Rings...The Return of the King which would be showing on TV.

Instead I was invited to join them for a barbecue, which I accepted with alacrity. Prawns, Fred's Kentucky style chicken (but way nicer), potato salad, green salad and I made sinful chocolate muffins which were eaten with ice cream for those who wished to do so. We had a couple of glasses of wine, then Roger, Daniel and Sarah, our neighbour from the back, with the two kids, came over. Soon, we had a fire going in the back paddock and sat out there until midnight. It was a beautiful night...warm and still and no rain!

Midnight came and the kids yahooed, blew party whistles and fireworks (illegal) went off in the surrounding district. Jane and I took off home, I changed my old calendar to a lovely personalised one Nick had sent me from Amsterdam. It had photos of him and Mayo, his little Australian dog and his Dutch dog...even photos of all the family together before he left Australia. Just lovely.

My New Year's resolution is to make no resolutions...makes sense to me.

Below are some photos of our evening...

The lights along the patio

One of Jane's pretty candles

I thought I would include a photo of their Christmas tree...I didn't get around to putting mine up.

Kayla sitting in comfort on Jane's knee.

The glow of the fire in the paddock...and damned if I can get rid of this stupid underlining

A blue moon...so called because it's the second full moon of the month.

A Beautiful Visitor

2009-12-31T11:49:00.000+10:00

This is what I found clinging to my security door yesterday. This beautiful gold and iridescent green insect is a Christmas beetle. So called because that's when they're mostly seen...in December. Unfortunately, they are not as plentiful as they once were so I was thrilled to find this fellow. It's the first Christmas beetle I have seen for about five years.

It's a tad late but I thought you might enjoy this Australian version of a traditional poem

2009-12-29T09:18:00.000+10:00

Night Before Christmas in Aussie land A

'Twas the night before Christmas; there wasn't a sound.

Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.
We'd left on the table some tucker and beer,

Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,

While dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts,

Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the house a mad ruckus arose;

Loud squeaking and banging woke us from our doze.

We ran to the screen door, peeked cautiously out,

snuck onto the deck, then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze,

But a rusty old Ute pulled by eight mighty 'roos.

The cheerful man driving was giggling with glee,

And we both knew at once who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth it's all dinki-di,

Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window to pull at the reins,

And encouraged the 'roos, by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty! Now, Shazza and Shane!

On Kipper! On, Skipper! On, Bazza and Wayne!

Park up on that water tank. Grab a quick drink,

I'll scoot down the gum tree. Be back in a wink!'

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,

With the Ute full of toys, and Santa Claus too.

He slid down the gum tree and jumped to the ground,

Then in through the window he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks and a milky white beard.

A jolly old joker was how he appeared.

He wore red stubby shorts and old thongs on his feet,

And a hat of deep crimson as shade from the heat.

His eyes - bright as opals - Oh! How they twinkled!

And, like a goanna, his skin was quite wrinkled!

His shirt was stretched over a round bulging belly

Which shook when he moved, like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies he flung from his back,

And he looked like a swaggie unfastening his pack.

He spoke not a word, but bent down on one knee,

To position our goodies beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes for us two.

And for Dad, tongs to use on the new barbeque.

A mysterious package he left for our Mum,

Then he turned and he winked and he held up his thumb;

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;

Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.

He bellowed out loud as they swooped past the gates-

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and goodonya, MATES!'

Belated Merry Christmas to You All.

2009-12-26T11:03:00.002+10:00

I know...I've been very remiss...I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. But you know how it's been...totally insane. It's not called the Silly Season for nothing.

Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and for those in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope your Christmas day is just as wonderful.

We had Christmas breakfast at my daughter's place. Oh, there was so much to do justice to...and I just couldn't. My youngest daughter, Suzie, had made cinnamon scrolls which were to die for, plus the most sinful looking pie I've ever seen. Meringue, choc mint covered with whipped cream and crushed mint candy cane...unfortunately I never got to try it...too full. There was also a divine spinach frittata which Toni had made...that vanished, it was so tasty. Also there were croissants and ham and I had hollowed out a watermelon and filled it with diced fruit. Do you know how long it takes to hollow out a watermelon??? Ages...trust me! I had juice all over me and the floor by the time I'd finished. Anyway, the end result looked good and that was the main thing. However, I now have enough left over tropical fruit salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next four days, plus there's the left over fruit I didn't use...two punnets of strawberries, a tray of mangoes plus 1 kg of grapes. I think Jane, Fred and Co will be helping out there.

Last night I had Christmas dinner with them and a couple of others. It was very quiet...for which we were all thankful. Everyone was looking rather weary by that stage. We ate on the patio...it was too hot to eat inside, but a couple of showers did help to cool things down a little.

So that was Christmas Day...I won't talk about the day or two beforehand...let's just say that some people have never heard of goodwill to men...

Below are some photos I've posted of my day. Double click to enlarge and have a look at the goodies on the table.

Above: No, it's not fog but some much needed rain a couple of days ago.

Suzie getting herself a glass of fruit punch, with Cooper and his daddy looking on.

Stacey hamming for the camera, with Darryl's mum, Joan, in the background.

Gabbie, giving a Christmas thumbs up with her cousin, Anthony, next to her.

Cooper discovering what Santa has left him. Hasn't he grown...he's now three and a half.

Even Georgy Girl, the cockatoo, got in on the act.

Don't Pass Out With Shock

2009-12-14T15:57:00.002+10:00

Two posts in two days...goodness me.

Actually I just have to write about the most beautiful book I think I have ever read. It's called "Zamba - The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived" by Ralph Helfer.

It tells of how the author had an affinity and love of lions from a very young age. He grew up to be a great believer in what he calls "affection training", training wild animals through love and respect rather than fear and cruelty. He was given an orphaned lion cub and so began the story of his amazing relationship with this magnificant animal.

Zamba the Lion, courtesy of renecoast.com

I love lions and as I read the book, I laughed and cried...at the end I sobbed. It's a beautifully written story with some photos. But the pictures don't do justice to the words. If you want a really good read or a great Christmas present for an animal lover, get this book. I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

Ho Ho #@!*%# Ho! Bah, hunmbug and all that...

2009-12-13T11:52:00.000+10:00

I've neglected you all lately. But it's insane at this time of the year. The other morning I had to go to the mall. I was up there by 8.30, got a park in the cool covered carpark, whizzed around and did what I had to and got out of there by 9.30. By then, not a car park was to be found and the mall was packed. It was hot and I was pleased to get home, turn the air con on and relax for the rest of the day. I only have to brave the mall once more and then I'm finished! Bliss...

I've posted all but one parcel overseas. The cost of postage is astronomical. I paid $74 to send a 2 kg parcel to my grandson in Holland. What was inside didn't even come to that much! I think next Christmas, I''ll just deposit some money in his bank account. Altthough he does love getting the Australian sweets and biscuits, etc that he can't get in Holland...so maybe I'll just keep posting stuff...sigh.

My mum is 90 on Tuesday. She and Harold are away for their weekend at the moment. I do hope the weather is fine for them as New Zealand can be pretty unpredictable. I posted her a DVD of Il Divo in Barcelona for her birthday, which I hope she will enjoy. Those guys have beautiful voices.
.

* * * * * * * *

My writers' group had our Christmas dinner on Wednesday night. We had lovely food, wonderful service and very nice champagne. There was also good conversation including lots of witty repartee. Well, after a couple of glasses of champers, we thought we were very witty!

* * * * * * * *

Next week, Jacqui and David are having afternoon drinks and nibblies at their place on the Sunday and on the Friday Jane and I will be going to a cocktail party put on by the practice she works for and whom I used to work for. It's an orthopaedic group and I was one of the original staff members when the practice started. It will be lovely to see "The Boys", as we called the surgeons, once again.

It has been rather warm here...up to 40 C, and being an hour from the coast, we don't get the afternoon sea breezes...I bless the person who invented air conditioning.

In my finery before heading out to our writer's group dinner. I had this taken before I put my flashing Christmas earrings in. Very cheap and trashy they are, but delightfully so.

Okay, that's my lot for now. I hope the silly season isn't driving you too nuts. I was reading this through...it's a bit disjointed but that's how I feel at the moment. Oh dear, too bad, never mind...

The Silly Season

2009-11-28T17:34:00.000+10:00

I took this photo a few evenings ago of the sunset. It honestly looked like a fire but isn't it magnificent?

The silly season is well and truly upon us. The malls are becoming more crowded, piped Christmas carols are playing wherever one goes and tinsel is everywhere. It may only come once a year but I swear it starts earlier each year...

I've been doing some Christmas shopping and as Christmas is at my place this year, Jane and I thought we'd combine it. So Christmas lunch so far consists of prawns, ham off the bone and smoked chickens, and we'll put our order in for those next week. Of course, there will be various salads and side dishes to go with these. Then we'll visit our favourite deli and get some Polish Debricener sausage, salamis, and different cheeses and pickles for nibbles. Dessert will be the usual tropical fruits...mangoes, pawpaws (papaya), rock melons (cantaloupes), pineapples, strawberries and maybe some peaches and nectarines.

One daughter wanted a vintage cutlery set, so I logged on to eBay and had listed about 8 I was watching...then a few days later, the perfect set came up and it was buy it now...so I did at a very good price. I can't tell you about it because she reads my blog and I don't want to spoil it for her...but it's just beautiful and very "her".

* * * * * * * *

We had a garage sale today. Jane and me and a couple of the neighbours. Between us all we had heaps of stuff. However it was very slow and I was surprised at the things that did sell. Books are always popular and I had some popular authors in very good condition....probably about 20 priced at $2 each, and sold four...

I think people are still worried about the downturn in the economy and being careful with their pennies still. Fair enough. So, I put the good stuff on eBay and the rest can go to the op shop. Not that I'm giving them rubbish, but the more expensive items are better being sold through eBay. For instance, I have two pairs of jeans that are now too big for me. They are a brand name, near new and I didn't want to give them away as I'd paid over $100 a pair, so I put them on eBay knowing that I'll get a reasonable price for them. They are being watched already.

* * * * * * * *

Next week I'm off up the coast again for our work dinner. Because it's an internet business, we only get to actually meet twice a year so it's nice to catch up with the others. We usually only communicate through IM or email. I'll be staying with my brother who has just come back from two weeks touring around Tasmania so it'll be interesting to see how he enjoyed it.

* * * * * * * *

I'm going to New Zealand again in March to visit mum and Harold. Mum will be 90 in a couple of weeks and in an earlier post I mentioned she was trying to organise a party. Well she found that too stressful because some could come on one date, but others couldn't. So she tried a different date and had the same problem. People have too much on at that time of the year. So Harold said he'd take her away for the weekend instead. Mum thought that was a great idea.

Anyway a couple of weeks ago my cousin asked where they were going. Mum replied that they'd probably go to Taupo or Rotorua, picturesque areas in the centre of the North Island. A few days after that, my cousin came back with a reservation for two nights at a lodge right on Lake Taupo, on the ground floor so they can just walk out and stroll around the lake, along with $100 in an envelope in case they wanted to go jet skiiing or sky diving!!!. And another cousin sent two bottles of wine in case they became dehydrated!!!. Everyone had put in for all that and mum was quite overcome. But I laughed at the idea of them jet skiing or sky diving...mum hates heights and gets nervous flying in a commercial jetliner.

However, I'm sure they'll have a lovely time....and I said to mum that my cousin has probably told them at this lodge that it's her 90th birthday, but she was fully aware of that anyway.

So....that's what's been going on in my neck of the woods lately. Oh, and lots of work, too....everyone's going to see their specialist before the holidays start and it's always very busy in the hospitals and private practices at this time of the year.

