SOL's view

The Sounds of Silence

2012-02-13T08:04:00.002+10:00

A great song really. But that's what I've got here - I'm first in again. And today it looks like three of our six carparks have been lost to interlopers. They aren't marked as reserved, and one chap I spoke to this morning doesn't intend to stop using it until he's told officially that it is reserved...

I'm in the bus hurtling home. Or is it to work? I can't remember. A stop sign catches my eye. Bright red octagonal. STOP and some wag has written underneath "it's hammertime".

Relaxing on the train on the way home from work. I've not decided if I like the train better than the bus or not. The guard this afternoon is a chirpy chap. He's reminding us of the quiet carriage rule. No yelling, no loud musical devices, no cartwheeling, no dancing ... although dancing could be ok if it's quiet... Several of the passengers in my carriage are chuckling quietly to themselves. Being a guard must be a boring job.

There's police tape cordoning off one of the city bus stops. I wonder if it's for real or someone's idea of a practical joke? What could have happened there? There's some substance on the wooden seats, but no obvious traces of blood...

The stove has spit the chips again. That's twice now. It seems to be shorting out and one of the elements gets very hot. MOTH told me last time the repairman looked at it and determined the problem to be one of the controls. The pot of tortellini boiled over a day ago. I wonder if water is getting under the control knobs and that's causing the short?

No boiled egg for breakfast for me!

We had a meet and greet bbq this week. At work, so that people working in different sections on lower floors could meet everyone else. I know that we and Property and Facilities were invited but I don't know if anyone in any of the other buildings was there. I met a couple of people so duty done.

After we'd eaten, some of the GTs decided to go for a walk to check the path that leads back to the main University campus. Apparently there is one. Admin2 decided to join them and I declined to head back to the office. It's the middle of the day, sunny and hot and I'm not that stupid. Errrr energetic. Ahem. The rest came back some time later but no Admin2. Apparently she had left before them. The manager who had gone with them was worried that she may have missed the gate. She was quite concerned. The GTs? One appeared almost as concerned, one confused, one pretended to care and me? Me? I was totally meh. She'll be right. Probably stopped off somewhere. Didn't sway the manager. Eventually she found her way back. She'd stopped off at the ladies ...

And it made me think ... I'd be a very good First Aid Officer. *i'm supposed to do the training* In the words of Froggy summing up - Oh. You've cut your leg? And it's bleeding? Well, looks pretty terminal to me. Just wait there for 5 minutes while I call the Coroner for you.

And MOTH laughed and agreed!

February, how do I love thee?

2012-02-06T05:48:00.006+10:00

Not because it's St Valentine's day. Every day that I know he's in the house or waiting for me to get home from work is Valentines Day.

Nope, it's my birthday month! I get a phone call from my mum, the kids might text me and we don't do anything special. But I like it's my birthday. Odd, considering I don't like getting old.

The office move has happened and I think I'm all settled in. We're out in the middle of the scrub and there are no close facilities. But the office is much nicer. Another group from campus has been moved out here as well, so there is talk around the water cooler that they may be opening a canteen at some point. See. I said there were no facilities...

There are six car parks out the front of our building. I'm standing there and looking back at the office front door.

This is from the front corner of the building looking out across the back fence ... so to speak. The car parks are behind me. We are closest to the gate and there are other buildings further down the hill (behind the guard rail)

And here is my new desk.

Certainly more space, and the boxes are gone now.

Being surrounded by bush, there seems to be a variety of wildlife about. Not including me of course. *heh i'm wishin* Today as I look out the door *me desk is directly opposite the glass front doors* I see two bush turkeys run past.

I'm bored and step outside briefly. On the path outside is a water dragon.

I'm on my way out to the "facilities". There is a unisex one in the office but I prefer to head for the single sex ones below. Unfortunately, I have to exit the building on our level and come in again below. There is a butcher bird family on the grass. One of the chicks looks injured. It looks up at me with bright black beady eyes before fleeing. Must have been trying to figure out what I was ... *quiet in the peanut gallery!*

Whoa! There is a teeny gecko I've nearly stepped on. I pick it up and place it outside. Probably it will get eaten by a bigger one. Or belted up for tresspass. I might not have done it any favours at all.

MOTH has another sleep test tonight. He will be fitted for a CPAP machine. I finish work early and we head to Maccas for dinner before he heads off to the test. We walk past the outdoor area to the tune of high pitched screams. Sigh... But on a lighter note we espy two boys wearing morph suits! One is bright blue with a matching curly wig; the other is bright yellow. And I've left my phone at home tonight! Argh!

I look at the yard. It's been raining and it hasn't been done for ages. I'm sure I can see tigers. And I can't find the stepping stones to the gazebo anymore. I pull some weeds, taking care to avoid the HUGE spider that's built a nest among the taller ones.

Repeat that process the next day, although today MOTH is mowing a couple of patches. I watch him carefully. The day is humid and hot and I don't want him to over do it! Maybe I should think about mowing occasionally? ... ... nah!

We head out to the shops this morning. It doesn't feel right. The centre doesn't hold the markets any more. We decide to put fuel in the car before we head in. While MOTH works the bowser, I notice a young man in full leathers. He puts on his helmet and I see it sports a bright blue mohawk!

Plenty of oddballs out this week.

But that's ok, Bones is back! But I'm not sure about this Bones/Booth/Happy family thing...

Sleepy kitty weather!

2012-01-29T11:37:00.005+10:00

It's still raining. Although I could have sworn the sun peeped through just enough to throw a shadow today. It didn't last long - perhaps I imagined it??

Forgot to mention last week ... Dr appointment to follow up some blood work. I was so sure she would be telling me the usual. Blood pressure too high. Cholesterol too high. Iron levels too low. But no! Everything is fine. Just fine. W00t. Finally.

Final packing today! Moving day is tomorrow and I feel like I still have so much left to do. Admin2 is back from holidays but doing very little to help. I know I've been working on it for about three weeks or so but it's just like packing a house. Everyone has packed their own draws, but there is also all the stuff in the kitchen, boxes and boxes of old records which have to be archived as I go, I have two filing cabinets to archive and pack, old conference stock we haven't yet managed to give away, old computer cables and parts that no one seems to know what to with, and everything from the stores cupboard. This afternoon before I leave I get to pack up my computer equipment so I down tools at about 3.30pm to do this. That's it and I'm ready to go. I think. There is still some stuff about that I don't quite know what to do with.

Moving day dawns and it's still raining. I head off to work and decide I'll go in to the old office today. I have no access to the new office anyway. I'm second in, beaten by the GM. Amazing. There is still some boxes to organise but the removalists are already starting on the huge pile of boxes. By day's end, progress has been slow due to the rain and a reluctance to get things wet. It might be a two day job after all. Later the removalists decide that they can't do it tomorrow due to other commitments and need to keep going.

A work bbq today for the whole of ITS. A chance for staff to meet the buildings existing inhabitants. All of ITS is invited, even though we are no longer on campus. It's also a chance to go back to the office to collect some things. The office looks bare now, but I see that other sections/schools have staked their claim on the furniture.

I make it to the city bus stop this afternoon just after the bus was supposed to arrive. Many familiar faces are still about so I'm guessing it hasn't yet arrived. It's late. I discuss the merits of catching the 5.01 train with a bus buddy. He leaves but I stay. Eventually the 4.50 pm bus turns up at the same time as the 5.10 pm.

I notice we're following a bus on the motorway. I don't take any notice of it until our bus pulls over. We take on her passengers because her wipers won't work in the rain. Luckily we don't have a full bus this time.

The Teen returns home today. She's worried about her suitcase. Maybe it's over the baggage weight limit? We're not sure. Hopefully she won't go into panic mode if it is. We don't have the funds to pay any excess baggage fee. They drop me off at work and continue to the airport. Turns out it was over the limit by about 5kg. She rearranges things and takes some of it on as carry on. It brings the weight down to 19.5kg. Whew.

Australia Day today! Whoo! Go Aussies. A public holiday and what am I going to do? Absolutely nothing, that's what. But today is still payday and there are bills to pay and shopping to do. The rest of the day is spent not doing much of anything at all. MOTH cooks a lovely lamb roast for dinner.

I've wrangled today off work. Today I shall also do not much at all. Yes. It feels like a Sunday and maybe I shall end up going to work tomorrow.

Saturday. And I'm still here. I didn't end up heading off to work.

It's still raining today. Still. There is a small break in the rain and as I look out the window, I see the bush turkey chick has returned. Or perhaps it's a new one?

Raggedy Ann! That's me!

2012-01-24T20:16:00.002+10:00

Or the ragged bit anyway. I've been acquainted with boxes and packing tape for way too long now. I think I've gone deaf from the noise the tape makes as it runs through the gun. But at least I know now when I need to be finished by.

The General Manager has finally given us a timeline for finishing the packing. We need to be done by the end of this week. Whew. It feels like I have been packing for the last three weeks, doing most of the office myself. Admin2 is still on leave so she has not been here to lend a hand. Lucky her, missing out on all this extra work! Then again, with all the packing I've been doing, I've not done a jot of her work. Ok, let's amend that. Most of her work. Some of it can't wait.

I make a quick side trip to the supermarket this morning. I'm dying for chocolate. I confess to this most mornings but I usually keep my wallet empty to avoid the temptation. Works a treat in itself. I think it's Children's Week this week. I ride the escalator to the top and - OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT!? I've just been accosted by a giant eyeball. It wobbles toward me and crouches in front of me. Indddeeeeeed is all I can think of to say. *what happened to my witty repartee?* Out in the mall there is a hand. Oh, and an ear. Children's Week? I think they missed the word Nightmare in there somewhere.

Never thought to get a photograph either....

I'm standing at the curb waiting for the lights to change. I notice there is a woman standing beside me. She's standing on a spot that's slightly higher than mine. And she's wearing two inch heels. And still I don't come up to her shoulder. I'm no giant but still. Wow.

There's an older lady getting on the bus the same time I am. She's carrying a bouquet. The flowers are pretty. I let her get on the bus ahead of me. The driver is a younger male. He looks at the lady with the flowers and says For me? You shouldn't have. And they both burst into giggles.

The Teen finally books her ticket home. I am sure I shall miss her when she does go. She's been here about six weeks now and I won't know what to do with myself. There'll be no competition for the computer. My stuff will be mine again. And the house will be so quiet.

I bring my stuff home from work. The stuff I keep in my desk drawer. Yes, my stash of coffee, tea, sugar etc. And then I realise that I won't be able to have coffee next week. Planned that well, didn't I!

Plain week is Plain.

2012-01-16T12:57:00.002+10:00

Summer finally crept up on us. After some unseasonably temperate weather, summer has kicked in full bore. An expected top today of 38C out our way. That's around 100F for those using Imperial. Humidity is high as well and it almost makes me glad I come to work. Working in an office building with thick walls, airconditioning and a corridor or two seems to take the edge off it a little.

It doesn't take more than a couple of days and the temps fall again. Rain today but the humidity is still higher than it should be. *so says I*

I'm sitting at the bus stop, fanning myself with my bus pass, waiting for my morning bus. It's 06:45 and the humidity is biting. There isn't much if anything like a breeze blowing. I see a 'flock' of very enthusiastic cyclists going up the hill on the other side of the road. They must be fit as I can hear a couple of them talking ... "Day?" "... lost me points!" "... effin cold!"

I'm staring idly out the bus window. I see one of the other buses has advertising on the side to say it's a WiFi bus! WiFi bus? How does this work? When did this happen? Which routes do they run on? So many questions! Because after all, NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Some days are exciting in their own way. It starts normally and suddenly we get to a certain point on the motorway and traffic has slowed to almost a standstill. Things are moving, but slowly. The driver apologises for the delay and thinks it might be a breakdown or accident. Suddenly Base announces that there is a delay on the motorway *no kidding* due to *mumble* an accident? I didn't catch it. Traffic is back to normal flow further down the motorway.

The same morning and we've joined the busway. Traffic has come to a standstill with buses lined up as far as the eye can see. Waiting, waiting and I assume it's a breakdown. Busway lanes are only single so a breakdown stops traffic both ways while the traffic control come to direct things along. Eventually we move again. The 45 minute trip in has takien just over an hour. Not too bad considering.

The same day and we're coming home along the bus way. I'm zoning for something different *kaff kaff* until the ladies in front of me make an excited little noise and look out the window. I'm just in time to see that out on the motorway a white van is on its side with the windscreen smashed. There are some emergency vehicles there as well but most of the action has already taken place I think.

We're on the home stretch now and the bus has taken off from the stop previous to mine. Carefully over the bridge because it's on a slight curve which can cut room for the bus a bit short. The road straightens and curves to the left. We start the curve and the driver slams on the brakes. A car is overtaking another bus on the inside curve and it seems to have gone over the centre line in the process. Ye gods there are some IDIOTS on the road these days!

The Teen is still here and the Mexican is still in town. He goes home soon. She heads over to his place of temporary residence and is gone for two nights. MOTH is relishing the quiet. I was expecting her home the second night and had plenty of chicken thigh cutlets ready to be marinated and cooked. Since she didn't come home, MOTH and I had plenty of chicken to feast on. I served them with salad and there wasn't much left over!

There seems to be heaps of movies coming out or are out this month that I want to see. I decided on Sherlock Holmes. Teen met me at the cinema on the way home from Mexican's place and we settled down to watch. We decided that the two of us hadn't been to a movie together before. Not just by ourselves anyway. Possibly. I've seen the first Sherlock Holmes and let me tell you number two is far wittier. Excellent performances all round and plenty of one liners. I giggled most of the way through it. Teen had seen it before so she had a nap.

I put the ticket stub in my paper journal this morning. It's a slow process filling that book I tell you!

Someone fetch that dog!

2012-01-08T21:30:00.002+10:00

I think Freddy should be renamed. To Rustle. Sheesh. It's 9.30 at night and I can hear things in the bushes. Is it rats? Possum? Or has that dog gotten into the rat baits? I shine the torch out the window but I can't see a darned thing.

I can still hear noises and suddenly Freddy jumps out of the stand of trees. Go to bed dog!

The Elder and Burrich have come for a flying visit. To collect some of her stuff and leave Freddy for a short time. She decided to take him from his previous lodgings as he had nipped at one of the children. Fair enough, it was admitted that the kids had stirred him up, but at the same time he has begun beating up on one of the other smaller dogs.

So, he's back here till she can sort alternative accommodation for him.

JD is over for a visit to catch up with Elder. He drinks beer and we sit and chat. He's a funny chap and we seem to find plenty to talk about. Mostly music.

MOTH, Elder and I are standing talking in the kitchen. We are talking about nothing in particular and the subject of the mixer arises. She decides to check things out. She can't get the beaters to stay in either. Suddenly she gives them a sharp push and presto! They lock in. Apparently we just weren't pushing them hard enough. Goodness knows, I tried, but they wouldn't go in easily and I was worried that if I pushed too hard I'd break them.

It's good to catch up with them. The visit is very short and they leave two days later.

We have a coffee date with one of MOTH's friends. She's not confirmed a time but we have a meeting place. He sends her a text and a message to confirm a time. She doesn't reply. We don't go out after all.

It's hot and I'm bored. Stir crazy in fact. I want to go out but fuel is short and MOTH is difficult to convince. I bend his ear a couple times and we head over to one of the shopping centres. Not too far away but it's something to do on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon.

It's hot and humid again today. Uncomfortable enough to want to go out to the local shops in the afternoon and sit for a while. We decide to get a couple of the snacks that are on special. Three small packets of chips for $3. And two 600ml coke for $5. We make our choices and head for the checkout. Turns out the twistie flavour isn't one of the ones on special. In spite of the labelling which just says Smiths, Twisties and a third brand. Dang. Which also means that we don't get the other two packets at the special price. Siiiiigh.

All is quiet at home. I'm running the dehumidifier and the fan. The room is cooling nicely. Dinner has been eaten early. I sit in the rumpus room to watch Narnia: Voyage of the Dawntreader. The lights are out. I have chips. And it feels like I really am at the movies. It's great. Until I hear rustling in the bushes and the mood is spoiled while we circle back to the beginning of the journal. *heh*

The Teen and Mexican have gone out tonight. I get a call to pick them up from a different station to usual. Okay, no worries. We arrive and it looks like the station has had a refurbishment. I don't get out of the car but the walls and approach to the platforms is different. I don't see that; my viewpoint is usually from the tracks above. We've seen three ambulances out tonight. Two with lights and one without. Perhaps one of the ones with lights was the paramedic; it wasn't the usual ambulance van.

But the kids are home now, I guess it's time to go prep for work tomorrow and then off to bed. G'night!

Stop the world, I want to get off!

2012-01-06T09:29:00.004+10:00

Before I fall off I think.

Work closes between Christmas and New Year and I usually like to make the most of it. By keeping myself at home and living the quiet life, MOTH down one end of the house and me at the other.

The Teen is still visiting so that went out the window.

MOTH bought me a square cake pan, about the size I needed for the recipe to test the mixer. Lindt chocolate brownies.

All is measured and I'm ready to go. But WAIT! The beaters won't lock into their slots on the mixer. What good is that? I've lifted the motor head to expose the slots. They go in and *click* but then slide right back out again. Same with the dough hooks. MOTH investigates. Maybe they aren't supposed to lock in? Well, what good would that be because they would want to slide when you lift them out of the bowl. Besides, there is an eject button so they should lock in. Desperate, we check the instruction booklet. A whole four pages or so. And nothing about how to lock in the beaters. I turn to Google. And discover that this particular brand is made in India. Should I be surprised or not??

Dangit, I'll go ahead anyway and remember to be careful when I lift them out. Turns out they work fine once in the bowl but it's a little disconcerting that there are no numbers on the speed dial. Just min and max. And a turbo switch if I want to go a bit quicker.

It certainly smells good. It feels firm on the top so it should be cooked. I cool it in the pan for a little and turn it out. When I turn it back over so it rests the right way up it breaks and I discover that it's not properly cooked in the middle. Bummer.

I cut it into slices and Teen and I go at the middle bit with a spoon. Delish! We eat the final couple of pieces the next day.

Saph has come from interstate to visit relatives and we make arrangements to meet. I've warned her that I shall be bringing MOTH and she's fine with that. As long as he sits in the corner and behaves himself! He's a bit cheeky when I give him enough slack. *grins* Turns out she has to bring her parents as well, so MOTH came in handy to keep her dad company.

We met at Coffee Club close to where she was staying and of all things, parked across the road is a vehicle from a computer shop in our old home town. I didn't take a photo.

When we went our separate ways, MOTH and I wandered the upper end of the street. There were some little sculptures on the footpath and across the road a large iron gate into what looked to be market pavilions. It was closed.

This is standing at the top of the street looking back toward the Coffee Club. Annnd now that I have seen the photo, I can see that the one closest to the camera is a person. I couldn't for the life of me make that out when I was standing right in front of it...

Not feeling particularly well since the previous Friday, I didn't bother to see the New Year in.

A trip to the doctor earned me a course of antibiotics and something to stop the spinning and a measure of tired that feels like I'm swimming in treacle. And only two days off work. I think I should have asked for the whole week...

No notes! What am I gonna write about now?

2011-12-30T08:12:00.005+10:00

It's really really hard to keep to a routine if you aren't in the right place I've found. I'm not at work so I've missed updating my journal. Whoops....

And I've discovered I've not kept notes for the last week. Or two. Oh dear. I knew those holes in my memory were going to give me trouble one day.

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We're basking in the warmth of the water. Yes, the system was finally fixed. It's amazing what you don't miss till you haven't got it anymore. MOTH talked the plumber into fixing the mixer tap in the kitchen while he was about.

HOT WATER! And quickly too! I'm wondering how we'll go in winter. I suspect cold showers will abound. We tend to get hot water in summer and cold water in winter. Yay for us!

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I think I know why I have no notes. I didn't take my 'notepad' with me to work. But just realised I have notepad on my phone. *duh* But no, notes not there either.

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Friday morning 23 December seemed to fly. Permission to take an early mark *noon* and of course that's when everything needs to be done that morning, right? A plea to MOTH for a lift and he obliges. Wonderful wonderful taxi man. I make it out around 12.30pm.

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The oven gets a workout Christmas Eve. A roast duck and then roast pork. They are going to be served cold the next day. With salad. I'm so adventurous with my Christmas menu! There is no point really. The Teen, MOTH and I are lucky to make it through a packet of cheezels, a packet of twisties, the duck, some salad and the pork.

A quick nip out to the shops to pick up some last minute supplies and I decide I would spend the voucher that I had been told to open earlier. Yes, I was! Mother told me to open it. She did.

I come home with some new clothes and a little bit of change as well *is happy*.

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I find a text from the Teen on Christmas day. Sent just past midnight. It's Christmas Day, can we open presents now?? Cheeky thing.

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We have breakfast first. Bacon and eggs on the barbecue. I decide to give everyone the day off and load the dishes into the dishwasher for the day.

Usually Teen insists on MOTH donning the Santa hat and giving out the gifts one by one. A hangover tradition from my childhood. This year she throws herself on the floor at the tree and starts handing them out to everyone as she goes through looking for hers. I take my time, as usual. I think I've done well this year.

Although I don't have a photo of my WoW mouse mat or my vouchers ...

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I've been busy planning what DVDs I shall get with my vouchers. I have a list; when I get to the store in question I'll know what I'm looking for. Usually when I get to those places the choice is overwhelming I can't remember what it was that I wanted.

I end up with Serenity, Sherlock Holmes, Constantine. Also Transporter 3 *yaaaay! jason!* Red Riding Hood, Prince of Persia. That should keep me out of trouble for a little while.

The rest of the day is spent at Besties with her family. Bring your leftovers she says. That's difficult, the only leftovers we have is a little pork. And some duck, but she's not getting that! It's also a chance to catch up with a couple of her friendly neighbours. And another set we haven't met before. We leave as it's getting dark; MOTH doesn't like driving in the dark and when we look at the clock in the dashboard, we've been there for 7 hours!

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MOTH went for a sleep test last night. He's not sure what the results will be as he didn't get much sleep! I couldn't get comfortable, it was too noisy... Ah well, I guess we shall see.

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Today I plan to see how well the mixer works. Letcha know how that goes. When I figure out what pan to use since I don't have the required size or shape.

Time drags on as we wait for The Fat Man

2011-12-19T10:27:00.002+10:00

At the start of each Christmas I am full of Bah! Humbug! But as the tree goes up and I lay the presents round it, Scrooge fades into the background and I start to get a little excited.

Probably a little too excited as I've opened two of my presents already. Relax! One wasn't wrapped and the other ... well, the giver told me to open it. Now I'm busy planning how to spend it!

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The house is full again for the next month. It's amazing how much difference one person can make. The espresso machine is getting a full workout. She needs the practice after all. I'm beginning to think I can't keep up with the milk quota.

But I don't mind.

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The Teen introduces The Mexican. He's her new boy. Quiet but not overly so. We met briefly at the airport and again when she asks if he can stay over. Four of them land on my doorstep but I don't have to feed them so I'm not worried. The lass with them is one of Teen's best friends who has recently made the permanent move south. It's the first time we've met face to face. They crash on the couch and settle in to watch movies for the evening. Teen laughs that M feels at home already. M calls back that she does. Very much.

I leave them be and retreat to MOTH's end of the house.

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I'm on the bus on the way to work. *whoo! something different* I spend my time staring out the window watching the traffic and noticing how the bus sways when you get a bit of a wind underneath it. We are travelling in the inside lane and a truck goes flying past us.

The driver is yapping on the phone. And it's not hands free.

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A passenger in the bus is becoming annoying. Why can't the bus have a quiet zone like the train? Preferably the whole bus. The man seems to be listening to something and he must have his headphones up loud. It sounds like something from Bollywood at first, but it just goes on and on warbling up and down the scale in one continuous effort. It must be a prayer chant. Or something. I try to look his direction without being too obvious. I don't think he's using headphones at all.

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We're all at the stop in the afternoon waiting for our bus to come in. Quite a crowd of us. Taxis pull into the stop all the time - I've seen bus passengers tell the taxis to rack off. A taxi pulls in. And sits there and sits there with the passenger door open. The bus has pulled in right behind him but he can't open the doors; he's too far down and close to the corner. The taxi sits there. The bus sits there. The people waiting tap their feet.

Eventually I'm second on the bus and the woman in front of me remarks to the driver that he was very patient. He grins at her. Yes, I was very patient. Did you see me being patient? We all laugh.

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We're headed through one of the stations on the busway. *lot of bus stories this week* and I hear an alarm going off. Odd. I glance out the window and on the other platform is a bus; alarm going, hazards flashing. He seems to be on the two way to base.

The 'destination' screen at the top of the bus shouts HELP!!! CALL POLICE!

I decide not to....

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I get in the shower and it doesn't seem to get warm. That's a bit odd. No one else is awake so I don't worry about it too much. I mention it to MOTH when he gets up.

Yep. Hot water system is on the fritz. Again. The realtor is notified and the plumber turns up for a look. Apparently that valve was only replaced in August. He doesn't have the right part. He should be back tomorrow with the right one.

Tomorrow has arrived but the plumber has not. No hot water again today.

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The Teen has decided to stay over at Mexican's place. Or at least, where he's staying while visiting. At least there she can get a hot shower! She asks and we drive them over. The trip takes less time than expected.

As we do the u-turn to head up the street after dropping them off, I see the parents sitting on the verandah. Oops. Maybe they wanted to meet us? MOTH didn't see them at all until he'd driven off but he's not going back. Besides, Teen never said come in and meet them *her usual thing*. I've sent a text to Teen to apologise. Apparently they had wanted to meet us! Whoops!

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Still no hot water. Modern tech has spoiled us. I have decided that I detest washing up when I have to boil the jug to get hot water. Aaahhhh who am I trying to kid? I hate it anyway!

An Affair To Remember

2011-12-12T08:51:00.003+10:00

Secret Santa at work this week. For the ITS Christmas party. I have no idea who the person I've been allocated is, but some research via the organiser revealed to me that he likes the old Hollywood classics. Managed to find one within the allocated budget too!

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I'm walking up the foot path and just about to enter my front yard when I spot a movement out of the corner of my eye. A brush turkey chick is in my front garden! Luckily it's only a chick - I'd hate to think of the damage an adult could do to my retaining wall. Here's one someone has prepared earlier....
I move slowly and follow it around the garden for a bit. I like to see what they are doing. Suddenly it takes off for the higher branches of the shrub. Oh yes, I'd forgotten they can fly. *these chicks are fully self sufficient from hatching and can fly within hours*

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I'm heading for the bus stop just down the road. The day is a little grey but hasn't reached drop dead humidity yet. As I pass beneath the shrub/tree/whatever that hangs over the path, I hear the wrens beautiful song. I pause but I can't see them. *easy to miss a patch of bright blue in among dark green right?* Now I know that summer is definitely here.

--------------------

I'm in the city and staring out the bus window at nothing in particular. I watch a tall, well shaped young man who seems to be talking to a youth walking at his side. They are dressed similarly, although the youth has sleeves on his white shirt and the man does not.

Suddenly they pause and the man lifts the youth to a standing position on his shoulders and they continue to walk down the street and cross the road!

--------------------

For something different I take the train. A woman gets on and the first thing I see is her trainers. The most amazing trainers I have ever seen! Purple! Yellow! Pink! Green! All washed together like a very shiny oil slick.

--------------------

There are bike lanes on some of the roads along the bus route. I think they should never have been put there. The road is narrow and the bus can barely fit by the parked cars. Usually the cyclists keep going while the bus slows to a crawl. There isn't any room to pass the cyclist as they continue their slow and sometimes wobbly way up the hill.

Today the cyclist pulls over and lets the bus past.

--------------------

The work Christmas party is this week. I need to get a present to contribute to the Secret Santa. I RSVP'd in the affirmative and would decide on the day how much time I had and if I would go. But hey! Secret Santa and now I feel obliged to attend.

So. ITS is a big place with over 200 employees. I have no idea who the chappie I have drawn is. The organiser is helpful and tells me some information. I'm not certain though how I can get something he might like on a budget of $5. I know they say these things are supposed to be fun but I really can't stand the thought of giving someone something cheap and of no use at all. Or getting one in return either.

I am looking to do a couple of things while out and I look to see if I can find a Sanity music store that's close. There are a couple and we decide to head for one of the shopping centres we've not been to for ages as it is likely to be less busy than the bigger ones. Parking at some of them can be a hassle this time of year!

No parking problems and in we go. Oooh, look, at BWS. Let's see if they have the apple cider I'm looking for. Yes! They do! I don't have to head out of our way to find the nominated supplier after all. We find Sanity and look about.

An Affair to Remember. Is that one of the blockbusters? Too bad, it should be. It has Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr in it. Good enough. And bonus? It's $4.99.

--------------------

The Teen is flying in tonight. It's been storming briefly but her plane is delayed. She's a bit worried, hoping it won't be grounded. They'll text when they board. And that works for me. MOTH has decided we'd leave at 7:15pm. I let him know the plane is delayed and they'll text when they board. Ok. And we leave at 7:15 anyway.

A forty minute or longer wait for us at the airport. I ask if he wants to go upstairs and get a drink. No. I'm a bit ansty but he's determined he doesn't want to go through security. Being a little familiar with the layout of the terminal, I know where I want to go but he wanders aimlessly *i detest aimless. unless it's me* around the Qantas end of the terminal. The only place we can wait is near the baggage carousels. We wait. The plane is still almost 15 minutes overdue. Luckily, Teen is paying for the parking. Again...

Another week.

2011-12-05T08:46:00.002+10:00

I cried this morning. On the bus. On the way to work.

As the bus pulled into the tunnel toward terminus, I could see the ambulance and police working desperately, administering CPR to a man lying on the ground. I could see him. I could see them working hard to revive him. I had to walk past a few minutes later to get to my next stop. They were still working.

I don't know this man. I don't know his family and yet ... it was devastating. Totally.

------------------

Harvey Norman VIP night. I RSVP'd for MOTH and invited myself as well. The crowds were rolling in by 6pm for the opening. A crush through the door and we were in. I steeled myself for much pushing and shoving and people just throwing goods at themselves but the crowd is well behaved.

MOTH and I weren't sure what we would get but it was fun just wandering around looking at things. The kitchen showroom is working as they prepare hot nibblies for the customers. The line is very long and although we are up the front it becomes a free for all when the food is released from the oven. I manage to grab two small portions of a sausage roll and usher ourselves from the crush.

MOTH has been looking for an electric shaver as normal razors and blades are way too expensive these days. He can get one or two shaves from each blade and at something like $20.00 for the razor and the same again for four blades the shaver might be better value!

We eventually find one. Originally priced at $108 and reduced to $58. Half hour wait in line and we're out.

--------------------

We start to think about the work Christmas lunch. I don't know where the tales of wild office parties come from but they certainly don't originate here. Not even for the whole department, let alone just our section.

No one has started coordinating it yet. Time is running out and venues will be thin on the ground at this time of year. No decision is made by the end of the week.

Possibly even the date is flexible. I'm not going to run it down; I'm quite happy to let it go this year. It means finding a way to get to the venue, chasing up stragglers, coordinating menus, fighting the whole split the bill thing. I really hate that whole idea. It seems to be becoming the norm and socially acceptable but I really really balk at subsidising someone else's lunch.

--------------------

There is a possibility the office may be moving. The building is scheduled to be refurbished and all occupants will need to find alternative accommodation. Our lot seems to be pushed to another old, mostly defunct campus. It's not close to civilisation and certainly not close to food. We go out for an inspection of the site. Admin2 and I seem to be alright with where we are slated to go within the new office surrounds.

GM won't let us have the staging area we want though. He's very stubborn about this. We have permission to use the boardroom for such things. However, we didn't seem to be able to get the idea across that although we only do these things once or twice a year, it takes several days to complete the job. How can we leave things all over the boardroom table for a week or two if people want to use it for a meeting? He flat refuses to back down.

--------------------

The Christmas function for the travel bookers is on this week. I've not been to any of their Christmas parties before. Admin2 isn't going and neither is my boss. I arrive in good time, get my name tag and my bright orange you're-allowed-in-here band. I'm greeted by one of the Campus Travel staff who settles me in with a glass of wine.

Eventually a face I know appears. She has a guest in tow. We sit down and begin with the glasses of wine and the chatting. It's raining tonight but the verandah is covered. Eventually some food comes out. It's become so busy that I am more or less trapped in my seat as everyone stands around me. I miss out on that tray of food. Eventually I have to go and track down a waitress to get something to eat. Great. Pad thai. A vegetarian meal. By the end of the evening I've managed about 5 glasses of wine but only two meals. Both pad thai.

