Photos....

The resumption of normal

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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....

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

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.

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....

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...

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!

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!

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

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?

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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...

By request from Froggy...

Forgetful. Truly forgetful.

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.....

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

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?