I hope the Silly Season is not too out of control for you....catch up again soon (but don't hold your breath, you may just expire).

Bloggers' Gathering in Norway 2010

2009-11-15T09:03:00.002+10:00

This is soooo exciting. RennyBA is organising a Bloggers' Gathering in Oslo in August 2010 from 18th to 22nd. I'm hoping I can get the necessary together to attend.

If you are interested, go to Renny's blog and find out all about it. He's going to a lot of trouble organising good deals on rooms, trips and activities during that time. Of course, he and his wife, Diane, will get to meet other bloggers as well.

I have plans to attend and to also see other parts of Europe as well...Holland to see my grandson, Belgium to meet Gattina and her five cats, Ireland to look for my ancestors and also Italy for no reason other than I've always wanted to go there.

However, to do all that, I'm going to have to put head down and bum up and save like mad...or go on the streets. I think the second option would be an incredible failure so I'll just save. Besides, I haven't the energy...

Of course, I could try and get my book published, but it really needs to be completed first...makes sense, doesn't it?

Anyway, have a look at Renny's website...he really is going to a lot of trouble and he assures me that in August the weather is lovely and warm...that's for all those people who, like me, hate the cold. And the sun is still shining at 9 pm...now I really like the sound of that, as Queensland does not have daylight saving.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend...I must do some blogger visiting.

Goodbye Shelby

2009-11-12T12:26:00.001+10:00

It was a sad day yesterday when we had to say farewell to Shelby, Jane and Fred's dear old retriever. It was very sudden, which meant that she didn't suffer.

So a tearful goodbye was held in the back paddock and a few words said amid tears from us all.

Farewell, Shelby, faithful friend and loved family member

A 40th Birthday Party

2009-11-02T13:03:00.001+10:00

Saturday night (that's right Halloween) we went to our neighbour, Jacqui's, 40th birthday party held in the function room at one of the local pubs. It's a new hotel so things were very posh.

As usual, our favourite band, of which Jacqui is female vocalist, supplied the music and they didn't let us down. I think they're rather keen on Elvis...we heard a lot of "Elvis has returned to the building" during the evening. Jane, Fred, me, Ally and Steve, another couple of neighbours grabbed ourselves a table along side the dance floor. Consquently,. we were christened the groupies...I've never been called a groupie before. At my age, I rather like it. But the term groupie probably originated from the fact that the band have played at quite a lot of parties we have attended over the last year or so, and there are at least two more coming up...mine and Fred's and his twin sister's 50th next year.

However, we had a great evening as usual. Danced the night away as usual. Woke the next day feeling totally wrecked as usual. Where are the days when I could party all night and survive the next day on very little sleep? I mean I was in bed by midnight, only had two glasses of wine (drank copious quantities of water the rest of the time) and danced a lot, but that shouldn't matter, should it? I just don't know what's going on. Fred very unkindly suggested I was getting old...the cheek of it!

Below are a couple of photos from the evening.

Jacqui and David, her husband (who is rides a pretty good show jumper...as in horse).

Jacqui's mother, Robyn (and my partner in crime) making her speech to Jacqui.

Jacqui and me.

Thank You

2009-10-30T17:43:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last ~~post~~ rant. I've decided I'm not going to worry about the cholesterol too much. What's the point? That'll only send my blood pressure up.

Anyway, on to more positive posting. Jacqui, our singing neighbour, turned 40 on Wednesday and is having her party tomorrow night. For the women who would be interested, some of us clubbed together and brought her a charm for her Pandora bracelet, which her husband gave her, plus a voucher so she can choose some more.

I've bought myself a new outfit...three sizes smaller than what I used to wear (self satisfied smirk). I'll take my camera and see if I can get photographed in my finery.

Apart from that, it's pretty quiet around here, for a change. That probably won't last. A drama is bound to pop up somewhere along the line.

Talk to you later.

I Can't Win!

2009-10-27T15:30:00.000+10:00

You may or may not know, but I've been on a determined bid to lose weight. I used to be obese, however, after losing 17 kg I'm merely overweight. Anyway, I also had a rant a few weeks ago about my doctor pushing pills on to me. I have a new doctor now. She's Cuban, has the loveliest accent and boy, is she thorough...and I feel safe with her.

She sent me off for blood tests to check haemoglobin, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. I was very keen to see what the cholesterol results were. In the past, I'd been just above the maximum range for women and I was sure I'd dropped the levels by my weight loss. My cholesterol was up! To 6.1...I was really pinged off about that. Here I was doing all the right things...for what.! Not only that, but the liver enzymes were also raised and the haemoglobin was a little low. Not that that really surprised me because low Hb seems to run in our family. But I'm sooo pissed about the cholesterol levels. As for the liver enzymes...not sure what that's about because I don't even have my evening glass of wine any more...haven't done so since last year. So that means an abdominal ultrasound and drinking litres of water beforehand.

However, there is one good thing...my blood pressure is back to normal, so I'm no longer on antihypertensives. I guess there's a silver lining somewhere, isn't there?

I'm still pissed off though!

No, I Haven't Been Ignoring You...

2009-10-21T16:16:00.003+10:00

I've had no computer because mine gave up the ghost and died...so I duly interred it and adopted a new one. It's a tiny little thing called an Acer Emachine...really cool it is.

However, my computer wasn't the only thing that died over the last few days. The airconditioner refused to turn on and my car had a slight glitch, too. Talk about things coming in threes...I thought it was all going to be very expensive, but no. All up, under $1,000. Not too bad, thank goodness.

The computer cost me $560 plus $77 to transfer the data...I wasn't game to do that. The car...well that needed a new handbrake adjuster and spring, $142, and the airconditioner is under warranty. As yet, we're not sure what's wrong with the aircon (and for those doubting Thomases, the remote control batteries were the first thing I checked!). Apparently there have been a lot of problems for people this year with geckoes getting in and tapdancing along the motherboard, thus fusing things. Unfortunately the warranty doesn't cover the geckoes' shenanigans, but insurance does.

Anyway, I'll get around to visiting you over the next few days. See you then.

A Pictorial Explanation of What I've Been Doing

2009-10-13T21:53:00.007+10:00

It's been a pretty busy week so I thought I'd show you rather than tell you about it. First...

Halleluia! We actually had some rain! This had a bit of hail in it, if you enlarge the pic you'll see it.

Look how tame the kookaburras are. That's Ken sitting there...he'd just fed them, but they were hoping for more. By the way, no zoom was used on this pic. This is how close I was standing to them.

On Sunday I had a Body Shop party...lots of lovely goodies and all natural, with no animal experimentation. Here is Jacqui having her make up cleaned off by Linda, in preparation for a make over.

A table full of goodies for us to buy...and we did! If you look closer, there are wine glasses throughout the goodies, too...well, it was a wet and cold day, what else should we do?

Then I went out into the garden...this is an ornamental ginger. The red part is actually quite stiff and waxy and puts out this yellow flower. Quite unusual.

My glorious Jacobean lily...I just love these flowers, they're so spectacular.

So that's been some of my week. I've also been to the hairdresser to have a hair cut. Today I took Ken up to the doctor to get the all clear for his cataract surgery on Thursday. He'd had a slight sinus infection and he was checked to ensure it was all clear. Then, of course, I've been doing my usual work. I'll get around to visiting you all over the next few days...okay?

Volcano Erupts in Queensland

2009-10-06T17:49:00.005+10:00

Yes, the volcano erupted most satisfactorily and spectacularly. Alison, Scott's teacher, used a mixture of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda with red colouring which produced the appropriate result.

Scott received a "Superstar" certificate at parade on the Monday and not surprisingly, an A+ for his effort.

I gave him a copy of all your comments, putting the country of origin along side your names. He took it to school and Alison read them out to the rest of the class. So all in all, it was a very exciting day for young Scott.

Below are a couple of photos of the event.

An "aerial" view into the crater at the time of eruption.

The eruption in progress...yep, chargrilled sheep...

More Cleaning and Other Happenings

2009-10-04T17:07:00.002+10:00

We've had more dust but not as bad as the other week. The trouble is, it's so fine, even if the house is shut up, it gets in and covers everything. I'm sick and tired of cleaning up...I have better things to do...like blogging. Today, for the third time in a week, I was at it again...floors, shelves, ornaments, window sills, curtains...even the top of the power outlets had a fine film of red dust as did the skirting boards. As for the windows and the car...best not go there. Grrrrr.

* * * * * * * *

Anyway on to other things...I was asked to go and help out at my old job (you know, the one I retired from last year). Turns out I was under an illusion...I'm not really retired at all. However, I said yes and it was nice to go in and see everyone again. I had two days and it just about floored me...I'm not used to getting up so early, driving for an hour, working for eight hours then driving for an hour back home again. The other lady I worked with was on holiday for a week and is also going away for two weeks in February...I opened my mouth and said yes to that, too. Oh well, the money will come in handy for something nice...a bit of travel perhaps.

* * * * * * * *

I rang my mum today. It was Harold's birthday last week and I sent him about $50 of scratchies...he loves those. He got $20 out of it...pity it wasn't more.

The pair of them are well. Although, as usual, Mum still thinks she's a young girl of 60. They were on a bus trip and the bus drivers can lower the steps for the elderly so it's easier for them to get on and off. Anway some man decided to help both of them descend, which was very thoughtful of him. However, mum was a little miffed and although she didn't say anything and thanked him graciously, she was thinking...I'm not that old! Then she had another thought...actually I am...nearly 90. Aaaah, she doesn't change.

* * * * * * * *

I went to the doctor yesterday just to get a new script for an asthma puffer. I hadn't been for about two months. As you know, I'd had some chest pains which proved to be nothing serious. But my doctor worries me a bit...I think he's too much of a pill pusher. I'm on an antihypertensive because my blood pressure was too high so he decided to add another medication.

However, when I went to the cardiologist my blood pressure was only 125/80...which was pretty good as I wasn't looking forward to the exercise stress test. I didn't fill the script for the extra antihypertensive because I looked it up on the drug reference index I have for my job and the adverse reactions were horrendous...hair loss, weight gain, nausea and vomiting to name a few. All my GP said was that I might get a bit of swelling in the ankles...the drug reference mentioned swelling of ankles, hands and face. I have worked really hard this year to lose 15 kg and there was no way I was taking that drug just to put it all back on. The whole idea of losing the weight was to get my blood pressure down and guess what?

Yesterday the doctor took my blood pressure and it was 110/70...perfect, he announced. Until I had put on weight in the first place, that's what my blood pressure used to be...I feel vindicated in not taking the extra medication. I'm going to see if it stays like that over the next couple of months and if it does, then I'll suggest I go off my current medication as well. Wish me luck. But I'm still going to change my GP.

* * * * * * * *

Well, that's my little bit of news for the meantime...I hope you didn't fall asleep reading it. Have a good week and I'll try and come up with something more interesting next time.

And the Kookaburra Just Sat there

2009-09-29T21:50:00.003+10:00

Yesterday, about 5.30 pm, I was leaving Ken's place after having a cup of coffee and watching the Antiques Roadshow. As I stepped out the door, I saw the kookaburra to my right, sitting on the handlebars of the one of the boys' bikes, waiting for Ken to come with some meat. The next thing, there was a loud whistling tweet and a long tailed bird flew over my head and landed on the roof. Mitchell was also outside and we both wondered what sort of a bird it was.

It sat on the edge of the roof looking at us and started walking up the gable. Although we were all there including the dogs, the bird didn't seem at all perturbed. We hazarded a guess it was someone's pet...an Alexandrine parrot which we don't get in the wild in our region. Fred went to get some wild parrot seed and I rushed to get the camera but by the time we got back the mynahs had chased it away. It was such a pretty bird...green with a palish head with a touch of red and a very long tail. I doubt very much it will survive in the wild, which is such a shame.