There are prize draws, some smaller some larger. The guest wins a trip to New Zealand. Not bad for a tag along!

Too much wine and not enough food when you don't drink much isn't a great combination. I call MOTH to collect me. It's a long drive and I don't want to face an hour on the bus. He's totally wonderful and comes to my rescue. I have to stop off and get something to eat on the way home.

Straight home and tumble straight into bed.

MOTH tells me next day that he thought I did ok. I didn't look or act drunk. I'm sure I was. I was pretty impressed with myself for making it down the stairs to go find the car without falling over or staggering much.

--------------------

Christmas gift shopping today. I have finally decided what to get some of them so I have to research which shopping centre is going to have all three stores I need. The closest one is further away than we normally go. It's been a while since our last trip there so I'm looking forward to the change of scenery.

Everything is done, now I just have to wrap and post. That's the annoying part now that we are scattered to the four winds. And finding something nice that is small enough to post!

The budget is much leaner this year *long gone are the days when a $50 present for the kids was done without thought!* but I've managed to come in under.

Ma keeps pressing me to do vouchers. Vouchers are fine but I'd much rather buy a cheap present that looks expensive than let people know just how cheap I really am. Heh.

Really I MUST start earlier next year. Too bad if I have to let a bill slide for a while...

Monday-itis

2011-11-28T09:26:00.003+10:00

Another week and as the stores continually like to remind us, Christmas is drawing near and it's time to spend up big!

Which really annoys me cause I'm never prepared for Christmas. There is always too much year left over at the end of my budget.

--------------------

The lease on the house is due for renewal just prior to Christmas. I don't know quite how we managed that but yes, we moved on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago.

MOTH asked what we wanted to do. The rent is expensive *it takes almost half my wage each fortnight* but I really love the location of the house and moving is such a huge huge task. We decide to take the lease for another 12 months. I think we might like to take longer but they no longer allow leases to extend beyond 12 months.

The landlord has decided to rent again at the same price which means no rent increase and I don't have to find the extra bond money just before Christmas. Whoo!

--------------------

Christmas shopping has barely begun. Funds are short as always and I just can't seem to get organised to begin earlier in the year. I have managed to get gifts for Elder and the Teen *heaven knows what she shall be named next year. she's no longer a teen then* and one for my nephew. Just two nieces, two siblings and one partner, two parents to go. My wallet is weeping just thinking about it.

Nephew's present arrived from the USA with astonishing speed. Order place night 1; parcel delivered day 4. Very fast service!

---------------------

Elder has decided to give MOTH and I an early Christmas present. We have cable tv *foxtel here in oz* set up in MOTH's room. She is paying for an extra box to go in my room. Yay! Foxtel confirms that the tech will arrive on Saturday somewhere between 10am and 2pm.

I vacuum the floor. The tech has to have somewhere clean to work! There is so much cat hair trapped in the carpet. Elder phones early Saturday morning. The tech has phoned to say he'll be on his way. It's 8.45am.

He arrives not long after. Tech works quickly and gets the box installed. Fortunately there was an existing point in the wall so no extra drilling etc is required. He replaces the outlet with one that needs to be earthed. The new box is standard which means I don't have IQ so can't pause, rewind or record. That's disappointing but I can live with it.

He's hooked the box to the tv and it goes through the surround sound. Sweet. He climbs to the roof and adjusts the dish so the signal is 'perfect' *MOTH's words* and he recables MOTH's so that his too goes through the surround. MOTH is totally wrapt and says that he is very, very impressed with the tech.

The day is spent watching the box.

--------------------

Sunny and his friend pop round for a visit and to introduce their latest family member. Her name is Spirit.

She is a very tiny 10 week old ragdoll kitten.

Jerome and Sheldon weren't so impressed. I wonder if this is the first time Sheldon has seen a cat other than his litter mates and Jerome. I don't know his history.

She doesn't see them at first but they surely see her! When she does see them, she arches her back. Jerome hisses at her then leaves the room. Sheldon hangs around, watching like a hawk and growling occasionally. I'm a little worried he might try to beat on her but although he's very tense he keeps his distance.

As the boys leave, she begins to meow; a tiny little barely audible squeak. So little! Shame they grow up really...

Oh Lordy!

2011-11-21T09:59:00.005+10:00

I realised this morning that it's November 21. Where did this year go?

-------------------

I'm staring out the bus window at the River. It's brown as usual and I wonder if both it and the Fitzroy flow upside down. But look! There's a kayak on the river. I sometimes see rowers but this is the first time I've seen a kayak. And it's bright yellow so a little more difficult for the Cats to run over!

Unless you're MOTH of course. Then wearing a bright yellow polo and being on a pedestrian crossing is not enough to save you from being bumped/hit by a car driven by a woman using a mobile phone.

-------------------

One of the GTs tells me he has a new wallet. He tells me it's a bad mofo and pulls it from his pocket and shows me. It's a Bad M'F*ker Wallet. Totally awesome. We laugh about it and trawl through YouTube for the appropriate scene from the movie. If you have seen Pulp Fiction you will know what I'm talkin' bout.

-------------------

I get on a different bus this morning and I'm first on. Excluding the driver and his escort that is. He must be learning a new route. We get to a stop with a woman and a toddler and a pram. I'm not paying attention until I hear the driver calling out. I look and the escort is out of the bus trying to fold the pram while the driver shouts instructions from the driver's seat. He laughs. Ask me about that he says and I'm fine. Ask me about anything else and I haven't got a clue!

------------------

I'm staring out the bus window at the River *de ja vu anyone* and I see a 'flock' of cyclists on the path below. One leads and the other two follow. Odd. They are all dressed the same. I don't often see that. Oh wait. They're police. On cycles. No wonder they look the same!

------------------

I book travel for staff at work as part of my job. I book for the managers and occasionally for other staff; very very rarely for Admin2 or myself. Prior to the new service that is part of my task we never traveled beyond our own conference.

As a travel booker, I make sure that I get to attend all the information sessions/morning tea events that the travel agent has. Most of the time Admin2 comes with me but just lately I made the mistake of inviting my supervisor and now she is on the invite list. Personally I get a little peeved because I regard these little outings as a reward for a stressful part of my job that goes unrecognised any other way.

This time one of the hotel chains that has a contract with the travel agent to service my employers travel requirements has just recently refurbished. We were invited to attend a viewing and a lunch. Brilliant! Supervisor was away so it was just Admin2 and I. She couldn't go on the day but I managed to find someone to take her place.

-------------------

Up to the room for a viewing of the King room. Drinks on arrival at the room while our second 'hostess' explained the refurbishment and fitout. The chain had conducted a survey of what guests wanted to see in a hotel. One of the things they found out was that with a vast majority of couples the woman sleeps on the right side of the bed with a soft pillow, men sleep on the left with a firm pillow. That is why the hotel rooms are set up with firm pillows on the left, soft on the right and the pillows are labelled for you.

They use a shower curtain that has been specially designed. The rail is curved. The curtain has a thinner fabric at the top to allow natural light in and a double layer so that one side goes outside the bath and the other inside. The inside bit can be ripped off and disposed of so you are getting a fresh curtain each time.

------------------

Up to the conference area for lunch. This area is large and spacious but not anywhere near large enough for our conference requirements. Lunch is served after a small presentation from the hotel chain. I have chicken topped with brie on a pumpkin risotto. Delish! Dessert comes out as an alternate drop. I have the macadamia tart. I think I'd prefer the chocolate mousse but the tart turns out to be very good.
We get a lift back to work in a Suzuki Swift. I'm surprised that the head rests on the back seat are not flush with the seat. Even I would have to adjust it if I were to spend any time in the back seat!

------------------

Time for a treat I think. Our local cinema offers members an occasional discount to a selected movie. This week it's The Three Musketeers. I think it should be good. Especially since the ticket is only $5.50.

The movie is a rollicking good adventure with well choreographed fight sequences, action played for over the top on occasion and the baddie gets his just desserts. Throw in a few good laughs and you have a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Titus Groan

2011-11-14T09:25:00.003+10:00

Gormanghast. Brilliantly different. Although I've only seen the tv series. And not all of that either because something interfered with the recording and blew it all to bits. We're talking VHS here people!

I was thinking of this because I was groaning. Monday morning and all.

-------------------

I've mentioned that I was away booth minding for some of last week. It was good to be home but I didn't enjoy the flight as much as I might have. There was some turbulence due to cloud cover. And for the first time flying, my feet looked like balloons. I had to spend the entire flight flexing my ankles and calves and bouncing my heels up and down to keep it at bay.

-------------------

Checking in is much better when you know how to do it. And you have someone to travel with who has flown many times. And who also has access to Qantas Club and can get you in as a guest. Free food! And drinks!

------------------

I decided to hell with the budget, let's do something different. Breakfast in the city with MOTH and the Teen. Topped up the go card and then tried to find a place to eat. We trudged past a couple of places and couldn't find something that appealed to all of us. Teen didn't want 'breakfast food'. We settled on Coffee Club. The big breakfast for him, shared nachos for us. Caramel cheesecake for me. Mugachino for him and mocha frappe for her.

The sun was shining, we were under shade and a light breeze came up from the river. Beautiful.

We cruised a couple of shops Teen wanted to look at. MOTH wasn't allowed to accompany us into one of them because he wasn't cool enough. I'm not sure what he thought but she had a huge grin. In we went and I looked at the stuff she pointed out - baseball and basketball jackets and caps and trendy shoes. Oh look, I say, that's got a nice design on it. She looked at me and hurried me past the shoe display. See what I did there? I slipped a little 'embarrassing dad' into the mix. She laughs.

--------------------

The Teen decides to fly home. Do you want me to come in with you, get you through to the Security point and nick off? Gosh no, I haven't flown by myself before so I want you to come with me. Oh. She offers to pay for parking *so not cheap!!* so we're set.

-------------------

Chattering in the car on the way to the airport. We have some time up our sleeves but the traffic is heavy and MOTH is beginning to worry. The flight departs at 3:40 pm. She has to check in an hour before she flies! Well, that's a good time but it's just a guide. They won't board before 2:20 or so, just as long as she checks in before then. Oh. He relaxes a little. Soooo, I say. Do you have your ticket? Silence. Then she bursts into tears. Oh dear .....

MOTH suddenly changes lanes. We don't have time to go back for it. We'll just have to hope that she can check in without it. I really need the reservation number. I investigate several options for checking in. After all, what good is an e-ticket if you still have to present the itinerary? Kind of defeats the purpose. After a while, she lets me know she has the receipt from the booking. It has the reservation number on it! We're set.

Check in at the kiosk and all is good. She can breathe a sigh of relief and we just have to get through security.

-------------------

The bag is through. Whoops. No it's not. Through again. It sits there and the chappie does nothing. Guess it's ok. The deodorant has to go back in. You can have it, says the Teen. No point, says I. I've not got anything to put it in. But I won't be able to zip the bag again. I roll my eyes and put the can back in the bag. Zip it up and the woman with the explosives wand calls us over and we have to unzip the bag again.

Sheesh!

------------------

I'm up early. Haven't played WoW all week and I want to catch up a little.

MOTH mows the back lawn. It's a rough job because it's uneven and the grass is patchy. The side lawn has already been done.

MOTH mows the front lawn. It takes about 5 minutes. It's a very small patch of grass that!

------------------

Over to visit Bestie and her hubby. He's been in hospital to remove a small piece of disc that has been pressing on a nerve in his back. It's far easier to visit at home than in the wards. Morning tea is the go. A cheese platter and dips.

It's a half hour drive over, and we visit for an hour and a half. Or something like that. Don't want to tire the old boy out!

The odd photo

2011-11-09T07:33:00.008+10:00

The bath/shower/spa that was so narrow one end that I could _just_ sit down...

Inside the Elephant and the Wheelbarrow. The ceiling is a stained glass pattern but I couldn't get a good photo...

The Gold/Silver sponsor area. We were exhibition sponsors so tucked away in a different room...

In the city, see the tram go by...

Pellegrini's! This place is apparently a local institution. A long narrow shop where you order Italian and sit on stools at the counter to eat. It was full so we were shown to a communal table in the kitchen...

My dinner on the table in the kitchen. A little bland, but hearty. The granita made up for that, as did the view while he ate his meal and chattered away in Italian to the woman who was cooking...

The foyer decoration of the conference venue. I'm looking at it from the balcony on Floor 1...

The departure gate at the airport on my way out. Telstra sponsor this area. Chairs, coffee and lots of signs. Possibly wifi too but I was busy reading...

Visitors! ...

I'm late! To update my blog!

2011-11-08T10:06:00.002+10:00

I usually update on a Monday, but this one has been a little busy!

------------------

A sad day. A very sad day. There is a construction site across from us. One of the workers was fatally injured. I heard nothing and only found out that something was amiss when one of the GTs mentioned that the Ambulance and Fire Brigade were in attendance. I hoped the man would make it, but it was not to be.

The television has only just begun running advertisements for Safety Week. I cannot imagine kissing MOTH goodbye for an ordinary work day then not having him return. I cannot.

------------------

First on the bus this morning! Yay. One of the regular routes is running a more frequent service. I usually choose not to ride this one - waaaaay too many school kids. But I bite the bullet and jump on. Hardly any kids on this route today.

I sit on the left side of the bus. The next series of passengers also sit on the same side of the bus. How interesting would the bus ride be if everyone sat on the same side? Would we tip over, or at the very least, lean heavily to that side? Hmmmm. These things keep me occupied until others get on and the load evens out.

------------------

I'm taking my regular route home and day dreaming as I walk down the stairs to the railway platform. A face drifts past in the crowd and I think he looks familiar, but no, it couldn't be.

Sol! he says and Yes! It IS him! Richard, from my old town; someone I haven't seen for some considerable years. He still lives there and the chances of a random meeting on a train platform are slim. My train isn't due for another ten to twelve minutes so we chat while I wait.

It was really really good to see him.

-------------------

The Elder and the Teen return home; Elder to collect some belongings, the Teen for a visit. Elder has brought her latest with her, a shy quiet young fellow I'll name Burrich. He's younger than she *why do my kids always pick younger ones???* but I guess that's alright. He has a job, is quiet and polite and doesn't seem to spend his time with cars, booze and parties like a lot of them. Teen really likes him too so I guess he can't be bad.

They arrive fairly late Friday night and Elder and Burrich plan to leave early Monday morning.

------------------

I am in a different capital city for work. Boring, boring stuff being a Booth Bunny at a conference. I did get to spend one day with the girls before I had to leave though.

Taxi to the airport and we went the toll way. >$100 later! Glad work has provided cab vouchers! Check in at the airport has changed somewhat and I am a little stressed. I've not flown without another workmate before and it was several years ago so I'm feeling a little lost. The flight wasn't bad in spite of a heap of kids on the plane and I spend the flight reading.

Check into the hotel and the buggers have swiped my credit card for $100. So. Card now overdrawn and any money I had planned to spend for meals etc the conference didn't provide now also gone. Stupid, stupid, stupid hotel policy. How would it work if you went into a department store and they swiped $100 on a card 'in case' you purchased something? It just wouldn't go over so why do we let Hotels get away with it??

The GT I am here with and I decide to ride the tram into town. Fun trying to get the ticket on the tram. I'm surprised how dirty and vandalised it is. I can barely bring myself to sit on the seat *i have this thing about upholstery* but the ride is interesting. We walk the streets for a little while before returning to the hotel. The return tram is newer, in much better condition.

-------------------

Dinner in the city, having been joined by another workmate. We choose Pellegrini's. Atmosphere galore! Plain, hearty Italian fare. But the place is full and we are shown to a communal table in the kitchen. Brilliant! We are served what seems to be a watermelon granita for drinks with dinner and I eat while I watch the woman prepare meals. She is very fast. I have a photo but no way to upload it at present. I'll add it later.

Monday morning confusion

2011-10-31T09:41:00.005+10:00

The ducks finally hit the water on the weekend, but not without a small amount of drama. Someone decided to set the $10,000 duck free and it was found floating some hundred of metres downriver. He was brought back home, the race launched, the PA Research Foundation raised a bucket, and someone lucky won a car.

----------------------

I transit through the city in the mornings on my way to work. Not because I have to, but because I love the bustle and I don't have to fight students for a seat. I'm standing at the lights and the woman standing next to me is wearing a soft knit dress with a black bodice and striped skirt. It's about knee length, a little higher. And as my eyes travel down I see she is wearing black leggings .... and black socks. Teamed with lovely strappy silver sandals with a mid heel. Wtf?

----------------------

There's a man on the corner selling raffle tickets. I've not seen him for ages. He suffers from cerebral palsy and he's possibly very confronting for some. Most people seem to ignore him, some are downright rude. I just smile and shake my head. I do find that I am uncomfortable, even though any ticket seller makes me feel so. I wonder why this is.

----------------------

Daydreaming out the bus window when I catch sight of a sign in a little grassland area "Laughter Park". Laughter Park? What the heck? Oh wait ... it's Laugher Park ...

----------------------

The student who has been working in our office has finished his project and today will be his last day. I did not realise, thinking he would be here till the end of the year. He brought in a cake.

I pronounced it chocolatey and good.

----------------------

I know I take my chances but as a regular public transport user I still get really pissy when I get missed by the bus. I see it coming down the road. It's still a way back - is it the right number? Yes! It is. I hail the bus and dig in my bag for my pass. I look up. There is no blinker on. I signal again. Still no blinker. I SIGNAL AGAIN. WHAT, ARE YOU BLIND? I think there's still a small amount of room for the bus to pull in although it might actually come to a halt just beyond the designated stop. A last second wheel swing and the driver decides, nope, no room. He shrugs at me through the closed doors and continues driving down the road.

LOSER! Learn the stops on your route.... It's 20 minutes till the next bus.

---------------------

I can hear a lot of noise outside today. The office is on floor 3 but only 2 flights above ground. It turned out to be about 7 male students playing some form of handball on the concourse. Wow. I thought there was a crowd.

--------------------

There is a crow and a magpie, duking it out on the footpath. I don't know what started it and I wonder what will finish it. Which one would win? It's like asking if Jet Li fought Bruce Lee?

--------------------

I decide I'm going to treat myself to lunch, seeing as I actually have a couple dollars in my wallet. I decide on a sausage roll and front up to the bakery. They're dressed for Halloween. Yay. I'm served by a zombie. I try to make up my mind if I will take a photo. I chicken out and head back to the office. Froggy and Elder tell me I should have so I head back out.

Oh darn! They've decostumed and I can only photo these two.

Peter Pan had a lovely accent....

--------------------

I thought I would spend some dollars on an 'on demand' movie from Foxtel. It kept telling me I needed to have an active telephone line. I can't figure out what the heck it's talking about.

I grab a voucher for the local video store and go for a look. Dammit. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is all out. I find another instead and when I head to the counter I ask the girl if a copy has come in. It has so I grab it. Turns out to be cheaper than on demand anyway.

I'm glad I didn't see Battle in a cinema. Oh my good goodness, it would have been the wettest cinema ever! I tried so hard not to cry in places!

--------------------

And now for something completely different ... a photo of my flat black cat, Jerome.

The duck

2011-10-25T08:46:00.002+10:00

Yes, the duck is still there. I think about getting a photo but the bus is never stopped where it might be visible in a camera.

--------------

I like catching the early bus during the spring/summer. Positively detest it in winter. In summer the sun is peeping over the highway and everything is cast with a golden glow. There is plenty of greenery beside the highway, open areas between the roads with grass and trees, or untamed bushland. This morning there are cockatoos ground feeding on one of the open spaces. That's something I don't get to see every day.

--------------

The suburb down from mine seems to be growing at a rather phenomenal rate. New houses are springing up everywhere and I miss the odd glimpse of wallabies, peeping through the long grass at the bus as it goes past.

-------------

I glance up as we head along the highway to the shopping centre a couple of suburbs over. The light pole swoops over in a graceful arc, artfully decorated by several galahs lined up and looking down.

I wonder what they are up to. If they were corellas, I would suspect they are 'bombing' unsuspecting cars.

-------------

I applied for a position outside my current work unit. I found out yesterday I didn't get it.

Totally devastated as I think I would have done really well. I think I'm ready for new and exciting. I guess though that I should be thankful. I did make it as far as shortlisted for an interview. The lass who gave me the news told me I interviewed really well. Surprising because I thought I flubbed it.

The successful applicant has experience in a field *ok, so it was mentioned in the job description, but desirable not essential* relevant to the position that I don't. I imagine in fact that very few people would have this experience. I'm not quite certain how it would fit into the job aside from making people feel like they were dealing with another funeral director!

The position was Bequest Coordinator and oversees the Body Donor Program among other things. See. Interesting and exciting.

Fast lane? Ha!

2011-10-18T12:23:00.003+10:00

A season of wild weather is upon us it seems.

Rain every so often, but this time it's full on. I'm tucked up safe in the office but MOTH is home to witness the fury. *think he told me he jumped once or twice* Thunder. Lightning. Some small hail. Rain. He tells me the rain was dumping down and the wind was blowing so hard it was virtually horizontal. Sheldon was a little tense, Jerome was totally relaxed and MOTH eventually found Freddy hiding as far back as he could under a shelf in the garage.

--------------------

The next day I can see lots of debris on the paths that show me where the water ran off. The waterfall in the creek is flowing well.

--------------------

Cruising along in the bus I see two mynah birds telling off a crow. They dive and swoop as the crow hops about, obviously frustrated. And cranky.

--------------------

The bus comes into the stops ready to let us off. There is a taxi in our designated stop dropping off a passenger. The driver sits and waits for a few minutes. Eventually he gets impatient and uses the horn. The taxi pulls out.

Stupid taxi. The rank is about 50 metres down the hill. If that.

--------------------

It's going to be a noisy week. The floor above is scheduled to be refurbished and demolition is due to start soon. Or ... this week. It sounds like it's directly above. The refurbishment is supposed to take some time. Hopefully it doesn't become too unbearable. *but then again, it might be a good excuse to work from home if it does*

--------------------

I've been feeling a bit off colour lately and so very very tired. I've a little windfall *elder paid me back. i should bank it but it might be put to a better use instead* so I might treat myself to a very rare bout of retail therapy. Maybe if I dress up for work I might feel a little better.

I seem to have only one pair of work shoes these days. The sketchers are for winter and the style doesn't suit all my clothes. MOTH picks me up from work and we stop off on the way home. I've seen a pair of shoes the other day that look interesting and for a bargain price. They're still there! And WHOO FRIKKIN HOO! My size. I might get a second pair - dressier ones. And a couple of steps away, there they are.

That hasn't taken long at all. And only $40 down. I usually can't make decisions when I buy shoes. Too many to choose from.

-------------------

Off to visit Butterfly Garden to catch up with her and my sibling Froggy. Have to do something to kill time while waiting for the plane, right?

Butterfly and I have not seen each other for many, many years. She hasn't changed much. Got to meet her other half for the first time.

It was after lunch so we ate cake and drank cold softdrink. And talked a lot.

MOTH very generously let me drive home and we made it. The sky is getting dark and I didn't get lost *in spite of Karen's best efforts* and we're indoors safe and sound before the storm hits.

-------------------

My wardrobe needs a new addition as well. I have no 'work' blouses. Plenty of polos, t-shirts and other knit tops. But only one button blouse. MOTH decides to come with me to shop. I warn him it will take ages. I can't buy anything off the shelf without trying it on first, and it takes a long time to find something that fits.

He's cool with that. Unlike a lot of blokes, he doesn't mind shopping.

We start at Kmart. We find ladies wear ... and they have a rack of blouses. Only about 2 racks though mind. But there at the front is a button blouse. In my size. It's the only one of my size. I go to try it on. It fits almost perfectly. I decide to buy because I know darn well that if I put it back to come back to later, it will be gone.

So, shopping done ... in about five minutes. Anticlimax!

------------------

PS. That duck is STILL there............

I've already posted for Sunday

2011-10-11T11:28:00.003+10:00

So I'll just round up for the rest of the week.

Such as it is. I've only made 3 notes!

-------------

We go past the River each morning on the way out to Campus. This morning I see there is a HUGE inflatable ducky on the water. A rubber ducky. He brings to mind the Ernie song. *starts humming rubber ducky you're the one* I'm not sure what it's there for. Maybe for the duck racing thing that happens every so often? It's a fund raising thing where they release thousands of numbered rubber duckies into the water. I think first across some line or another is the winner.

-------------

It's still there today....

-------------

I'm catching the bus home today. As opposed to the train. The driver stops in the middle of the busy street, right next to the taxi rank. One of the cabs has it's rear out in the traffic. Maybe the driver is upset because it's blocking the way.

He pops open the bus door and he and the taxi driver greet each other like old friends. They lean toward each other and shake hands through the bus door. A few words exchanged and we continue on.

--------------

Jump on the bus from a slightly different stop this morning. I've come in by train. The driver waves us on and it's yahoo! A free ride this morning as it seems the card reader isn't working.

And I've just realised ... hope I remembered not to swipe off. But now I think on it, hopefully it wasn't working so I couldn't swipe off ...

--------------

Thunder and lightening throw themselves around the sky this morning and I snuggle further under the doona. Luckily I don't have to get up. I lie there and listen to the storm; a song from Kenny Rogers begins to play in my head.

The intermittent storms continue through the day. MOTH heads out to the Village. I'm smart. I stay at home.

Sunday morning. In pictures.

2011-10-09T11:07:00.009+10:00

Played WoW...
Listened to music...
Ate breakfast...
Fed and watered the cats, changed their litter and broke up an argument...
Checked the rumpus room for tidy...
Fed and watered the dog...
Made a cup of milo. It went cold...
Put a load of washing on...
Cat 'helped' me make the bed...
Whinged about the neighbour's yappy dog...
Checked the dog blanket was on the way to dry. He put it out in the rain yesterday...
Did a poo run and debated tidying up the rest...
Pulled out some prickles. it's that time of year...
Brushed the dog...
Fetched Jerome the escaped feline...
Up to the Village...
Spoils...

And all before 11 am!

Back to the grind

2011-10-03T20:23:00.003+10:00

A big week in some ways and yet not so big in others.

It's school holidays this week and I can't believe how quiet things get. Traffic thins out, foot traffic on campus is ... almost non existent. I think I like it.

It's spring. Of course. And the wildlife certainly know it. Zman and I walk past the lake on the way from the car park to the office. Wait. I hear cheeping. We pause and sure enough, the water fowl hatchlings are out of the nest and taking a dip in the water. Zman is rapt and swears he's never seem them quite that little before. We watch them for a few minutes before continuing.

--------------

The mynah birds are a little active. There are a couple of them on the ground. Oh no! They are babies! They must have jumped from the nest. Their flight feathers aren't developed enough for them to get back up. Mamma and Pappa are still hanging around and it looks like they are trying to lift them on their backs to get them to the nest. It's really not possible as they seem to be nesting in a gum tree. Not sure what to do but leave them there.

--------------

I am just waiting for the ducklings to start appearing. One wood duck pair seem to have a huge clutch of little ones in tow each year but so far I've not yet seen them.

--------------

We park in the undercover park and Zman goes to lock the car. He can't find the keys. It has a push button start and no actual ignition. The car still starts so he assumes that the proximity key must be around somewhere. We look under the seats. Check his bag. Check my bag. The glove box. The back seat. The boot. Under the front seats. No go. He can't find them anywhere and comes to the conclusion the proximity probably only works after the car has been locked. Or something. The only option is to go back home and see if they are there. I go to work, Zman heads back home.

I get a text about half hour later. Yep, they were on the kitchen bench.

--------------

If Zman finishes his tasks, it's his last week at work. Next week will be leave then he moves on to a new job. It means I go back to catching the bus or train everyday. It also means I have to find extra money for the fares. Zman drives me to work each day in exchange for $20 a week, and I kept a little for the 'go card' *electronic ticketing for public transport* in case of emergencies. Just lately he hasn't been doing French lessons so I've not even needed the emergency money. Now I have to go back to spending $50 a week on public transport. *shakes fist in his general direction* How dare he!

Actually, I'm happy for him and wish him well in the new job.

--------------

His going away lunch is at Montezumas. Mexican obviously. I've only dined there once before and enjoyed it. He tells me to have the Mole something or other. Chicken in a chocolate sauce. I'm game. It turns out to be a chicken maryland, covered in a thick almost gravy like sauce. It has chocolate, but also herbs and other things as well so it's not like pouring topping on the thing. The bed of rice is spicy and the coconut coated banana and pineapple ring lend a lovely touch. I really enjoyed it.

-------------

We've done the collection for his present. Admin 2 isn't sure we have what we need to get what he wants *the star wars boxed set on blu ray* but another workmate volunteers to contribute extra toward the difference. I put in my contribution and count the money. I count it again. What the heck is she talking about? No extra needed; there's enough and a little extra. I get the job of buying the present. I don't mind cause it means I get picked up from work. Whoo!

Wrapping it presents a small problem. I decide that plain brown paper and string will work. *bursts into song, brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of his favourite things* Sheldon tries to help. By batting the very curly paper and eating the string.

---------------

The present goes down really really well. He knows how much it cost and is really stunned that people were that generous.

---------------

Here's a photo or two of the lake we walk *sigh. walked* past each morning.....

Oh yes, I knew I forgot something....

2011-09-26T10:10:00.002+10:00

I boiled the jug to wash my mug and make a coffee. And I have not.

A very quiet week while I've been off. Haven't really gone anywhere. I've been sleeping a lot. Up at 6am, dozing by 10 am and then an hour minimum again in the afternoon. And back to bed again by 10pm but usually earlier.

--------------------------

An adjustment to my medication left me feeling alright the first three days or so but lightheaded on day four. It's gradually worn off over the rest of the week. But I am still tired enough to drop off at a moment's notice. Narcolepsy, here I come.

--------------------------

Froggy has been busy at work so we haven't had a chance to chat much. Which works out well I'm supposing since I would have been asleep for most of it.

She will be coming for a very quick visit next weekend so in the course of conversation I asked if she was bringing pillows. Nope. Dang. Going to have to do something about that.

--------------------------

Off to Target to investigate their specials. Buy a single pillow and get the second for $5. Excellent timing, thank you Target. I dash out and buy two pillows. Now the bed looks complete.

--------------------------

I remake Elder's bed while she is away. Chances are high that she will not be returning except for a weekend dash to pick up some belongings and possibly Fred. She has been living at home since March and only managed to grab 2 or maybe 3 job interviews. She goes away for the weekend and manages 4 job interviews and 4 job offers. Now she needs to decide which one/s she wants. None of them are full time I believe.

The bed is a mammoth task. I can't move the bed and it's close to the wall. It feels like it takes almost an hour to get it done, and after that, I'm done for the rest of the day.

----------------------------

I settle in to watch something on the Crime Investigation channel. Foxtel or cable if you will. But when it comes on, the tv is set to ABC. I don't know why. A program is on that catches my attention. It is The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, based on books by Alexander McCall Smith. I've read some of them and really like them. An hour and a half later it finishes and I'm still watching it.

Sunday night's crime didn't get a look in this week.....

Has it really been a week?

2011-09-20T09:48:00.002+10:00

Has it really been a week since Elder finished the course? Wow. That's hard to believe.

Back to riding with Zman this week. He's finished his holidays and is back to work.

--------------

A new team mate is making things difficult. One of the GTs has become the back up person for one of my tasks. Which would be fine but he spends way too much time checking up on what I'm doing instead of leaving me to get on with it. Admin 2 and I have come to the conclusion he thinks he's being helpful but ye gods, I just wish he would leave me to get on with it.

--------------

Zman handed in his notice today. Sigh. Guess that means going back to the bus each day. Or maybe the train. Which in a good way might give me a little fodder to write with here. A lot more expensive as I don't get off easy with just a little for emergency bus rides and $20 a week for Zman.

I think he finishes up in a week or two. He tells me the GM hasn't spoken to him much since he resigned. Which doesn't surprise me really.

--------------

We see a lot of army vehicles cruise past on their way out to the range. This morning there are some troop carriers. Zman and I think they are. Not long after there follows some different types of vehicles. Mobile antenna farms complete with helmeted personnel with heads out through the hatches. I haven't seen many of those pass by before!

--------------

Appointment with the doctor to follow up blood test results. Iron is still very low although not yet at the point of deficient. At this point she's happy to keep up with supplements instead of another round of injections. *breaths sigh of relief* I am still so very very tired though. It could be a number of things. One possible scenario is that I am too stressed at work and it is bringing me down. *sorry froggy! i know you are too* I have next week off work, and a change in my blood pressure medication.