Meanwhile, the kookaburra just sat there...

What is all the fuss about?

Where is that man with my meat.

A Very Dirty Day.

2009-09-25T20:45:00.004+10:00

Wednesday dawned bright and clear if a bit blustery. Ken and I were going down to Currumbin Beach to see Jane, Fred and the boys, plus other friends, who were there for the first week of the school holidays. I did a bit of work, then my screen decided to switch itself off. I could not get it going again, it kept coming up with "no signal". Nothing for it, I thought I'd better take it to the computer repair guys to see if they could fix it. Because I work from home, I told Ken I wouldn't be able to come to the beach as I needed to get the puter fixed. He then decided not to go. As it happened someone was looking after us.

I took the screen to the repair shop, then went to do my shopping. While driving to Grand Plaza, I heard something about a dust storm over Sydney but didn't take much notice. I parked in the undercover carpark, went into the Plaza to do my shopping. About an hour later, I found myself coughing and getting tight in the chest. Fortunately I had my inhaler and took a couple of puffs. I noticed others were coughing and then the fire alarms went off. I wondered where the fire was, but no one seemed particularly perturbed and there were no announcements to evacuate the complex so I continued on with my bits and pieces. I was getting a bit peckish and decided to have lunch. As I was waiting to be served I happened to glance out one of the large pairs of automatic doors and just about fell over. I could hardly see the carpark. I wondered if it was smoke, then heard someone say something about a dust storm.

The fire alarms went off again and it was obvious that the dust was setting them off, as people came into the Plaza or exited through the automatic doors. The atmosphere was really eerie. If any of you have seen the Arnold Schwartzneggar movie "Total Recall" where the atmosphere on Mars was an awful red...that's what it was like outside. It was awful. I decided I was not going out in that. It was a good excuse...I picked up some pretty good bargains!

After a couple of hours, the atmosphere seemed clearer so I took the chance and went outside. What a mess. All the cars were covered in red dust...and this was in the undercover carpark. Mind you, the wind was howling at 50 kph. Apparently 75,000 tonnes of dust was being deposited in the Tasman Ocean every hour!

Anyway, I picked up my groceries from parcel pick up, filled the car up and headed home. By that time visibility was not too bad...about 500 metres. On the way home, I suddenly remembered I had left all the windows and doors open. I have security screens and they were locked, but they weren't going to keep the dust out.

Sure enough, when I went inside, everything was covered with this fine red dust. What a mess. Everything was gritty to touch, the floor crunched with dust when walked on...yuk, it was disgusting. Nothing for it...I put the groceries away and started washing everything down. After a couple of hours, the place looked a lot better. Meanwhile Jane had rung and said it was fortunate we hadn't gone down to the beach. She said it was just horrible. The drive down there wouldn't have been much fun either, it's about a 90 minute drive and I wouldn't have fancied that in such limited visibility.

The news is...there's another dust storm on its way, due to hit early tomorrow. Gee, just what I always wanted...

This is at the tail end of the dust storm.

The mud on the windscreen after I put the washers on.

Lovely red dust...it looks like I've driven the Birdsville Track.

Saturday Night Party

2009-09-21T19:39:00.002+10:00

The warmer weather has arrived and the outdoor parties are starting. Last Saturday night was Fred's mum's 70th. There's a funny story to this party, too. It nearly wasn't.

The family had decided that to celebrate Silvia's 70th, they'd take her on the Kookaburra Queen (a paddle steamer that cruises the Brisbane River) for a slap up surprise luncheon. After Jane's 50th where we had the live band, Silvia decided she was going to have a party and she wanted the same band. That threw all the plans into disarray! But no way did she want to go on a boat...she wanted to dance. So last Saturday that's what we did. We rocked, we rolled, we boogied and we conga'd. It was great, as usual, with a fabulous supper which the family had catered.

They are a United Nations, this lot. Fred's father, who died some years ago, was Austrian, Silvia is Dutch. Her sister, Toni, has married Michael, a naughty Italian. Their son has married a Kiwi girl. Plus there are a Spanish couple, long time family friends. It's a very interesting crowd.

During the evening, Silvia was presented with her gift, which we all put in for and which she was absolutely delighted with as you can see by the smile on her face.

A motorised cart so she can hoon around her daughter's farm when she goes to stay.

This is what her granddaughter, Jolene, painted on the front for her.

Silvia holding a gold watch, another gift, while she makes her speech.

Our favourite band "Impressions" (from left) Nigel, Jacqui (our neighbour) and Greg.

Brisbane on Fire

2009-09-13T08:05:00.009+10:00

Last night marked the start of Riverfire with fireworks and the last ever dump and burn by the retired F1-11s. This year, the State Government and the City Council have combined the Brisbane Festival and Riverfire so that there will be three weeks of continued entertainment, dining and cultural experiences for all to partake in. There is the Writer's Festival on this weekend. There are entertainers from overseas, notably Chris Isaak who sang in a free concert at the River Stage in the Botanic Gardens last night after the firework. There are plays, opera, dance...you name it, it's all on in the next three weeks when the City goes into party mode.

Tomorrow, there's a free breakfast barbecue on one of the bridges, which naturally will be closed to traffic, for those who wish to eat there. Another evening, a bridge is also closed and several chefs prepare a three course meal. Naturally, this is a priced event and tables need to be booked early as it's very popular. Can you imagine a bridge over the river, tables and chairs set up, silver flat ware, glasses, condiments and table decorations, plus wait staff, and people dining? It's quite a fantastic scene.

Last night, of course, started the whole Festival off with a bang...literally. There were fireworks off three bridges, barges in the middle of the river and on strategic high rises throughout the CBD. Every possible vantage point was seething with bodies...some of whom had been there since 4 am to secure themselves the best spot. Past the barges and at a safe distance, the river was thick with pleasure craft...the occupants of which were settled in for a good night's entertainment. The ferries had to be very careful when docking and leaving their points of embarcation along the river banks.

South Bank Parklands was full to capacity as were all the restaurants along the river bank. The Brisbane Big Wheel was lit up and people had phoned local radio stations to enter the competition for a seat on the Wheel for the best view of the lot. Roads were closed and traffic came to a standstill to watch the spectacle.

It started off with the F1-11s doing a low fly past at only 600 kph..slow in comparison to their normal speeds. Then the fireworks started...25 minutes of noise and colour, oohs and aahs and applause from the thousands, well satisfied with the result of their long wait.

The F1-11s flew past again...this time giving the City one last farewell with their well known dump and burn manouevre...it was a sad night because it's the last time this will happen. Apparently people came from all over the State, plus some from other states to see this phenomenon one last time.

I've put some photos on but as I'm still getting used to my camera and I didn't really have a steady surface to hold it, I had to delete most of the photos I took. These are not as good as I'd have liked but they'll give you some idea of what went on.

Some of the fireworks

Over the Story Bridge

Off the Story Bridge

Explosions of colour

13.28 seconds before...

This...Dante's Inferno. You can see the glow from the after burner. You can feel the heat, the noise reverberates right through you and it's all over in seconds.

The last view of this spectacle for ever...

A last word. I have to confess I wasn't there last night...I got some of these pics off the tv. I have been in other years though, so I can vouch for the crowds, noise and heat.

Strange Morning Noises

2009-09-10T22:25:00.003+10:00

The other morning I heard this long, drawn out "waaaaaaaaark" followed by a staccato "wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa". I was most intrigued and determined to find out who, or what, was making this peculiar noise. I crept from window to window then when I reached the laundry I saw these two...

Ms Wood Duck, who was making all the noise.

Mr Wood Duck, who was ignoring her completely, far more interested in preening his feathers. Someone's really going to have to tell Ms Wood Duck not to beg and that playing hard to get is by far the best way to get her man...er...drake.

Breaking News...

2009-09-07T21:12:00.004+10:00

A new volcano has been discovered in Queensland. Jane and Fred's youngest boy, Scott, has a project for school...to make a volcano for science. So he and Fred got together and with a plastic plant pot as a base, lots of papier mache, playdough, paints and raiding of mosses and ferns from the garden, made this masterpiece. In the top of a volcano is a disposable drinking mug from which the science teacher will make the volcano erupt.

On the top right of the baseboard, you can see a small village and in the lower right corner, barely seen, are tiny playdough sheep. I reckon he'll get full marks for this effort, don't you?

De Spring Has Sprung

2009-09-03T13:19:00.005+10:00

De grass has riz; I've found out where de flowers iz...

A stem of tiny strongly perfumed orchid flowers. Strongly perfumed being the operative words...it's enough to knock one out.

The whole plant...can you imagine the perfume? It permeates the entire place, that's why there are sneezes emanating from my flat lately.

Cattleya orchid. Did you know that orchid is a Greek word? And that in medicine orchidic means testicular. So if you ever hear of a guy having had an orchidectomy...you can guess which body parts will be missing. (Ok guys, no need to cross your legs and flinch...I guess you always wanted to know that useless piece of information, didn't you?)

Orange Clivia, named after Clive of India.

This is what it is

2009-08-31T10:27:00.004+10:00

Yes, one of the fluffy balls on this bush with an ant in the picture, too. (Sorry, Anni, it's not water melon). I was playing around with my camera yesterday, trying to see how close up I could take photos and that was the result. So, in a moment of mischievousness, I posted it to see it would drive you insane figuring it out.

Thanks for playing.

What is it?

2009-08-30T10:59:00.000+10:00

How to send an aged person shuffling off their mortal coil...

2009-08-24T15:56:00.004+10:00

A PS to my previous post...

My mother rang me last night and I was telling her about the stress test I'd done earlier in the week. She had a story of her own...

When she was in hospital about three years ago with heart problems, she had to have one of these tests. So she was standing on the treadmill and they turned it on. She had no warning, it was set at quite a fast rate and her feet shot out from underneath her. When they wanted her to get on the treadmill again, understandably she flatly refused to do so.

Later on, back in the ward, during rounds, the doctor told her he wanted her to take the stress test. Mum asked, "Why on earth do you want to put an 87-year-old lady on the treadmill? What earthly use is it at my age?"

She was somewhat miffed when the doctor roared laughing and said, "Yes, 87...going on 40!"
She then asked the doctor if people died during that test. "Oh, yes," he replied. "We have that a lot!"

I Survived an Exercise Stress Test.

2009-08-21T09:45:00.005+10:00

Yep, I had one of those the other day. Now that was an experience.

I'd had a few chest pains and given my mother has heart problems, my grandmother died of the same, two uncles have had coronary artery bypass grafts and a cousin has also, I've got a relatively strong history there. I wasn't particularly worried but decided to get it checked out.

On Monday, I went for the initial consult which included a 12 lead ECG and a review by the cardiologist (who was rather gorgeous, by the way). He said I had a soft murmur (kind of makes you want to say "speak up!", doesn't it?). So, to take it one step further, he suggested the exercise stress test. I'd heard of those and knew it involved a treadmill. Not one of my favourite pieces of gym equipment...I can never stay on the bloody thing!

So Wednesday, I front up in my usual walking gear (daggy tee shirt, baggy 3/4 sports pants that are as old as the hills and a battered pair of joggers). I first had an ultrasound (the sonographer was rather lovely too, but a tad young for me...another male, as you might have guessed). I had to "bare my top (oooooh, this is getting exciting) and he attached sticky things all over my left boob, my left side, the central torso and a couple on the right side. He told me to lie on the bed (do you think this is getting slightly steamy?) and attached all these leads to me. Any minute, he was going to turn me on, I thought. It started off well...he turned the lights out and told me to relax. I did that....oh, I was relaxed, all right. Then what a let down...he sat down at the computer! Damn. Suddenly he was there at my side again...ooooh. He leaned over...and jabbed me in the ribs with a cold, wet probe. All business like, he punched away at the keys on the computer only issuing commands like, turn on to your back, hold your breath, breathe normally, turn back to the left, etc. I tell you, it was a real let down after such a promising start.

Then he finished, switched the lights on and attached a monitor around my waist in preparation for the treadmill trial. The doctor came in, smiled and chatted away companionably as if we were in some sort of social situation, instead of me being at a distinct disadvantage of not looking anywhere near my best with two males and all of us in a small room in which the bed was the central fixture.

However, it was treadmill time. I stepped onto the machine and it was turned on. Oh, okay, this isn't too bad, I thought. So I walk along but then I had a nasty thought. "Am I going uphill?" I demanded. The doctor grinned back at me, "You certainly are." "I don't like hills," I retorted, and just heard laughter in return. Then these two decide to have a discussion as to whether I was actually going uphill or downhill, seeing as I was actually walking flat. I decided to break it up. "I really need an iPod," I complained. "You can have my MP3," offered the doctor, then added, "But you probably wouldn't like the music on it." I was just going to ask what kind of music he had when he said, "Right, now, very shortly it's going to get steeper and faster." Whaaaaat!!

I mean, come on, I'm not 20 any more, or even 40. Surely, they'd have some respect for my age. Then the doctor started counting down, "5...4...3...2...1!", pressed a switch and suddenly I found myself striding out, going faster and harder. Actually, because I could really stride out, I found it a little easier...at first. "Oh, look, her heart's confused," said the doctor. I glanced at the computer screen alongside of me and my heart certainly was confused. The lines were jumping up and down like the needle on an earthquake graph. Then just as suddenly they returned to normal...that lovely even pattern of a heart pumping properly, if a tad rapidly. I was rather relieved about that.

I carried on. "I'm not this fit." I gasped. "But you are," replied the doctor. I subsided and kept on hill climbing. I could feel my heart pumping, my blood pounding and my chest heaving. "How much longer?" I begged. "Can you do just 30 seconds more?" asked the doctor. "Okay," I gasped. I was then determined to do the 30 seconds, which doesn't sound much at all...until you're just about on your last legs and gasping for air. Next I heard the welcome sound of "3...2...1" and the machine was switched off. "You can have a glass of Chardonnay when you get home," said the doctor. Bugger waiting until I get home, I thought, I need one now!

Unfortunately, there was no rest. "Quick, quick, back up on the bed. We want to check your heart while it's still racing!" I was only too happy to comply. Aaaah, to relax, lovely. Uh-oh. The next thing I hear is "Right, take a deep breath." I am taking deep breaths, can't you hear me? Then "Hold it." Hold my breath??? You've got to be kidding! I tried, I really did. But my lungs just wanted air. Then I was asked to hold my breath again? All I want is air! Let me breathe! Then again...oh, no, this is too much to ask. But then I hear, "Okay, all finished. You did very well. You completed the exercise test and," this was the doctor, "you have no heart problems." By that time, my breathing was almost back to normal, but I was dazed and if he'd said I had a hole in the heart or something, I don't really think it would have registered just then.

The sonographer then went to the other side of the bed and I thought he was scratching my side...I felt a sharp pulling sensation. "Ow!" from me. "Sorry," he said, not looking that at all. "I'm just trying to get these sticky labels off and they like your skin." I think that was worse than the treadmill...it was definitely worse than eyebrow or leg wax! I know now how those guys on "Dancing with the Stars" felt when they had their chests waxed for some raunchy dance where they showed their chests. I said as much to the sonographer. His response? "Just as well you haven't got a hairy chest!" Charming...

He eventually got all the sticky things off...12 of them there were. I then was given a towel to wipe the gel off my skin, told I was able to get dressed and to just go out to reception. I duly did so and went out to reception where the cost just about had me in cardiac arrest and needing the defibrillator. I handed over my card, was given the receipt and got out of there as fast as I could.

It was a beautiful warm and sunny day outside...I just wanted to get home and nurse my very poor bank account...

After a prolonged absence...

2009-08-15T16:29:00.002+10:00

I had a phone call from my daughter after she got back from New Zealand and after seeing her father come through his brain operation.

Five hours the operation took and they were able to resect all the tumour. He was in Neuro Intensive Care for about four days. He was still groggy and confused when they first saw him but the next day he was alert and talking well...although talking about 20 years ago! Apparently it was quite hilarious. He was raving on about things that happened years ago as if they'd just happened yesterday. My daughter was laughing but did go and check up with the nurse who informed her that it was because of brain swelling and that as it subsided, he would remember more and more current things. She said to just guide him gently back to things that happened in the present. John's wife, Sue, kept saying, "He's daft...he's talking crap!"

When they asked how he was feeling, he was as chirpy as anything. He has to have an oxygen mask on all the time and he was going on about how he had no pain, he wasn't on any drugs and was doing really well. Apparently the drugs were administered via the oxygen...he breathed them in. He'd have the odd lucid moment and in one of them he said, "My God, I've lost it, haven't I?" Poor thing, but at least he was happy. He's now back in an ordinary ward and will be home on Monday, fingers crossed.

* * * * * * * *

My youngest daughter has just landed her dream job, literally offered to her on a plate. She is very involved in netball and the council have just built this huge netball centre and have offered the netball association she belongs to the job of administering it and running all the fixtures. Of course, they needed someone who could actually do that for them and thought of her. She's absolutely stoked about it, because she's doing her diploma in sports management and plans to go to uni next year to do her degree. So it couldn't come at a better time. It's part time, so she be able to work it around her classes and she'll have access to professional trainers who can give her tips and hints for some of her assignments.

* * * * * * * *

The weather is finally getting warmer here. I know those of you from colder climes will wonder what I'm going on about but in a subtropical climate we only get about two months of really cold weather and July was exceptionally cold. We even had a couple of light frosts and it's the first time I've seen that in four and a half years. We're up higher than most of our neighbours and the trees usually protect us from frosts. The wind chill factor was also bad...if one was out of the wind, the sun was lovely and warm, even hot. But once out in the wind, it was a different story. However, the last couple of days, although cold at night and first thing in the morning, have been 27 and 28 Celsius...just lovely. I've unpacked all my tee shirts and summer tops...haven't got around to the shorts yet, although I've ditched the warm trousers for jeans. Roll on summer! Apparently, next month, September, is going to be up in the early 30s, yesssssss!

* * * * * * * *

I went to my writers' group on Thursday and we had really good session discussing various genres. There are four published authors who attend (I'm not one) and they were giving us a brief outline on the books they are currently working on. Can't wait to read them. One member has to have her manuscript to her agent by the middle of next month so she's working flat out and feeling socially deprived at the moment. If she's not pounding a keyboard, she's cooking dinner, bathing the dogs or doing the washing and other mundane things like that. She's hanging out for some friendly company when she's finished...her reward, she says.

* * * * * * * *

Well, that's it for now. Life's been pretty quiet around this neck of the woods, although there are a couple of parties coming up. A 70th next month and a 40th in October. Should be fun, both are going to have a live band and dancing...goody! Have a good weekend...

It's been a week of sad news and good news

2009-08-08T16:22:00.002+10:00

My ex had his brain surgery earlier this week...a five to six hour operation, but he appears to have come through it pretty well. The surgeons are confident all the tumour has been resected but he will be in Neurointensive Care for a week and then in an ordinary hospital ward. Hopefully, there have been no untoward after effects.

Later I heard that my granddaughter's first serious boyfriend was killed in a car crash on the Saturday night which left her pretty shattered when she heard that, as she'd only been talking to him earlier in the day. Even though they'd split up, the first serious relationship is one you never forget, so it affected her quite badly.

Then mum rang last Saturday and poor Harold had been back in hospital with his bladder cancers from which he had been clear for the past couple of years. Unfortunately, he suffered a blood clot in one of the ureters post op and had to stay in hospital for three days. He was pretty fed up with himself by that time, but he kept himself occupied by visiting bedbound patients and having a chat to them.

Today, mum rang again and I was a little alarmed, wondering if Harold was okay. But this time it was about her 90th birthday which is in December. My brother, me, my eldest daughter and her husband and little boy and another granddaughter had decided to fly over for a surprise. But when mum told me she was planning somewhere we could all dance, I realised she would need numbers for the booking, so I had to tell her we were coming over. She was thrilled to bits. But today she rang and said that it was not going ahead. She couldn't get a venue, a lot of people couldn't come on 12 December, so she changed it to the fifth and then others couldn't come and she was getting stressed out. So she decided against it and Harold is going to take her away to some posh place to stay for a few days.

I could understand that. At her age, she shouldn't have the stress. It's her day and it should be enjoyable. So I think what Harold has planned is a lovely idea.

As I now don't have to think about about booking the cats into the cattery, arranging flights, etc., I've decided to get on and plan my 65th birthday bash in January. So the band is booked. I had to do that first...without them, there's no party!

I've decided to have a good birthday every fifth year until I'm too doolally to remember when my birthday is. So...the 65th is the first big one. I shall keep you posted...

Woe is Me...

2009-08-04T12:44:00.006+10:00

Yes, it was time for a bath for two very pongy dogs...what had they been rolling in?

Shelby being shampooed

Then rinsed. Have you ever seen such a thoroughly pinged off look?

Kayla overseeing things. No way was she going to have that done!

Ebony, who'd already been bathed, waits for Shelby so they can go off together and roll in something nasty...

Winter Flowers

2009-07-31T19:46:00.006+10:00

I thought I'd better post something as it's been a week...my bad! So, I cheated and took some more photos.

First of all, though, there was great excitement from Scott and his mate, Sarah. I went out to take the photos and I heard them yelling out to me. I looked up and they're tearing across the paddock, coming up from Sarah's place, yelling, "We've got something exciting to tell you!" They were beside themselves with excitement and I wondered what on earth they had to tell me.

It turned out they'd found a duckling under the trampoline. For some reason it was all on its own. It did have feathers but didn't/couldn't fly. So they carefully picked it up and Sarah's got it at her place in a secure warm spot.

The funniest thing though was when I asked them what they were going to call it. Sarah shrugged but Scott suggested Chuck...Chuck Duck...?

On to the flowers. Another of Fred's orchids. This is a new one so it was very exciting waiting to see what the flowers would be like. It took ages to open, but at last it's almost there.

A miniature arum lily. Did you know they are the Queen's favourite flowers? Apparently Her Maj loves these so her aides always make sure she has some in her suites when she is visiting her "peoples" (or peeps, in today's vernacular).

Part of a large bed of kalanchoes.

An unknown...to me, anyway. Not sure what it is, but it's very graceful and dainty. If any Aussies read this and know what it is, I'd be very grateful to find out.

Right, that's all. Have a lovely weekend, you lot. Cheers.

Out to Dinner...Again

2009-07-25T08:32:00.011+10:00

Jane, Fred and their two boys, Mitchell and Scott decided to go out for Chinese. So they asked Ken, Jane's dad, then me. Then Fred rang his mum, Sylvia, and we had a ring in...Scott's little friend, Sarah, from down the back. We picked Sylvia up on the way and two car loads of us headed for the Chinese restaurant about 20 minutes away. Jane did have the foresight to ask, when she rang and booked a table, if they used MSG in their cooking. Apparently it was only in the marinades so I knew to stay away from them.
The food was beautiful...we had a banquet. Sarah and Scott had fish and chips and Ken had honey prawns with fried rice. Although the photos are a bit dark because the flash was playing up I turned it off, this is what we had...