--------------

An email to my supervisor lets her know what's going on, along with a request to review my workload when I get back. I did take on the new task *which i have been told several times that everyone appreciates immensely* but only because my other work *organising travel* would decrease. Which has definitely not been the case!

--------------

MOTH picked up his laptop late this week. Finally. I have my mac back. *grin and happy dance* My regular WoW toon's guild has missed me it seems. I have a 19" flat screen monitor on loan from work and we buy him a keyboard to go with it. He's very happy with his new set up.

Better late than never

2011-09-13T09:50:00.003+10:00

Or not. Cause your world relies on what I write. Ahem. It does you know.

Another week of catching the train. Being ready by 06:45 each morning is a bit of a drag but I like the whole getting in to work early.

---------------

I see a workmate *same floor, different department* on the train. She drives from several suburbs away to catch the train from my stop. The station is better. She wants to chat a bit. I don't. But I'm polite like that. Luckily once we are under way properly she goes back to her book.

---------------

Elder and I ride the same carriage. And chatter a lot. She's only sharing till the next station and it's sort of boring after that. I often travel past where I should detrain because I like travelling on the train. It also means I don't get to work as quite as early. I love being in the city in the early morning rush. I would like it much better if I could sit at one of the restaurants and have breakfast while everyone else rushes past.

---------------

Zman is back to work next week so I'm enjoying going back to public transport this week. So much more expensive but I really do enjoy it. Am I totally strange?

---------------

It's an office clean up day on Thursday. Everyone is supposed to put aside their work and just clean up. I know this is going to take more than one day. How can it not? The office is a total junkyard and part way through the day I wonder if it is any better than it was.

I spend most of my time going up and down the stairs as I carry stuff out to the recycling bin. There is a big skip for cardboard waste at the front of the building. It all has to be flattened before going in and this seems to have fallen to me. I can only carry a small amount at a time so I alternate between stairs and lift, depending on the size of the flattened boxes.

---------------

Totally down with a headache today. Must have been too much dust and things yesterday. Sore hands and a swollen ankle to match. I knew cleaning was no good for me!

---------------

Elder's last course day this week. She's stoked. She has to drop in some paperwork to be sent off in the morning then head off to the last of her class. She's done and dusted and full of future plans.

---------------

While waiting to collect her I play with the camera on the phone and take a pic of a building across the road. I crop it and I think it looks pretty good considering it's only on a phone.

---------------

Leaning on the railing and a car stops at the lights on the corner. The bass is so loud I can feel it vibrating the railing I'm leaning on.

---------------

I think I'll do Indian for dinner tonight. Korma *sorry from a jar* chicken with some rice and bread. Something that looks like a tortilla, but has a completely different name. Followed by gajar halva for dessert. I make the halva early afternoon and put it in oversized coffee mugs for serving. There isn't much left over! It is made with grated carrots, milk, evaporated milk and cardamon pods. It has a caramel like taste and is great served with vanilla icecream.

----------------

A little cooler today. I need to wash my hair but I'm too cold to get in the shower. Washing needs to be done too. Nah. It can wait. I shower after lunch when the weather is a bit warmer. The washing doesn't get done at all. Brilliant day.

I miss my hols!

2011-09-05T09:18:00.004+10:00

Nothing of note this week.

Well, not much.

Zman is on holiday so I have been catching the train to and from work. This works well because Elder is doing a 2 week course so we leave home early enough to get an undercover park at the station. An accomplishment I must say. By the time a person arrives an hour later, you are lucky to find a spare space in any of the carparks.

--------------------

I'm the first in the office this week and I like the quiet. It's usually about 20 minutes before the next person comes in.

--------------------

Two follically challenged chaps got off the bus at the same stop. I'm pretty certain they weren't related but as they walked by the bus window, they looked so similar as to be very closely related.

It made me look at other chappies and I wonder if certain face shapes are the ones to go naturally bald?

--------------------

Two young men in full Arab dress are on the train home. They get off at a most unlikely railway station. It's the first time I can recall seeing something like this outside TV or the airport. I wonder where they are going and what's the occasion.

--------------------

Zman takes time out to come help MOTH with his laptop. It gets a rebuild. It's working much better now. The next day it dies again. Perhaps it's the hard drive. Meantime, he's taken over my Mac. Can't live without his Facebook!

--------------------

An invitation to Riverfire arrives from Bestie. I'm not feeling like leaving the house so I decline. Elder is out most of the day, MOTH plops himself in front of the computer. I am reading a book. An actual paper copy. It's slow going - the story is good and I love this author but my appetite for reading has lost of some of its edge. The author is Neal Asher, his genre is sci-fi. It just doesn't sound like sci-fi.

Roast pork is on the menu but it's still frozen when I put it into the oven. It's been sitting in the fridge to defrost since Thursday. It takes a little longer but I manage to cook it without burning it or drying it out.

Riverfire is on the TV in the background but noone is paying much attention to it.

---------------------

Father's Day. I'm up at my usual time and everyone else is asleep. I relish the quiet. I'm not sparkling today and I flop out in the recliner to catch up on some recorded viewing that I've not watched for a while.

I call my father and chat for a while. MOTH makes it out of bed. I have made an agreement with Elder to let her sleep in till 9am.

MOTH doesn't eat breakfast but I make him a cup of coffee. I go to play WoW for a little while. An hour or so and I'm back off to the recliner. Interruptions are annoying me and I can't concentrate on the game.

I haven't presented MOTH with a gift today. He has his present already. A set top box. It's so very tiny compared to what I usually see in the shops. He's set it up several days ago and has been using it. It means he can now watch TV in his study with no outside noise or interruptions.

He's rearranged his room to suit and he's very happy.

---------------------

Elder flies into a panic. Comments begin to appear on Facebook on Sunny's page and offering condolences on hers. A young man has fatally fallen from a balcony last night. He has the same name as Sunny. She cannot contact him or his housemate by phone. We find out later Sunny is fine and she breathes a sigh of relief.

The young man's name hasn't yet been released and I wonder how the grapevine finds out these things so quickly.

---------------------

Wild Boys begins tonight. The shorts look interesting and I'm going to have a look. Fist ad break I head off for a shower. And change back into my jammies. Yep, I've been in them all day. Darn. I've missed quite a bit of the show.

Judah comes over to borrow my printer. We chat for a while. He gives me a lot of posters for my wall. And I miss most of Bones.

Dangit. I'm off to bed.

Friday Friday Friday

2011-08-29T08:50:00.002+10:00

Well done Elder for ruining a perfect record. I've managed to avoid that song since the beginning of the furor, then she plays it in my hearing while using her iPhone. Sigggghhhhh

This week has been a little quiet. Taking last week into consideration that is!

MOTH arrived back home on Wednesday. Elder joined me on campus so we could go together to meet him. I finished work early and we headed out. Turned out the train was half an hour late coming in, so we consoled ourselves with some KFC chippies and gravy while we waited.

We found him in the crowd and Elder arrived at his side first. He held up a finger and told her that I cam first. *nnnnaaawwww*

Off to collect the baggage and I couldn't determine which one was his. They all look the same these days! Ours has a tell tale difference but hadn't been placed on the carousel so that was visible. I had to wait for MOTH to claim it himself.

---------------------------------

This week I thought I'd try the whole shopping list app for the two major supermarkets. I think I like the Woollies one best, but it works for both of them. Each app has a built in scanner that uses the phone camera and you can scan bar codes to your shopping list. It adds the product from their database and hey presto! Shopping list. With images of the item even. It was actually a lot easier than trying to juggle a written list, pen and calculator.

You can also use it to check weekly specials and the Woolworths one can use the GPS locator in the phone to tailor the list to match the aisle layout of your 'local' store so each item is grouped according the the aisle they are in. So easy! Maybe the Coles one can do that too but alas, my local store is too new to be included in their database.

----------------------------------

Early finish on Friday again *wow. really short week this week. going to have to think about how to make up that lost time* as I head off for a doctor appointment. She has moved into new premises after the last one closed suddenly.

The new surgery is attached to a local shopping centre and is very much an upgrade on her old one! Although it was sad not to see the smiling faces of the girls at reception. She seemed very happy to see us. Elder, MOTH and I decided to all go at once since the new surgery is not located in our suburb.

MOTH also tells me that he thinks the QML (pathology lab) that was located next to the old surgery has also been closed. That is so very inconvenient. The nearest one now is located at the back of my suburb and will now be very very busy! My usual one I could turn up at 7.45 am for an 8.00 am start and get in to be seen in the first ten *no appointments, just take a number*. Handy when you have to do a fasting test!

---------------------------------

Saturday MOTH worked on Team Shitbox while Elder and I went out to pick up some things. It needed a water pump replaced. We dropped him off at the shops to get some scripts filled and walk home *yay for living 10mins walk away from everything!*.

We headed out to the really big shopping centre a couple of suburbs over. It does mean a bit of a drive and there is another large centre between home and that one. But no, the store she wanted to visit didn't have the necessary facilites in the closer centre.

Uh oh as we notice the flashing sign that says ACCIDENT! EXPECT DELAYS! Brilliant. The drive usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes. Today it takes us forty-five. Being nearly mid morning when we arrive I suspect that finding a park will be something of a task. It's not!

I help Elder spend her tax refund. There is a cute young bloke in the Smiggle store. Elder and I are looking at everything and start quoting memes. She wants to buy ALL the things. There's a giggle from the back of the store and the cute bloke comes asks if he can help her buy ALL the things.

She wants a new phone case. There is one she has her eye on that is very very similar to mine. I point her in a slightly different direction and ask the shop assistant how much. He tells and pulls the case out to show us. I touch it and not only are the red bits glittery, the black bits are FURRY! I point this out to her and she balks a little. But they're FURRY! You can't go past it! FURRY! The sales assistant is giggling; Elder grins at me and buys it.

It's really pouring when we get back out to the car park again. We head for the car and watch vehicles driving round and round trying to park. Someone pulls up close and I point down the road. The window pops down and the driver grins at us. He's happy for the park *timing!* and his grin is cheeky. We leave and join the crush. Except I'm trying to get out, not in.

Meanwhile, MOTH has not been having a great time with Team Shitbox. He managed to get the pump changed over but now it leaks like there's no tomorrow and he's managed to tear a hose to boot.

He's not happy. Never mind, the seal probably slipped is all.

--------------------------------

Sunday I let Elder sleep in till about 9.00 am. MOTH goes to the shops up the road and when he comes back, the two of them tackle the car together. There isn't as much swearing as I thought there would be. I guess as wife I get the privilege of bearing that when trying to assemble something with hubby!

I make them lunch *he comments that the leak seems to have been caused by the gasket slipping* and after they've cleaned up we head out to see if we can find a replacement for the torn hose. This hose is not rubber and seems to be made of wire and some papery substance. We get over to the shops and MOTH parks in front of Amart All Sports. What are we doing here? This is where we need to go isn't it? We shake our heads and it seems he's just a little confused and they don't sell car parts. There is a Supercheap in the same row just a little further down. That's where I meant to go! Elder and I shake our heads. We were chatting while he was driving. Can't do more than one thing at once!

They have something similar to what we need. We buy two - just in case. They don't seem very long but they aren't cheap either!

They work on the car again and all seems to be in place. Team Shitbox is now back under the tree where it belongs.

Time flies when you're having fun...

2011-08-21T19:24:00.004+10:00

... so they tell me.

The Elder returned Monday afternoon. I had thoughts of going in to the station to meet her but decided I'd keep the train fare in case I could talk her into the Ekka. You know, a kind of spur of the moment thing.

--------------------

She didn't need much convincing! I don't like going to Ekka on People's Day. It used to be waaaay too busy. So we decided to tackled it on a Tuesday.

First stops, Animal Boulevard and the main arena to see what events were on.

We love to look at the baby animals and the horses and the cats and the dogs and the chickens and the animals! The poultry pavilion is incredibly noisy. Unfortunately, there were no puppies to look at when we went through that pavilion. Ah well.

The horse pavilion always has many fine examples of different breeds. Elder drools over Clydesdales. There is an interesting display of various modes of horse drawn transport.

Just for something different we decided to try the Woolworths Fresh Food pavilion. There was a cooking demonstration that The Elder wanted to look at. I've been to the Ekka many times but never stopped in there. WOW! It was amazing! Food. Glorious food! Cupcakes. German bakery. German sausages. Chilli. Wines. Seafood. Lebanese. Cheese. Dairy. Whoo! Finishing sauces and vinegars. We sample some things but spend a lot of time wandering.

Showbag pavilion of course. Ma had some orders so we went through. It was ... crowded. Of course.

We stayed for some of the night time entertainment and wondered at the many silly people trying to get into the grandstands with prams. There are no ramps only many stairs.

------------------------

Wednesday is a public holiday and we don't expect shops to be open. We took Fred for a walk up the road and 'cashed in' a winning Magnum stick. No winners this time. And I didn't share mine with Fred on the way home either.

------------------------

Thursday we spent out and about paying Elder's bills. I went to the library while she attend her Job Search network Thursday thing. Not much else went on except some housework. Wonderful stuff that, I can't get enough. *end sarcasm*

A parcel from Ma arrived. We didn't hear anything - Jerome began growling and walking toward the front door. Sure enough, the doorbell rang. Good watch-cat.

------------------------

Friday we're back out at the Ekka, catching up on all the pavilions we didn't get to see last time. And mostly to bring some extra cash with us to check out things at the Woolworths pavilion. We wandered spent more time there and wandered about really looking at things and taking free samples. Things we didn't do last time. We purchased a finishing vinegar with a black cherry flavour. It's very palatable, considering I don't like vinegar! It came with a free sample of white chocolate mousse. With a topping of some fairy floss that looked like wool and tasted wonderful. And the chilli stand was very well tested. We purchased a chilli/wasabi/mustard paste called double trouble. It's hotter than hot english.

We found the craft pavilion and I bought some delicious smelling soap. I gave Elder the one called Apple Jack *she has a thing for my little ponies* and it smells divinely of apple pie. Apples and cinnamon.

We checked the animal nursery and were just in time to witness the birth of a lamb. They have a special arena set up so that people can do just that.

We checked out the Agricultural pavilion and looked at the displays of fruits and veg. The winner of the biggest vegetable was a pumpkin of considerable size. There were hibiscus flowers and orchid displays. And a magic garden to boot.

We wandered through the dog pavilion and looked at the various breeds of dogs. Not an awful lot there - I suspect most of the showdogs had competed earlier in the week and gone home.

I decided not to stay for the night time entertainment that night. I wasn't dressed for the cold.

---------------------

Saturday was quiet and we made plans to go out for dinner. A friend works in a restaurant a suburb over and we've never been to Montezuma's before.

I wrapped Ma's showbags in the box she posted my parcel in. How considerate of her to send me a box that I could use. It's too late to post it now.

We had decided in advance what we would order but changed our minds when we got there. We shared a taco platter and a small bowl of salad and followed through with icecream topped with liqueur. Elder chose coconut rum and I chose Kahlua. Delish!

The place was bright and noisy, the service fast and extremely friendly. We'd been there an hour before we realised it. Our friend worked the bar and since we were seated close we got to chat with him occasionally while he made drinks. He was very busy!

---------------------

Sunday was recovery day as we wound down from the week. We spent a lot of time in front of the telly and napping.

All I have to do now is convince Elder to post that parcel...

All gone!

2011-08-15T09:35:00.002+10:00

My week of solitary is almost over. Dang but I could get used to this.

I'm still on holidays and MOTH and Elder have been away this week. Some holiday it's been though.

Two whole lovely weeks of solid WoWing! Whoo hoo! Monday and I'm feeling energetic. I strip and remake the beds; mine and the spare. The sheets go through the wash. I change the cat litter. I catch up on the folding I've not yet done. I put fresh sheets on the single spare bed. The kitchen benches are wiped down, the recycling is put out to the bin and the rubbish tidied. I wash and put away any dishes left over from the night before and breakfast this morning. Might wash the towels too while I'm at it. The washing is brought in from the line and sorted and folded. What a day, I'm exhausted and I've just realised. No WoW.

----------------------------

Tuesday is a lovely fine day too. The shower needs cleaning. *dang but sheldon has the rips. i swear sometimes that cat would run across the ceiling if he could. nothing is safe* I need to wash my hair so I will clean out the shower while I'm at it. And the basin. And polish the mirrors too I think. I only do half the shower.

The bathroom floor is bugging me. It hasn't been cleaned properly for a long time. I get me a cloth, some water and some gumption. Hands and knees job to get into the corners I think.

Done.

Pizza for dinner tonight. I download the Dominos app so I can use that. I order for delivery. Dang. A minimum charge. But I don't feel like going out so I upgrade the order to include some sides. Couple bottles of softdrink and dessert.

Census time. I wasn't going to but I decide to fill it out online. Wow. Much easier than paper. I did it mid afternoon so my worry that the site would be bogged down was unfounded.

Time for a little WoW before I head off to bed.

----------------------------

Wednesday is lovely too. I think I'll take Fred for a walk. I've got a winning Magnum stick to 'cash' in and a dvd voucher. I'll collect them while I'm out. Hook up Fred and he walks himself. Technically speaking he's on a lead.... but he's being a bit silly at the lights. Elder is trying to get him to sit before he crosses the road. But he's sitting for a brief time then getting up and dancing around. On the road. Stupid dog.

We make it up the road and I hook him to the pole while I get the dvds and icecream. A family comes along when I unhook him and he's too distracted to come back to me so I can rehook him. Stuipid dog. Then he spends the rest of the walk home dagging about waiting for his turn at the icecream. He would be walking backwards if he could.

He gets the last couple of mouthfuls but I don't feel like walking him again.

Oh! And look! It's another winning stick.

I settle in for an afternoon of dvds and chat with my sibling Froggy. What shall I watch first? Sucker Punch since it's an overnighter. Then I watch I Am Number 4. And follow that with The Rite.

------------------------------

Thursday is shopping day. Budget and grocery lists take up some time in the morning. And I have SUCH A HEADACHE! It's making me sick to the stomach. Sinus. First one I have had for ages and ages. Luckily, today the nurofen seems to be doing it's job.

The shopping is a little more difficult than I thought. Calculator in one hand, list and pen in the other and I drive the trolly with my wrists. Good stuff. Think I'll shop in only one place today instead of splitting it into two. Sheesh the price of chicken thighs has gone up a bit. I wander down to the chicken shop but no, they are just as bad if not a little more. I head for the butcher. His are $9.99 a kilo.

I'm loading the groceries into the car boot and I am wondering which bag the lad put the eggs in. I wasn't watching.

I'm unpacking and I realise the eggs aren't there. Sigh. $2.71 for a dozen eggs I won't get back. I'm home now and can't be bothered going back for them.

I go back for a second watching of Number 4. I really enjoy the movie but it helps that my second favourite actor is in it. I watch the bloopers twice for the same reason. *mmmm timothy olyphant*

Second movie of the day is Season of the Witch. Witches, Aliens, Demons, Action. Not a girlie movie in sight....

------------------------------

Friday and ..... OMG who put me on a ship? I get up and the room is moving. Hello vertigo. It seems to level out when I sit still. I am not doing much today. *dammit. sheldon is still in a stupid mood and now he's knocked over the clothes basket. i think. i've not checked yet. yes. yes he has. luckily he's not trapped so i'm leaving where he is*

Froggy tries to convince me I have picked up a virus. Lots of weird little symptoms. Perhaps it is Dr time.

------------------------------

Saturday isn't any better.

------------------------------

Neither is Sunday. It suddenly dawns on me that perhaps it's my sinus. It did happen after all after the headache. And I've not had to clear my throat of gunk in the morning for a while. Hmmmm. But I might still need the Dr appointment. It's been a week now and no progress in the healing of my stress indicator. In fact it might even be worse. I can usually treat this with cortisone cream but you can't just buy this over the counter any more. *in the interests of tmi, my stress indicator is eczma. or a form of dermatitis. on my hands. bad.*

I do a load of washing and catch up on my recorded viewing. I'm a couple of episodes behind on A Game of Thrones and Torchwood: Miracle Day. I'm really enjoying these.

I decide I want nachos for lunch. And I can't find the corn chips. Looks like another thing got left behind at the supermarket. Sigh. I head out and buy some eggs and corn chips.

I'm in the rumpus room playing WoW. Finally. I no sooner log on to chat with some guild mates when I find a message on my phone. It's been in the other room. A request from Elder to join her questing ... on WoW. I log off and change realms. It occupies me for an hour or so. She knocks off to go pack and get ready for tomorrow.

Gosh. Time for bed already. Wow... So much for two solid weeks of that!

2011-08-08T09:12:00.003+10:00

This week dragged a little while I waited for the weekend.

Trying to train one of the GTs to do part of my work when I go on leave. Heh, he keeps dodging the bullet so to speak. It's getting to late in the week and I tell him he'd better make it a priority or he might just find himself at work on Monday with no clue as to what to do. He pays some attention and has a go at doing some of the task. I speak to his supervisor and on Friday he's doing the work and asking some questions. I answer them as best I can.

------------------------------

Zman tells me one morning that he's on his way. Great timing, MOTH is 'busy' so we wait a little while. Off up the road and as we come around the corner the way is blocked by ... a fire engine. Our road is narrow and particularly windy so we can't quite see past it. A car comes down the road and past the engine. Wait! Another one. Tch, why is everyone on the road this morning? Oh right, cause we're a little late, right? The fireman directs us that we can go past and off we go. And now there is a garbage truck and a couple other cars slowing us down. Never rains, does it...

------------------------------

MOTH is heading away on Sunday to visit his friend up north. We need to sort out what sort of things he might need to take with him. I thought he'd done this but apparently on Saturday afternoon I discovered he hadn't. He assures me that the clothes will be dry by the time he's ready to pack them. Ok, fair enough. He puts the load on. It finishes and I end up pegging it out for him. He brings it in that afternoon and guess what, it's dry. Bah.

------------------------------

We are up at 6am on Sunday so he can catch the train. We're going from our local station and the only train we can catch that will have us there in time for baggage check in is ... 0703. Sigh. I'm standing in the train when I take this shot at 0645. What a time to be out and about on a Sunday!

We make the train in good time and we're on our way. Early of course. His train does't pull out till 0900. MOTH has been booked a triple berth for the trip. Much quicker to fly up there but the two day train trip in a triple berth sleeper is $157 return. Can't complain about that. Actually the trip is about 26 hours. He hopes he doesn't get a berth mate or two. But he does as the other bloke boards at the same time. MOTH signals to me that I can leave but I intend to stay until the train departs. I tell him that I need to make sure he actually leaves. He laughs at me through the window. Glad I did stay because this pulled into the platform not long after MOTH's train left.

I took this particular shot from my departure platform while I waited for my train home. Passengers were loaded for this one but they weren't headed to their original destination due to track work. They ended up doing a city circuit instead. I don't think it really mattered to the passengers!

------------------------------

The house feels really empty when I get back home. Very quiet. I amuse myself by making noise. I stripped my bed and changed the sheets. Remade the single bed which has been sitting unmade for several weeks now. Finished off the folding. Stripped the queen guest bed. Put away dishes, finished cleaning up the cat pee and changing the litter trays. Yes, forgot to mention that before. Sunday morning bright and early when I go to clean out the cat trays I notice that one of them has missed. Wonderful, and I don't have time to clean up properly. Sigh. Pets. Who'd have them.

But where was I? Oh yes, finished that off. Moved the spare tv from the dining area to MOTH's study. Still need to get a set top box for that one yet. Dumped the recycling that everyone seems to leave on the bench. And on the table. Whew. Tired. I head for a nap. Aaannnnd I've forgotten to get something out of the freezer for dinner. I decide to head up the road for takeaway. Yay! I can do that now.

Munch that in front of the tv. That can't be a good thing - I realise I've eaten the lot instead of only half of it. Suddenly Bones is on and I realise I must have dozed off. Finish watching Bones and head off to a too big bed. But at least I only have to make half of it in the morning!

Whoa? Where did today go?

2011-08-01T12:02:00.002+10:00

Not much to rap about this week.

Sometime last week - alas I forgot to take notes - as we headed to the station, a small car zipped past us to wait at the lights. Couldn't miss it really. A small car, square or boxy in shape. Twin exhausts, chrome mags. Body kit. And the most beautiful fuscia colour I've ever seen on a car. Glossy and polished to the max. Driven by a bloke I might add....

------------------------------------

We read damnyouautocorrect.com. Hilarious. Typos and autocorrects offered by smartphones. Mostly iPhones. One of them corrected 'fuscia' to 'f*ckweasel'. I've never been able to look at fuscia coloured things the same way since.

------------------------------------

So MOTH has made his plans and we're looking at a train trip. Much much less expensive than flying but it will take two days travel. But, it seems I can't book it online. Ah well, any excuse for a trip into the city.

We get in and lo! The travel train office is shut. Annnnd we've missed it by about 15 minutes. What a stupid time to open. Open at 0830, close at 1010. On a Saturday. Sheesh!

Which leaves me kinda anxious but hey, might as well make a day of it.

Thongs. MOTH wants new thongs. Where are we going to go? Dunno. I get antsy when I'm in the city with a group though. No forethought and everyone seems to mill about waiting for someone else to take charge. Look in David Jones. It's my treat and he just about faints at the price of the shoes. For heaven's sake man! Don't look at the price! You'll never find a pair if you are bent on only paying $5! Leather thongs just aren't in that price range.

Eventually he finds a pair in Betts. Black leather, slightly padded. And on sale for half price - $40. He settles for those.

We browse through Myer. I'm wanting to check out a new line of cosmetics but their website says there is only one supplier in our state. We've looked around the centre, but can't find anything. I'm betting it's a boutique spot in Myer itself. They pooh pooh me but I drag them to look. And what do you know. There it is.

Pricey! Whoo! $62 for a palette of 6 shadows I think. The colours are lovely though now that I can see them in real life.

Lunch time. Chicken and avocado toasted sandwiches and iced chocolate for me and Elder, fish and chips for MOTH. Followed by a turkish delight latte. He approves.

I book the train tickets over the phone when I get home.

------------------------------

We're going for a walk and taking Fred. But Elder isn't out of bed. MOTH is. I talk him into going to a shopping centre that's a bit of a drive away. We leave and I text Elder to let her know.

We stop for a drink. I decide to buy a cover for my phone. Dang, the one I really like is $55 and I can't justify that. I choose another. Almost as expensive, but has some bling and some snakeskin pattern. Looks good.

Home and it's lunch time. I coax Elder out from under the blankets - she's awake but chatting to a friend on Skype. Our downloads have gone crazy. Apparently using video on Skype chews the bandwidth. Who would have thought? Not Elder apparently....

We walk Fred and get as far as across the road and there are a couple of kids chasing a guinea pig in the bushes. It's not theirs apparently, but it's definitely escaped from somewhere. Elder helps them for a while to try to herd it out from cover but it defeats them. The kids head home for lunch and we continue up the road.

Elder cashes in the free magnum winning stick and I purchase two more. No winners there. Dang.

This is confusing!

2011-07-25T10:02:00.003+10:00

I don't know what happens to the start of my week. It just happens, takes care of itself. It's almost like I don't wake up till Thursday.

----------------------------

The Elder drove me to the station this Thursday. Zman had been off sick and this was his first day back. I love driving with her. She gives me 'permission' to let the inner child loose and we dance in our seats to the music.

She's waving her arms about and pretends to punch me in the head. There is a motorcyclist behind us. He is grinning widely and Elder is pumped. I've made someone smile and now I'm complete.

We round the corner and change lanes. As he passes the motorcyclist looks hard at the car. I wave and smile. He waves back. Sweet!

----------------------------

It's just another boring day at the office and I'm umming and ahhhing about going out tonight. I'm tired and by Friday evening all I really want to do is crash on the couch. If I do decide to go out, will I have enough time to get home first? Or will I have to go out and take my backpack and stuff with me?

Elder tells me, oh yes, we will have time to eat before we go. Ah. Well, I haven't got anything out of the freezer because I wasn't sure if we would be home. MOTH takes it out in the afternoon.

It's not defrosted and we decide to have pea and ham soup. We feed Zman as well and dinner is bright and happy with lots of talk of laughter. He leaves and it's off to the station - hmmm Team Shitbox is leaking again and the temperature gauge is creeping a little high. We have water on board though so situation isn't that dire.

The train gets us to the nearest station as the gig is about to start. We are heading out to support JD's band, Battleaxe. Ah well, if we miss them we at least made an effort to turn up. We arrive at the venue but Elder isn't sure where they might be. She makes me ask the bouncers. Yeah, cause she's all shy and stuff. Sigh. Sometimes it's tough to be the grown up.

We find them and it's ok. They haven't started yet. When they do, the crowd is happy and they get into the music. Some of their regular supporters are there. Elder recognises one of them and goes to say hello. It's hella loud but I'm having a great time. They finish the set and I'm ready to keep going. Elder decides she want to go home and play WoW *rolls eyes* but it's half ten so I can't complain. She's bought the t-shirt and had it signed.

-------------------------------

We're on tax time so MOTH and I head out to the tax agent. This year he had a small amount from his mother's estate so we don't get the full spouse rebate. But it's better than nothing. Mind, I could think of better ways to spend my Saturday morning.

I've got chicken lined up for dinner and since it involves a lot of garlic it's really only suitable for Saturdays. That gives a couple of days for the garlic smell to settle before work on Monday. Yay for clever planning!

I make steak sandwiches for lunch. I think they turned out alright.

There's a kid's movie on telly tonight and I let that run in the background.

-------------------------------

The weather is lovely but I intend to laze around today. I'm not in a hurry to get dressed. The Elder has other plans and bugs me to walk up to the markets with her and Freddy. I relent. MOTH decides to come with us. Are you driving or walking? Walking. Off we go and the walk is slow and it's not too warm.

A red car goes past and a girl leans out the window yelling Hellloooooo. We laugh. It's Cupcake.

Elder and I wander around the stalls and MOTH heads inside for a drink. Freddy is destined for a hydrobath and the wait is about twenty minutes. It's getting popular. We come back a little later and still have to wait but at least we can sit in the shade. A woman is standing out in the sun and chatting to passers by. Her dog is HUGE. He must be a mastiff. Or something.

The walk home is relaxing and the afternoon is spent doing not much of anything.

I've bought a bbq chicken while out. Warm chicken sandwiches for lunch today. I'm walking around the bench and I step on something hard. Without looking down I take another couple steps and it hasn't dislodged. I rub the bottom of the foot across the top of the other. OUCH! That stung. I look. I've actually stepped on a flat shard of glass and cut the top of my foot. Clever!

Bones is back on tonight and it wins over Serial Killer Sunday. What a choice to have to make!

My foot still stings...

Back! Back in the office groove

2011-07-18T09:26:00.002+10:00

It's Monday again and I really don't know where the time goes.

This week I've been suffering a little with a stiff neck and shoulders. Nothing too drastic but possibly caused by not sitting straight at the keyboard and leaning on my desk.

Nothing really worth noting happened during the week, just the usual round of eat, sleep and work. I'm playing Words with Friends on facebook and even my opponents there have been quiet, taking ages to make their next move.

Thursday afternoon we drove Zman home. He had been away at a conference the previous day and brought the work car back that morning. He lives a fair way out so it was an interesting trip with new scenery. We did get lost at one point - he and MOTH were yapping in the front and missed the turn.

Friday the weather turned a little and showers appeared. The Elder had gone out to a Shortstack concert and we were home alone. MOTH stayed in the study and I watched a couple of movies on Foxtel and distracted myself at the same time reading, and playing Words with Friends. The first movie was Green Zone. I expected an action packed thriller much like the Bourne movies, but no. It was nothing like that at all. The second was Death Race 2. I had much more of an idea about that one!

Around 3am Saturday morning I went to roll over in bed and POW! The neck and shoulders thing hit properly. Either a muscle spasm or a pinched nerve. I decided it might be a pinched nerve - it felt like I'd hit my funny bone as well, with aching elbow and light pins and needles in my fingers.

Later that morning we had an appointment with the tax agent to do my return. I always get nervous before these appointments. I didn't get as much back this year as MOTH had received a small windfall which had an impact. But at least I can afford to send him north on his holiday. We just have to decide train or plane.

Off to the Village after the appointment to relax a little and I discovered I couldn't even tip my head back to have a drink of MOTH's coke. Dang.

That night, he cooked a beautiful roast pork dinner. One of those meals where everything you touch just works. The veg were good, cooked and not burned. The meat was moist and the crackling crackled and not salty.