Delicious chicken and corn soup. There were prawn crackers to have with this but they always remind me of pieces of pink polystyrene so I gave those a miss.

Entree. Clockwise from top. Sesame toast, pork dim sims and mini spring rolls with soy dipping sauce.

The banquet. Fried rice...

Chinese style steak...

Mongolian lamb...

Chicken and crab...

Combination seafood...

Honey prawns...

Dessert for those who wanted it. Fred had this fried banana and ice cream. I thought it was most most obscene looking dessert I'd ever seen...

It was a beautiful meal and the banquet was only $25 per head. The dessert included in the banquet was actually fruit salad and ice cream but swapping that for fried banana was only $1 extra. Coffee and tea was included but we decided not to have that; I don't think anyone had room. We did have a glass of wine with the meal, Fred had a beer and the alcohol was extra. However, the house wine was only $6 per glass which I thought was pretty reasonable.

I didn't have the drastic after effects from the last Chinese meal I ate a couple of weeks ago when I was at my brother's place, although I didn't feel like my usual mug of morning coffee and had green tea instead.

A Lazy Post

2009-07-23T13:01:00.006+10:00

When one has nothing much to blog about, post photos up...as I've done. I went out into the garden earlier and although it's only July, still winter, I found this colour in the garden.

Bromeliad flower

Poinsettias in full bloom

A jonquil (narcissus) flower, this one's a double

The pyrostegia which has draped itself all over the fence

And last but not least, the first of Fred's orchids to flower.

I hope you enjoy these.

Sex Education and Other Comedies

2009-07-18T09:17:00.002+10:00

Jane was telling me last night that her eldest son has had some sex education at school. He was telling her about it and asked, "Mum, what's a condom?" So Jane explained what they were and how they helped to prevent the passing on of STDs, etc. Mitch then said, "Oh, so they're not to make your willie get bigger." Jane had a very difficult time keeping a straight face...

It brought to mind my eldest daughter when she was aged about four. We were living on the farm at that time and one lovely fine winter's day, she sat on the trailer helping to toss the hay to the cows. We came across a cow giving birth and so I thought it would be good for her to see what happened. She watched the whole procedure in absolute silence then when the calf had dropped and its mother was licking the membrane off its head, she turned to me with eyes the size of saucers and said, "I never knew calves came in plastic bags..."

My two eldest granddaughters had the same reaction when their mothers told them about the reproductive cycle and menstruation..."Ugh!"

My mother recalls that, when I was 13, she came home with my first bra thinking I'd be thrilled to bits. No. Instead she got an indignant "I'm not gonna wear that!" I wasn't ready to grow up.

Only from kids...

Tsumani Alert

2009-07-15T21:35:00.002+10:00

Australia's east coast has been put on tsunami alert following a powerful undersea earthquake.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says Tasmania, Victoria and NSW could be hit by waves on Wednesday evening following the quake off the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island at 7.22pm (AEST). (NineMSN News Website - 15/07/2009)

I've just heard the news on TV and had a look on the above website. The earthquake measured 7.9 on the Richter scale, so it's a decent sized rattler. No evacuations have been ordered but small boats and pleasure craft have been warned to return to shelter and ocean going ships to remain in deep water.

There's no warning as far as Queensland, just for the coastal areas of the southern states and Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Just goes to show...when you're sitting at home playing computer games with the TV on in the background, you never know what you're going to hear.

I hope there are no fatalities and that people's homes don't sustain too much damage.

Bits and Bobs

2009-07-11T12:06:00.003+10:00

I'm not going to apologise for not being around...I've done enough of that in the past and you know I'll be back anyway...right?

I went to my writers' group on Thursday night and the project this month was to take along an excerpt of something we're working on at the moment. So I ummed and aahed, and finally took along the first chapter of my work in progress. I felt sick to the stomach at the thought, because it was going to be critiqued by the others, some of whom are published authors. So I asked them to be gentle with me and handed a copy out to everyone, then went and bought a cup of green tea while they read it. To my gratification, they were laughing out loud...whew, what a relief! That's the reaction I was hoping for.

To cut to the chase, they found it entertaining and funny and I was told there was a good chance a publisher would probably pick it up. I've been on Cloud Nine ever since... I'm sorry I'm not going to say what it is about, I'm a bit superstitious in that respect, but if it gets published, I'll be crowing!

* * * * * *

I was talking to my eldest daughter yesterday and she had had some rather bad news so I jumped in the car and went to see her. Her father (my ex) has been diagnosed with a benign tumour on the cerebral cortex, the brain stem. It's growing and there's a danger of it cutting off passage of the spinal fluid and if that happens, the outcome is the worst you can think. He has to rest until he can have surgery. Apparently the operation itself is not too bad, with only a 2 -3% chance of a fatal outcome.

However, for all you Aussies who think our health system is in dire straits, listen to this. He has to wait two weeks just to have an MRI and three weeks after that for surgery. A total of five weeks and in the meantime, he could die. This is in New Zealand and when I heard that I was appalled. With the life threatening condition such as he has, it would be classified as category one here, and he would have had the operation quick smart. I do feel for he and his wife, they're going to be living on tenterhooks for the next little while.

They had also booked to visit Australia for a month in September and have had to cancel that, as the condition is too dangerous for John to fly. They had insured against untoward emergencies so they will get their money back. But what a dreadful thing to have happened. It makes you wonder what's next...because last year he was diagnosed with melanoma. Fortunately it was found and treated early, so there wasn't too much trauma there. But melanoma is such an insidious cancer, there's no telling if and when it will pop up next.

* * * * * * * *

I went to see my youngest daughter earlier this week as it was her birthday on Wednesday. She's left a very dissatisfying position and is now trying to set up a little business from home. She had almost finished the most beautiful quilt which she hoped to put up for sale. I don't know where she gets the patience...I wouldn't have it to do anything like that. She also has a blog and you can read it here.

That's it for now...no photos this weeks, so this post is looking a bit boring...sorry.

A couple of random photos

2009-07-05T08:39:00.007+10:00

I thought you'd like to see these...

This is our back yard. My flat is attached to the main house, where Jane & Fred are, at the far end. See our lovely big tipuana tree. It's evergreen and when it's in flower, tiny yellow flowers that just smother the tree, is absolutely spectacular.

When I was at my brother's last weekend, we found this photo and I got him to email me a copy. It was taken a couple of years ago at Peter's (my brother) 60th. L to R: Peter, his eldest son, Campbell, me in front, behind me, our brother Colin, and next to him, Peter's youngest, Julian. I'm going to send Mum a copy as I know she doesn't have one and she would like it.

The sunrise the other morning. It was absolutely spectacular and looked as if the world was on fire. I enlarged this and it's blurred...it looks better this size...trust me.

Elvis is in the Building!

2009-07-03T13:28:00.002+10:00

Elvis being a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who has a sister called Ava Gardner (I didn't know they were related, did you?). Jane and Wendy, big softies that they are, brought these dogs home from a Cavvie picnic they went to last weekend.

This is the saddest story...these two dogs are brother and sister, four years old and their owner surrendered them to Animal Rescue. Apparently the new boyfriend didn't "get on with them". My first thought when I heard that was, get rid of the boyfriend.

Anyway, back to the story. Both dogs were entire and Elvis, being a boy, was lifting his leg in all corners of the house...inside. Then he had diarrhoea and vomiting, so Jane had to take him to the vet where he stayed for two nights on a drip. The vet's report was that there had been a bit of negligence in his care. He was skinny and very needy for affection and attention. Poor little thing. His sister, on the other hand, has settled in well with Wendy and her family. But little Elvis is totally fixated on Jane...he just loves her and if she goes out of sight, he gets very upset.

Mind you, it's so funny hearing Jane talking about Elvis no longer lifting his leg inside...wonder what "The King" would think of that? Anyway, the lady from Animal Rescue is picking him up on Monday as she has room or has found a home for he and his sister.

Somehow, though, I don't think Jane will be so rash next time. She already has three dogs. including Kayla, the baby Cavvie, and the council only let us have two dogs per property. I told her she was a softie...

Rather an Unusual Weekend

2009-06-30T11:23:00.011+10:00

What's two days away, which turns into three days away, without a surprise or two? Pretty boring, I'd say.

I had problems with my car when I arrived in Gympie. The gears were "locking", that's the only way I can describe it. I had spent a couple of hours with Peter, catching up and having a laugh or two then made my way back to my brother's at Maroochydore. That was only an hour a way and the drive was uneventful.

I had dinner with my friends on Saturday night, which was a lot of fun, as you'll see in the photos below. I was hoping to get more photos of Maroochydore itself...it has a lovely beach, but I got back too late.

Sunday morning, just before lunch I left to drive back to Brisbane, got about 120 metres, stopped at the traffic lights and the brakes locked this time. Again, here was I blocking one lane of traffic who wanted to turn right. I called my brother and while waiting for him, a young guy in a silver 4AWD with big tyres pulled up, whipped out a towing strap and towed my car off the road into a very convenient carpark.

Again, I called RACQ, this time the tow truck and got him to tow the car to a brake and clutch specialist. Of course, they don't open until Monday, so I was there another night. We had takeaway Chinese for dinner, which was very nice, until the next morning when I woke up with an awful headache and vomiting. Once that was out of my system I felt better and I knew instantly what it was...MSG, and restaurants/cafes or any eatery are not supposed to use it.

Anyway, the next morning, my brother rang the clutch and brake place we'd dropped the car off to and they had me on the road by 1.45 pm, so I was home by 5 pm. There was a small leak in each of the rear brake cylinders and dust and dirt had caused the calliper to grab and it wasn't going to let go. They reamed out the cylinders, cleaned them up, replaced the wheels and I was on the way again.

The clutch had an airlock or something, my mobile mechanic fixed that for me yesterday...all up, the cost was $220. I thought it was going to be a lot worse and was wondering if it was going to be cheaper to buy a new car. But mine's only seven years old and it hasn't been flogged, with only just under 80,000 km on the clock, so it should be okay for a while yet.

That was my weekend. I rang Jane and she fed the cats for me for another night but, oh dear, was I in trouble when I finally arrived home. They were very stand offish for an hour or so. But when I fed them, funny, all was forgiven.

This is Sue...giving her impression of, um, I'm not sure.
A table full of party animals.

Don't ask...

Singing along with the band.

Lorna and Julz getting up close and personal.

Cheers from a couple of clients.

Clint, Julz' significant other looking decidedly the worse for wear.

Sue and Julz after rearranging the table...very artistic.

A surfer hanging from the roof.

Another one, this one was a bit far away and I had to use the zoom, but the flash didn't reach that far.

Away for the Weekend...Again

2009-06-26T20:43:00.002+10:00

Well, I've stopped my so-called crime spree and have been having a pretty quiet week. I'm going up to Maroochydore tomorrow to have dinner with friends tomorrow night at the Mooloolaba Surf Club. But, before that I'm going a little further north to call in and see a blogger friend (you know, the one who has the dust buffaloes) in Gympie.

I'll be staying at my brother's and he has told me that one of my cousins will be there also. He (my cousin) was working as a photographer in the Whitsundays but due to the drop in tourism, he's been made redundant. So, he's come south where he has found work as a builder's labourer and earning good money for doing it, too. He's not worried about what he does, as long as it brings in money and he can go surfing.

* * * * * * * *

I was saddened to hear the news of Michael Jackson's death today, although not entirely surprised. He was probably on medication of some sort for the reconstructive work done on his face and skin to ward off infection, etc and it was bound to take its toll eventually, along with the probable sleeping drugs and whatever that celebreties can get with ridiculous ease.

I just hope this very talented but unhappy, tormented soul is at peace now. RIP, Michael.

Hopefully I'll have some photos for you when I get back. Ciao for now...

Crimes I'm Supposed to Have Committed.

2009-06-21T11:21:00.002+10:00

I received a very intriguing email last week. The sender writes:

"If you saw me in the back of a police car, what would you think I had been up to?"

So you send your answer to that person, then forward the email, deleting the answer to the original sender, onto friends inviting them to do the same for you.

So far, I've been accused of dangerous driving, overspending on my credit card, chatting up the copper, backchatting the copper, driving around in the nude and soliciting!

My, my I have been having fun...pity I can't remember any of it.

Winter Winelander Part 2.

2009-06-18T14:19:00.014+10:00

We woke next morning to a fine, clear but mildly frosty day. I decided to have a shower as Helen wanted to stay in bed a bit longer. I didn't blame her, they were toasty warm and lovely and comfortable. We slept like logs.

There was plenty of hot water and good pressure, so I jumped in and started washing my hair. The next thing, the hot water disappeared and left freezing icy cold water. I got such a shock, I could only gasp. Which was fortunate, I could have alarmed the whole motel complex with blood curdling shrieks if I wasn't in such a state of shock. I fiddled around with the taps and fortunately, managed to get the water back to my liking and was able to finish my shower uninterrupted but in record time. I did not want to be caught again.

I warned Helen about the vagaries of the shower but fortunately for her, she had no trouble. I learnt later that it was probably because nearly everyone decided to take their showers at the same time. However, no one got the rude awakening that I did.

We met outside for breakfast which was fruit, cereal and fruit juice to start with. This was followed by a delicious second course of sausages, bacon, tomato and eggs cooked on the barbecue along with toast, followed by piping hot coffee. Most people sat in the indoor area but a few of us hardy souls sat at the picnic tables outside in the sun. Even though it was frosty, it wasn't particularly cold. For once, Stanthorpe was not the coldest place in Queensland.

While at breakfast we received the sad news that one of our fellow travellers had passed away during the night from a heart attack. I did feel for his wife, but her family travelled overnight from Brisbane to be with her. He was an avid train buff and at least he was doing something he loved.

At 9.15 am we were taken by coach to the station for the return journey back to Brisbane. We didn't have the complimentary champagne on the return trip, but we did have another wine tasting, of reds this time. Then after lunch the buffet car was open for happy hour or three.

There were a group of New Zealanders in our car, who were thoroughly enjoying themselves. They kept us highly entertained with their conversation, no doubt with the lubrication they had, they thought they were having a very intelligent and witty discussion. Take my word for it...they weren't. But they were very funny.

There was a raffle, the proceeds of which went towards the Australian Historical Railway Society, which arranges these excursions. We'd had one on the way up and the same man one first prize in both. Good sport that he was, he returned his second first prize to be redrawn. There was also a lucky seat number...neither Helen nor I were lucky in that or the raffle.

We stopped for half an hour at Warwick and a few of us went over the O'Mahoney's Hotel. We had spotted it on the way up but because we were running behind time, we were unable to go and have a look. It's Heritage listed and a beautiful old building. I took some photos to show you below.

However, the half hour just whizzed by and someone with sharp ears heard the guard's whistle so we started back to the train. Apparently we weren't moving fast enough because the next thing the engine driver gave us a great long blast on the train hooter. That made us move.

We had another delicious luncheon of cold meat and salads, but with different salads this time. Very tasty and relatively healthy, too.

I went back to my seat while Helen, Sandy and Trish stayed and had a cup of tea. There was a very humorous little incident which happened while I was waiting for the others. Three people came through after the last wine tasting shift. First a guy then two women. One of the women was dancing and singing as she went through the door and her friend behind her said, "Gee, Sheryl, I never realised what a nice arse you had." Well, I just burst out laughing. This lady spun around in shock. I don't think she realised I was sitting there. I was still laughing and she grinned sheepishly at me and scuttled through the door. Later on, when we were looking through the old pub, I came across the three of them and said, "Oh that's right. You're the lady that likes Sheryl's arse." There were great gusts of laughter at this and she replied, "Oh dear, I'm never going to live that one down."

I had great delight in regaling the other three with that story. Every time I saw that lady after that, I grinned at her. To give her her due, she'd grin back at me.

Later on, sometime after we'd past through Toowoomba and were going down the range, a young chap in a very crumpled shirt staggered through the carriage, out the door and into the Ladies'. We all looked at one another, but turned to see a lady come out of the carriage in front and wait at the door for whoever was inside to come out. We were interested to see what would happen next. Out stumbled this young chap, totally oblivious of the fact he was in the wrong loo. The lady waiting her turn had a bemused look on her face as he came back through our door. He paused, the train gave a lurch and he fell slowly and elegantly into the seat beside him which, fortunately was empty. We grinned and made comments to the fact that he might be feeling very sorry the next day, to which the young guy replied, "It's ok, I'm used to it," and staggered back from where he came.

Now the funny thing about it was that we'd never seen this guy before and we never saw him again. It was starting to worry us...after all, we hadn't had very much to drink. When the train reached Brisbane, we asked Ray our tour manager, if he knew who it was. We told him about the earlier incident. "Oh, yeah," said Ray, "That's Kevvy. He's a little developmentally delayed and takes the bus up to Toowoomba and gets onto the train there. Once the train reaches Brisbane and all you people leave, he's the hardest working guy around. He takes bags of rubbish out and cleans the carriages. He's a really good little worker, but he works behind the scenes."

Well, I'm glad that mystery was solved. We had visions of a stowaway in the luggage van.

So, people, that was our weekend. It was a great experience, we had a lot of fun, met some lovely people and tasted some very nice wines. I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Now, when's the next trip...

Our motel in Stanthorpe. That tree in the centre is a grass tree.

Bringing around a platter of fresh fruit, cheese and crackers during wine tasting.

If you enlarge this, in the distance just under the hill on the right, you'll see a brief glimpse of a little of Colley's dam which supplies Warwick and the surrounding districts with water.

O'Mahoney's, the beautiful Heritage listed pub.

Look at this chandelier. Isn't it magnificent?

Another smaller chandelier and the pressed metal ceiling of the ballroom which, by the time they got an orchestra in, seating and tables, would be lucky it if held 12 people.

The beautiful original stained glass panels over the front door.

Two velvet covered vintage chairs in what passed as a foyer, but was in reality just a corridor. Aren't they wide?

Beautiful iron lace work on the back verandah.

An old telephone booth. We were expecting Clark Kent to pop out. Pity it wasn't a blue policeman's box, I'd much rather have the cute Dr Who.

The Winter Winelander

2009-06-15T06:51:00.010+10:00

Hi everyone...I'm back in one piece after a riotuous 48 hour weekend away. Helen and I boarded the Winelander at the Transit Centre in Roma Street. As we made our way out throught the suburbs, the tour manager, Ray, welcomed us on the trip and told us a little of what we would be doing. First off was a glass of complimentary champagne...at 7.30 in the morning. He then ended with the message "Abandon hope all ye who enter here." Ok, I thought, it's going to be that kind of a weekend...it was, with bells on. Our steward came around with champagne or orange juice. I didn't want any healthy stuff to spoil my day so I had champagne, took a sip and shuddered. However, after that first rough taste, it went down very nicely and I had another glass...Helen had another two. We got chatting with a couple of ladies sitting across the aisle from us...Sandy and Trish...and the four of us teamed up for the weekend.

There was one tiny fly in the ointment and that was three 40-something women sitting in front of us who were rather rude and arrogant...Helen christened them "The Princesses" and the name stuck all weekend. However, we didn't let them spoil our fun and ignored them for the rest of the weekend. As they didn't want to mix with others, it was easy to do.

We passed through the outer suburbs of Brisbane, across the Lockyer Valley, over the Little Liverpool Range and on up into the Toowoomba Range. As we did last year on the Carnival of the Flowers steam train trip, we took a couple of hours to ascend the Range, we had two diesel engines this time rather than steam...much cleaner. We stopped in Toowoomba for 10 minutes for a brief leg stretch then on board and off again.

Next came wine tasting. Our carriage and seat numbers were called in batches and we sampled three different white wines from the local wineyards around Stanthorpe, our final destination. I hadn't had any breakfast as I can't eat at 5 am, the time I woke up, you can imagine the effect these had on top of two glasses of champagne. I was having a great time. It wasn't just one sampling from each bottle...it was two or three, and they weren't small samples, either. However, I thought I'd better eat something so had a couple of ham, cheese, tomato and pickle sandwiches with a cup of coffee. That helped tremendously and I was ready for the next round.

We were called for lunch in the same way, in batches by car and seat number. Lunch was a lovely cold collation of ham off the bone and several different salads, plus fresh luncheon rolls. Very nice indeed. After lunch, while we sped on over the Darling Downs, kilometres of endless flat plain, I had a nana nap and felt quite revived after that. We had another brief stop at Warwick then started the final leg of our journey through the Granite Belt to Stanthorpe, where we arrived at 3.30 pm. We were immediately herded onto coaches and were off to the wineries and more wine tasting (it's called the Winelander, after all).

Our first winery was Ballandean. The history of the name is quite interesting. It was originally a large cattle station named after the owners, Ball and Dean...Ballandean, with the "a" in the first part of the name pronounced short as in "cat"...Ball'n'dean. I found a lovely wine there I'd never heard of before, Viognier, pronounced "vee onyay". It's a relatively dry white with a lovely after taste. Apparently it's going to replace Chardonnay as the "must have" wine. I only tried a couple of whites there.

After about 30 minutes we moved on to the next winery, Harrington Glen. They had a special wine tasting area set up through the back and we were seated with our glasses while each wine sampled was given a brief description before we sampled it. There were about 12 wines sampled and we were given a set of tasting notes each. They had a Viognier, too, which tasted quite different to the Ballandean one, but still very pleasant and again with a lovely after taste.
I don't really drink red wine. I like it very much, but unfortunately it doesn't like me and I get a migraine if I drink more than half a glass. However, I did try a sip of the reds and there were a couple of lovely ones, but what I really like about the samples was the Ruby Port. Oh boy, that was easy to drink...so mellow it could be dangerous. There was also a white port called Toy Boy Trop, which amusingly was named after the winemaker, quite a nice looking young man...or so we were told.

Our last winery was Whiskey Valley Winery and again, we picked out the wines to try. I tried a dry white called Vin Doux, which I quite liked, but that was all. I was all sampled out after the last place. However, while we were at this winery, we noticed a huge place situated high up a small mountain overlooking the valley. This place was lit up like a battleship and is a restaurant. Apparently that's where the Summer Winelander tour will be having dinner in February. I bet the views are magnificent.

We were finally dropped off at our motels around 6 pm, which give us about an hour to relax before meeting for dinner at Anna's Italian Restaurant, just down the road from our motel, The Granite Court Motel. It was bliss walking into our motel unit, which had the heating turned on. After the cold air outside, it was beautifully warm. We had pay TV, so flicked through some channels there to see what was to offer. By the time we freshened up and changed for dinner, it was time to meet outside for the walk down the hill to the restauran. We had our jackets, gloves and scarves on as it was rather chilly and promising to get colder.