Sunday we all headed out to catch the 10am screening of Harry Potter 7.2. I chose a 'local' cinema instead of the big name. Three tickets cost me $25.50. So with tickets, a drink and twisties to munch on it cost less than $40. A good outing!

On the way we passed a woman walking up the hill. Her hair was wild and fuzzy. Her cap was purple. Her backpack was purple. Her jacket and leggings were purple. Wonder what her favourite colour was??

I loved the movie. And I didn't cry anywhere near as much as I thought I might. I got sniffly when a character I liked died, a bit more when a man cried *i nearly ALWAYS do that!* I think a girl down the front of the theatre was crying too, and possibly sniffles from a woman at the end of our row. Glad I wasn't the only one!

The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out some washing and facebooking. Gosh, a fastlane life that!

Argh! Hamster Dance is stuck in my head!

2011-07-11T09:23:00.003+10:00

My week didn't actually start until Thursday. Well, I'm sure it started before then, but I don't recall.

The Elder decided to drop me off at work on Thursday morning. I had to be at work for a training course and Zman couldn't guarantee he could manage that early. Yes *nods* I start work after 9am. We take Team Shitbox out for a run. The music cranked loud and we bounce around in the car at the lights while we sing along. Loudly. Badly. Who cares. It starts the day well. Almost there and it time to stop for traffic control while they are working on the road.

We're dancing and singing and I glance out the window. A very good looking young traffic fella is smiling and waving at us. I wave back and Elder ducks her head. Yes, who would want to be in the same car as a maniac mumma? She told me later that on the way back, he waved again.

Friday I spent the morning packing. Elder and I were headed off for an adventure that evening and timing meant I would have to leave straight from work. I'm a skirts only kinda girl and we were anticipating it would be freeze-em-off cold. What to wear?! What to wear?!

The day lasted a loooooong time.

Finally time to finish work and run to get changed. You know, I never realised how difficult it is to get long trousers over sandshoes when you can't be bothered taking them off. It might have been quicker to actually remove the shoes, don said trakky dacks and put the shoes back on.

The traffic on the way to the Coast wasn't too heavy and we sang and 'danced' along to the music. Suddenly the stereo cut out. Uh oh. It switched back on and the process was repeated several times over the course of the song. Ummmm. We stopped dancing. It occurred again. Oh no! Team Shitbox has a short somewhere! Elder thinks it might be the cold air making contact with the broken antenna. After a time, she notices it happens each time she brakes. Worrying. The headlights flicker. We are quiet for the rest of the trip. We're meeting up with Sunny and Sparks and hope they've bought the car so we can grab a lift home if we need to.

We're at Screamworld! Yay!!! *many exclamation marks* It's Dreamworld at night, from 6.30pm to 10pm. The entry is packed but it's fine when we all stream through the gates and disperse. We go in and meet up with the boys shortly after. Uh oh. They've come in the PedoVan. *sparks's work van. it's big and white with no markings. there are no back seats*

I have an absolute blast. I spend my time holding gear and talking to Sunny while Sparks and Elder do the rides thing. A bit of dancing in the street near the DJs. I wasn't as cold as I thought I would be until we get to the Giant Drop. Standing and waiting there I could see our breath pluming white and the cold began to seep through the jacket and jumper.

The night culminated in a dazzling laser light display and we headed out to the car. Turn the key and ...... nothing. Dead. As a dodo. Elder ends up head down bottom up checking fuses. Nope, they seem ok. Pop the bonnet and ... one of the leads has come adrift from the battery terminal. Fix that up and Team Shitbox is good to go.

We're on the way home and I get a text message. The Teen is heading home with the person she came down with and suddenly the person wants extra money to travel home. Earlier on in the week the agreed amount for BOTH her and Skywalker was $50. Now the girl wants $110 from 3 of them. They have managed to pool resources and scraped together $70 for their share. I was so angry! To have the rules changed like that and be expected to pay extra! Considering the girls were coming this way anyway and offered the Teen, Skywalker and Sharps a lift.

AND I HAD TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE NORTHSIDE to drop them off and collect the GPS (Karen) that MOTH was nice enough to lend them. And the girl wouldn't negotiate the price down.

I realised later there was some facebooking going on about this. I read the comments and changed my opinion. It wasn't the girl being the pushy cow, it was her friend, chiding Teen for spending all her money on shoes that this person didn't think were necessary. Why did you spend all your money on shoes, since when are shoes more important than paying your way. You've just used her. That kind of thing.

So Saturday saw us heading out to the northside, about 45 minutes away. And no Karen. Sooo ... we got lost. I had printed out some Google directions. MOTH and I discussed which way we would go. I was confused because I couldn't envision what he was talking about and let it go.

It cost us a toll too because we decided to cut a little time and go through the tunnel.

We reached the section MOTH had been talking about and he took the turn off. No! That wasn't the one we needed! Sigh. The directions were now useless. Dammit man! We exchanged some words *as you do* and he continued to drive. He kept asking about the road we have to look for. I dunno! I tried to say that the road name I had was only viable from the motorway and I never looked at the map to see what was on the other side. *note to me. it's now 2 days later and i think there is actually a street directory in the car door... duh*

MOTH gave me his phone but the daylight was too bright for the screen and I couldn't see a thing. Didn't help that I didn't have my glasses with me. The Teen rescued us with her blackberry from the back seat.

We dropped them off, took back Karen and headed out again. And got lost. But this time we weren't trying to meet a deadline so it didn't matter. Saw plenty of nice houses and the beach. It would have been nice to stop but it was too windy.

That afternoon Elder and I veged in front of the telly meeting Rango and applauding Pascal from Tangled.

Sunday lunch time Elder and I walked Freddy up to the shops to get some groceries. The weather was lovely. Freddy introduced himself to a couple of Boys in Blue before we dropped the DVDs back. Elder took him around the market while I went to the supermarket. The rest of the day was spent playing WoW till dinner time.

And now it's Monday all over again. Sigh.

July? What happened to January?

2011-07-04T12:06:00.002+10:00

Yes. July. July 4 to be precise. I really don't know where the first half of this year has gone. I hope the rest of it doesn't go so fast! What do you think my chances are?

The Elder has been manic this week. She calls it her manic stage and I have to agree. She's been in a terrific mood, laughing and joking. It's been a couple of weeks now and she's leveling out a little. I'm not looking forward to the crash when it comes.

I seem to have forgotten notes for the week. I've been very slack with that lately. And I'm sure that this week there have been some funny things going on. At home, anyway.

Work hasn't improved much.

An appointment with the resident quack on the Friday. The check of my iron levels seems to reveal a slight improvement. Not as much as the doctor would would like, but an improvement just the same. I'm now to go back to taking the supplements along with Vitamin C to help absorption. There is no point continuing the injections. *my butt is happy with that*

Lunch today to farewell my other supervisor *i have two* as she heads off to her new project. We have lunch at the local fish and chippery. I have battered cod with crumbed calamari rings, chips and a crab claw. $12.50. Not a huge serve but filling none the less. It's been years since I've eaten crab. It was mudcrab and I recall being less than impressed. This was sweeter than I remember, but I'm still not impressed. *incidentally, it was a little piece of claw sticking out of a ball of white stuff which was crumbed* The fish is sweet, just cooked and the batter crisp.

I meet a friend there whom I've not seen for a time. He's been unwell too and as I explained about the iron, we laughed about becoming Magneto.

Saturday I had planned to clean the bathroom.

That evening while preparing dinner, the front doorbell rang. The Elder went to answer it - MOTH can never hear it - and a heap of people trooped in. Whaaa? The Teen, Skywalker and the girls who delivered them.

I am definitely surprised.

They tell me they are here for the week.Strap in everyone, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Sunday night as I change into my jammies, I realise that I didn't clean the bathroom. Sigh.

Mmmmm. Coffee

2011-06-28T09:52:00.003+10:00

I was about to say another quiet week at work, but I guess it really wasn't.

I've noticed one of my stress indicators has appeared *i don't feel stressed but three key indicators let me know that i'm just fooling myself* and seems to be getting worse. I think I need a week off work.

Wednesday I was set a task but felt like I wasn't actually allowed to do it. My supervisor, C, asked me to cost a trip for her. To complete this part of the task I don't need much detail, but she proceeded to give me plenty. When I questioned a flight time she became upset and we argued. Sheesh I thought, I've been doing this job for 5 years now, I don't need to be micromanaged!

I emailed to apologise later that evening; explained where I was coming from. She pointed out where she was coming from and all is good.

I was looking forward to the weekend and a bbq for MOTH's birthday.

And then Zman and his boss R *both attending the bbq* had an altercation on Friday. Blimmin heck! That might make things awkward!

I asked Zman later that day if they had made up and he said that his boss had apologised.

We decided we'd dine indoors for the bbq - the weather has been cold overnight. The menu was sausages and salad. Dessert was caramel tart and MOTH's favourite condensed milk tart. The filling for that one is purely condensed milk with enough lemon juice to make it set. I thought I would make the caramel the old fashioned way. It took ages and just didn't seem to want to caramelise very well. I went to lift it out of the boiler and pow! It tipped over and spilled the contents into the water. Gads I was cranky. MOTH went up to the supermarket and bought the tin of the prepared stuff. Next time I think I will use that. Bugger the mucking around.

Cupcake *who had asked for the bbq i might add* didn't turn up so it was a cozy set of JD, MOTH, Elder, Zman, R and his wife, and myself. I was very much on edge when the phone rang and one of the guests hadn't arrived. I was expecting him to beg out due to the other person. But luckily, he did not.

I would have been SO not impressed.

I was still a little wary but they behaved themselves. They left around 10pm. MOTH and the Elder to bed not long after. JD was sleeping over so we talked and listened to music while he facebooked. I left him at about 1.30am.

Sunday was a relaxing and take it easy day. Not much by way of dishes from Saturday to clean up and not a lot of food left over either.

Roast lamb for dinner Sunday. MOTH's birthday on Monday and I wouldn't have time to cook it. The lamb worked well but the veges didn't so much. By the time I carved *tore* and dished up they had gone cold. Gotta love winter!

Getting close

2011-06-20T10:06:00.002+10:00

It's been a very quiet week.

The Elder got to her flight on time. We were out of bed at 03:45 for a 04:15 departure as it takes about 3/4 of an hour at that time of the morning to get to the airport. She had to be there by 05:00. We drove out in Team Shitbox as it had more fuel. MOTH refused to drive it on the way home. Ok, I say, but you keep an eye out cause you're navigating *not his strong point*

Just out of the airport and it's keep left or keep right? Right he says and as we head up the onramp he says ... oh wait, maybe it was left.... So we had to do a little tour round some of the back streets. I wasn't happy but although he doesn't navigate as well as he should *not paying close attention and who needs a map anyway* he does manage to find his way out of 'lost'.

Driving back beyond that is an experience. Team Shitbox needs fixing and she doesn't have the funds. Neither do we. But we make it home and I'm all for going back to bed for a little while.

The afternoon of the same day, Dad arrives for his appointment with the specialist the following day. It's good to see him.

They head out the next day at 07:00 and Zman has to come to the house as I have no way of getting to the swap point. I'm standing in the wind with my long coat on and my hands are so cold I have to put away the iPad and put them in my pockets instead.

Dad leaves on Wednesday and from then on the rest of the week is veeeeeery quiet.

Thursday MOTH phones me at work. The Teen has an appointment at the hospital today for what I assume is pre-op for the melanoma. But no, she's having it removed then and there with a local anesthetic.

Friday we attend a linen party for an old neighbour of ours. We are the only ones to turn up. The stuff is lovely but very expensive. I purchase a tri-pillow and a pillowcase. It's $64.00. It's MOTH's birthday present I tell him.

Saturday The Teen tells me her arm is very sore. Ah well. Seems they offered her painkillers at the hospital but she said she already had some. Turned out she didn't. But hey, they've never given me the choice before, don't know why they did there. She thought she had 13 stitches - then tells me that Skywalker had been looking at it and there might be more. The incision site is about 5cm long *2inches*. Hmmm. No wonder it's a bit ouch.

Today is Monday again, and The Elder comes home today. There goes the neighbourhood! But Freddy will be ecstatic!

How strange it's been.

2011-06-12T15:28:00.002+10:00

It's been a week full of nothing much and yet everything. It has just flown by so quickly.

On back to work Monday I found out that one of the managers has resigned. This manager is the one who looks after that new task I was assigned. I'm a little worried as she will be taking quite a bit of knowledge with her about the project and anyone who replaces her won't have that since she has been with the project from the beginning guiding it through it's various phases. On the other hand, she's very happy to be moving on to manage a multimillion dollar project elsewhere in the University.

The Teen and Skywalker are still here and still panicking about purchasing their ticket home. She was expecting her allowance into her bank today but it's not there. Apparently Centrelink have changed her reporting but failed to notify her. She goes into the office and has that fixed. It means though, that she can't buy the ticket home until Wednesday, the day before they are due to return.

And as they are still here, there still seems to be people in my house most every night. Is that right, or am I just imagining it because that's the way it feels?

Wednesday night is their last night here. And I'm not busy doing home stuff so I am thinking I would be able to spend some time with them. But no, one of her friends and the boyfriend are coming over. And later on, another. DAMMIT! So not happy. Later Skywalker comes to me to tell me that he is taking the others for a walk so the Teen can spend some time with me. We spend a little time talking and laughing and then I go to bed.

I'm restless and can't really sleep. It's after 1am and there are still people out in the back yard. On a week night. I put my head out the window and tell Teen to send them home. That's when I find out they intend to stay up all night and sleep on the train. I think my head exploded then. I take her to task about being inconsiderate to both MOTH and I, not to mention the neighbours. They aren't exactly quiet. She begs me to let them stay all night, and I eventually allow it. On the proviso that they be gone before I get up at 6.30 in the morning.

Thursday morning early and I'm surprised to see them still awake and also fully packed! MOTH is taking me to work *no public transport this morning!* and he won't be back in time to get them to the train. They will have to come with me and catch the train to the city from a different station.

Uh oh. I'm working from home again on Friday and .... I have to find a way to get the laptop home with me. Trying to handle two bags on public transport is no fun. I dunno how those ladies with multiple bags do it. For me, if it doesn't fit in the handbag it doesn't come with me. I end up taking the backpack with a special space for the laptop. It's heavy and bulky but at least I don't have two bags.

And I rock up to the office on Thursday morning .... and I've forgotten to transfer my work keys over. *dang* And not only that, I'm the FIRST one in the office. Great. I head downstairs to get someone with a master key to let me in. She's gobsmacked that at 9.12 in the morning I am the first one in.

She opens the office and leaves and I settle in at my desk. Then of course I realise that I am stuck in my area because all the connecting doors to other parts of the office are still locked. No coffee for me yet.

I catch the bus home that day instead of the train. I'm waiting at the city stop and watching the people going by at the end of their day. A group dressed in business suits hurries past; they're all wearing rubber masks of American Presidents. Most are Nixon but I think I spy a Carter or two *or is it meant to be clinton? i can't see the teeth so possibly the latter* and definitely Obama. I hear Obama giggling and muttering to her mate that anyone would think they were going to be robbing banks....

The temperature has been slowly dropping through the week to a maximum daytime temperature of around 17C. That's about 62F. Friday I have a doctor appointment so I can lay in bed a little longer. *geez i hate winter* I'm working from home so I run the heater most of the day. I was aiming for a couple of hours but it just didn't seem to want to warm up.

MOTH finally tells me that I've actually got it set on cool. *facepalm*

Saturday is still cold. The house is certainly NOT warm and cozy, having big rooms, tiles and 9 foot ceilings. It's hard to keep warm. I spend the day in my flannie jammies and dressing gown. This day I also add sheepskin slippers.

Sunday is much the same, although a little warmer. I don't need the slippers.

This afternoon there is a thunderous crash that sets Jerome and Sheldon on edge and startled MOTH and I.

*side story: the elder told one of her skype friends the names of said felines. jerome pronounced jeremy. no he insisted. jerome is jerome. a big black man's name. she said the other cat's name was better. sheldon. ha he said. that just sounds like a redneck name. we lol'd big time. jerome is indeed black, and sheldon is ginger*

MOTH ventured out to check. *brave brave man. unless it was a spider* He reported that a palm frond had come down. Some time later the cats were still unsettled. I glanced out the glass door ... to see a big brown pheasant standing on the railing of the gazebo.

I'd have taken a photo but my only camera *phone* is redlining the battery and wouldn't function as such. Darn. What's for dinner again MOTH asks. The bird stays there for a while then disappears.

So it's 4.30pm Sunday afternoon. Thankfully it's a long weekend. Queen's Birthday weekend. No sleep in for us though. The Elder is headed out to the airport and has to be there by 5am. Guess who gets to drive her??

Stuff

2011-06-05T20:37:00.002+10:00

It's been open house this week. The Teen and Skywalker are still here; it seems that there has been at least one of their friends visiting every night.

It's still noisy, I don't think either of them have a volume control.

Work is progressing as usual. The Director came in tohave a chat to our section about the proposed change. He spent a little time explaining the background of his decision to restructure and what it might mean for us. The General Manager left the room so that we might freely discuss how we felt about things. Few of us actually spoke out beyond asking a coupleof questions. I for one did not speak at all. I chose to express my opinion directly to the .... *ahem* Director.

Friday was time for my next injection and a work from home day. Alas, I found out that morning that the last of our download quota had been used the night before. Uh oh. I hope that isn't going to affect my work. It did. That, or the VPN wasn't working properly. I couldn't access the database or the folders I needed.

That Friday is The Teen's birthday. She had a party lined up for the evening. MOTH cooked roast lamb for dinner. Delicious. Friends are scheduled to arrive around 6pm. We've finished dinner and she and Skywalker move to the table outside to wait. 6pm goes by. 7pm goes by. No one is arriving. Eventually two friends come in. They stay for a while then leave. *gods i detest how rude young people are these days. Rsvp yes then don't bother to turn up or just don't rsvp at all* She's running out of smokes and can't afford to buy anything to drink. The mood is low and she doesn't want to party anymore. It doesn't look good. Another friend and her boy turn up. The two earlier friends return. That's better.

Then she finds out that the source she was relying on for her return ticket has fallen through and she now has to find $160 for tickets to return home. Never rains....

JD has finished band prac and is in the area and headed our way. Whoo! He rocks up looking swish in his white shirt, black vest, black skinnys and metal tipped tooled leather boots.

The Elder informs me the next morning that it was after 3am before they headed off to bed.

That day I spent the day in my jammies. Because I just didn't feel like getting changed. The Elder had a minii breakdown. We decide it's likely due to over stimulation - too many people and too much noise. But we are having people over to visit again. Sunny and his friend Sparky came over. I was watching a tv series marathon and Sparky became engrossed as well. They left after midnight.

I spent Sunday in my jammies too. Just because I didn't fel like getting changed. Until it was time to bleach The Elder's hair. Heaven forbid that I get bleach on my Jim Beam flannies! I finished the second series of the marathon and went on to watch part 1 of The Andromeda Strain mini series. They gave the impression it was new, but I am sure I have seen it before.

Curried chicken with rice for dinner *dang, there isn't enough!* and Serial Killer Sunday.

Catch y'all next week.

Let's take it from the top.

2011-05-30T19:38:00.002+10:00

Monday the Tarago had to go back to campus. Dangit, I didn't get a photo. I told the Elder that I really liked it and wanted one of my own. She was aghast. Nooooo! You Can't! You Don't Fit the Profile! I laughed at her. Nevertheless, it was a smooth drive with plenty of room in the front. Getting used to an automatic shift that's on the console not the floor; push buttons everywhere and a foot operated 'hand brake'. Go figure. That took some getting used to.

Home from work that evening in a cab. That work paid for.

MOTH has been unwell since we returned from the Coast. Sniffles and coughs. Lots of coughs. And coughs all night. The asthma puffer offered some relief sometimes, but not each time. Tuesday I decided to stay home and make sure he was alright.

Off to work on Wednesday as he insisted he was alright. He drove me to work and as I wandered toward the office I met most of the department staff going the other way. Among them was Admin2 who told me there was no one left in the office. I followed them. It was an all staff meeting *compulsory of course* and it was starting very soon. Oops! I thought it started later.

So it seems the department is up for restructure. It means a lot of changes for a lot of people. Some will be moved to new teams. Some teams will be moved to new sections. Some sections will lose section heads. Some people will lose their jobs and others will have to reapply. There is a huge change proposed for our section, however it will affect only one person. The rest of us are 'safe'. For now. The whole process is up for review and comment and won't be set in stone until much later and several more reviews and approvals. I am curious to see how much will be passed without change.

Thursday and MOTH is worse. I stay home again and he makes an appointment to see the doctor. It seems he has an upper respiratory tract infection. A course of antibiotics should help. Well, we'll see.

The Teen and Skywalker arrive mid morning. She's come to visit to attend a concert on the weekend and will stay for her birthday. I can't believe she'll be 19. I feel so old!

Friday I'm home again. This time it's for me. I don't feel well at all. Some extras are staying for the weekend. They are going to the concert too. I cram all three of them into the one bedroom. But different beds. It's kinda cozy!

One of them is a large boy with a large presence and a large voice to match. But he's a very polite person, please thank you and hello. The volume of conversation on my patio is phenomenal. Luckily when I head off to bed I can close the door and don't hear them.

I've cooked dinner for everyone and oh no. It looks a lot until it's dish up time. There is only just enough and everyone looks like they could go seconds. I didn't expect the dish to be that popular. It's a filled pasta dish with a tomato pesto and cream sauce.

Saturday they head out around lunch time. The house is quiet. They aren't expected home till after dark. The concert finishes around 10pm and then they have to try to find a way home. Dangit. The last bus our way stops running at 10.10pm. They can't make that. The last train to our closest station leaves at 10.22pm. They can't make that - it will take too long to walk to the train station. Eventually I tell them to get a different train and I will have to pick them up from a different station. There is one too many in the car and I'm a little worried. I decide to chance it anyway.

On the way home I see blue and red flashing lights and die a little inside. My heart pops into my mouth. But they are occupied with booking some other bunny they have pinned on the side of the road and we all begin breathing again.

Sunday we went to a local shopping centre. One of the boys stayed at someone else's house so there was not problem with overloading. The Elder joined up with me later and we went to visit Sunny while he was working. He was very happy and chirpy.

Monday I'm back at work and the house clears out. Hopefully it will be a much quieter week.

Although judging from the amount of noise that the Teen is making, I could be hoping in vain.

Photos....

2011-05-30T19:04:00.005+10:00

The resumption of normal

2011-05-23T12:24:00.002+10:00

I've been out of the house the last week. MOTH has treated conference week as one big holiday. As usual. Huh. Still a regular work week for some. *laughs*

Sunday always seems to be super busy. If I can get through Sunday then I can make the rest of the week. The day starts for me around 07:45 as I rush down to begin set up. People arrive to register before 08:30 when it opens and I'm not ready yet! Everyone arrives at once but Admin2 is there to help check off names. There isn't a laptop for the presentations. I had thought they would have one already, but apparently not. That's sorted and the day is underway.

Welcome reception that night. Drinks at the booth - a keg of Stone and Wood. Everyone circulates and it's a chance to catch up with people you only ever see once a year.

Monday the conference opens proper, and I make sure I catch Bennett Arron for the opening Keynote. He's very funny although the circumstances he's talking about were not. Bennett had his identity stolen back before it became a fashionable way to make money. I had earmarked a session to see in the afternoon as well, but I was busy working and missed that one.

Yes, we continue to do our normal jobs while the conference goes on around us.

Monday night sees Sponsor cocktail night. Some sponsors see premixed cocktail machines set up at their booths. We have beer at the booth again, along with glasses that people are allowed to keep. Food and drink circulates, but waitstaff seem to be few and far between tonight. You literally have to jump out and bag one if you want something to eat. It's usually the night the sponsors take their guests to dinner and they clear the place early; an Italian buffet for the ones left behind this year. Which seems to be almost everyone. I'm sorely disappointed with the buffet - it's not my fave cuisine and where is the lasagne???

Tuesday there was an invitation breakfast. I missed it. I avoided the booth and stayed in the workroom. Working. All day.

There's nothing on the program I want to see. The Gala dinner and awards is on tonight. The Elder and MOTH are coming with me this time. I've ordered special meals. The dinner is alternate drop and the choice is lamb or salmon. Again.

The show begins after introductions and a welcome speech hosted by Corinne Grant. The entertainment kicks off with Soul Mystique. The show is short but spectacular. More speeches and boring award presentations and they begin serving dinner. We wait. And we wait. Eventually I have to chase up one of the waitstaff who brings it to us. That's ok though, we have chicken and it's well worth the wait. Chicken breast, skin on with some sort of creamy sauces and some large slices of potato. It's tender, juicy and flavoursome.

Bennett does a short comedy segment and then more awards. Oh no! They've forgotten to ACTUALLY GET AWARDS for the recipients. Corinne makes do with items stolen from the hotel. *this gets a good laugh* More entertainment, this time from Tripod.

The Elder is deliriously happy. She sings along to most of the songs, and at the end as they lead in to do a particular number and hint for requests, she shouts SWEET CAROLINE! They agree to do it. To the uninitiated, it looks like they've taken the request but regular followers will know that she's merely asked for the song already on their set list.

The night ends well; the Elder has her menu signed by Corinne. She notices Tripod packing up and heads over to chat. They thank for for the lead in, chat for a while, sign her menu and give her the set list. They say they will likely be up in the bar later.

It's nearly 23:00 and MOTH calls it quits for the night. We head to the bar and end up joining Zman and some others who are sitting with Corinne. We're on the outer of the group so don't really end up chatting. I get to taste a glass of Moet. Not spectacular let me tell you....

Tired on Wednesday and not feeling my usual chirpy self. For lunch I ate a very small serve of calamari salad, rice and Thai chicken curry. I skipped dessert and MOTH was gobsmacked. It was wind down and relax night with a movie and social stuff. The movie was The Social Network. I bugged out not long after it started and was in bed by 21:00.

Thursday and everything to do with the exhibition is gone. Completely. Today and tomorrow are tutorial days. Regular work days for me; I'm not doing any of the tutes. I am attending the Executive Program this morning. And a nice lunch afterward. MOTH stays in the room. It's raining and there is nothing to do at the venue anyway. That night, MOTH and I go out for KFC for dinner and veg out in front of the tv.

Friday is the same and that evening we head home. It will be good to get home. I'm disappointed though. The week is gone and there is no thank you and appreciate your effort gift this year. Sometimes it's a bottle of wine but the last couple of times have been movie vouchers. This year, nothing.

It is good to get home. And do the washing. And catch up with housework. And all is back to normal...

Pre-conference jitters

2011-05-16T14:29:00.003+10:00

This week has been busy. The conference is almost upon us and it's flat out. I've been chased for so many things this time, things that I would have had done ages ago if it weren't for the certificates task that I have been doing lately.

I hadn't even started packing. I usually have some idea of what I want so that I can lay it out and make sure it's clean. Nup. No enthusiasm for the task.

I decided to treat MOTH to a haircut before the conference. Mostly because it was getting long and I didn't like the way he combed it. The appointment was made for Thursday.

He got it done and it looks much better. While we were out, we thought we would stock up on a couple of essentials for the trip. MOTH thought the mushrooms looked particularly good. Large, brown with crisp and clean looking edges on the caps. Elder says no, they're not nice at all. She grabs a couple and places them together. They are a mouth. The mouth moves, You're a bastard.... See, she says. They're not nice at all. MOTH and I collapse laughing.

Apparently MOTH can do a pretty decent Peter Griffin imitation (Family Guy). Butt scratcher! Butt scratcher! Get your butt scratcher here! *points finger in air* It left Elder, her guest and I rather gobsmacked.

There's a spider on the wall of the bedroom. WHERE'S SOMETHING TO SMASH IT WITH?! he yells. I'm in bed, just on the other side. And I'm not deaf. There's some shoes in the walk in robe? THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH! He's indecisive. He scrabbles about and finds something. IT'S STILL ALIVE! I CAN'T GET IT! WHERE IS IT?! He finds it again. And smashes it flat. *sigh* It's still less than 1 centimetre across...

Saturday is the day we head for the conference. Due to a mix up at Fleet, I have to drive a 12 seater mini bus. MOTH cannot drive this one - it's a work vehicle. I can barely climb into the seat. It's easier to drive than I thought, but boy, is the view from up on high! Fleet assures me that I will be fine ... as long as I don't have to park in tight spaces. Great. Undercover parking and small spaces.

The drive is comfortable, and the parking a little easier than I thought.

Checked in and I'm getting ready for Sunday. Bummer. I've forgotten a couple of pairs of stockings, my jumper, and MOTH's hankies he asked me to include. Whoo. I've done well.

Sunday is long and tiring. Loud and exhausting. I arrive for set up for the day at 7.45am. I sit outside the conference room while the presentations go on and listen to the exhibition set up. I don't really find them interesting so I usually end up outside in case stragglers show up. I read. I walk. I chase things up if they need chasing. Set up is called 'bump in'. The conference lasts 3 days, followed by 2 days of tutorials. There are 1000 delegates. At the end of the day there are drinks for attendees, followed by more drinks for delegates who have just arrived, or have come in from the golf. That is followed by more drinks for our staff and some invited guests. It's too crowded and noisy and I'm tired.

Time for bed all, and I look at the clock. I have managed to last until ... 9pm. Party animal!

Stars in my eyes. Well, one anyway.

2011-05-09T07:27:00.002+10:00

Australia's version of Dancing with the Stars started last night. I usually avoid that kind of show like the plague. But this year, Manu Feildel is one of the celebrities. I'm watching, watching, watching! He is amazing - French, funny, cooks and can dance. What more can a girl ask for??

It's been a hectic week and this one shows the promise of being much more so. Things are ramping up for the conference; only two weeks to go now. Of course I'm still expected to do that 'new' task I was assigned, the one I took under duress. And the conference preparation as well. They heap me with praise for the new task, but I'm not sure if it might mean more if I had volunteered for the job.

A return visit to the doctor this week revealed that the B12 has levelled out and is fine. The iron on the other hand, has not. Increased, but not to the levels the doctor would like. Another round of injections for me.

A visit to the conference venue loomed on Friday morning. I had to catch the bus as Zman couldn't guarantee that I would be on campus in time. As it turns out, C was late anyway. Silence in the car for a little while then we started chatting. Away down the coast and we debated which exit we needed. C knew the name of the road, I thought it was exit 71. I saw exit 66 and then ... I don't know what happened. Next thing I notice it's exit 75. Whoops!

We exited but weren't sure where we were. Thank heavens for iPhones. C has one and asked me to find out where we were. Uh oh. Every little bump meant that I missed the key I was aiming for on the keyboard. And it's so tiny!

We did get there, met up with the others and were ribbed mercilessly by the blokes. Would we have expected anything else?

Saturday I was going to go out with the Elder, but I bugged out. I was tired, Zman pulled out. She was out with her faves and was late home. She went anyway. And the next morning she was adamant that I had missed a good time.

I did not much of anything on Sunday. Mother's Day. The Elder presented me with my gift; a gift from both the Teen and the Elder. A lovely necklace of a heart, 3 pieces joined in a couple of places. Mum is in the middle, Big Sis on one side, Lil Sis the other. You break it into 3 necklaces. A very pretty little thing. MOTH insisted I do nothing for the day; I almost succeeded. Someone had to change the cat litter. Dinner was chicken kiev and Elder did the dishes.

A great week all round I think.

Reminiscing

2011-05-06T19:34:00.003+10:00

Tonight we're having fajitas *faj-hit-ahs mate!* for dinner. The Elder has stuffed her face and left. MOTH and I remain as I slowly eat the last of mine and he goes back for another.

We chatter. About nothing. We do that a lot.

The Elder announces from the other room that Lady Gaga is wearing pants in her new video. MOTH comments that he bets they have open legs.

It starts us laughing and my mind wanders back to something I said once that had a workmate in hysterics. An unfortunate off the cuff comment about the difference between hose and stockings. It's the gap in the middle that gives you all the trouble. MOTH laughs hard as he thinks about what Lindy might have found funny. Lindy found it funny enough to be sitting in the gutter laughing so hard she couldn't talk.

It made me think of another sojourn of ours to the local for lunch. Several of us this time. Mort leads the pack. We chatter incessantly as only a group of girls can do. I'm trailing toward the back of the pack. Mort and the postie on the other side of the building hit the corner at the same time.

Mort screams. The postie screams. The rest of us are in hysterics. Many sheepish grins and apologies later and we continue on our way, still laughing. We laughed about that for days.