Anna's is situated in a beautifully renovated old Queenslander. We were greeted by the proprietor a very charming 30 something Italian. It's the first time I've been greeted with a hug at a restaurant...very nice. There were 120 of us on this trip plus local diners so the place was packed. The dinner was buffet style, all Italian food...which I absolutely adore...and was soooo tasty and delicious. I had one rachelli (a potato croquet type of thing), stuffed mushrooms (yum), stuffed capsicum (divine), a small piece of Italian style chicken, a couple of prawn cutlets and for salad, pickled vegetables, tomatoes and a small helping of Caesar salad. I have never tasted such a delicious meal. There was dessert too. Fresh fruit as well as various Italian delicacies. I'm not sure what I had but whatever it was, I enjoyed it. Helen and I finished off with coffee for me and tea for her. We were going to have a glass of wine but were all wined out by that time so decided to forego it.

Now I must say here, that the service at Anna's was excellent. The restaurant was jammed packed with people coming in as others left. Yet, it was run efficiently with very pleasant staff. Most impressive. I even spotted Il Padrone carrying a large armful of plates out to the kitchen.
I was dreading the walk back to the motel, uphill after that meal, but it needed walking off. By the time we left it was very cold. Helen and I had our scarves over our heads to keep our ears warm and puffed our way back to the motel. It was good to crawl into bed and watch a bit of the History Channel on TV. We slept like logs, in snuggly warm and comfortable beds, waking at 6 am on the Sunday to a very frosty day.

Here are a few photos...

Our heated carriage or car, as it was called.
The pressed metal ceiling from the old refreshment rooms at Toowoomba.

The buffet car.

A patch of green on the Downs, probably sorghum.

Miles of dry land, with cattle in the distance.

The facade of the old Warwick Railway Station.

Big old wine barrels at Ballandean Winery.

To be continued...

A Quick Post

2009-06-12T07:57:00.003+10:00

Tomorrow's the day! Last night Stanthorpe had the lowest night time temperature in Queensland at -4. Here, it was quite warm at 3 degrees last night. Daytime temps were higher about 17-18 but the wind chill factor made it feel a lot colder, so much so that it felt like breathing in ground glass and ending up with a brain freeze.

However, I had my writers' group last night and gave my new jacket a trial run...it did very well so along with the extra layers, I should be right at Stanthorpe. Think of me tomorrow on the train...wine tasting, dining and just relaxing and watching the world whizz by. Can't wait...

It's soooo cold

2009-06-11T13:42:00.002+10:00

And I know all you people from cooler climes are going to roar your heads off laughing...but it's supposed to be subtropical here. Feels more like sub-Antarctic. I was sitting here working, been doing that from 6.30 and at 10.30, I decided it was time to see Ken and have a cup of coffee with him. Turned off the heating, opened the windows and doors...what a mistake! Icicles promptly formed everywhere...ok, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But there was a cold, icy southerly wind ripping up from the southern states to whistle around one's ears and other parts of the anatomy, no matter how well clothed one might be. I couldn't believe how cold it was.

Our average daytime temperature in the winter is 22C...usually lovely sunny days, cool in the wind but find a sheltered spot and it's bliss. Today, however, it is so cold. I can't believe how cold. I have no idea what the temperature is and couldn't for the life of me even hazard a guess, but one thing I do know...it's not 22C.

This is my train trip to Stanthorpe weekend. Now Stanthorpe sometimes gets snow. I rang my travelling companion this morning and we have decided to wear our warmest clothes including thermals. Although, as she pointed out, we will be inside most of the time...train, coach, restaurant, motel...so it's only going to be brief dashes between said vehicles and buildings where we will really feel the cold. I don't care...I've got scarf, hat, gloves and a warm jacket, leather boots and knee length socks to wear under my jeans. I might be bundled up so much I can hardly move, but my extremities will be warm and that's what's important.

Not sure if I will be posting before Saturday, but I'll have plenty to show and tell you when I come back. Have a good weekend.

Winter Colour

2009-06-08T09:21:00.003+10:00

Thanks so much for all your hints on how to overcome Blogger's upload image glitch. I have used nowhere near my "allowance" of uploads, so it wasn't that. I went to Blogger itself, into the Help area and tried all their solutions, but still nothing worked. In the end, I tried Picasa as someone suggested, as I already had on my computer and, voila! It worked.

So here are the photos I've tried to upload for the last few days.

One of Fred's lovely giant hibiscuses.

Not sure what this is, but isn't the foliage magnificent?

Here's a close up.

Hopefully this is now the end of my upload problems...fingers crossed.

Blogger Problems

2009-06-06T08:42:00.002+10:00

I'm fed up! For the past few days, I haven't been able to upload images onto my posts. When I go into add image, select a photo and press open, nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a Blogger problem or my 'puter? There seems to be no reason for it that I can see. The photos still have the same file identification from the camera. It's driving me nuts.

Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Kookaburra or Laughing Jackass

2009-06-02T15:28:00.004+10:00

I had saw this fellow sitting on the clothesline this morning and it reminded me of the rondelay we used to sing at school when I was about 9 or 10.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.

Merry merry king of the bushes, he.

Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra.

Gay your life must be.

Fred had made a fishpond in the garden and put some fish in. Guess what?...They made a nice snack for this bird. In fact, that's why we're seeing quite a lot of him. Both Jane and I told Fred the kookaburras would get the fish...but, according to Fred, they'd be okay. They'd hide under the water plants. I hate to say I told you so...

Enlarge the photo, it's a good one of the bird, even if I do say so...

A Shocking Story

2009-05-31T09:38:00.002+10:00

I have just finished reading this book, "The Boy in Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne.

All I'll tell you about the story is that it is of a nine-year-old boy whose father is the commandant of Auschwitz.

It's written in a very simple, but not immature, style. It's not a pretty book but it is compelling and the ending will shock you and haunt you.

It's unforgettable.

Aawww!

2009-05-29T19:29:00.002+10:00

Kayla finds a warm spot cuddled up to Shelby.

Are you taking a picture of me to put on your blog?

What Do You Think of This?

2009-05-26T21:50:00.003+10:00

On the news tonight, a man was arrested as a suspect over allegedly killing his de facto's four-year-old son. His partner and family members were at the court to support him. Outside the court, when journos were trying to interview these people, they responded with swearing, screaming and yelling and violence in the form of throwing a bottle, which fortunately did not hit anyone, but struck a camera.

Now, don't those reactions make one wonder? I know the media can be intrusive and probably the last thing the alleged suspect's family would want to do is talk to them. But to respond in that way gives rise to the question; Is there violence within the family?

* * * * * * * *

I've had my computer disinfected against the virus...it was a Trojan, but didn't do any damage. It was just a bloody nuisance. How's this for service, though? The guys at the computer repair shop put some software on for me, free of charge, called Malaware Bytes. I was told to run the short scan once every two weeks to a month and the full scan every couple of months or so. If a virus is detected, as well as preventing it from lodging in the hard drive, it will clear it out of the system. It works in conjunction with my existing antivirus programme, so gives me more protection.

The guy at the computer shop said there are a lot of viruses that come through Facebook, this one I got came with something called My Webspace, which is all tied in with the Win PC Trojan.

I really think Facebook have a duty of care to protect their users against this threat therefore should do more to ensure their site is virus free. I was lucky this time, no damage done. I've been using the internet for 11 years and this is the first time I've been caught.

Needless to say, I will not be using Facebook again.

Facebook Warning

2009-05-24T17:51:00.002+10:00

I was on Facebook last night, playing WordHunt. Suddenly these windows popped up telling me I had a malicious Trojan virus. You can imagine my consternation. Anyway, it's a nuisance more than dangerous. But it did disable my virus protect programme and has now embedded itself in my hard drive.

It mimics a legal Windows programme, but has a shield with the colours rather than the flag. It's called WinPC and you cannot get rid of it. It has "Help", Contact, etc, but when you click on these, they go nowhere. It's not in the programmes file so you can't uninstall it. From what I can gather, it originated in Germany.

I reinstalled my virus protect application and checked the virus encyclopaedia but this thing's not listed. It's a bloody nuisance because it keeps popping up telling you to install it. I'll ring my IP tomorrow and hopefully, they can talk me through getting rid of it, otherwise it's down to the computer repair shop.

So this is the result of some unemployed pea brained moron with too much time on their hands who thinks they're being really clever. They're not...they're complete idiots.

If anyone has had this nuisance Bot thing, can they give me any idea how to get rid of it?

Oh, by the way, I've deleted Facebook off my computer. If you're thinking of going on Facebook, don't bother. They obviously don't have enough security measures in place to prevent this from happening.

Air Attack!

2009-05-23T14:21:00.004+10:00

The funniest thing happened the other day. Roger, Jane's brother was out washing his big Landcruiser (he's a keen off road 4WD fanatic). As he stood up, an advance formation of five rather large cockatoos flew over, only about 2 metres above his head. As they were directly over him, all five went "SQUAAAARK!!"; Roger yelled "AAAAARRRGH!!" in fright. Then a following squadron of lorikeets, chasing the cockatoos off, but flying even lower, shot over Roger's head cheeping and chirping very aggressively, making an incredible noise.

"Give me a break!" yelled Roger, who stomped off inside and made himself a cup of coffee. As you can imagine, watching the antics of the local wildlife and one beleagured human made for a hilarious "you had to be there" moment.

Where does the money go?

2009-05-22T12:22:00.002+10:00

Yesterday I received a superannuation cheque. I wasn't expecting it, but it was what was left over from when I retrieved my complete super last year...just before the markets crashed, thankfully.

Anyway, this cheque was for $28 and some cents. When I looked at the breakdown, the original amount was just under $100. Over $70 was for "accounting fees". Then there was a disclaimer at the foot of the page saying something like "for any balance under $1000, we ensure our fees do not exceed your balance."

As far as I'm concerned...why bother? The super company may as well have kept it. Still, I guess I could earn some interest on it...my bank does actually pay interest.

As this amount was employer contributions forwarded about the same time I accessed my super, you would have thought the super company would have just sent it on to me. No, it doesn't work like that. It was invested for a whole year (I made 3c interest...wow), then the fees were deducted and the residue sent to me...$28+.

Good way to make money, eh?

It's Been a Trifle Damp Lately

2009-05-21T12:01:00.006+10:00

So much so that South East Queensland has been declared a disaster area. I've never lived in a disaster area before...unless you count my home (sometimes, that is). We've had the rain bucketing down with phenomenal amounts of raid...300 mm plus in some areas. Naturally, there have been floods, hair raising narrow escapes and rescues, flooded houses with people frantically moving stuff to higher ground, if they have it. If not...

According to Anna Bligh, Queensland Premier, the drought is officially over. The dams are steadily filling up, which is good to hear...until the next drought. However, we are still on water restrictions in that we can use 230 litres per person per day, which is a fair amount really. But we're not allowed to wash cars, boats, houses, etc, with hoses, nor hose down driveways. But there will always be some people who think that these measures don't apply to them...there always are. When they get caught, they whinge and moan and carry on about the unfairness of it. After all, why take responsibility for one's actions...it's every one else's fault.

Unfortunately, due to the wild weather, the beaches are getting a pounding and as they haven't really recovered from the last bout of wild weather back during summer, the erosion is pretty bad. So sad to see the beaches without the lovely white sand.

Apart from the above, life has been pretty quiet really. I went to my writing group last weekend, which is always a lift. I've not been swimming lately. Even though the water is heated, it's damn cold getting out into the freezing change rooms. So instead, I've decided to start linedancing again. I used to do it years ago in New Zealand. It's so addictive I was actually going seven nights a week. As you can imagine, I was pretty fit.

I have been watching my eating lately...well for the past six months...and I have actually gone down two dress sizes. I no longer have to go to the big sizes anymore. It's such a nice feeling. I took five bags of fat clothes to the op shop and have been buying nice new smaller things. Yesss!