Shame the postie was a girl....

Good luck

2011-05-05T08:30:00.002+10:00

Good luck today Teen. Although the more I speak to you the more inclined I am to think that today is only the pre-op appointment and the surgery will be scheduled for another time.

Don't get lost in the hospital! It's a big place and if you didn't get a letter, you probably don't even know which building you are supposed to be in.

Love you. xxx

UPDATE:

Well, ma called. You were only required to complete paperwork today, as suspected. But you will really have to make a note of your doctor's name and address! They'll ask again.

A month or more is a bit of a time to wait, especially if you are worried. Never mind, it will go quickly. At least the Doc thinks he won't have to take too much and you won't need a skin graft.

Mwah!

Bruno Mars rocks!

2011-05-01T12:05:00.003+10:00

I love the new song from Bruno Mars. The Lazy Song. *sings* Today I don't wanna do anything... Pretty much sums up my week. I'm still on holidays. Although MOTH has very generously allowed me to do the washing today. We'll see how that pans out...

So I've spent the week doing not much of anything. Wednesday was a little more productive. I spent some time cleaning the ensuite basin and surrounding tiles, washed a bedroom wall, and some kitchen cupboard and pantry doors. All I have to do now is convince the Elder that she really wants to do the kickboards.

Oh, and answered some work email. The iPad makes that soooo easy and I need to be careful that it doesn't become a habit.

Thursday The Elder decided to go out and pay some bills. I was forced to go along at gunpoint and while out we inflicted ourselves on Judah. We hadn't seen him for a while and haunted his workplace until he could join us for lunch.

Friday an invitation to visit Sunny on Saturday arrived but we declined as The Elder had a birthday party to attend.

Saturday afternoon The Elder began to stress as she didn't know anyone except the hostess. She wasn't keen for the idea of travelling on her own in the city after reading of a vicious rape that occurred a week or so ago. She decided to go and visit Sunny instead. We went after dinner. It turned out to be the same group who had been together Easter Saturday.

We arrived home around 1.30am.

I awoke at 6.15 am.

Nothing on the plate today. Subway for lunch courtesy of The Elder and a nanna nap beckons if Princess Mononoke doesn't keep me awake. Sleep tight...

Long Weekends and holidays

2011-04-27T06:41:00.003+10:00

Sigh. My interwebs has reached its limit and now it's on a go slow.

Just like I should be. It's an extra long weekend and I'm following it with the rest of the week off! Whoo!

The week started well, Fred got enthusiastic and ripped the bottom out of his bed. You might remember he'd already destroyed the mattress portion. He followed this by destroying the walls of the bed. Strange that he hasn't destroyed the toys in the same manner. Of course, having just said that....

Thursday was the day before the long weekend so I guess you could say it was Friday. I worked from home again. I don't mind doing this, but dragging the laptop home each Friday is getting tedious. I start work around 8am, take the time off to go to the doctor, then work again to 5.30 or 6pm. Makes for a long day.

It was the day I received a text and call from the Teen. She had had a biopsy done on a mole but wasn't expecting the results back for a week. They phoned the following day for a revisit. She has a grade 1 melanoma and has to have it removed immediately. Her doctor has referred her to the Rockhampton hospital. I feel a little helpless because she's so far away and I can't be there with her. Luckily her grandparents are so she's not completely alone. Good luck Teen, I hope they get their act together to get it done quickly for you.

While out, I saw Sunny for a brief time. We haven't managed to catch up for ages. He was chirpy, chattering the whole time, much more like he used to be. He said he was happy, really happy. We wished him happy birthday for the Friday. He was turning 21. My how time flies. He invited us to a small gathering the coming Saturday.

Good Friday dawned foggy. And the dog has destroyed his last remaining mattress. All we have left is a doona cover that used to belong to Subs. We gave him that. I looked at my Easter chocolate and it didn't have a chance.

Saturday night the Elder and I headed out to Sunny's. It was a good hour drive. The music blasted and we followed the directions on the iPhone. At least while they were working. We didn't start the same way as the directions and I couldn't find the blue pin on the map. Then I dropped it, grabbed it with my feet and knees and there were the directions!

Sunny's was a good night. We met new people who were very pleasant and stayed longer than we had intended.

Sunday was off to Bestie's for lunch. She promised boston beans and baked ham. I took dessert - apple crumble. We stayed till after dark and headed home around 7pm.

Monday dawned and I realised that the Elder didn't make it up in time to attend Dawn Service. It would have meant being at the railway station by 3.20am. Only to get there, be compacted closer than sardines in a barrel and miss half the service because you can't see anything. Next year I hope to be able to get in to watch the parade. I watched some ANZAC specials on television but didn't find any broadcast of any of the parades. Guess I wasn't looking hard enough.

So. Holidays for the rest of the week. I look at the list of stuff to do and think that maybe I should go go back to work.....

Oh! I missed a day.

2011-04-19T10:06:00.003+10:00

It's Tuesday, and I have been so busy with work that I didn't post for last week.

And I've left my notes at home so I don't remember what I've done during the week. Sad that.

So, Zman has been sick so I've had to catch the bus. I don't like getting up early but I do like getting to work early. Unfortunately, until Calvin really does invent that transmorgrifier or whatever it is, I shall have to remain a slave to the bus timetable.

I worked from home again on Friday. I think I like doing that. Shame it has to end soon.

Jack came over on Saturday. He has a mower. A very unusual mower. Ok, it's one for professional green keeping. It looks like an old push mower but comes equipped with a very heavy roller and an engine to boot. He just had the blades sharpened and wanted to test them. What better way than on our little patch of green. Green buffalo grass with a touch of blue couch.

It was his way of paying back our feeding him last weekend. He did the lawn and put a criss cross pattern in it. It didn't last long as it rained the next day and the grass lifted a bit. It did make the lawn look ... shiny ... for a while in the afternoon sunlight.

He stayed for dinner again and split a bottle of Jack Daniels with the Elder. And me. The Elder took it much easier this time. She has a head cold. I've decided that I like Jack Daniels. We sat in front of the telly, drinking, watching a special about the JD factory and how it's made, and followed that with the AFL. Aussie Rules for those visiting from far away places. It wasn't a bad game, but it's hard to play when the players are wet, the grass is wet and the ball is wet. Yep, it rained.

Sunday rained. I think it came north for a bit of a holiday. A sleepy day and I didn't do anything special.

Except chased around Azeroth with the Elder. Yes. That's right. She's running a trial and wants her own account.

*rubs hands* Corruption is gooooood...

Sunday morning seedy....

2011-04-11T11:38:00.002+10:00

Zman has been unwell this week so I have been catching the bus. Or the train. Whichever takes my fancy at the time. Or is it bus in the morning and train in the afternoon?

Sitting on the train platform at my home station, I was day dreaming at the overhead bridge. Suddenly it dawned on me that Hey! There is a very subtle leaf pattern on the metal. Goodness knows how long it's been there. I'd have photographed it, but I only have a phone camera. I doubt it would pick out the detail. Ah well.

I hate the way handbags suddenly become heavy. It's like gravity just reaches out randomly and hangs on. My bag feels heavy today. Heavier than it should. I think I cleared out two tonnes of old paper and receipts and things yesterday. I decide I need my glasses and I can't find them. Grubbing around in the bottom of my handbag I find ... a tin of spaghetti. No wonder my bag felt heavy. That was destined for my work stash. Silly me!

The bus is quiet this morning. It usually is. People don't often talk to each other on public transport. At least, regular commuters don't seem to. Plenty of noise and chatter on weekends on the trains though I've notice. Oh, and when school lets out. You don't want to catch a bus or train when it's to or from school time! The volume of noise fair makes your head explode.

At least the trains know how to do it right. The first and last carriages are 'quiet zones'. Which means shhhh! Library quiet please! I like those.

But I digress! The bus is quiet and suddenly we leave the motorway. Wha?? This isn't right. Muttering and murmuring from the passengers. We travel this way for a while then stop in traffic. The driver takes the opportunity to turn and tell us that the motorway is blocked and we have to find an alternate route. Sometimes I think microphones in the bus would be helpful.

And it happens on the day I want to be early for work. Ah well. I take the short route and still arrive earlier than I would if I'd travelled with Zman. Yay! If only bus work wasn't so expensive!

I work from home again on Friday. I could like this gig but it's still too tempting to nap in the afternoon. I haven't succumbed to the temptation yet though.

Saturday I feel I need to tidy the house. We are having a barbeque tonight. Just a small one. We tidy the house and everything is ready not long before guests are due to arrive. Zman arrives first, around 6.30pm. I am busy watching a documentary about the Jack Daniels distillery. I don't mind if everyone is late!

The food is plentiful and the conversation and drinks flow well. Zman is still sick so doesn't drink. That makes half of us still sober. Everyone has gone except Mr K who is sleeping over. They continue to party on. At 11pm I am ready to close up my end of the house. Mr K is into his music and is still kicking on. It's a little loud. The Elder kneels on the floor in front of a box near the cat's water bowl. She announces very carefully, I shall be sick in this bucket. I think she's playing. What? I shall be sick in this bucket, she repeats. Wait, what? No you can't. That's a box. Well, box then. I shall be sick in this box. No you can't. It has no bottom. You go to the toilet. Ah, she says and makes slow progress on her knees in that direction. I tell her to get up. Get Mr K for me she asks. Why? In case I can't get up myself. She pulls herself up the wall and makes it the last few feet. She lowers herself to the floor and that's where I leave her...

Sunday is a sleep in. As much as I sleep in. The Elder staggers out to join me in the kitchen. Nup, she says. I'm still pissed. She staggers back off to bed.

There isn't a lot to tidy up, the girls bought most of it in last night. I break my rule and reheat the sausages, rissoles and bacon in the oven and serve them for lunch. Rarely if ever do I keep and reheat left over barbequed meat. There is just enough left for the four of us.

The couch beckons for the afternoon and I nap until it's time to start dinner. French onion soup, with shredded lamb added. I sample the beef stock while it cools and waits to be added. It's totally delicious and I can't wait to sample the soup proper.

It's worth the wait. Very worth the wait. Roll on winter so I can have this again!

Sleepy days

2011-04-04T08:50:00.002+10:00

I hope I'm not coming down with something. Last week after my injection I felt much better, more energised. This time, not so much. In fact I spent most of Sunday sleeping...

Monday is a typical day at the office. Including no airconditioning. Fortunately it isn't quite as toasty as it has been and it is closer to tolerable.

Monday night I'm facebooking and wondering what is on television. Nothing of note apparently. So many channels to choose from and nothing on a single one that is worth viewing. A chat window pops up, reminding me that a facebook friend is currently on air. I've not heard him before and decide to tune in. It's a local station in Wales, broadcasting on the net. It's nice to hear him speak from across the ocean. I leave a comment on the group page.

He's evidently impressed! I get a mention, and a dedication. INXS Mystify. Excellent! It quite made a nice close to a tiring day.

I have a new handbag. It's rather a granny looking thing, white with small pink roses, pink zips and handles. It even has a matching umbrella! I thought it might make a nice, smaller alternative for a work bag. The Elder tells me it's such a 'little old lady' thing to have. *shaddup* The cats express their opinion as well. It's chewed. And scratched. Not badly if you don't look hard, but now I'm wondering how long it's going to last.... Zman tells me they've done it because it's ugly.

I notice that Sheldon is once again stealing pins from the drawing board. I guess the threat of the pepper has worn off. I repepper but the pins are gone again, pepper or no. He's obviously a glutton for punishment. The biggest problem is that is where I keep important stuff that shouldn't be forgotten *or pulled down and dropped behind the coffee canister!* Totally aside from the fact that I can't always find the missing pins! I'm waiting for the yell that accompanies the sudden surprise finding of a sharp object....

The rest of the week passes slowly.

Friday I'm giving Sheldon and Jerome their breakfast. I take my time *can't rush or I'll spill it everywhere* and they prowl around my feet. The dishes are on the bench while I measure out. Sheldon is looking up at me while he prowls. In my peripheral vision I see his back legs do a little dance and flick. My foot is now drenched with water and it's all over the floor. I guess someone wasn't paying attention and stepped in the water bowl!

Freddy is scheduled for his operation today. Elder asks me to walk with her into the surgery to drop him off. She's nervous. *heck! SHE's nervous! she's not the one losing something important to her manliness...* All goes well, and he's home in the afternoon but wearing an elizabethan collar. For 10 days to keep him away from the stitches. They must irritate a little, he'll be eating dinner, stiffen, run to the cement and sit his bottom down for a while. Then back to the food. Don't worry Elder, he'll soon be okay.

Saturday afternoon I get a call. Are you home? Bestie and her family want to drop by on their way home. Sure! Why not. They visit pleasantly for a couple of hours, the Elder is keeping the kids busy. It's dark when they leave.

Sunday morning I am feeling exhausted. My throat is a little tickly too. I'm up at 6am as usual, but later in the morning I'm still in my pyjamas and I go back to bed. Sheldon and Jerome join me. I stay there till lunch time. The Elder climbs on the bed and I know the gig is up. I'm just about to get out and MOTH comes in. He laughs at the cat and the kid and says, Look out! A little hop. A little step. And just like a breaching whale, he lands on the bed. Both cats let out a startled yelp and tear out of the room as fast as they could go. We all collapse on the bed laughing.

Sunday night and I'm napping again between 7 and 8pm while I wait for The Mentalist and Castle. Ok, so I've tossed over Bones for a bit. It's all repeats at present. We seem to have missed out on the last three episodes or so of the season. No warning either, thank you!

I barely make it through Castle and it's off to the land of nod. All ready for another week.

... Yawn ...

Sunday morning. On a high.

2011-03-27T07:14:00.006+10:00

It's 07:10 Sunday morning. It looks like it's going to be a good morning.

I discover that Sheldon has removed the pins from the notice board again. Time to repepper I think.

The sun is out. A gentle breeze rustles the palm fronds and the trees and moves the light clouds across the crystal blue sky. It's a good morning for outdoors. I grab the little shovel and a pair of hedge clippers. MOTH mowed the back lawn yesterday so it's time to tackle some of the heavier work. With all the rain over Christmas/New Year, a lack of drive, and a mower only working sometimes, it's the first time it's been mowed properly in a while.

Fred comes with me to supervise.

Sheldon sits at the back door and picks at the insect screen. Let me out, he's asking.

The biggest problem is that the garden waste bin is on the other side of the house and there is no wheel barrow. Small bits at a time. I work at trimming the trees first. Landscaped gardens they said. Not by my books! What sort of landscaper worth his salt would put trees that grow metres tall in the same area as a rotary clothes line? Under the line in fact.
The dogs next door start to bark, and I decide that it's time to quit as they are becoming quite noisy. I haven't managed to accomplish much.

Fred and I play for a little while. It is a lovely morning.

Sheldon and Jerome are rebellious today. They are indoor cats who long to be outdoor cats. They haunt the side door, waiting for me to come in. Usually a gentle toe in the ribs and the word Boot is enough to shift them; Sheldon rolls on his side so you have to step over him. Today, he decides to attack *ouch! teeth and claws on bare feet hurt!*

It's a team effort. While Sheldon is holding me down, Jerome dashes out the not quite closed screen door. Straight into Freddy. Luckily. Jerome would dash for the deepest part of the garden if given a chance. Where the rampant ferns, dead palm fronds and spiders live...

Fred and I manage to get him back inside. He heads for my outdoor smelling thongs, and Sheldon has somehow managed to shuck his collar. He wants his share of the thongs and refuses to sit still for a collar that he does not like.

When the novelty of the thongs wears off, it's time to scruff with Jerome again, run up the walls and all the way up the screen door.

It's now 07:30. Surely things will calm down now? No, wait! Whew. That was close. He nearly hurled on the carpet....

It's a little quieter now......

The rest of the week has been quiet too. The construction work is still ongoing, although it seems they have finished work on Level 5. They waterproofed the balcony outside our office. It's now an almost glaringly reflective white. Hopefully that won't last too long. The little tree growing in the debris has been uprooted and removed. We think the building is going to fall down now.

Contractors decided that in order to finish the waterproofing they must turn of the airconditioning for the day on Wednesday. The General Manager gives us permission to work from home that day. Whoo! Late Wednesday we get an email from the GM to advise the airconditioning didn't go off, and must be done another day. It's Friday and we are sent to work from home again.

I don't mind this working from home gig at all!

It certainly made Friday a bit easier. A trip to the doctor to check test results. Bummer. Low iron and B12. Injections once a week for the next 5 weeks, then test again.

I think I am going to find out what a pin cushion feels like...

Bus fares. Who'd have them....

2011-03-21T09:51:00.003+10:00

Been a very quiet week this week. The office building still looks like a construction site. We've not been able to access the internal staircase all of last week. I shouldn't complain but with the drilling, paint, glue, people, wires, and stuff it just seems stupid to wait several minutes for a lift to go one flight of stairs.

Or is that just me?

The renovation continues through this next week as well. For some time I think. And to think, it's not even for us. Level 5 is being refit for a totally different group of people to move in while they have their area refurbished. This has happened before - apparently no one wants to work in the building we have to work in. Terrible, isn't it.

This Monday when we came into the office, we found that builders had left their rubbish behind and in our office entrance way. Nice surprise for the first in on Monday. A bin full of plaster cut offs, stair railings, and plastic bollards. Our area is supposed to be secure. It has a keypad for entry. Cheeky!

The electrician came in to do our fluro tubes. Several of them have needed replacing for a few weeks by now. He was most surprised to find the lights in the General Manager's office had burnt out. Completely. The capacitor and a couple of other parts needed replacing. He mentioned that it should have made a loud noise and smelled terrible. When I eventually mentioned this to the GM, he said Oh yes, there was a smell...

The rest of the week was uneventful until Friday. I decided on a whim to change my earrings. Replace the sleepers with studs. Sheldon was on the bed 'helping' me make it. I probably wouldn't mind so much but he helps with his claws extended. I'm getting lots of little holes in the doona and sheets!

The bed is made and I'm changing the earrings. There is a movement and POUNCE! Sheldon has dived for the earring and OH NO! HE'S EATING IT! I dig my fingers in his mouth and there's nothing there. DAMMIT! I'm devastated. HE'S EATEN MY DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE EARRING! The ones MOTH bought me many years ago.

But I move the edge of the pillow case and there it is. *wilts*

Friday lunch time Elder arrives home. She's moved back for a while. To save some money and to look after Freddy. He needs his owner around.

Saturday it's raining. Elder decides to head out to a fairly local shopping centre and see if she can find something in the Smiggle shop. Just because. We head down the drive to the car and can hear Freddy whining as we leave.

It's not in that Smiggle store. We head out for another. It's still raining and parking is scarce. At least under cover. We head for a higher level where there is no shelter. Heading for the nearest entrance, Elder spied ... puddles. She laughs and has a go at splashing me. She gets me a little bit and I splash back. We're laughing and kicking and by the time we finish, my skirt is soaked to the knees. I have to wring it out before I can enter the centre. A young bloke walks past. He's smirking. Don't care, I'm having fun.

Yes, the thing she wants is in that store but not at the price she was looking for so she decides to leave it. We look at the time and heavens! It's after lunch.

Sunday was lovely quiet. Mother called fairly early and I tell her that everyone else is asleep - even Sheldon and Jerome. Jerome is feeling a little unwell today. Later I settle in to watch Resident Evil: Apocolypse. MOTH started but couldn't last the distance. This is ridiculous he pronounces. And heads off to Facebook.

This morning I cleaned out the cat trays in the laundry. Completed the task and surveyed the room. Happened to look up......

I must remember to go to the post office...

2011-03-14T09:12:00.004+10:00

I actually have a letter to post! Yes, I do. I've been desperately trying to save to attend an interstate wedding. I've finally given up the ghost and had to send an inability. Took me a while to find one too. I was beginning to think that I was old fashioned and they didn't exist anymore.

It's the tail end of summer and into early autumn. The grounds are crowded with corellas at play. They can be very noisy, calling to each other from the trees. Zman and I could have sworn we heard one call Hello as we passed underneath!

I stepped out of the bedroom and heard a commotion from the kitchen. Thinking it was Sheldon raiding the rubbish again, I started yelling. Only to discover that both cats where actually in the same room as I. Jerome flattened himself to the floor; Sheldon bolted across the room and threw himself into the recliner. No one does Innocent like that cat, I tell you. I've still got no idea what they were doing.

This weekend I decided it was time for a blow the budget completely event. We went out to dinner at Sizzler. For those not familiar, it's a family restaurant where you can order from a menu, or pay for all you can eat salad/dessert bar. With all you can drink softdrink/coffee for a little more. We chose the salad bar option. I started with a hot food plate - alredo, potato bake, nachos. I was a little disappointed with that one; the alfredo lacked flavour and the potato wasn't cooked properly. Second plate was salad. Green garden salad, seafood salad and a smoked salmon and prawn salad. Not too bad but I was worried that I wouldn't be able to fit in dessert! Must have been the softdrink filling me up. A small respite and off for dessert. I started with my traditional vanilla icecream, chocolate mousse and chocolate sprinkles. My fave dessert from there. And went back for seconds ... vanilla icecream, warm custard and rainbow sprinkles. Yay!

We had dined early and headed back home. MOTH loves his radio so we listened to his usual old person station. The song says Rev it up, rev it up little boy and ride... And a car cruises past with a rear window sticker that says Yeah, I ride. Timing!

We arrived home, noticed junk mail in the letter box. MOTH goes to fetch it and spots a parcel near the front door. Goodness knows how long it's been sitting there; Mr Observant he's not.

Open the garage door to this..... He seemed very pleased with himself!He sleeps on an old blanket now. Luckily the rest of the bed is ok!

The rest of the weekend was quiet and spent playing WoW and wishing tomorrow wasn't a work day. Sigh.....

Quick March!

2011-03-07T12:33:00.003+10:00

Yes. All together much too quickly. I can't believe that we're into the third month already.

Zman has been out of action this week so I have had to catch the bus. There is more to look at and a bit more to blog about.

Monday must have been boring because I have no notes for that day. The kids are gone and the house is quiet. Well, it might be if Sheldon didn't keep getting into mischief. And encouraging Jerome to do the same.

Tuesday and I'm standing at the stop in the city waiting for my changeover. A car moves into the bus zone and drops off a passenger. A bus is coming down the hill and wanting to change lanes. The car starts to move out but is effectively blocking the bus so it can't move in. A simple stop completely would let the bus move in front and allow the car to take their lane behind the bus. But no. The bloke in the car makes a gesture. The bus pulls along side, the doors open and the woman driver yells at the man in the car. I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE POINTING AT ME! She was quite cross. And well she should be. Cars are supposed to keep out of bus zones!

I note all the students pile into the bus at the popular stop. Once the bus was nearly empty. Now it's standing room only. Further along a mother with a preschooler and a toddler gets on. Two of the female students vacate their seat for her. NOT A SINGLE MALE SHIFTS IN THEIR SEAT. Sad state of affairs when the girls, one of whom maybe be pregnant herself, offer their seats.

Wednesday a student gets on the bus. His t-shirt states that zombies hate fast food. It makes my morning.

Thursday and it's bring on the weekend! It's still so far away. I'm at the bus changeover in good time. I'm waiting and waiting and the scheduled bus does not arrive. A twenty minute wait for the next one. Sigh. While I'm standing there, a car pulls into the bus zone. *yep. another one* I can see two adult males occupying the front seat. The rear passenger door opens and out spills three adult females, a preschooler and a young baby. Obviously overloaded and unrestrained children. Really, what are people thinking! It's all very well wanting a trip into the city, but please! Think out your transport options carefully!

I'm finally on the bus and I can see flashing lights. It's a fire engine. The fireies are gathered in a group on the footpath, some crouched, some with jackets off. But alas, I cannot see what they are doing.

Friday. Finally. The light is creeping in through the bedroom window. I'm awake early again. It's still semidark and I can see something on the wall just above MOTH's pillow. I can't quite make it out. Is it moving? Don't think so. But I don't have any clue what it may be. The light strengthens and I can now see what it is.... WTF? It's the spot bandaid I put on my finger before I went to bed...... How the heck did that get stuck to the wall?????

I try to sleep in on Saturday. It's a lost cause. I can hear the cats scratching at the door. Alright, alright. I'm up. But you can still wait for your breakfast.

MOTH is getting tired of Sheldon leaping halfway up the wall to the shelves and stealing. Stuff. He steals stuff. Pins, photos, hearing aids. It doesn't matter; we think it's the thrill of the chase. MOTH rearranges the room. It takes him a while and keeps him out of mischief while I wash the doona cover and vacuum around him. The cats have taken to sleeping on the bed, and they are shedding. Terribly.

I go back to my room and suddenly there is a commotion from the study. The change of position of the desk has failed to deter Sheldon and he has launched himself from the desk instead of the chair. I might have to consider drastic measures. Or we could just keep the door closed. Poor MOTH. It's hot in that room with the door closed.

Sunday is a lazy day. We don't do much of anything. I run another campaign on Starcraft, level a couple of WoW characters, and take a couple of naps. Jerome jumps from the couch to the top of the lace curtain. Luckily it doesn't tear. Roast rolled turkey breast for dinner and then Bones.

All is quiet now and it's just the end of another crazy week.

They're back!

2011-02-28T09:27:00.002+10:00

Yes. I had to catch the bus this morning. It's full. A sure sign that semester has recommenced and we no longer have our space to ourselves...

And speaking of buses, I had to catch one this morning. I was most impressed at the young male student who vacated his seat when other people got on. The girls, of course, didn't. And even more surprised when an adult passenger asked them to move. I rarely ever see that. Usually we stand and let the impolite little blighters have their way. Dunno why we do that.

Monday this week was an absolute joy. The airconditioning was out again. You can almost count on it to break down at least once during summer. Can't say I've notice bad behaviour over winter. Hot and steamy, with a storm in the afternoon. I thought I'd catch a train out to the new station where I live. The service is limited and you can't always get a train to the city without having to change at a different station.

No luck. The storm meant no trains through to the usual terminus and my direct train was cancelled. It's easier for MOTH to collect passengers from a station a 15 minute drive away than the one 10 minutes away. The longer time travelled is the straightest path. Go figure.

Tuesday and the aircon is still nonfunctioning. Luckily the weather is a little cooler after the storm yesterday and people aren't as close to melting. There were still a few pikers who worked from home. I have a laptop so I can do that now, but I still haven't figured out what actual work I can do...

Wednesday. No aircon. Well, till around 4pm. Again the temperature wasn't too bad, so we managed to get through it. Still around 30 deg C at my desk. It's Orientation week at the University, and students abound. I had to run an errand - I shouldn't be surprised but I always am. There are thousands of them *the great unwashed* and they all seem to congregate in the walkways and doorways and other handy exits. Stupid sheep they are.

Thursday is shopping day. MOTH comes to pick me up and while I'm busy telling him a small tale about nothing *i should be on seinfeld* he bursts into a fit of giggles. *yes, MOTH does giggle* Apparently it wasn't so much what I was telling him, but the bloke mowing his lawn while wearing cricket pads.....

Friday, the Elder arrived around lunch time. We spent some small amount of time catching up before she, the Teen and Skywalker headed into the city to see if they could catch some band or another. They came back with two extras. The Teen regaled me with a tale of someone who approached her to chat while she was taking some photos. He opened with a compliment. Thinking he was just a bloke out for a chatup/pickup she was a little rude. Imagine her discomfiture when she found out he was one of the performers from a group she hadn't heard of, and was probably just being friendly!

The two extras crashed the night. Saturday dad collected one extra, the other went back to sleep. Till I told him he had to get up cause we were going out. Cheeky thing! I had been given a gift voucher for my birthday and I wanted to spend it. Not sure on what though. I hunted through the store - EB Games of course. They have very little choice by way of mac *EVERYONE has very little choice!* so I couldn't decide what I wanted. Spend $48 on a PSP game, or add extra money for a computer game??

Everyone was up fairly early on Sunday. The Teen was in a lovely mood - she was having 'friend' trouble. I told her to put her happy face on if she wanted to come to the shops with me. She did her best and out we went.

I eventually settled on Star Craft II. It turned out the PSP game was only $28 but there wasn't anything else to spend the remainder on. I opted to add extra cash and buy the bigger game.

I spent the last little bit of moolah I had on lunch for the kids, and headed home.

Didn't get the game installed until last night. Way too late to actually play it.....

Absent Minded Me

2011-02-21T07:46:00.003+10:00

I keep my meds on the kitchen table. I know, hardly private. But it's a good trigger to remember to take the one that's supposed to be taken with food. Else I just forget that one entirely. Much like the fact that I discovered last night that it's probably been over a week since I took one of them. Because the new box wasn't placed out with the others. Oh dear. Maybe I'll have to consider a tattoo to remind me....

Monday we were off to an early start. Zman had to be on campus at 7am! Yoiks. Well, I was pretty sure I could manage it, just not sure about him. I was in the office at 7.10am. Well done! We had work visitors on campus this week. Zman was to check the room set up and make sure everything was fine. These visitors were apparently so important, Zman was wearing business attire! Yes! Including a tie *falls over*.

The Teen and Skywalker arrived today. I've been looking forward to it. However, they were no sooner here than the regulars turned up. One of these hasn't spoken to the Teen for about a year, and yet just picked up like they'd never stopped communicating. Some people have a lot of self confidence, don't they.

So, what can you do with a naughty cat whose latest obsession involves stealing the push pins from the notice board and bowling them all over the floor? They are small and round. With a sharp bit. He doesn't seem to mind the sharp bits. I'm sure I would if I stood on one. Now he's pulling out the dress makers pins and the flat head ones as well. The notice board is covered in cloth so if you put them in the top of board he climbs up the board to pull them out. Naughty water doesn't deter him at all. Nor does wiping the pins in straight vinegar. Hmmm. The other day I found the broad flat one near the kitchen table. Pin side up. That could have been an ouchie! *the pin is 1 cm long*

It's one of the GTs last week; his last day is Friday. His farewell lunch was at Mistros, a little restaurant in Taringa. I had seafood linguini, served with a creamy garlic sauce. See a pattern forming here? Yes, I love a creamy garlic sauce. The prawns were small but tender and sweet. There was one little thing I determined was a shelled mussel, something else I couldn't identify and several small pieces of fish. It cost $26. Most would probably pick at the lack of seafood included, but for me it was pretty much just right. Two of the GTs were not pleased with their order and made no bones about it. It was too expensive. It was too dry. The serving was too small. Well, if you order crumbed fish and chips from the cheap side of an a la carte menu, what else can you expect???? And one of them complained because my linguini wasn't served with a spoon. It should be, he insisted. In a fancy place like this it should be. Well, as far as I am aware, pasta is NOT eaten using a spoon... but maybe I'm wrong.

Thursday there were lovely greetings all over my Facebook and it's amazing how much it makes you smile. I know most of them aren't really friends and they have reminders, but it's a boost for the soul. I had already opened my parcels then work got in the way. I didn't have cake. MOTH was going to cook, but I decided I wanted takeaway. I shouted myself a bottle of Asti Riccadonna Ruby and settled myself into the recliner to drink it. *no, i didn't share*

Friday and Saturday were relatively quiet. As can be in a house with vistors. Friday we gave our runaway geek his farewell present. Only his Team Manager was left to give him The Speech; all the others were out of the office. There's support for you! We gave him a bottle of amarula, a creamy liqueur from South Africa and much like Bailieys. He assures me it's much better though.

I left a message for the Elder to wish her a happy birthday. She's getting on now and that's depressing - it means I am too. *creak groan*

Saturday night the Teen and Skywalker headed out to a friend's place for his 21st. His parents live around the corner and had offered to give them a lift. The party was on the other side of town.

Sunday morning I received a text. Said parents had left last night but not offered a return lift. They seemed to be stranded. We don't seem to be able to find a way home. Neither of them had taken wallets, so no bus/train passes there. I couldn't even put money into an account for them to buy tickets. They didn't have wallets.... And probably no way to get to the railway station anyway. Gotta love forward planning.

We decided to drive out and pick them up. Luckily for us, the address wasn't in a new estate - Karen is a couple years out of date. True to form, MOTH and Karen argued most of the way. At one point, Karen said turn right. Nope, MOTH disagreed. I know this bit and it doesn't get us where we want to go. So he went left. To... someplace unfamiliar. Throw a U turn and back down this road more or less .... right. Right. Back on track again. *crosses fingers*

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Three kids napped in the back seat, I wondered where Karen was taking us - it surely wasn't the direction we came in, and this time MOTH insisted he was going to follow where she lead.