So with that little bit of showing off...I'll finish. Below are a couple of photos showing the flood waters.

This lady rescued these four horses from flooded paddocks. It didn't say whether they were hers or not, I guess it doesn't matter in the long run.

One rather wet soccer field...closed for some reason or other.

The spectacle of a flooded creek near the city. What's the State Government tourism campaign slogan? "Queensland- beautiful one day, perfect the next." Yep, that's about it...

Photos courtesy of ABC News.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-11T17:41:00.007+10:00

A belated Happy Mother's Day to mothers all over the world. I hope everyone one of you had a beautiful day with your families.

I had a lovely day. My youngest daughter rang me, she didn't come over because she'd had a really nasty tooth extraction on the Friday (they had to cut the tooth up, cut the gum and put a collagen transplant in the resulting hole in the bone...it took two-and-a-half hours), and was still very sore and swollen...poor thing.

My eldest daughter, Toni, her husband, Darryl, and our little Cooper came over and I was totally spoilt, as you can see below.

A digital photo frame
Flowers, including gladioli (shades of Dame Edna Everage...helloooo possums!).

And a bottle of Queen Adelaide Chardonnay.

Later on Jane said they were having a barbecue, so between us we decided the menu. I made a salad, a fruit platter and had some banana bread which I also contributed. There were seven of us, not including the kids. They were having dinner in the tv room. We had a lovely time, lots of laughs and wittiscms...fueled by a glass or three of wine, and I eventually went home about 10 pm.

So that was Mother's Day 2009 for me and a most enjoyable day it was too.

The salad consisting of lettuce, capsicum cucumber, avocado, tomato and egg. I had also made a fruit platter but forgot to take a photo of it. I had covered an oven tray with alfoil and layered slices of watermelon, cantaloupe (rock melon), pineapple, mandarin and seedless grapes. It was very colourful and I can't believe I forgot to photograph it.

The banana bread, which was enjoyed by everyone. It had walnuts in it as well and a touch of nutmeg which made it a little different.

Oh-h my poor feet!

2009-05-06T17:56:00.002+10:00

Today was the shopping trip to Harbour Town with my daughter and granddaughter. As you may or may not remember, I had given my daughter a shopping trip, lunch and spending money for her birthday about a month ago. After synchronising dates that were suitable for the three of us, we set off at about 9 this morning. We were originally going to go in my car, but my daughter has "small car psychosis" going along the M1 and wanted to take the 4WD. Apparently she thinks her arse is dragging on the ground in a small car! I wasn't going to complain...heated leather seats, a motor that can't be heard and I didn't have to drive. Good stuff.

I wasn't really in shopping mode, today. I couldn't see anything I liked...not even shoes...tragedy! I also wanted to get new swimmers but there was nothing I liked in those, either. My daughter told me I was picky. I was today for some reason or other.

However, the other two got plenty of bargains. My daughter bought two pairs of shoes, a jacket and top. My granddaughter bought heaps of stuff...don't ask! I did buy Pink's latest album "Funhouse" which had sold out in Grand Plaza and I bought the cats a cat marijuana toy...you know, catnip. It sends them crazy...I think I'm going to regret that buy.

We had a delicious lunch. My granddaughter and I had nachos and my daughter had gourmet Cajun chicken on Turkish. Then we went next door to Zarraffa's for coffee. The others had a triple shot Fusion. I had my usual...black.

I had got up early, done my laundry and hung it out. However, just before I got home there had been a shower of rain so I'm in the process of giving it a quick burst in the drier.

That's all for now...not particularly rivetting, but hey, I can't be brilliant all the time...

The First Post for May

2009-05-02T12:33:00.008+10:00

Some peculiar and colourful flowers and plants that we have growing here.

This is an ornamental ginger. The red part is not the flower, that's the little cream things on the top. In fact, it's the last of the flowers, they pop out all the way down the cone when the ginger is in full bloom.

I haven't a clue what this is, but it's a climber. The flower is that insignificant red bit at the top which, like the ginger, has tiny cream flowerlets. But I love the red stem and the green and cream variegated leaves. If anyone knows what this is, we'd be so pleased to find out.

A beautiful bromeliad flower.

Again, I don't know what this is called, but it's very common. The flower lasts for ages and I think this plant can be made into a hedge.

Purple with a pink flower...very colourful.

And a purple cordyline. A stunning sight when it's taller.

I've Been Sooooo Slack!

2009-04-25T10:20:00.002+10:00

Sorry I haven't been around for a day or two...life's been happening, as it does. I had Harry for three days, which was lovely. He's such a good kid, eats most of what is put in front of him and spent most of his time with the boys next door. I took him to the movies to see Pink Panther 2, which was rather disappointing. There's only one Inspector Cloiseau...Peter Sellars. Steve Martin did not cut it for me. However, Harry enjoyed it and that was the main thing. We'd been to Macca's for breakfast beforehand because, as Harry told me, "They have the best hot chocolate." Whatever...I stuck to my usual, black coffee, plus we both had hotcakes...yum. That's the only McDonald's meal I like.

I've also made arrangements with a friend to take another train trip...to the Western Downs area...Stanthorpe. Queensland Rail are running a "Winelander" weekend during the Brass Monkey Season. As it's the middle of June, we'll be taking our thermals 'cos it's going to be a bit chilly, especially at night. Although we're promised an open fire...lovely. We leave Roma Street Station at 7 am and get to Stanthorpe at 3.30 pm...eight and a half hours of train trip. We can have light refreshments on the train. On arrival in Stanthorpe, we're taken by coach for a tour of at least three wineries before we check in to our motels. Dinner is organised at Anna's Restaurant in the heart of Stanthorpe, a short walk from the motels. The next day we have a late start home at 10 am and arrive back at Roma Street at 6 pm. It should be good, but we'll be tired when we get home.

Next week I'm taking my eldest daughter down to Harbour Town, the factory outlet place Jane and I went to for her birthday. I want to buy a king sized winter weight doona. Although I have a queen sized bed, I want a king sized doona so I can tuck it in during winter. I gave my queen sized doona to Gabbie, plus a lovely doona cover that I hadn't used. She was very happy with that. I also want a DVD player...believe or not, I actually do not have a DVD player! I also want a water filter/cooler. I think it will be much safer than continually using the same plastic bottle over and over again.

One of the ladies in my writing group, Annette, is having a book launch on 08 May. However, as it's the same night as the football game between Australia and New Zealand at Suncorp, I think I'll give it a miss. I won't miss out though because she's going to have an author event in Springfield, 15 minutes from where I live, a few days later. I'll buy a couple of her books, get her to sign them and give one to mum and keep the other for myself. Her book is called "Wild Spirit", author Annette Henderson, and it's about her time in Africa after she was stranded there when her belongings were stolen. Should be a good read.

Well, that's what I've been up to lately. I'm now going to read your posts. Bye for now...

Introducing KJ...the Latest Addition

2009-04-16T12:02:00.005+10:00

Here are some photos of Jane's little baby...puppy Kayla. She's so cute.

Between my feet, you can see how little she is.

Ever tried to get a puppy to look at the camera?

Here she is again, with Mitchell, Jane and Fred's eldest.

A sinful weekend...

2009-04-14T08:45:00.004+10:00

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. What! I hear you say, is that all? Yes, I know, with that title I bet you thought you were going to read something salacious about what I've been up to. What terrible minds you lot have...

I now have enough chocolate to last me six months. I received a large fancy packet of Maltesers plus two packets of Malteser mini eggs from Mitch and Scott and a box of Ferrero Rocher chocs from my eldest daughter...so my loss of centimetres is going to turn into a gain, I can just tell.

I also received some beautiful gerberas from Fred as a thank you for being very devious with Jane before her surprise party.

My lovely gerberas. I did try to arrange them nicely, but the heads were heavy and wouldn't stay where I put them, so in the end I just plonked them in the vase with a few stems of maidenhair fern I had picked.

On Sunday, I drove down to see my youngest daughter and her three. Her youngest son, Harry, whom I've blogged about in the past, is over from New Zealand visiting for the school holidays. He'll be coming to stay with me next week. I had seen Harry in November when Gabbie and I were in New Zealand and when I saw him on Sunday, I was shocked at the growth spurt he'd had...he's almost as tall as me (163 cm). Anyway, I had bought them some marshmallow chocolate Easter eggs and had bought my daughter some Lindt chocolate bunnies and eggs. However, Harry doesn't like marshmallow and she does, so they swapped.

Gabbie, Brooke and Harry

Then I went to visit my eldest daughter and Cooper, who was telling me all about their new acquisition...a cockatoo named Georgy Girl. She's only 16 weeks old but can already say hello and imitates Cooper laughing. Cooper came up to give me a chocolate coated kiss, bless him, he had more chocolate outside than he did inside him.

When I arrived home around five, Fred asked me to come over. Jane had picked up her birthday present which he had bought her...a new puppy. She's a tri-colour Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, whom Jane has named Kayla. However, our neighbour, Wendy, who also has a Cav has christened the puppy Kayla Jane...KJ for short, so that's what the little one is now being called by her mummy. I'll get some photos, because she so gorgeous and pretty feisty, too. The kids love her.

I hope you had a Happy Easter and that those of you who were driving home had a safe trip.

After a Week's Absence...

2009-04-12T06:29:00.003+10:00

I've found a few minutes to put up a post. It's been a busy week, I've been into the city twice and of course, down to the coast last Saturday as well as general running around. I was out every day last week and when Good Friday arrived, I was really pleased not to be going anywhere. In fact when I woke up on Friday, it was a beautiful morning and all I could hear were the birds. No traffic on the highway or anything, it was so peaceful.

The morning after the party was spent doing the rest of the cleaning up. A couple of people had stayed over at Jane and Fred's. Roger from across the back came over, my daughter and her husband arrived, a couple of neighbours who were unable to come to the party turned up and we all had bacon and eggs for breakfast cooked on the barbecue by Roger and Mitch, Jane and Fred's eldest boy. Fred's nephew, Bill, was around pretty early to take the big marquee and tables and chairs away. With all hands on deck, it wasn't long before the everything was cleared away and you wouldn't have known there had been a party at all.

The last of the marquees, tables and chairs.

Roger and Mitch cooking up breakfast.

As I mentioned above, I was in the city twice last week. The first time was to take the granddaughter who had done the modelling course to a casting call at the agency. They have accepted her for photographic work, much to her delight. She is very photogenic and on the way in, I happened to say to her that I wouldn't be surprised if she was accepted for photographic work.

Then I had to go back into the city on Thursday for an ophthalmolgic review. I have mild cataracts and need to have them checked yearly. It was at the practice where I used to work so it was nice catching up with everyone again. Of course, I was told I could come back to work, my job was still there. Yeah, right. Unfortunately, I said I couldn't leave my current position...semi retirement...heheh. My eyes are okay for another year. Actually I've had this current glasses prescription for 11 years now. I've had to replace the actual specs because the last ones were so scratched I could hardly see out of them. Although my eyesight has changed slightly, the left has always been weaker. The right has perfect sight and I can read the bottom line on the Snellen chart without my glasses with that eye, but the left is not so good, even with glasses and I don't think the cataract helps. When I get my driver's licence renewed I'm always asked if I need glasses for driving...I don't, fortunately.

I wanted to have laser work on the retinas so I wouldn't need to wear glasses at all, but apparently I'm in the 6% of the population who is long sighted rather than short sighted and it wouldn't work for me. It's a nuisance when I'm shopping because I need my glasses on to see labels, etc. but I can't use them to generally walk around, so I do my shopping with them perched on the end of my nose to enable me to do both.

Well, it's Easter Sunday and I hope you all have a very happy and restful Easter.