We made it home, but it was a three hour round trip. There went my Sunday!

Should I or not?

2011-02-15T06:58:00.002+10:00

Finally! I've found an anti-virus for the mac. A free one. Windows products abound. When are software vendors going to realise that mac isn't as obscure as it used to be. Even multiplatform games are hard to find. And expensive when you do!

The week started as normal. Monday and off to work. Today I've received an offer I can't refuse. They disguise these as "opportunities". Something that needs to be done; the kind of job you would like to avoid. I didn't really want this one but had been told that I had expressed an interest in doing more work on the technical side. Well, sure, I wanted to do that but certainly didn't want that particular job!

I finally decided that I would accept it, purely because I didn't see any way to avoid it. I told C, but nothing has been done about it yet. An alternative has been suggested so investigation continues.

Ma and Pa arrived Tuesday. A flying visit as they pass through to visit a relative who lives in the area. It was a hard sell, but I finally managed to convince her to make the effort. Ma took us out to dinner for my birthday. A little early but I wasn't complaining! We went to Woodfires, a lovely restaurant attached to the local watering hole. I had chicken breast in a creamy garlic sauce. The chicken was sooo tender! Almost melt in the mouth. I was impressed. Ma always orders fish and chips when she goes out. Doesn't matter where. Then often comments that the fish was too oily and didn't taste good. This time I managed to get her to order chicken schnitzel. It was too dry.

On Wednesday we drove them out to the rellie's house. A lovely little lowset place. New, glossy. Absolutely lovely. He's very proud of it. We had lunch, then came home.

Bought the Elder's birthday present on Thursday. I can't tell you what it is - she might read this!

Saturday I was bored, and talked MOTH into going out to a shopping centre just so I could buy a DVD. It's one of the combo packs that has the blu-ray, a dvd and a digital copy. I have seen them before but haven't been sure if you get any value from having the extra. More expensive too of course. I paid $30 for this one. The lass behind the counter tells me that you can use the digital copy on your ipod etc. That could be useful. The movie is Legend of the Guardians. The one with the owls. Oh my good goodness! Visually stunning! The story line is pretty standard, but I was totally entranced by the imagery.

Haven't loaded it on the computer yet. Lazy bones....

The week that was.

2011-02-07T19:52:00.002+10:00

It's been a quiet week this week. Nothing much has been going on since two more of the GTs resigned. One will finish in a couple of weeks, the other will finish in April.

It's been a week of fairly high temperatures and threatening showers. The humidity has been terrible. It's drag-yourself-about-to-avoid-standing-too-long-in-one-spot. If you do, everyone will be stepping over the little puddle of grease.

This week I decided to break out a pair of shoes I've not worn for some time. They are blue platforms; the top looks like blue denim with brass buttons and the soles are moulded in a similar fashion. Minus the buttons. Toward the end of the day I noticed my shoes seemed to be .... well, farting. Unfortunate. And there was mysterious stuff appearing on the carpet. When I kicked them off after arriving home I discovered to my horror that the soles are disintegrating! Right out from under me. I don't know if I am game enough to give them one or two last runs before they say goodbye.

I caught the bus one morning this week. And it seems I just missed the change. Again. I needed to be in at work a little early but now I don't know what time the next bus will be along. Oh sure, there is a timetable but when the conductor tells you it's just a guide what can you do.

This week I also found out just what the manager thinks of me. I was talking to my supervisor, C, about a work issue. We'd trailed off the conversation a little as she was sending an email pertaining to that which we were just discussing. He came from his office, walked right behind me to my right and spoke directly to C. Over the top of the tail end of our conversation. No Excuse me, nothing. He doesn't even bother to say good evening on the way out of the office door anymore. Maybe if Admin 2 is there he'll make an effort. But not always. I think she and I should leave. Let them function without us then and we'll see how lowly admin staff really are.

Friday we confirmed a bbq date for Saturday with Bestie. Saturday dawned overcast and possibly raining. The bbq is scheduled for mid afternoon for an early dinner. It's fined up a bit by then. And hot. We head over and while there, Bestie's sister in law arrives. We've not seen her for a while, and she had been caught in the recent floods. She's mostly completed the cleanup and is getting ready to replaster the walls.

Bestie and I head out to pick up her brother from the station. It's been many years since I last saw him. It's good catching up.

Around 7.30pm we head off to take him back to his residence. He has to be back by 8pm. The trip home is uneventful.

Sunday I spent with the dehumidifiers running. It's very hot and humid. For some reason, running the airconditioning on dehumidify works better than airconditioning itself. It's cooler and the power consumption is no different. The day is spent at the computer levelling up one of my WoW toons.

Bones is back and so is Castle. It's late to bed tonight.

Happy Straya Day mate!

2011-01-31T11:03:00.003+10:00

How did you celebrate Australia Day? It seems to be a day for lamb on the barbie with ya mates, sinking a stubbie or two. Me? Eggnititioning and Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown.

This year though was steak on the barbie for lunch with just MOTH and I. No Triple J - I don't like what's been making the charts the last couple of years. Pizza for dinner. Yes! On our way to Brodies and MOTH asks, do you want pizza? Who was I to say no? I love international Australia Day!

New toys at work this week. Yep, out goes the desktop and in comes the laptop. With a new 27inch screen to boot. What the heck I want with a screen that big is beyond me, but nevertheless I have it.

Still getting used to the new operating system - Windows 7. MOTH runs this on his laptop at home and I don't like it much. I'd rather use my iMac....

The house-guests - Sheldon and Jerome - are now getting along like a house on fire. They've reached the playing and licking each other stage. Always a good sign. All I have to do now is find a way to stop Sheldon eating so much. Wish me luck!

Three days

2011-01-24T21:49:00.002+10:00

A three day holiday doing not much of anything.

Washing some bedsheets.
Attempting to weed the garden before giving up.
Trimming up and disposing of some of the fallen palm fronds.
Breaking in the outdoor clothesline again.
Trimming back the hibiscus to make a path to the side garden where the clothesline is.

A random says to me "you're a beautiful lady and your dress is beautiful too". So says her 3 year old granddaughter, a delightful little princess in a multicoloured flowing dress. Her grandmother tells me she likes flowing things.

If only we gave ourselves and each other more compliments like that.

Whaa? I think I missed that!

2011-01-19T08:41:00.002+10:00

Someone has so kindly pointed out that it's back to work next week. And I haven't even had my holiday yet!

Monday it was still raining. We planned to see a movie today. Ah well. We'll only get wet from the carpark to the cinema, right? MOTH came too, and babysat the umbrella while we watched Tangled. Loved it! There were some funny one liners and a teary bit *alright, I won't admit that was me, but I'm sure SOMEONE would have cried*

It didn't rain while we were indoors apparently. Typical.

Tuesday was ... ... ... rain. Yep. MOTH and I had doctor visits. It was MOTH's scheduled post op check up. He had to negotiate a new way there - the road he would normally take was cut. He sent me a text to let me know he'd arrived safely. I didn't get the text until after he had returned from the appointment. He told me he'd sent one. See? Not there. I reset the phone. And hey! There it is! Stupid phones and carrier services.

It was sunny Wednesday morning. Amazing! We stayed home. Nowhere to go really. The park would still have been a swimming hole and roads to anywhere are still cut due to the flooding. Another boring day.

Thursday was payday and we decided to take a chance and see what the shopping situation was like. We had heard stories of people panic buying and leaving nothing on the shelves. I hate that. I totally hate the selfishness of panic buying. Not a thought in their heads, they head off to buy whatever they can fit on their pantry shelves. Which leaves nothing for anyone else. And the most likely scenario is that it goes off before they can use it anyway. Or they lose power themselves and it all spoils. Stupid stupid people. There were plenty of stories of empty shelves and closed supermarkets because there was nothing left to sell.

We headed to our local supermarket and to our surprise, there were people everywhere. Most stock was plentiful; the only noticeable shortage was bread, eggs, milk, and tinned goods. Plenty of tinned asparagus though if you wanted that!

I overheard someone say that she could get to the shops in a nearby suburb, but they were all shut. Including the big supermarkets. That could explain the number of people at ours - they were coming from other places.

Reading over my work emails from home, I notice the University is closed until 19 January. I'm missing all the excitement - I'm on holidays.

Friday web updates lead us to believe the highway has opened again so we will travel tomorrow. Rabbit seems less than impressed.

Saturday is not raining either. Been a sunny last few days. Last minute tidy up, close the windows and off we go. We're not sure of some of the local roads - they've only just opened. One is still closed so we are forced to find a detour. We go slowly and the devastation in some areas is shocking. High water marks on buildings metres above ground. People are cleaning up and roadsides are lined with debris. Signage tells us the toll for the tunnel is waived, so we take it.

Wow. Might have to consider getting a pass for that one. We're across town in about half an hour. Well done!

Somewhere out on the highway we are tailing a car with something *a jacket?* thrown over the passenger seat. We can't quite see what it is. It looks like club colours. Black something but we can't make out the rest. We laugh as we pass - the bumper sticker says sponsored by Centrelink.

The rest of the journey is uneventful. Until we reach Gin Gin. Uh oh. A flat! It's sunny and very hot. There is no shade near the car. Luckily it's a rest stop so we send Rabbit, #1 and #2 to wait under the umbrellas. MOTH is doing it tough - the spare has to go on the rear, and the rear replaces the one on the front. It seems our full size sedan only has a 'toy tyre' for a spare. They call them space savers. What a laugh!

I'm worried that MOTH is going to hurt himself and I decide to help where I can. I've never changed a tyre before. Things get a little interesting toward the end. The saver is on and we are working on the front. Just lift the tyre into place and the car rolls off the jack! Luckily no one was in harms way and the car stopped as soon as it left the jack. Close call! It must have been on a slight slope. The car is auto, so the handbrake wasn't engaged. It was after that, let me tell you!

80km an hour after that. Slow going. But #1 and #2 behaved themselves the whole way. Very well done.

Sunday we spent the afternoon visiting with Ma and Pa. The weather was hot and humid.

Monday we spent some time with Ma, the Teen, Skywalker. The Elder joined us later. Wow - she looked amazing. She was handing out some resumes and had really made an effort. Hair was pinned off her face, a hot pink tailored blouse, black skirt with shoe print and pretty pink high heels the same colour as the blouse. Wonderful!

Mouse lent me her car to drive while MOTH checked out repairing the flat.

Roast rolled turkey breast for dinner and boy was it nice! Apple and cranberry stuffing. Might do that for myself one day.

Home yesterday with two cats in the car. This trip was uneventful. Sheldon spent quiet time in the cat carrier. Jerome cries constantly in one of those so he wears a lead and harness and rides in the passengers lap. He doesn't travel that well, but at least he's quiet that way.

Home to a power cut. It's very hot and humid. At around 8pm we decide to see what's about and head up the road. Hey! They have power! And here was I thinking nothing would be cooking. We certainly weren't! We buy a couple of sausage rolls and head home. Wolf them down and off to bed. Nothing else doing really. It's so hot!

This morning power is restored. And Ma calls to see if it's back. Over the course of the conversation, she reminds me that there are only a few days of my holiday left. Oh no!

And I haven't even had a holiday yet! How depressing.....

There's a snail in my herbs!

2011-01-11T05:26:00.003+10:00

Several of them actually. The rain is bringing them out from everywhere. Along with a multitude of caterpillars. Yes, it's still raining. The highway is cut again, making our planned return north somewhat doubtful.

It's been a busy week.

We didn't see the New Year in; we were all too tired. New Year's day was spent quietly. The highlight of the day was watching 4 lorikeets and 4 galahs fight for rights to the bird feeder. It looked a pretty even match until the lorikeets called in reinforcements. The galahs decided descretion was the winning argument and left. *exciting lives we lead*

Monday dawned humid and overcast. There is a small park down the road with lots of kicking room and a basketball hoop. I take #2 there to play for a while. It was soggy! Too soggy to kick the ball, but we shoot a few hoops before we head back. The showers came through. Again. A trip out to a shopping centre is in order. We don't stay out long.

Tuesday is still overcast with showers. We decide to head to a different shopping mall. We debate if this one is bigger than yesterdays or the same size. Since we don't know how many stores there are, it's a moot point. We approach the escalators. Uh oh. #2 starts to get panicky. I'd forgotten they didn't have experience with escalators! We made it through and by the time we left he was riding like a veteran.

We toured the shops for what felt like ages. I didn't know a person could spend that much time in a single store.... And only the stores that are familiar. We start at the top level three and work down. We make it to level two. When I mention taking the escalator to the bottom level, Rabbit decides it's time to go home.

Wednesday is the big outing day. It's overcast for something different. We have plans to visit the museum and catch a movie. But first we have to take an hour bus ride. I dose them with travel sickness tablets. Just in case. I find out on the bus that there is a chance that #2 hasn't taken his. Rabbit dropped it and left him to retrieve it and take it. Fingers crossed there are no disasters!

We spend some time at South Bank, walking along the boardwalk and stopping briefly to look at the temple. The sun comes out briefly. We pass the Wheel. It costs to ride, but Rabbit isn't enthusiastic anyway. We take the lift and cross the overpass to the museum. #1 really enjoyed the turtle display, #2 enjoyed the dinosaurs. What he managed to see I'm not sure, he didn't seem to pay them much attention.

Into the city for lunch. There is a new store, Bread Top. It sells only bread products; naan bread, muffins, croissants, sweet and savoury rolls, danish. All sorts of interesting things. I settle on naan bread and a sweet bun for lunch.

We head home and #2 dozes off on the bus.

After our big day out, we decide to spend the next day home. MOTH and I go out briefly to see Sunny and exchange Christmas presents. Sunny has given me the Robot Chicken Star Wars II dvd! Whoo! I gave him a little book with funny sayings. He seemed to like it. We chatted a while and left. We made it to the food court but oh! It's bucketing down. We sit to wait it out *the umbrella is in the car* and hey! The roof leaks! Fun.

Saturday it's still raining but we head over to another local shopping centre; a smaller one. We spend some time there and head home. Sunday is still raining. I'm trying to think of things they can do that gets them away from television. The rain makes it hard as they can't go outside. Over the course of the week they've been taking quiet time that involves drawing, bouncing the ball - anything I can think of. Today I cut some potatoes and lay out a bit of paint. *stupid rain*

Maybe I should bake a cake... But I'm not sure they could handle the sugar rush.

4 season in one day.

2011-01-01T15:14:00.002+10:00

Week TWO

Sometime there, not sure if it was Sunday or Monday, I proposed to Elder that we take Sheldon. She wan't too enthusiastic at first but came around to my point of view. She promptly decided she would see if she could find alternate accommodation for Fred. Fred is boarding at mum's. She did. The Teen is taking him. She collected Fred that day.

On Monday we went to visit mum and I quizzed her about staying longer. If I did, could I bunk there? Mouse piped up, wondering why I didn't want to stay there. I thought you might have been a bit weary of entertaining very odd visitors. Nope, she says. So we are set to stay till Thursday.

We went out to dinner that night with the girls and their respective beaus. Wow. I don't think I've laughed that much for a very long time. The Teen and her boy Skywalker, the Elder and her boy Captain Camouflage. *cc for short* Yes, another. But this one seems to be more suited than Subs.

I'm not sure how CC got his name. It seems to be an in joke among the four of them.

Tuesday dawned overcast and guess what. Raining! Again. Still. Whatever.

Wednesday. The roads south are cut! Why the heck did we stay? We keep an eye on the news and the web to see what is happening. We still have an alternate route planned.

Thrusday dawned beautiful. The blue is breaking through, it's not raining and the breeze is blowing. The roads are still cut. BUT NOW OUR ALTERNATE ROUTE IS CUT TOO! Grrrr!

We consoled ourselves with a quick outing to the shops. While there I spied a familiar face, but I'm not able to put a name to her. Hello Froggy she says. Uh oh. I explain I'm Froggy's sibling. She's a little embarrassed, but not much. She chats for a bit and asks how Froggy is going. Swell, I say.

I've not been mistaken for Froggy for a very long time. *for those not in the know, froggy and i are siblings and often mistaken for twins when we were younger*

This afternoon MOTH checks the reports again. Our original route is opened again but expect delays. We decide to leave in the morning.

Friday we say goodbye to Mouse before she heads out to work. A quick tidy up then off to do the rounds of our kids to say hooroo. Then out to mum's to collect Rabbit and her kids. We are taking them for a holiday. They've been looking forward to it very much and didn't like having to wait longer.

Mum tried to talk me out of it but I stuck my fingers in my ears and went la la la alalalalalalalal. As you do.

We packed all in the car. Tight fit! The day was long, but they behaved themselves till we were nearly home. I guess #2 was getting a little antsy by then. All in all, I think they did well.

The roads home were clear. There was plenty of traffic going both ways but I think the road surface was about the same or even a little better than our trip up! It was possible to see where some of the river water had been with crushed reeds and mud covered leaves to halfway up the trees. Impressive in places. It didn't rain.

We're home earlier than we expected. Around 6pm.

So today it dawns full of promise .... of a rainy day. Gods but I hate the rain....

it's like 4 seasons in one day.

2011-01-01T14:10:00.002+10:00

Or two weeks worth of doings crammed into one post...

Week ONE *that could almost make a good title for a movie!*

It's Monday and I'm finally on holidays! Whoo! Seems like I've been waiting for this moment for ever. The Elder also gets home today. It's good to see her and Fred seems to think so too. He seems to be deliriously happy. I'm checking my facebook account and lo! There is a message from Sub's mother, telling me how poor they are this Christmas; that the Elder owes them all this money and surely I could help them out? And she made sure to tell me that the Elder also wrote on the walls and Subs has been working hard to clean it off. Cheeky!

I really don't know what the purpose of the email could have been. I'm certainly nowhere near as well off as she. And if the Elder really does owe that amount of back rent, what the heck rent was she charging for a rat and flea infested two room hovel in a very overgrown backyard full of rubbish? With not even, I might add, a flushing toilet?

The Elder it seems took the offer to not pay rent when she became unemployed at face value...

On Tuesday MOTH has appointment with his GP. The suture site looks fine for the most part but the ends of the incision are becoming a little inflamed. It's still weeping. Infected the GP states. A course of antibiotics for you!

Wednesday morning we left on the road trip. Hoping to get away around 6am we finally left home around 6.45am. Through the city and out on the highway, I spy a chap riding a motorcycle. He's wearing shorts *silly* and I can see the hairs on his legs blowing in the wind!

There are delays on the way. It seems a truck has gone off the side of the road and I'm hoping his family doesn't have to deal with the full impact of a truck crash. We stop near Maryborough for Sexie coffee. The Elder assures me it is VERY good. MOTH buys me a coffee while I take Fred and Sheldon for pit stops. He comes back. Plum pudding flavour he says proudly. Alas, it tastes just like an ordinary flat white. His and Elders have much more flavour - they are mocha.

The road is bad! Full of rough patches and potholes. And this our national highway??

On Thursday we took the Teen to have the phone changed over to her name. There is no trouble doing this, but when it comes to actually giving her the phone, they won't. Until the account is fully activated. Just in case. What?? I've never had this happen before. I got a new account with Optus 3 years ago and I got the phone straight up then. Oh, they say. We can't give you that. And it could take up to 24 hours for the account to activate. The Teen is so very not happy!

The following day we're back at the shop to check to see if it is ready. Success! Finally.

Saturday is Christmas day. We head out to mum's after breakfast for the grand present opening. Everyone finds a spot while Dad gives out all the presents, one by one. MOTH and I manage to snag a double slow cooker. I steal some recipes from Mouse's new recipe book. *grins* Both MOTH and I have managed to bag some good stuff. We head back to Mouse's place to get changed and then off for lunch at a local restaurant. The food was good and the restaurant not too crowded.

Boxing day dawns and we head to mum's for lunch. Roast lamb. Who can pass that up? We decide to catch up with the kids later on in the day. I ask MOTH if he would consider taking Sheldon back with us. I feel that the Elder is going to have trouble housing the two of them. A friend has offered a place, but only if they get along with her pets. it is much easier for Fred to get on with her small dog than it would be for Sheldon to get along with her two cats. He agrees. But oh! I've misjudged how much it would cost for fuel to get here. There isn't enough in my bank account now. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Mother has mentioned in passing she would give me some, but I don't want to have to rely on that.

Maybe I could stay till Thursday *payday*?

The tree...

2010-12-21T15:45:00.003+10:00

By request from Froggy...

Forgetful. Truly forgetful.

2010-12-20T19:55:00.002+10:00

I've not taken notes this week!

On Tuesday, I had to stand in for C and attend a meeting. I know the people I had to meet with, but I've not attended a meeting with them before. Zman came along to do his part as well. We've decided to go for coffee. It was a very informal meeting. Obviously.

While sitting there and talking, I was watching some of the other people dining. An ibis prowled around the diners. Suddenly it jumped on the table and took something from a woman's plate. Gods, but I hate those birds. Later it repeated the performance, this time stealing a whole roll from an unsuspecting diner.

Wednesday bought some bad news. The plans the Teen had for her lodging have changed drastically and now she has been left with no home again. The current residents of the house are moving and she was under the impression that she was moving with them. It seems not. The new adult male has decided that she will not be coming with them, and she will be left to fend for herself. With approximately 4 days notice. She is supposed to be moved out this weekend. She is welcome to stay in the house but she would have to pay the rent. The Teen thinks the rent is something like $300 a week.

It never rains but it pours. I was so sure she was finally getting settled.

It's been a stressful week.

I was off sick again on Thursday. A week's worth of sinus headache gets wearing after a while.

That evening the Teen's current housemate arrived. She's a lovely lass with blue hair. Very mature for her age.

Friday is my last day at work for a while. I'm on holidays! Yay for me. A well deserved break.

Saturday morning I went out and did some Christmas present shopping. I couldn't decide what to get for a couple of people and having a very limited budget isn't much fun either. Hmmmm. I left MOTH in the food court and ventured off on my own. I thought the shopping centre would be really, really crowded but not so. There was room to move. I suspect this might have something to do with the expansion of a competing centre in a neighbouring suburb.

I get them home but delay the wrapping of them.

Sunday I get game and set up the tree. I wasn't going to bother this year because we won't be home. But then I thought that maybe it might be nice for when the niece and nephew arrive for their holiday. The tree is black and gold foil and the decorations are silver. I think it looks good.

Monday I go to wrap the presents. Uh oh. I have no sticky tape. And the stickers are no longer ... sticky. Looks like it's out to get some. A quick trip up the road. I check the newsagent but can't find any of the stickers. I try for the cheap shop. No stickers there. What? But I buy the tape. I walk back to MOTH, and spy the stickers in the newsagent as I go past. How the heck did I miss those?? I didn't get to Kmart to get Fluffy's gift, *sorry froggy* so I'll have to post them after I return from North.

I wrap the presents, with a lot of help from the Ginger Destroyer of Worlds. He chewed on the paper. Sat on the stickers. Tried to run away with the ribbon.

They're finished now, and under the tree. OH! And I've just realised I've wrapped my present with the game still inside ... Yes. I wrapped my own present.

Whoops.....

2010-12-13T09:38:00.002+10:00

I think I accidentally shut Sheldon in the rumpus room last night. Um ahhh! I could have sworn he was under the table.

It seemed like a short week this week. I'm on holidays next week *can't wait!* so I think this week will be looooong enough to feel like 3!

Tuesday morning I found out that I needed to catch the bus home. This means an early finish. Sigh. A late start and early finish means I have to make up time. I tell Zman that I will catch the bus to work tomorrow to make up the time.

Wednesday morning I'm first in the office. Whoo! Work is having their Christmas party this afternoon and I'm looking forward to it. An all staff meeting this morning means not much work will be done.

I'm minding my own business and the work photographer lines me up for a photo. What for? It's ok, she says, I just want your eyes. For a competition. She pins down three others for the same thing.

The party starts at 4pm. I wander upstairs to the tearoom sometime after that. There are plenty of people there. I look at the pictures on the noticeboard for the competition. Wow. Just seeing eyes is different! It takes me a little while to pick out mine. There they are! Whew. Today they don't look bloodshot or wrinkly. *is pleased*

Zman has been picking me up from the house this week. MOTH has instructions not to drive for a week. This makes my actual pick up time a bit later than normal. I opt to catch the bus to work on Thursday as I have a meeting at 9.30am and Zman can't guarantee we'll be at work by then. I catch the 7.45 bus so MOTH and I leave the same time.

I plan to catch the 7.45am, arrive in the city at 8.30am then catch the 8.40am to work. I get into the city just after 8.30 and head for the next bus. Uh oh. There IS NO 8.40 SERVICE! Silly me. The service is 8.30 or 8.50. I have to catch that one and miss the start of my meeting after all! Oh, sweet irony!

I make it to work and the meeting just in time.

Friday arrives and I don't feel like doing much. It's our SECTION Christmas lunch. When I mentioned work before, I meant the whole division. Today it's just my immediate workmates going to lunch.

We've booked the venue and pre-ordered our meals. All is good with the world. Most of us catch the bus to the nearest stop and walk to The Morrison from there. They do great steak I've been told. I don't know - I'm one of these strange people who goes to a steak house and orders something other than steak. I've asked the chef to change the sauce on the prawn linguini from tomato to creamy garlic. When it arrives, they've done it but oh! They've left the chilli in. Never mind, it adds an interesting touch to the dish. The sauce is creamy, the pasta al dente and the prawns are tender and juicy.

After most of us have gone, C *my supervisor* has asked her partner to pick us up. He arrives just as we are about to leave C on her own. *we're cool like that* We sit and chat for a while longer. He's had a very busy and difficult morning - judging entries in the ward Christmas decorating. They all seem to have really dived into the spirit of the thing and the photos he shows us are amazing.

He gives us a lift back to work.

Saturday, energy was at a very low ebb and I didn't do much more than watch a movie and sleep a lot. Oh wait. I spent money I didn't have on dessert. Lion's Christmas cake. It's our tradition to buy on every year. We serve it sliced with vanilla icecream and Paul's brandy custard. DELICIOUS!

Sunday I look at what needs to be done and just can't bring myself to do it. I've laid out the trundle bed in the room I use for ironing, and put the ironing board in the cupboard. I've yet to make it up, shift the other single proper and put away the drying rack. The house needs cleaning top to bottom - it's so much messier than it should be!

The lawn also needs mowing. The rain has encouraged it to grow but not allowed the ground to dry out enough to avoid getting bogged. The garden is beginning to get to the point where I can't tell the weeds from the plants. Stupid rain.

Oh, MOTH's appointment was a follow up with his GP after his hospital stay. They requested a chest examination because of the oxygen levels. His GP shrugged. He didn't have the equipment to monitor blood oxygen levels anyway, but pronounced MOTH's chest clear. He looked at the wound and decided he liked the progress.

It's now 9 days post op and the wound is still weeping. The incision site looks clean but the belly button area still weeps copious amounts by the end of the day. Shouldn't that be drying out by now?

Monday. Can't trust that day

2010-12-07T10:10:00.002+10:00

Although today IS actually Tuesday. See, told you it couldn't be trusted...

It was a hectic week. Apparently! I'm glad I've got my notes or I wouldn't have remembered much of the exciting stuff that happened to me.

It's Monday and Zman is off to a late start. MOTH gets impatient and decides to head for the rendezvous point regardless. Eventually I get the text to say the lift is on his way and he has just slept in, not forgotten me at all.

Dad arrives today for his appointment and I'm looking forward to catching up with him.

I have to catch a bus on Tuesday. An older lady is getting on the bus but she takes a nasty slip. I hope she's alright! She picks herself up and totters to a seat. She seems to be alright. Or just extremely embarrassed and tomorrow she'll be sporting the bruises.

I spot a lass some seats in front of me. Her hair decoration has me intrigued. I can't quite determine what it is. It's rectangular in shape and seems to have some narrow stripe pattern.

I keep looking. Well! I've come to the conclusion that she is wearing a rectangle of velcro in her hair. The more I look, the more certain I become that I can even see the tiny hooks....

On the trip home at the end of the day, I'm daydreaming out the window and I spot what could be a tourist standing near the bus stops. She appears to be of Asian extraction. She catches my eye as she is wearing a white t-shirt with a slogan that asks, Do You Speak English. It's written in French.

I'm making notes in the iPad after dinner. Dad looks over my shoulder and I show him a little bit of some of the applications. He discovers Google Earth. Two hours later he decides to put it aside and go to bed. It's half ten, way past his bedtime.

On Wednesday it starts raining. I'm hoping that it doesn't rain too much and cause MOTH's surgery to be delayed again. Dad also goes home today. It's been great catching up with him, chatting about family.

My supervisor pops by my desk and tells me that she has been talking to her partner. He works in surgery at the hospital where MOTH is scheduled. She had discussed MOTH's surgery and my concerns. Apparently he has checked the list, MOTH is still there and is now marked as a preferential patient. Please do not cancel surgery unless absolutely necessary. This is wonderful and puts my mind a little at ease.

It's still raining though.

Thursday it's still raining a little but we are up at the hospital early. You need to arrive before 06.45. We arrive around 6am. Fill out the same paperwork we did last time and off to the peri-op area. We wait for a couple of hours before MOTH is called. He's gowned and popped on a gurney. We chat for a couple of minutes, the Assistant Anaesthetist asks some questions then he's wheeled through the doors and out of sight. Good luck!

I wander down to the Recovery waiting area and settle in for the long haul.

My supervisors partner comes by and introduces himself. He explains what will happen with the recovery area, asks if MOTH is scheduled for an overnight stay and advises that he had booked a bed for him just in case. He goes into Recovery to check if MOTH is there. He drops by again later, and checks again. He reports back that MOTH is there and they had chatted. We say goodbye and I'm very pleased and happy that he has done this.

Two hours later they call me in. MOTH is woozy but drinking and eating a little. He's not quite ready to come home yet - there is a small concern about oxygen saturation levels. We wait and chat to an old couple in the area next to us. They send MOTH for a chest xray.

The nurses chat to the chappie next door. He tells them he has an enlarged prostitute and I'm hard pressed not to burst out giggling. I don't know how the nurses do it.

MOTH is eventually discharged. We drive home and tumble into the house at 4pm. It's been a long day.

Friday I stay home from work to keep an eye on MOTH. Well, someone has to. And he's supposed to have a responsible adult to supervise. *i do my best to fulfill that role*

The Elder has Foxtel put on. On Saturday I decide I'm going to check it out. I scroll through the channels and see what is on. I watch a couple of movies and some episodes of favourite programs. Before I know it, I've spent the day there in the recliner and it's now 3pm.

A wonderful way to relax. I wonder if I can repeat for next weekend?

Wanted: A good home...

2010-11-29T11:40:00.002+10:00

So anyone want a kitten? Comes with a free dog.

My glasses went missing. To be truthful, I didn't notice they were missing till I said goodbye to the dog before I left to catch the bus for work on Monday. And there they were, tucked under the dog in his bed. With a lens missing. I was thinking they were beyond salvage because I couldn't see the lens, and these are half frames.

MOTH found the lens after and took the glasses to see if they could be repaired. They were, and for nix. Yay!

I was off sick on Tuesday and Wednesday. I've been having a bit of trouble with vertigo. Seems my blood pressure is a wee bit high. Never mind, we'll fix that the way nature intended. With medication. So new meds. It's been almost a week now and I'm still suffering from bouts of light headedness.

Somewhere around 3am on Thursday morning, the Elder left to go back north to collect the last of her gear. She left Sheldon and Fred with us.

Thursday I'm back to work but maybe I should have pushed the doc for the rest of the week off.

Saturday morning and I'm into the kitchen to let the dog out and do the rest of the morning pet stuff. And what is this!? My expensive pretty blue and silver havaianas - which I have owned and worn everywhere pre doggy I might add - are in the Fred's bed. Chewed. One thong is now too short for my foot and I can no longer wear them! If they must chew something, why the heck do they choose my $30 footwear?!

I'm not happy.

MOTH and I go out briefly to the shops. When I return, the lace curtain in the toilet is now sporting a tear approximately two feet long. Stupid cat! I so do not like you right now!

So much for keeping my blood pressure down.

MOTH gets a text from the Elder on Sunday. Apparently the car has broken down and isn't going anywhere in a hurry. She's stranded up there for a while longer. She's trying to convince me to take the animals up to her in the car when we go mid December. I'm trying to convince her to come back by train and she can look after the animals in the back of the car. I'm certainly not sitting in the front while Fred tangles himself in the harness on the back seat and knocks the cat cage off the seat....

Sunday night I let the inner child have its way and I sat down to watch Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It lasted 3 hours. And every 10 minutes there was a minimum of 8 ads. Minimum. Talk about ruining the movie.....

Oh, and I've completely forgotten to post the pic of the pirates at party. Ah well.

A half strangled cat and a tangled dog!

2010-11-22T09:21:00.002+10:00

It's been a busy week.

After a stressful work week, I called in sick on Monday. I think the reason I'm so very dispirited is that I would normally have had a brief holiday by now. I break up the year with a week at Easter, a week or two September/October, and a few odd days in between. This year I'm taking it all over Christmas so I've yet to have a decent break away from work.

There you go.

So, Monday I was sitting in the rumpus room and heard the lorikeets at the bird feeder. That's loud, but thought nothing more of it. A few minutes later, I walked through the kitchen and glanced that direction. Oh. It was a pair of galahs, not lorikeets! No wonder they were noisy.

At some point MOTH went out on an errand. He returned a couple of hours later with a small bunch of purple flowers he'd found on the footpath. I put them in a tiny little jug I have. They were so very sweet! And they lasted a few days. It's not the first time he's brought me these little roadside flowers, but it always makes my day.

From Wednesday I have to catch the bus again because Zman is travelling. Out on the busway I happen to glance up at the sides of the embankment. There is a door open in the side of the wall that denotes the sound barrier at the top.

And there is a bloke sitting in a wheelbarrow! His hands behind his head, legs swinging. It made my morning.

A lass is waiting at a stop. Maybe she's a student. Her gold belt catches my attention. When she actually gets on the bus, I can see it's a gold 80s glomesh style bum bag. For those overseas readers, I believe the Americans call them fanny packs. How handy would that be for an 80s themed party? I consider rolling her for it.

I'm standing in the kitchen after work and I hear my mobile go off. It's Zman. There is a problem with his accommodation. Oh, great. Just great. I spend some time online searching for alternatives but everything seems to be booked solid. I'm just thinking I should tell him to phone the travel agent, when he calls back. He's just phoned the travel agent and booked something else. Thank you travel agents. It seems that the first night accommodation was missing - he didn't pick it up, I didn't pick it up and the travel agent didn't pick it up.

Thursday proved to be an exciting day for the Elder's pets. Sheldon has a very, very bad habit of jumping at the cords that operate the vertical drapes. *bad kitty, naughty kitty* At some point, from his study MOTH heard a noise and came to look. There was Sheldon, hanging from one of the cords with it tangled around his neck. One very lucky kitty! MOTH lost one of his beloved siamese in a very similar fashion many years ago and it is one of the very few times I have ever seen him cry.

Sheldon followed him about for the rest of the day. And kept away from the cords for a day or two after that. But guess what, he's back at them AGAIN! I swear his behavior is getting worse. Even constant spanking doesn't help curb his enthusiasm for rampant mischief.

Thursday night is for shopping you know. Yes, it is. Fred was left on his bed in the garage. When we arrived back, he greeted us with tail wagging ... and a huge tangle of nylon rope around his front legs and body. We've no idea at all how he managed to do that.

Certainly seemed the day for it.

Friday I had a doctor's appointment. It's the first time I've been there for a little while. Whoo! A new receptionist. Male. Young. Attractive. Think I'm going to be sick a lot more often!

Saturday we headed out around mid morning for Bestie's little boy's 6th birthday party. The theme was Pirates! Which makes a change from dinosaurs. Bestie had found a company that do themed kid's parties; she hoped it would be worthwhile.

It was! Captain Jack turned up right on time, after a loud chorus from the kids. They were a little startled at first, but they soon warmed up. He kept those kids constantly occupied for a whole hour. Kudos, I say.

I'll add a photo later.

We stayed after everyone had left and relaxed a little. Dinner was offered, but MOTH was wanting to get home to check on the animals. It was nearly 5pm when we got home. What a day!

Sunday we caught a bus to the cinema at South Bank. I like those cinemas because they have great pricing. There are closer within driving distance, but when you pay $8.50 *plus bus fare* for an adult ticket compared to $16.50 *plus fuel*, it's a bit of a no brainer.

We chose our seats and waited for the screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I teared up a little at the beginning at the whispered word, Obliviate. The cinema was deathly quiet through most of the movie, apart from some gasps, laughter and muffled tears.

Yes, surprisingly enough, there were some good one liners.

Can't wait for Part 2.

Mini quiches and cupcakes

2010-11-16T19:31:00.002+10:00

Well, it seems the quiche and cupcakes were quite a visual hit. As requested, here are the necessary bits:

MINI QUICHE
INGREDIENTS (I don't usually measure so these are a guide)

Sheets of ready rolled puff pastry. I use Pampas frozen.
2 tspns butter
1 cup grated cheese
Approx 150g of diced ham OR 2 rashers of bacon, diced
1/3 cup cream
1 egg
Pepper to taste

METHOD

Allow pastry sheets to thaw as per packet directions.
Preheat oven to 180 deg.
Spray shallow patty pans with a little oil. I use gem scone trays.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except butter.
Heat butter and combine with ingredients.
Cut each pastry sheet into rounds approx 6cm diameter. I use a glass that I press into the sheet and get about 12-14 each sheet.
Press pastry into the trays.
Place approx half a teaspoon of mixture into each pastry round.
Cook in oven for approx 15 - 20 mins.
Repeat with pastry and mix until it's all used.
Turn on to racks to cool.

I can't tell you how many it makes because I don't measure the ingredients but go on consistency, so the amount is always a little different. I can usually get around 3 dozen out of this mix...

RED VELVET CUP CAKES
This is an american recipe so I've provided the conversions....
INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (plain flour)
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa (powdered)
1 tspn baking powder
1/4 tspn salt
1 tspn baking soda
2 sticks butter at room temperature (approx 230g)
5 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (see note at bottom)
1 tspn vanilla
1 tspn red food coloring

METHOD

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Sift dry ingredients three times.
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each egg.
Add 1/4 of dry ingredients to creamed mixture then approximately 1/4 of buttermilk alternating until mixed well. Mix in vanilla and food coloring.
Fill lined cupcake pans 1/2 full of red velvet batter. Bake in a preheated 350 (180C) degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool cupcakes in pans for 5 to 10 minutes then remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

NOTE: If you don't happen to have buttermilk on hand you can try this simple substitution. Place one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in an empty one cup measuring cup. Fill with milk to 1 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes then use in any cake recipe that calls for buttermilk.

These taste great with cream cheese frosting. You'll have to source that one yourself, but I use something like:

250g cream cheese softened
approx 60g butter
1-2 cups icing sugar
vanilla essence or extract

Beat cream cheese and butter till softened and creamy. Add icing sugar and combine well. Add vanilla to taste.

Pincushion city.

2010-11-15T17:17:00.005+10:00

Since that cat moved in, I'm beginning to find out how a pincushion feels. Or becoming a blood donor. Whichever. Sheldon is a livewire and loves my desk chair. Regardless of whether I'm sitting in it or not. *sigh*

The Tuesday morning traffic was terrible! A usual 10 minute run took 25. There was a bonus though. Yes. A sign we pass every day that says "IN NOV" finally had enough time to display the whole message. NIGHT WORKS IN NOV. Excellent!

Sheldon has been giving me plenty of exercise. Busily climbing the screen door every few minutes, tangling himself in the vertical drapes, trying to steal my glasses from my desk and even turning on my computer! Well, that's accomplished by stepping on the mouse, but hey.

Fred and Sheldon tear around the rumpus room in the evenings, making me worry about the state of the carpet....

Wednesday night Zman and I hit JBHiFi for a one night only sale. I didn't really have any funds but managed to pick up 3 blu-ray dvds for $28. Zman spent considerably more than that! The dvds were the Prestige, Scorpion King 2 *ok. i confess. i like b-grade movies* and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Friday morning woke us up well and truly. At the end of the road we use to access the carpark, there is only a right turn. The cycle path joins the road at that point. A cyclist came up to the road and stopped. Zman glanced at a pedestrian on the footpath while turning right. Just in time to see the cyclist crossing right in front of the car! SHOOOOOT! *or something like that*

*dangit. sheldon is trying to eat my flowers*

This week has been rather rushed with several staff members travelling. Friday morning I was asked by a third party to make arrangements for my boss as they were having difficulty. Alright, fair enough. They would be willing to reimburse, but only to a certain amount. Because it was last minute *the traveller was heading out on monday* all the hotels close to the venue were already full. They had given me three options, and the only one with rooms available was a 15 minute taxi ride away. I confirmed it, 'paid' for it and sent the details to my boss. At about 3pm he gets back to the office and has a huge dummy spit. No. I'm not staying there. I'm not taking a cab every day. I need to stay at the venue so I can network with people. I can't do that while I'm staying that far away. I would rather stay at my sisters place. *i'm rather gobsmacked during all this. a 15 minute taxi ride is NOTHING in my book. and how would staying at his sisters be any different unless she lived next door to the venue???* Oh, and you can write back to them and tell them I'm not staying there, I'm not doing it. Make sure they pay me the per diem amount not the accommodation amount, and if they want me to take a taxi, then they can pay for me to get a hire car. I told him the girl I had been liaising with was in Bangkok and she wouldn't have any authority. He was quiet for about 5 seconds before he started again.

So, I had to cancel that booking and suck up to Bangkok and ask if he could be paid the per diem amount. Then my wonderful travel agent said, I can get you a room at the venue. But it was only for two nights, not three. I went back to the boss and told him that if our company was willing to wear the cost of the flight changes and the cost of the difference in the accommodation, I could get him two nights at the venue. He was most pleased with that *and i think he even called me my dear!* I suspect because he got his own way.

I didn't finish work that day until nearly 5:45pm.

Saturday I baked. It seemed nearly all day. Mini quiches. Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

Sunday the Elder and I took Fred up to the markets. No bath this time, but we stopped for an icecream and drink. It was a little warm. While there I did espy a young lady wearing brown leggings. And a short top. Definite no no in my fashion book! And as an added feature, there was a big hole on her inner thigh near the top. How did she think she was going to get away with that?? Or was it just my eagle eyes?

Sigh. Work tomorrow. Ah well. Cupcake anyone?

The Black Dog.

2010-11-07T17:20:00.002+10:00

Been an odd sort of week...

Monday morning MOTH and I headed out early to collect the ute. We didn't have enough room in the car so it became necessary to hire something. Turned out to be a ute which MOTH would drive up to bring home some of the stuff in. He dropped me off at work and headed straight out. It felt odd, and I didn't really want him to go.

A message in the afternoon let me know he had arrived safely.

Monday evening it was home to an empty house. I felt odd, not quite knowing where I fit and having to cook dinner for one. I often wonder how singles do it. Cooking dinner for one is such a pain.

Tuesday morning felt strange as well. No competition for the bathroom. We have two bathrooms. Well, one is the ensuite, but it seems I am trying to do my makeup at the same time that MOTH is brushing his teeth, taking his medication or brushing his hair. It's a bother to go down the other end of the house to do my makeup there, so I wait.

That evening I cooked Wednesday night's dinner - quiche - so we didn't have to fuss. Then to cook something for me for dinner. The phone went off. I had my hands full and the tv blaring while I tried to watch something I had recorded the night before. The phone stopped ringing just as I reached it. I hate that. But I found I had two home messages. Which the phone never tells you about by the way. One from that day from a friend of MOTH's. One from the day before from the realtor.

The lease is up for renewal just before Christmas. The rent is hella expensive, but we decided we would like to stay for a little while longer.

I settle back in to eat and watch television. The phone goes off again. It's mother. We chat for a bit while I'm eating and the telly is on pause. She gets call waiting and we finish talking. I finally finish dinner and the phone rings again. It's mother again after having finished her previous call. We chat for a time longer.

Wednesday I phoned the realtor. The landlord is happy to renew the lease for another 12 months, with a $10 a week increase in rent. I guess we can't complain too much as last year we got to renew with no increase at all. She'll post the paperwork out to us.

MOTH and the Elder have arrived home by the time I get dropped off by Zman after work. They've decided not to unpack anything and will do it in the morning. It also seems that they didn't manage to fit all her stuff on the ute and in the car. Fred and Sheldon have arrived as well. I've met Sheldon before, but by golly, I didn't realise how much of a little mischief he was! I have a photo on my phone and maybe I will upload it another time.

Nothing much is happening for Thursday and Friday. I'm glad of Friday evenings after work. Sunny was thinking of coming down for a visit, but Thursday is shopping night so we leave it hanging again.

Saturday was relaxing. We have hired a couple of movies and I settle in to watch them. Iron Man 2, The Punisher: War Zone, and Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. A movie marathon and I'm having fun.

The Elder and I go for a walk with Fred to the markets. She takes him for a hydrobath and spends some time buying him some treats. Her mood has relaxed a little over the last couple of days. I do the washing from the last couple of days and peg it out. It looked like rain at one point, but the clothes have dried and I bring them in.

And then.... there is an exchange of words with Subs and the black dog is barking at the door and shoulders his way into the house. Subs is abusive and the Elder has given him ample opportunity to use her words as ammunition for a fight. He's not very pleasant and even has words to say about MOTH. I don't waste breath on gentle words this time. I tell her what I think of what has been exchanged and it's not complementary.

I wish this dog would just go away... although dinner bought tears of laughter. Definite improvement.

Lost, and hopefully found

2010-10-31T17:37:00.004+10:00

I don't like Mondays. Really I don't. But I don't really want to shoot it down. That takes too much effort. In middle of my trek from the carpark to the office I came across a family of wood ducks. The grounds are full of birdlife. This family was on the walkway, and making several pedestrians slow their pace. Mother, father and 5 very fluffy yellow and brown ducklings. Mum and dad jumped the path edging and up to the grass, followed by 4 of the little ones. One was a little smaller than the others and didn't make the jump. It ran further down the path as the rest followed it, calling encouragement. We'd stopped by then, Zman, myself and someone just outside my peripheral vision.

It tried again. And lo! Success. How cute! the voice behind me comments as she walks past. I could take a lesson from this about perseverance, or possibly being cute, but hey it's Monday and I don't like Mondays. They really were cute though.

I see a girl get on the bus the same time I do. She chooses the seat in front of me. The fringe of her dark hair is pulled back. She pulls the rest back into a high ponytail. Then she combs the tail. She pulls it out and puts it up again. She pulls it all out, combs it and puts it up again. She grubs around in her bag. A compact is found and she checks her face and repairs her makeup. She pulls her hair out and puts it up again. She pushes the contents of her bag again and this time lathers lotion on her arms and hands. For heaven's sake girlie, this is NOT your bathroom! Get yourself organised BEFORE you go out in public. Most of us don't like to watch you toilet yourself. Sheesh! She redoes her hair. Just before she gets off at her stop, she pulls it all out again.

It's only been a 10 minute bus ride....

Sometime during the week I get a call from the Elder. She and Subs are no longer together and she wants to come home. Things haven't been the best between them for some time and we've been gently hinting to her that a separation might be the best thing for her and she should come home. The black dog follows this one, and we hope that by moving home we might be able to help her start to keep the dog at bay. She's busy beginning to make arrangements.

A storm came through late afternoon on Thursday. I had to make a quick trip to the bathroom down the hall. What? The rain is splashing through the louvres. I get wet.

Saturday morning I realise that we've not got anything for any treat seeking missiles this weekend. We don't always get them but you can guarantee that if we don't, they'll arrive in droves. The budget is very small and when I get to the supermarket, most of the cheap stuff is gone. There are actually empty spaces on the shelves. Still plenty of the expensive stuff left! *read multipacks of freddos, milky bars etc*

None turned up Saturday night - I would have thought they would be out then being school following Sunday and all.

Just before bed I get a text from the Teen. Skywalker has accidentally knocked her iPhone out of her hand and the screen has 'shattered'. She doesn't know what to do. Frankly, neither do I but since she can still use it we'll look at it on Monday. How she asks? MOTH will look at it when he goes up to help the Elder.

It's been determined that MOTH will help with a hired ute. I'll be 'baching' for a couple of days. Haven't slept by myself or come home to an empty house for what feels like a couple of years. Shall be interesting. I'm thinking I'll be so bored I'll be scrubbing walls. If not climbing them.

Sunday lunch we popped out to Bestie's house. Things were a little tense for a bit as her disposal unit had kicked the bucket and hubby was out looking for spare parts. He tried to fix it when he got back but with little success I think. He left it be and things relaxed. The lunch was basic yet lovely. Marinated chicken, salad, steak and boston baked beans. Delicious. wound up when she left to take the little takkers out trick or treating before it got dark.Home now and relaxing before the onslaught of the missiles. I'm hoping they don't turn up and we get to eat the lollies ourselves...

Planes, trains and automobiles.

2010-10-24T06:17:00.002+10:00

Have you ever lain awake at night listening to the hoons race up and down your street? First they roar one direction, then they roar the other. I often wish they'd run into a tree or a pole, but the unfortunate thing is that type of driver never seems to take out themselves. It's usually a mate or an innocent driver minding their own business.

I think every idiot on the road went past at some point last night.

It's been a slow quiet week this week.

Monday evening, Zman went to a Metallica concert at the entertainment centre. You'd better catch a bus into work tomorrow - I've no idea what time I'll be home says he. So I do. This morning I decide to walk up the hill to the other bus stop. I have two to choose from. I usually pick the closer one, being the lazy thing that I am. This morning I'm feeling a little more energetic, so I take the 15 minute walk up the hill.

I'm daydreaming and I hear a bicycle bell ring twice behind me. It gives me warning and without turning I move to the left. He goes past me without rushing - an older gentleman, not some fool who thinks he's a car. Wish they were all that polite.

Whoops. I had a travel information session for work today I was supposed to attend. I'd forgotten to put it in my calendar, and I'm reminded by Admin2. There is still plenty of time to attend as it hasn't started yet; I've used the system plenty of times so there is very little that I would be learning. And it's not the coffee session where they hand out some freebies. I don't end up going.

Zman decides to leave work a little early. We're dropping the car off at the service centre tonight as they'll want it early for service tomorrow. He's hoping they will give him a decent car for a loaner. He gives me the directions and says I can navigate. Oh lovely. He has no street directory and only something he's printed from the web which contains some limited directions and a couple of small sections of map that show only the corner where he needs to turn. Luckily, it turns out that Zman has some idea of where he needs to go already. I'm off the hook.

The loaner car turns out to be a ford Mondeo. It's very comfortable. Zman declares he hates it. It starts with a key! I think it's because it's not Zippy. Yes, he's named his car. I tell him that'l like calling a rottweiler Fluffy. He disagrees. And they've given it to him with the fuel light on. He has to put fuel in it to even get home.

The following morning he concedes that if he were looking for a nice family car, the Mondeo would do very well. But he still hates it.

That afternoon we leave early again to collect Zippy. All seems fine. But then Zman notices a white patch on the guard - THEY'VE SCRATCHED HIS CAR!! He's FURIOUS! They try to tell him that it was already there, but he's having none of it. I'm standing a short way off and I'm not sure of the outcome, if any. We get in the car and drive off, Zman cursing. Took it for a test drive. Yeah he says, A 30KM TEST DRIVE! He's a quiet furious though, so I spend a fair deal of my time quietly laughing to myself. I can tell he's so angry he can barely articulate it. Although he articulates well enough to flip the bird at a tailgaiter.

He's busily apologising.

Thursday morning he's still apologising. And still vowing he'll never take it back there again. If they don't cough up and fix the scratch - it means a full recoat of the special finish on the entire guard - he'll escalate to Ford Australia.

Friday morning and I decide not to go to work. I seem to be taking a lot of sick days lately. I'm feeling very run down, lacking motivation. Being dissatisfied with my job doesn't help with the motivation either. I'm stuck there because I think I want to move on, but I would like to stay with the University. They pay well, conditions are pretty good and the super is great. There is very little on the job board though to tempt me to apply. I want to finish the conference project I'll be working on till May 2011. So I stay where I am.

Friday night is fish in a garlic cream sauce. It's divine. The fish is perfect, light, white, flakey and just cooked. The sauce is the same one I used for the garlic prawns and again is rich, but not enough to overpower the fish. Which may be why MOTH isn't as impressed as I. It's fish, he says. Not his favourite dish but he eats it because he knows he should. Next time we have fish it will be in the form of fish fingers so he had better like those - they're crumbed....

Inspection is coming up next Tuesday so this weekend is spent tidying up the yard. Well, MOTH did that. I've been taking a duster to the cobwebs in the ceiling corners. Not an easy task, I'm short and the ceilings are 9 feet high. Thank heavens for extender handles! There is still one corner I can't reach above and behind MOTH's television, so I've left that for him.

More of the same today, but this time the fans. How dare they collect so much dust!

I'm confused. No wait ... maybe I'm not.

2010-10-18T12:02:00.002+10:00

Just lately I seem to be busy. Not a good busy or a great busy, just ... busy.

After all the rain last week, it begins to ease off. The yard is soggy but at least there is a little sun. I've decided to cook some mustard cream chicken dish. Slightly modified of course as the original recipe is for pork. Two tablespoons of mustard hey. Well, the dijon should do for that ... ... wait a minute! I don't have any left. Ok, let's try the powder. I'm down to a mere sprinkle there too. And the seeded has a teaspoon left. What gives! I've usually got mustard everywhere. The only one left is ... hot english. Don't think I'll use two tablespoons of that.

I've downloaded a game patch this week. And wondering if it's the same one as last week. A friend assures me that perhaps it won't all download again, it will just pick out what I don't have from last time. It still takes a while though. I can't back out of it either. Whew. Wishing I hadn't done that. Gameplay is shocking. And it seems I'm not the only one with trouble either.

I'm riding the bus home on Thursday evening. It's not raining and I see a girl out riding. Her bicycle is the same shade of pink as her tshirt! What are the chances? Not far in front of her are two other riders. And flying frantically in front of them is a pale headed rosella. He finally dives off into the trees and I wonder what it looked like from the cyclists perspective.

It's sunny today on Friday. MOTH has finally been able to mow the lawn. I suddenly realise I've not yet mended the shirt that Judah dropped off for me some weeks ago. The job is so small, yet it's so difficult to start.

I'm chatting to someone and we're talking about cross stitch. I've not done any for years and have thought about getting back into it. I've told her I would look through my stuff - you know, that stuff that never seems to get unpacked after a move - and see if I can find it. It's nearly finished and I'd like to place that last thread.

Gameplay is improving. I've read through forums trying to find information. Don't you love it when you have to research before you can play a game?? It seems that you can access the game before all the updates are fully installed and perhaps that was the problem? It's still not perfect but better than previous.

Friday night I light a candle for the lost babies. It burns for an hour, but I've only a tea light. I've used it to kindle the scented wax. I've not lost a baby, but I know some who have...

http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2010/10/stillbirth.html

Saturday dawns and it's like the wind has blown the sun across the sky. I've wandered out to the kitchen; instead of shining with intense ferocity directly through the window the beams slant obliquely across the grass. The wind pushes the palms and the trees about, the clouds are light and white. The sky is blue, the air is clear. I hope it continues like this - it's going to be a beautiful day.

I pop out to the shops, including *gasp* Bunnings. But that's alright, I'm only visiting the gardening section. My purchases today amount to some coriander plants, parsley plants and lemon grass. Most importantly, Cadbury strawberries and cream. Mmmmm.

I shift the ladder to begin looking for the cross stitch. I'm standing there, looking up at the boxes most of which are about level with the top of the ladder. No, I don't think I'm wanting to finish that cross stitch after all.

For something different Sunday I shall do a roast for lunch. While it's cooking, I've washed the glass outdoor table and 4 chairs. I shall leave the other setting for another time. I've pulled some weeds. Vacuumed and mopped the tiled floor. Done the washing. It's coming to 11.30 am and the roast is ready. Maybe a little more ready than I would have liked. After carving it's still tender, but a little dry. I think it was probably ready at 11, but I wasn't sure how long it would take. I've cooked it for 3 and a half hours on 150 deg C. It's still good though.

I've talked MOTH into setting up a television in the dining area. It's the only place left that has a co-axial connection. And I want to tape Sherlock. The series looks good but it's up against Bones. I've watched the first two episodes of Bones already, but really it's a no brainer.

I watch Sherlock this morning and it seems it's three movie length episodes, different stories each night. Over three consecutive nights. That's my viewing for the next couple of days sorted then...

Elvis, babies and wasting time.

2010-10-11T12:10:00.005+10:00

Work has been a bit of a rush this week. One of the managers has asked me to put all aside and concentrate on completing a stocktake of all our hardware. This is a huge job. She would like it done by the end of the week. Mmmm. It's the following Monday and no, it's not yet complete.

It's Wednesday morning. Zman remarks that the traffic is heavy and seemed to be a bit slower than usual. Not that we are usually V8 supercar drivers. We get further down the road and the traffic seems to be merging into the inside lane. Uh oh. Yes, there it is. An accident between a old model ford like a fairlane and a new model holden astra. We can't see what happened but somehow the front wheels on the fairlane are out of alignment; the rear passenger side wheel of the astra is completely torn off. A paramedic is comforting the driver of the fairlane; someone has pulled up a little further down the road and a man is jogging back to the cars.

The astra remains in the middle of the lane with the hazard lights flashing. Everything looks to be under control and we continue.

It's only later as we we gossip about what we have seen that we realise there wasn't an ambulance in sight. The paramedic must have been one of the accident victims, perhaps on her way to or from work.

My immediate manager decided that we might spend some time in the mornings doing a tour of the Great Court, a large grassed area surrounded by sandstone buildings and archways. We take about half an hour to do three circuits. I'm hot and sweaty by the end of it, but I think that's more the weather than any effort on my part!

Thursday they were mowing the courtyard. Even though it's full of people. This patch of uni is VERY popular! The mower dude is tearing up and down, and we notice the witches hats in the middle of the ground. There in the middle of the hats is a plover. Standing tall, wings outstretched and yelling for all it's worth! The hats must mark a nest! The bloke on the mower just ignored the whole show.

For those not in the know, witches hats are a colloquial term for orange traffic cones.

We've got an early Christmas present from Ma. She insisted we open it. I love to wait and often will tuck my presents away until later in the day. This annoys the Elder and Teen no end. Anyway, she insisted we open it. We weren't sure at first - the box contained assembly instructions but no indication of what it actually was. Mmmmm. We scratched the label that she'd scribbled over and lo! It's a planter box.

It's raining still on Saturday. We spend Saturday morning wandering around Bunnings - in the rain - looking for things to put in it. Lots of potting mix, some gravel to line the bottom and some herbs. It looks good. If the herbs survive, I'm putting more in. I need lots of coriander and parsley! Come Sunday and it's STILL raining. It's been raining all night. We've got some smoking planned for the barbeque, but if the rain continues like this it might not be going ahead. I've got a new recipe for smoked pork ribs I want to try. It's been raining for so long, MOTH hasn't been near the garden. The lawn is racing ahead in leaps and bounds and let's not look at the weeds, shall we? I've lost the garden and all I see is dandelions and cobblers pegs. Wretched things. I'm out in the rain - it's only sprinkling at present - pulling weeds. The ground is muddy and I'm wearing gardening gloves. Not real ones, these are the leather heavy duty ones. My finger tips hurt by the time I've cleared a couple of small stops. No, I might have to wait, the job is too big.

I'm indoors now, and inspection is coming up at the end of month. I've polished mirrors in both bathrooms, cleaned off the benches and scrubbed a wall. I think that's enough for the day.

MOTH checks the recipe but we don't have all the ingredients. We substitute the cajun seasoning with bush spices. We're set up and ready to go. But here's a word from the wise - if the recipe calls for 3kg of pork ribs and you're only working with 1kg, shorten the cooking time to suit, yes? The ribs were very over done; crispy and dry. But in one or two places they were not. And delicious there to boot.

Today is up early. MOTH has been scheduled for day surgery. No breakfast for him and because of the timing no breakfast for me either. We're on our way to the hospital and it's 05:45. It's still raining. Heavy with squalling gusts of wind. We find a park and fingers crossed, sit in the car waiting for it to die down. Fifteen minutes later and no such luck. The brolly is in the car boot of all places. Sigh. We grab it and made a damp dash for the entrance.

Among other patients is a heavily pregnant woman. A little eavesdropping establishes she's in for a cesarean. Her partner walks in. Whoo! It's ELVIS! Late 70s style, with long dark hair and full sideburns. Although dressed in shirt and jeans, not a sparkle to be seen.

Eventually MOTH is seen and we head off for the pre-op clinic rooms. We check in, find a seat and wait. And wait. And wait. Eventually, his name is called along with two others. We're sorry they say. Clinic has been cancelled and your appointment has been rescheduled. What?? Apparently there is quite a number of staff who couldn't make it in that day.

So now we wait another month. The only upside is that I get another day off work.....

Oh, and Elvis had a baby girl....

Flight plans. But not mine alas!

2010-10-04T11:57:00.002+10:00

The weeks just fly by these days. I blink, they're gone and I'm left wondering what it was I actually managed to accomplish.

A lot of nothing methinks!

Monday. I'm home sick with a headcold. A bad one, and the medication takes a while to kick in. Like up to 48 hours. Sigh. I'm discovering that day time television doesn't offer much by way of viewing and my selected viewing is Magnum PI. Rockford Files. Knight Rider. Gosh, The Hoff was easy on the eye back then. The Teen has a friend over this afternoon. He is here quite often when she visits. She is happy because I've told her we will take her home on the weekend. One of the friends brings me in a drink. Apparently it has a name which I have forgotten, but involves vodka, raspberry and lemonade. It's making my head swim.

Tuesday I'm home sick as well. Arrrrgh! I spend a lot of time sleeping. Getting to the end of the day and things are calming down a little.

Wednesday is crunch day. Do I go to work or the doctor and get a medical certificate? Well, it's only a cold and they can't do much to help me. Except give me the certificate. I go in and snuffle and sneeze my way through the day. The sneezing has calmed a bit from yesterday and I'm dosing myself on the cold tablets pretty regularly. My workmates don't seem particularly impressed to see me for some reason. I'm getting a lift with Zman so make myself stay for the whole day.

Thursday I decide that no, I'm going to stay home again. I'm still sniffling and they don't like sick people in the office! I should have stayed home yesterday. I've let work know that I will be away for the rest of the week. I didn't even bother to get out of my jammies. The bed looks tempting and I sneak back under the covers for a couple of hours.

We decide that we would head up to take the Teen home a day early. She's excited and can't wait. We plan to leave at midnight and I think I'll have a shower before I go to bed rather than at midnight. MOTH announces that he'll go for a bit of a kip before we head out. And there goes my option for a shower... *he's a VERY light sleeper. if i wake him, he won't get back to sleep* Somehow or another the Teen and I talk, facebook, chatter some more, watch television and now it's midnight. Dang. I've not had any sleep. MOTH is up and now I can have my shower.

I get first driving shift so I get to go through the city. With Karen of course. Danged if I'm doing that unassisted!

The trip is kinda long and boring. By the time you add in rest stops and driver changes, it clocks out to about 8 hours on the road. Jerome isn't travelling as well as he did the first time. I don't know if it's because it's night time or not. He's restless and calling, although in his harness but not the carry container.

At some point I see something standing on the side of the road. Or is it moving? *my eyes are shot for long distance. middle distance is ok though* We get closer and it's a dingo! Wow. First time I've seen one outside a zoo. He's long and lean, very sleek with a red tinted coat. Beautiful in a predator like fashion.

Friday I'm weary from lack of sleep. We visit with mum for a short time then head in to town to drop the Teen off home. She's happy to be back and tells me her housemate is too. We catch up with the Elder on the way and she joins us for a trip back to mums. I elect to go with her and MOTH heads off to visit friends while he's in town. He'll come back later. We go a different way and boy, there's some work been going on in town. Back roads! Linking suburbs! And landscaped and supposedly scenic too. Amazing. *but i'm not moving back!*

Mouse comes out to visit. It's good to catch up. Day's end and I'm falling asleep on the couch. I'm off to bed, but in typical fashion when I tuck myself in I'm not sleepy anymore.

Saturday night and we're out to dinner at the local CBD restaurant. We're waiting for first course and there is the Teen's best friend! He's come in with his family for a party, but he's not staying.

MOTH has mushroom soup for starters, the rest of us wait for mains. Mum chooses a chicken dish, Dad has prime rib, MOTH has chosen sole and I have beef medallions. They come as two, layered with something that may have been a type of mushroom and swiss cheese. No veges! I was disappointed because it was supposed to come with prawns as well. Oh, wait, there they are. There are two of them, hiding on the top of the medallions. MOTH loved his fish.

Dessert was worth the wait. A trio of chocolate mousse. White. Orange. Dark. Melt in the moth divine. The orange tasted like jaffa! It's almost a struggle to get it all in, but I managed. Whoo!

Sunday we're homeward bound. We leave mum's around mid morning with a quick dash into town to say goodbye to the girls. We drive the Elder over to pick up her car - left for the night at Sub's brother's place - then head off to see the Teen. She has a house full of friends who've crashed there for the night. We're introduced all round. We meet Pukas, her new squeeze. He's little!

We're on our way and have decided to head back via the Burnett Highway. To see how it goes. We're told the way is narrow, but you miss a lot of the heavy traffic.

Karen is fine with this until we hit the turn off and leave the main Bruce Highway. Then she is terribly confused and keeps trying to send us back to the Bruce. MOTH is having none of that and ignores her pleas to perform a u-turn when possible.

She's getting on my wick. He mutes the sound and we continue on our way. We've not gone this way for some time and are a little unsure. But we manage. Turns out to take about the same amount of time. MOTH has saved it to the trip log so we are hoping that next time we head that way, Karen won't be quite as upset. One day he'll surprise me and actually follow her directions.

Slightly used and disgruntled GPS anyone?

It turns out that yes, you do miss a lot of the traffic. The way is much more scenic as you pass through several small towns, and see the occasional house on the hill. Wild flowers colour the side of the road. We're cruising and coming toward us is a little old car from the vintage era *well, maybe from the 50s or 60s* and towing a caravan from the same time period. And they colour match. We pass a hotrod parked outside a store. It's powder blue and the roof is black vinyl. Someone has a Ned Kelly mailbox complete in his classic pose with two guns raised. It's been raining lightly as we near the end of our journey and for a brief moment, we can see a triple rainbow. It's beautiful.

I think we might go this way next time we head north. Which isn't till Christmas time thank heaven!

Surely it's not Monday?

2010-09-27T10:09:00.003+10:00

Wow. Something is getting eager. I accidentally published this post without any content. It could be that I am home from work, full of snot. Alright perhaps I exaggerate, half full. Today this cold is affecting one side of my face. Tommorrow it will take over the world. Well, the other side of my face anyway.

I think I mentioned previously about a large phone bill run up by the Teen. It was so much higher than previous that we thought there may have been some mistake with the bill. We've been meaning to get it changed to the Teen's name, but it is proving difficult to manage the timing. I had checked about the procedure and it seems that she needs 100 points of ID. Driver's license, atm card, etc. That works. Later I found out it couldn't be a learner's permit. That kind of puts a stop to things!

We can't get it changed to her name anyway while she is here because I have to sign paperwork and provide ID at the same time. We can't do it when she goes back home because the store where she opens her account needs to sight signatures and ID for both people. Sigh. I asked about termination fees as we are about 18 months into the contract. No, it would still cost somewhere in the region of $400 to do this. Sigh again. So, for the next 6 months or so, the phone stays in my name and when the contract expires she can get her own account and I won't renew.

We did upgrade the plan for no penalty. For an extra $10 a month, text is unlimited and that should stop the over the cap spend!

MOTH drove me to my lift on Wednesday. Zman doesn't pick me up from home; we drive to a service station on the way and I swap cars there. On the way, I looked out my window and there was a pee wee, racing along side. He kept up very well and scared the bejeezuz out of me when he dived toward the car! I thought we were destined to collide for sure! But no, he swerved at the last minute. Whew. I'm awake now.

Today I've noticed a sign down the hall that says Men At Work. Why? Do they not normally work? I'm aware there are offices down there, but it's sad to have to put a sign out to let people know you are contributing. *yes, i know, it's really for the tradies doing the new cabling*

I have a performance review this week, and my supervisor set up a meeting time on the calendar. Hers, not mine. She forgot to invite me! The review goes well as can be expected - she's only been supervising me for a couple of months so can't really say a lot about my previous year's work performance. I don't like these things, I don't think they are an accurate measurement of what I do. Actually, I don't like anything I do being measured. However, it's also supposedly a tool to let me plan my career path for the next year. Ummmm. Well. I don't know what I want to do for the next year. And I won't know till it comes up. What sort of planning can I do for that? I don't like to plan my career path - I might not be in the same job next year. I do have a couple of new tasks out of it though I suppose. No more time to be bored!

Thursday I'm on the bus, reading. We come to a halt. I'm leaning toward the window to see what's ahead. Roadworks? There is a lot of buses in a line! Turns out we've all just arrived at the traffic lights at the same time. How terribly boring! I was hoping for a bus breakdown. I love the big tow trucks they use to haul them off.

Thursday night is shopping night. We buy meat from the butcher, who has an open store front in the centre. Lovely people and good produce. We make our choices and MOTH goes to the counter. I'm standing at the store front, not in the actual store. The butcher greets MOTH with a cheery How are you. MOTH replies, Can't complain, she'll hear me. They laugh and the butcher raises his voice a little. Can you just leave for a moment? MOTH and the other butchers in earshot laugh and I call from the front I HEARD THAT! It sets them all off again. Very friendly staff there.

It's Friday and I'm on the bus settling in for the ride. Suddenly the driver slams on the brakes and I nearly do a face plant into the seat in front. AND nearly dropped the iPad. Close! Stupid skirt stuck to the seat but I didn't stick to the skirt!

It's Saturday and I've nothing exciting planned. I sleep in a little longer than usual and then I'm up to clean up after Jerome and grab some breakfast. The Teen and I had planned to make churros today. I have a recipe and I'm curious to see how it goes. It looks simple enough. But she's still asleep.

She doesn't wake till late then some friends call her to invite her out that night. A friend of hers has landed a job and he wants to celebrate. She's gone that afternoon and says she won't be home for dinner. She doesn't like what I have planned. Thai red curry chicken with rice.

Sometime around midnight a voice calls at the bedroom window. Mu-um, oi, can you unlock the door? I thought you had your keys? So did I but I don't. MOTH got up and let them in. She tells me the next day that they went back to the party and didn't get home again till 4am.

Sunday I'm wondering what to have for dinner. And it suddenly dawns on me that I have found a recipe yesterday for creamy garlic prawns. Now I have the opportunity to try it! The Teen likes prawns too. I wake her to ask if she wants some. Yep she says and goes back to sleep. I go and buy prawns. They are expensive, but they are garlic flavoured and have been completely shelled. I can live with that.

I wait for her to wake. I still want to cook the churros. She's still sleeping. I decide to start anyway. I've never cooked them before and I'm not sure how they should turn out. Uh oh. The recipe looks straight forward BUT! Do I take the boiled liquid off the heat before I add the flour? Do I add the flour all at once? Do I wait for the liquid to cool? I don't do any of these things and it turns out a little sticky. Did I say a little? I'm not sure if I should abandon the job. I decide to keep going anyway. I have to squeeze the mix through a piping bag and cut off the 'sausages'.

They were a little doughy but tasted fine. After I finish, I wake the Teen. Get up. We have churros! Yay she says and it's the fastest she's moved for a while.

Sunday night and I can't wait to start cooking. Garlic prawns is one of my favourite dishes. MOTH hates prawns so I have to find him something else. I've promised him mushrooms with bacon and onion. Bugger! The Teen also likes mushrooms and she's only left him a couple of small ones. I have to bulk it with bacon and onion!

I have both dishes going at the same time, with the rice cooking in the microwave. It's all going really well. I'm even standing at the stove stirring a pot with each hand. MOTH likes his mushrooms although he points out that the sauce is much creamier than he was expecting. He usually ends up with a lot of liquid in his concoctions. He says it was perfect. Alright, so I probably put him on the spot but I have to ask!

The garlic prawns are DIVINE! I MUST NOT LOSE THIS RECIPE!

Maybe I can do it again just for me. *drool*

Rain? When did that happen?

2010-09-20T10:21:00.003+10:00

It's raining today as I make my way to the bus. And water seems to be dripping into my shoe. What's that all about then? From my umbrella too. Sometimes things just seem to be out to get you.

Jerome is turning out to be a cute handful. *pronounced jeremy* Yes, he's a VERY good jumper and loves the kitchen bench. I've now learned that I can no longer be a slacker and I have to make sure that I either wash the dishes or stack the dishwasher straight away. I can't leave them unattended anymore or that cute little bundle will be up there and sampling the leftovers.

He seems to have settled in well in typical cat fashion and has begun slowly taking over the house. Being a kitten he still gets the 'rips' late in the evening, tearing around the house and often running into the wall near the windows. Last night he tried to fold himself in half in otter like fashion while trying to play with a very small toy. Entertaining.

It was brought to my attention last week that I had been rather remiss and failed to mention the Car. Yes. With a capital. The one that Zman bought. I love it! Brilliant! It's a pleasure to slide into every morning. It's black. With red racing stripes. The interior is colour coordinated leather, black and red. Sport seats. And smoooooth. Zman plants his foot and the car answers straight away. None of this hang on a tic I'll get there business!

Thursday MOTH informs me that Jerome can open the french doors. I don't know why this surprises me - cats can do those things. We decide to leave the doors open at night now.

Thursday is also a regular bus home night. Zman attends french class *ooo oui madame!* A lady catches my eye as she gets on. Wha? What's going on there? Let's start at her feet. Her little canvas mary janes are purple with white trim. Her over the knee socks are striped - purple, pink, white and possibly the odd black one. She has a long knitted cardigan. Quite a dainty looking thing. It's lilac. I can't see what she has underneath, it's hidden by the cardigan. Wrapped around her shoulders is ..... a purple shawl. At first I think she is hedging her bets by wearing two, but no. It's only one and it is two shades of .... purple. It has purple pom poms. Her hair is tied back with a curly pink and white tie. Nothing like a dash of colour coordination, is there.

Friday morning, I have a doctor appointment and I've let MOTH off lightly. I will take the bus to work and he can go home. I leave him in the shopping centre car park and when I return the car is gone. Well, alright, I've been gone for a while and the phone has been turned off. No message. He must have gone then. Oooh! Look! My bus is there waiting. I dive on. Then text. Turns out he'd nipped down to the service station for fuel while he was waiting. Ah well.

I'm on the bus and almost at the stop. I decided to go all the way into the city instead of doing a change at an earlier stop. For some reason, I don't like the change because the buses at the change stop on the side of campus WHERE THERE IS A HILL. The others don't. So, all the way in. We head down the tunnel *the stop is underground* and suddenly come to a halt. The bus in front is also just sitting there. A couple of minutes go by and I'm wondering what the holdup is. I can't see! Oh. Turns out it could possibly just be the fact that the bus in front was at the very end of the platform and we couldn't go past.... anticlimatic!

But it's Friday afternoon! I'm ready to leave. Zman has been off sick today so I'm catching the bus. A beeping sounds. A light flashes. Wait! What? It's 4pm and the fire alarm has gone off. I tell the fire warden - Admin2 - that if we get the evacuate alarm, I'm gone for the day. Sure enough off it goes and so do I. Whoo!

The Teen is out Friday night. All is quiet. Till Jerome thinks it's dinner time. We've taken to feeding him the same time we eat.

Saturday morning late I get a text. Mu-um! Can you come pick me up? Can't you get the train? No, the electronic ticket *go card* has no balance. You have no cash? No, nothing. MOTH is reluctant, but I like the idea of a drive to somewhere new. We plug in the navigator and off we go. MOTH blows raspberries in her general direction while she tries to send us through the city. I have no idea why she is trying to do that; it is northside, but you don't need to go through the city to get there.

Wait, is she confused? Is she not calibrated properly? MOTH has a general idea we need to get to the north-west. She's sending us city direction. Still. We're headed for Enoggera. We eventually get there. And then Karen becomes useful. Wonderful. We pick up the Teen and head back. We've disconnected Karen. Whoops! Missed the turn. We go around the block and head back. We know which corner we're looking for. Teen pipes up from the back. Can't we just go up Windsor Street? Whoa! It's the street we want and we've nearly gone past it again. Look at that. It's Windsor Street. Smart little cookie.

The rest of Saturday Teen and I spend watching a Harry Potter marathon.

It's finished Sunday. Then what? I play WoW for a little while. Teen sleeps on the couch. MOTH facebooks at the other end of the house.

Last night, after a little research while watching a Bones rerun, I download a chat program for the iPad. I know it's not going to be much use outside the house or off campus *i don't have 3G*, but at least I can sit on the couch and watch telly while I chat to MOTH at the other end of the house, right?

Right.

Sometimes I wonder....

2010-09-13T11:20:00.005+10:00

... how I keep from goin' under. No, not really. It was a lead in to something else.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only person in existence who tries to keep in mind when I'm standing on the bus platform that other people are trying to see around me. I try and stand against the wall, or if I need to shift, that I'm not blocking someone else's view. Too much.

I nearly missed my bus home on Tuesday. Everyone was milling around like Brown's Cows. Don't ask me about the cows. Cause I just don't know. *my parents might, being country people and all* I couldn't see a darned thing. Even standing up. My bus was due in shortly but hadn't yet appeared on the arrivals/due board. Then the crowd parted and there was my bus, right at the end of the platform. Stupid inconsiderate people....

On Wednesday, I found a seat on the morning bus that I did't have to share! Yes! A rare occurrence. We got through the 'burb and down on the onramp on the motorway. The bus pulls over. The driver is out and looking at something. He's back on the bus and telling everyone that we seem to have picked up a bolt of some sort and he has to decide if he can continue or have us swap. Off we go again and we end up detouring to the nearby bus depot. He's out again, and busy conferring with someone. A third bloke turns up and discussion continues. He's back on the bus telling us he'll get the bus behind to take us on. Some get off the bus. They're shepherded back on to wait. The second bus pulls up. It's 3/4 full. They sandwich us in as much as possible, but 5 people miss out. We pull out and I'm like, darn! I should have volunteered to swap out. Would have added to the adventure. Ah well.

Made it to work, but late.

Thursday we're tootling along on the bus and I see a huge yellow duck at the ferry terminal. Some promotional thing. Sure wouldn't like to be that bloke. But I don't have enough time to find out what they are promoting.

I have finally sent in an application for a position outside the Uni. Today I have an interview with the recruiting agency. I'm not sure what to expect. Turns out to be just the recruiting agency interview to get me on the books, and to discuss the job I applied for. She'll send my application in anyway, but thinks there are other applicants with a lot more industry experience. If I get an interview, then it would be Friday, again on Monday and the offer made to the successful candidate on Tuesday. This is way to soon for me, and thankfully I don't make it to interview. The job would have been great, but I'm holding off the search until the new year.

Saturday morning, around 1am we leave to travel to the Teen's location to visit my folks and collect her. We intend to arrive early so we can spend as much time as possible on this rush visit with my family. MOTH doesn't worry too much about visiting his. Both parents are deceased and he has no interest in his siblings that live in that area. We arrive around 8am and I don't feel tired. It's great to see them and the kids are happy to see us. *well, they seem to be anyway*

We're introduced to the new puppies. Little tearaways they are!
The younger kid latches on and has to show me every new thing he has since I visited them last. This keeps me busy for some time.

Sibling Mouse arrives just after lunch. Haven't had a chance to catch up with her for a while and it's good to see her again. For some reason, Facebook and MSN just aren't the same as hugging.

I'm dreadfully tired but there is no rest for the wicked in that place.

It's off to bed fairly early as we are expecting to leave mum's at about 8.30am to meet Elder for coffee.

We are ready to leave on Sunday morning and suddenly I can't find my sunglasses. Oh no! I can't function without those. I can scrunch up my eyes but it's just not the same. After a chase all over the house we eventually find them. They've fallen back into my backpack with my clothing. Silly glasses. It delays us of course, and it turns out Elder has arrived before us and saved us a seat.

We chat and share food. It's a lovely day although the sun has a lot of bite, it's cool in the shade. We drop her back off and spend a bit of time looking for the boots that the Teen was chasing. No luck. This of course makes us late to collect the Teen.

We arrive at the Teen's current abode ready to collect her. She's packed up but there is a fair bit of stuff. We load it into the boot and at the same time, I check with her about the boots. Nope, we've been looking for the wrong ones. The Elder knows where the ones she's looking for are. We've arranged to swing by and pick them up on the way.

Last thing to collect is Jerome. The Teen's cat. We've not met before and he turns out to be a soft black kitten with no tail. We put him in the carrier and he starts to cry.

He cries for a couple of hours. Eventually when we pull over for a break, we decide to see if he'd like it better if the carrier door is open. He has a harness so Teen can keep him under control. He's quiet for the rest of the trip.

We get home at 7pm. It's going to be tough to remember to keep the doors closed and not leave things on the kitchen bench!

Little black ball of cuteness anyone?

Waiting till Wednesday

2010-09-06T10:32:00.002+10:00

My car pooling buddy has a new car, but I won't get to see it till then. w00t!

The week has been a little topsy turvy. The Elder and Subs have still been visiting. I arrived home from work Monday to find that they had been summonsed to return to their place of origin. Apparently Sub's mother insisted that his brother had some work for him and they *him* were to return immediately. Of course this wasn't financially feasible since neither of them would be paid till the following Thursday/Friday. She was eventually convinced that they would be returning on Sunday.

This threw Elder off centre - she wasn't ready to go back.

On Wednesday while travelling on the bus I noticed that the smog seemed really thick. A little thicker than usual. Then I noticed it was white, not the usual dirty brown. Maybe it was smoke or something rather than smog? Or maybe it was still smog, just a bit cleaner than usual? It lasted a couple of days and I could even see it on campus. I didn't hear of any fires in the area. But that's not unusual since I've not been doing the old lady thing and following the news headlines this last week or so.

I was crossing the road in the city, heading for my swapover bus. *i take 2 buses every day each way. just lately the second bus in the morning has been late, or simply not turning up at all and meaning i have to wait for another 15 mins or so for the next one* A good looking young man crossed the other way. He didn't really look comfortable in his suit. Cute! thinks I and then I notice his tie is a little too wide for his collar and there is a large thread poking out of the collar as well. It was all so *squeeeee* and a really hard job not to straighten it all for him!

The Elder was still upset by the summons home and still not ready to return. She's not a cuddly child and you don't get into her space when the darkness circles. Subs STILL has't worked this out and got grumpy when she kept pushing him away. He stormed off. So, the first time since they arrived that I get alone time with my daughter, and I have to spend it keeping the dog at bay. I just managed to get her lifted when she got a piece of bad news *she and subs now have to pay rent. the equivalent of a 3 bedroom house, and they live in a 1 room shed on the back of sub's parents house in town. his sister lives in the house* and I have to start all over again. The sooner she is shot of that lot the better I say.

Friday MOTH had his appointment with the surgeon to discuss an operation he had been referred for. The hospital which had been given his case was not one of the usual suspects and we hadn't heard of it before. We plugged in Karen, hoping she could guide us. Nope. Apparently the map is quite out of date because the hospital didn't even exist. I did manage to find it on Google maps on my phone, although it probably cost a fortune in downloads. I read and reread MOTH's appointment letter looking for a street address. Eventually I found one, but it wasn't obvious it was the actual hospital address. It just looked like a head office address. *rolls eyes* Totally helpful! We keyed the street name into Karen and bingo! Found the street at least. We'd just have to play it by ear from there.

We were a little worried that it would cost a fortune for parking, but when we got there, not a parking metre in sight. Brilliant. Not a free parking space either for that matter. We drove around a bit and eventually came upon a spot in the front row where someone was pulling out. Whoo!

The consulting rooms were in a new building just off the main entrance. It wasn't a long wait and we were shown through. The consulting surgeon went through some things with MOTH and discussed options and the risks associated with the surgery. MOTH's name is now on the waiting list for surgery and it is expected it could take around three months to be done. Not a worry, the surgery isn't major and will only be a day visit. Provided there are no unexpected complications.

Saturday I managed to drag Elder out of the house. We had determined that we would cook some of the mini quiche treats that she likes so much. We left the house, drove about 5 minutes up the road to the supermarket. We picked up the ingredients and some extras *violet crumbles! peppermint chocolate! toblerone!* and took the car over to fill it. We had been there a few minutes waiting in line when Elder got a text. What are you doing? How long will you be? Are you coming straight home? *sheesh already!* We got back and he insisted she take him to the bike park. No, she said. I don't want to take the car out again cause I don't want to use the fuel. If you need to go, ask Dad. Fine, I won't go then. I asked MOTH to take him - I wanted to spend some girl time! MOTH was wonderful.

We ... well, I ... made the first batch of treats, got things set up to watch a movie. Clutch Powers! The Lego movie. About ten minutes in, he came home. And promptly put himself as close as possible to Elder and didn't move.

So that pretty much sums up the total amount of time I got to spend with my eldest daughter for the whole time they were there. *sigh*

Sunday they left at three am and we were up to see them off. Father's Day and MOTH slept in until after eight am. I stripped and started to remake the bed in the guest room, but noticed that the cotton blanket really needed a wash. I put it on to soak. MOTH and I went out to the shops and picked up custard and golden syrup. Can't have lemon sago without custard says I. And MOTH agrees. I phoned my father to wish him happy Father's Day. My dad is a little unusual. Not for him the awkward silence and then I'll put your mother on. He chats. Although nowhere near as long as my mother. She answered the phone, we chatted for a while. She put dad on, we chattered for a while. Then she took the phone back and we chattered for another time. Time to hang up so I can start dinner.

Fried rice for dinner and sago for dessert. Gosh, I'm soooo full. So full in fact that I can't stay awake much beyond nine pm. No Bones tonight, I've let MOTH have my telly to watch CSI.

And I'm still trying to see if I can convince Elder that she should probably relocate back to here. Solo.

Ta Dah! The Bed.

2010-09-03T10:58:00.003+10:00

After canvassing outside opinion, the vote seems to be a valance. :)

So here is the bed. As it is, in all it's glory. I'm thinking of two more pillows and a valance.

The question is ... what sort of valance would suit best?

Opinions anyone?

Back on the buses

2010-08-30T09:30:00.003+10:00

Yep. Riding the buses again this week while Zman is away on business. And it started well this morning. The traffic on the road I had to cross all appeared at once. I KNEW I'd miss the bus. Well, I nearly did. I almost got there - I will NOT run for a bus/train/whatever. And the driver started to pull away. I stuck out my hand and he opened the door, I got on, swiped the card, it didn't read so I swiped it again and he took off as I did that. Inertia is a b*tch! I didn't fall but it's not fun trying to get up the aisle when the bus is moving....

Monday dawned this week all dull and grey. Well, that's the way I saw it in, headache and all. I stayed home from work. The fact that Elder was expected to arrive had nothing to do with it. Nothing I tell you. They arrived near lunch time as well as I can remember. The Elder, Subs and Freddy. During the course of the day, I ask How long are they staying? Anywhere from two weeks to a month. I console myself with a Frangelico and lemonade. *floats*

Tuesday is back to work. I discover there was a fire in one of the data centres on Sunday. Wow. Most services are down as everyone works frantically to bring them back up. There seems to be a lot of people disappointed with the fact that it didn't take the whole building.

It's Thursday and services are still out. I haven't been doing much of anything because there just hasn't been access to most of what I need. I do have email and there is internet. I've been reduced to trying to clean up my other (redundant) email box. Entertaining that.

Friday rolls around and finally our printing is back online. The unit Director is showing his appreciation of all the hard work staff have shown by putting on some nibblies and free wine/beer/softdrink. I pop upstairs briefly to show my support.

Then head across to the Staff Club to catch up with one of the blokes who has left work. We sit and chat for a while; Zman and a couple of the others as well. They are tasting a new beer, Stone and something. It's pale and golden and doesn't taste too bad. For beer.

Saturday the bed arrives! Whoo! But wait. I'm not sure that this is the bed we ordered.... Fair enough, I'm used to a bed with a frame and now we're moving to an ensemble. I'm certain the one in the shop, although a little higher than the frame I was used to, didn't make me feel like I needed a stepladder to get into it?

I measure the height. It's 700mm (approx 27.5 inches) from the floor to the top of the mattress. No wonder I can make this bed without bending. No wonder I cannot sit on the side of the bed and touch the floor. The floor to my hip joint is only 750mm! *yes, i know. shorty*

I usually don't care what sort of pattern/colour the linens are, as long as I can make the bed look comfy. I don't think I can do it with this one. I have a queen size bed that I'm covering with a king sized doona. It barely covers the mattress - if I didn't tuck the sheets in, they'd hang way below the bottom of the doona. So wholly exposed beneath the doona overhang sits ... the base. Luckily, it's not padded cream but a grey fabric finish. I thought about investing in one of those 80s bed accessories - a valance. But that would just look silly.

Ideas anyone??

it raining! Again

2010-08-23T10:32:00.003+10:00

It raining again. The weekend weather was wonderful. And now it's raining again.

Not a hugely eventful week. Just the usual stuff I guess. And this week, I've not prepared a single dessert before work! *gasp*

Zman has been getting caught in traffic in the mornings so we've been getting work a bit later. Tuesday we missed the fire drill. He was not impressed. We arrived at the door just as everyone was coming back to the building. Dangit.

MOTH and I decided to dine out on Wednesday night. just because. And they had a buy one main meal get the second for half price deal going. Well, alright, it was an anniversary dinner about two weeks late. We settled in and ordered. The menu is rather extensive and we didn't know what we wanted! Except perhaps the cheesy fries. They haven't changed and were as delicious as I remember. MOTH ordered fillet mignon with baked sweet potato. I ordered fajitas. I didn't realise that usually means you make your own - so I've been told! So much food came out that I looked at it and lost my appetite. There was no way I could get through all of that. Four tortillas, little bowls of filling and heaps of meat. I managed to down two and the waitress who came later asked if we wanted a take away container. I said no, and she shook her head. There was an awful lot left she said! Well, there was.

MOTH's came with a little side salad with blue cheese dressing. I thought the colours were cute and had to take a photo of it.

Wednesday I took a trip to the dentist. What an expensive exercise that is! An exam and one filling set me back $230. Ouch!

Thursday and Friday were quiet. I was hoping to get home at a decent hour on Friday but it wasn't to be. I had to wait for Zman to finish something he was working on and that didn't happen until after 6pm.

Saturday MOTH discovered that he had finally received a small amount of money from his mother's inheritance. He gave it some thought about what he wanted to do with it. I didn't feel well and didn't really want to get out of bed on Saturday but it was a case of have to, alas. It was election day, and for those who are overseas, voting here is not an option. They say it's a right but if you don't vote you get fined. So go figure. At the booth, I spotted a young man wearing a grey t-shirt captioned "Let's just pretend I give a shit and leave it at that". I loved it and thought it pretty much summed up the day.

Sunday MOTH had decided what to do with his money. Let's go shopping! We bought a new bed. Our current one has seen it's best days. On thinking about it, the frame is something like 8 years old, a timber frame which sounds like it's going to collapse every time you roll over. That mattress. Ah yes, the mattress. We calculate it was bought before Teen was born. She's now 18. I think we deserve a new bed, yes? It will go nicely with the new sheets we bought last week. One set of sheets doesn't seem to last as long as it should! I mean, they shouldn't wear thin, should they?

Shame we have to wait till next week to take delivery.... MOTH can hardly wait.

Reposted from Butterfly Garden. Without permission, of course.

2010-08-19T10:13:00.001+10:00

Serves 10

Base:

250g choclate biscuits
125g butter
Filling:

125ml (1/2 cup) boiling water
1 tablespoon gelatin
180g (6oz) sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
250g (8oz) cream cheese
300ml (1 1/2 cups) cream
180ml (3/4 cup) Frangelico
1 x 30g (1oz) flakey choclate bar
To make base:

Crush biscuits into very fine pieces. Melt butter and add to crushed biscuits, mix well and press into a springform cheesecake tin, packing mixture tightly to form a crust. Refrigerate to set.

To make filling:

Sprinkle the gelatin over the boiling water, stir until dissolved and leave to cool.

Place sugar and lemon juice in a blender and mix lightly. Add room temperature cream cheese and continue to blend. Add cooled gelatin mix, cream and Frangelico and blend until smooth and mixed well.

Crumble half the choclate bar into mixture and stir through lightly, pour over base. Crumble remaining choclate bar evenly over top of cheesecake. Refrigerate to set.

The week that was

2010-08-15T20:28:00.006+10:00

A short week this week. Not short enough. Are work weeks EVER short enough? I don't think so.

Monday and Tuesday were quiet. Even work was a little slow. Tuesday night I discovered that ABC2 was screening my favourite western series, Deadwood. MOTH watched it with me. Geez it's rough, he says. Well, I like the way they don't pull the punches. the streets are muddy, full of horse and pig poo and rubbish; the lower classes look unwashed and most everyone has bad teeth. Realism I say.

I spent my time waiting for the public holiday to arrive on Wednesday. Slowly it rolled around, EKKA show holiday. Whoo!

Just lately we've been spending a lot of time at home, not going out. Today I thought, No! I'm getting out of the house. I talked MOTH into going over to Chermside shopping centre. I love that one. I love the drive over there. There is nothing special in the shops, but it's somewhere different. We spent the morning over there. The rest of the day was spent relaxing.

Thursday was back to work. C and I had a meeting with the conference organizers. I had expected The Manager to attend as well; C mentioned at the meeting that he wasn't coming, having told her that he would let her feel like she was in charge. *thank you for commiserations! this bloke has been with the company longer than i have, so no recent import. i think he's just inconsiderate and probably not used to a mere admin disagreeing with him. lol. dancing with the stars is on; it's a waltz. i'm typing in rhythm!*

Friday morning I made dessert to go with the sausages for dinner. Nothing fancy, but condensed milk tart is MOTH's second favorite. *sorry sparkling! I don't get picked up for work till after 8am and I get out of bed at 6.30am. plenty of time to make a simple dessert!*

It felt like I did a whole day's work before I even left home. I did some washing, transferred money around my accounts, paid some bills.

I love Friday evenings after work but not when Zman decides to finish work late. Today he sent a text around 7.30am to say he was sick and couldn't pick me up. I didn't think I would make the last morning bus. It turned out I would have, but MOTH offered to drive me.

Friday 13 rocked well and truly. We thought we'd stop for Maccas for breakfast. I'd been tonguing for hash browns *yum* for ages. Get them and find a seat. I'm trying to manage my handbag and put the food bag on the table. Get the food bag on the table and go to shift my handbag. Plop! Food bag and food on the floor. Sigh. Luckily they're still in the bag. We eat the food and I've got crumbs on myself and the table. I sweep them off ... right into my open handbag.

MOTH dropped me off at work, but down the other end of campus. Away from my office because they have the road there closed off. The wind is blowing a gale and it occurs to me, did I even brush my hair before I left home this morning? I guess in this weather no one is going to notice anyway. *sigh*

That afternoon, I left at around 4pm to catch the bus. I thought I would take the usual way into the city and then from there so I could relax a little. BAD decision! A half hour bus ride turned into an hour. Eventually I took out my book and started to read. I missed my usual ride home and had to take the long(er) bus home. I made it home around 7pm...

Waking The Dead was interesting, as usual and a great way to relax.

Saturday MOTH showed me the garden fork I had been bleating about. You know, the whole This would be so much easier if I had a fork.... so now we have one. I had to use it. I spent some time digging out some of the weeds that are trying to choke out the plants that I really want in the garden.

He thought he would do the rear brake pads of the car. It's a quick job he said, then it's over and done with. Several hours later, we determined that we couldn't get the piston back in and it would have to be reassembled with the old parts and wait for the mechanic. Brilliant way to waste 6 hours. Not!

Sunday I slept a little later. Yes, till about 7am. I swept the kitchen floor. Stripped and remade the bed. Scrubbed the toilet. Played WoW for a bit. *yes, i've reestablished my account, yay!* Cooked lunch. Made a cheesecake. I thought I'd have a go at the Frangelico cheesecake recipe that Butterfly provided earlier.

Dinner was roast lamb leg, done as part of a new recipe. It's coated with a mix of plain yoghurt, brown sugar, cumin, ground cloves and instant coffee. The whole thing is actually a totally new taste sensation. I didn't use as much of the mix as the recipe recommended. MOTH couldn't taste much, but I thought there was a very subtle taste sensation - the tang of the yoghurt, the sweetness of the sugar and a very faint coffee taste. I liked it, but I think MOTH wasn't necessarily impressed. I probably won't use it again.

I cracked the cheesecake for dessert. Results? It's set, but only just. The Frangelico taste was very strong. Next time I make it, less alcohol and more gelatin. Yes, that should work.

PS: I ate some of the cheesecake for breakfast today. No alcohol burn, so maybe the trick is to leave it overnight. Definitely needs more of the gelatin though. *drools thinking of the next time*