It is too. I've got the music turned down and no one else is around. Bliss.
Again, it's been a slow old week.
Jerome has been getting me up early again. I don't know what's with that cat. I've made sure he has food out so he can get his own breakfast, but noooo, he has to wake us up to tell us he can't be bothered shaking the kibble out of the dispenser into the tray.
I shake some out and climb back into bed. About fifteen minutes later he's back again. I get up and head down to the kitchen to feed them all. The others have no choice but to wait - they are shut at the other end of the house. I'm not game enough to ignore Jerome entirely - for all I know he might be telling me he needs to use the tray...
So I'm up early and in a spur of the moment decision I decide to ride the bus to work. It's been ages since I've done that, and sad to say, I've missed it. The trip in is fine and I debate whether I have time to top up my go card between buses. I need to do it, but if I miss the timings I have a long twenty minute wait till the next one. Whoo! Nice and quick and I'm at the next stop in time for the desired changeover.
On the way home that day, I've decided to catch the bus to the station. Some of the turns on the route are very tight and tricky. On one particular stretch the road is only wide enough for cars parked on either side and the bus through the middle. Someone seems to have just parked and has the car door open. The bus stops and I think this is what he's waiting for. It begins to creep around the corner and I can see out the window. There is a flock of galahs on the road and the footpath. They straggle onto the path as the bus comes round and he picks up speed as he heads down the street. Guess it was the birds after all. Which is good. I've seen that movie. Gotta keep on the good side of the birds.
At a different corner, a T junction, a woman on the terminating road wants to turn across traffic. The bus also does, down the terminating street. He has to take it veeeerrryyyy slowly as the woman is right on the midline and right at the stop line. She ends up reversing and we get past.
I'm tired but the Elder wants to see a friend's band play at a local festival, the Jacaranda Festival. She asks if I want to go. I'll go with you tomorrow I tell her. They are playing their sets both nights. Okay she says. Burrich begs off later saying he feels unwell. She's a little despondent so I tell her I'll go with her tonight.
She isn't quite sure where to go but we guess and as we turn under the bridge we see that she's right. We're facing the grounds. I can see the rides and a small side show alley. Whoo! There is supposed to be fireworks tonight too. There is still daylight and as we wander we spot the baby animal farms. Squeee! We spend some time looking at them and suddenly we spot a couple of piglets. Tiny ones! We want to get a photo but the kid sitting with them on her lap doesn't seem inclined to let them go or to let anyone else pet them either. Eventually she lets them go and they run about the enclosure. They are so little! The woman picks one of them up so Elder can snap a pic. We move off to wait for the fireworks and watch feral children misbehaving.
The fireworks have barely started but we are near the marquee so see Goodnight Midnight setting up. We go and take seats. It's a relatively short set but I enjoy it. Elder stops to chat to band members afterward and we promise to be there the next night.
I decide that I need to get supermarket stuff. Some extra meat for the week, and stock up on lollies for Halloween. Hopefully for the little buggers who won't come trick or treating. Yeah! I don't do Halloween myself, and it's been some time since there have been kids in the neighbourhood. But you never know and I like to keep some on hand for that "just in case" moment. I'm always happy when none come because then I get to eat the leftovers.
I go with MOTH and we sit with John. Wombat joins us after a while. He's really annoying me today. He's cheerful, relatively speaking, but still annoying. An older lady who knows the group stops by to say hello. She's lovely. I spot another husband and wife pairing I've seen there before. He is vision impaired and has on occasion sat with us. She brings him over and I hear her tell him as she sits him in the corner, that she will leave him there to be babysat while she did her errands. I lean over to MOTH. See? I told you it was the Babysitter's Club. He laughs.
It's raining this afternoon. In fact, it begins to storm. Uh oh. Eventually it seems the second gig is rained out. Glad I went when I had the chance then.
Sunday is a lazy day. I'm not doing much and am so very, very sleepy. I've been that way a lot really. I sit on the bed. The covers look inviting. I crawl under an next thing I know, MOTH is waking me as he's ready to go up the street. The rest of the day progresses rather slowly. I don't know what I want to do and I'm too tired to make much of an effort. The Elder washes her car. Burrich helps MOTH in the yard. I read a bit and nap. Jerome joins me. Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I get a second wind when I prep dinner. It's a dish I've done several times and always goes down well. Sure enough, at the end of the dish when the bowls are empty, I'm asked if there is any more. Nope, sorry, not this time kids! Maybe next time I'll have to use something like TEN chicken thighs instead of eight. Sigh.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Glow in the dark
It's been a slow old week this week. For me, anyway.
Queensland Police have been asking people to be more vigilant on the roads. The road toll so far this year is somewhere in the vicinity of 20 more than this time last year. That's a sad and sorry state of affairs and I can only shake my head as I watch some drivers and wonder if there really is any way to get the message through.
There's a crossing of sorts across two lanes of traffic to the median strip, then across another two lanes to the other side of a very busy stretch of road. It's controlled by lights which bring traffic to a stop when a pedestrian wants to cross. The light is red and I wait patiently in the inside lane for it to change.
The lights change and the vehicle stopped in SECOND spot in the outside lane pulls out and passes the FIRST vehicle on the outside. In the blink of an eye he is down the road, through the major intersection and through the traffic lights at the crest of the hill and gone from view. I'm beginning to think it's not speed that kills, but plain simple stupidity. I wonder if they can gear an awareness campaign that way? I think the New Zealanders may have worked out a way....
I'm sitting at my work desk, dressed ultra casual. Just because I like to to that occasionally. I don't have face to face public contact so corporate attire is not required. A colleague comes in through the front door. A chirpy good morning! as she walks past. And suddenly she is walking backward to stand at the front of my desk. She's staring hard at me. Or more specifically, my boobs. Her expression is puzzled and I can't figure out what the problem is. I'm just trying to figure out what that is, she says. What is? I look down and realise *finally. not slow me* that she's trying to read my shirt. My hair is over the beginning of the word. I shift it. Realisation dawns. Ahhh, she says. I was wondering if that said DYKE! I was about to say Yeah, you go girl! I laugh. It says Spyke...
Elder has asked me to paint her nails. I start to pain the base coat but somehow I manage to knock the bottle over. On my dining table! Luckily, it's clear, on the stone tile not the timber and I'm able to wipe most of it up. Great start! I paint on one coat of the colour. She's decided to give it a little time to dry before we paint the next. *which reminds me, i haven't painted the next yet* While I wait, I paint a couple of coats of one she has which is supposed to glow in the dark. Huh. I've never seen it do that. But hey, it's a girly thing, right?
The weekend is hot. Waaaay too hot. Temperatures are in the middle 30's already and summer hasn't arrived. I don't want to use the airconditioning because then what will I do when it really does get hot? And humid. I've popped the one in the kitchen on using the dehumidifier setting. It's not working very well. I remind MOTH that he will have to put in a call to the realtor to have them serviced.
Elder and Burrich have done a late afternoon run up to the supermarket. MOTH is in his room and suddenly calls out. Dammit, I've just gotten comfy again after the last interruption. Yeah, whaddyawant? He comes down to the rumpus room. He's excited. WE'VE GOT OUR OWN WATER DRAGON! Oh? Yeah, it was outside. He points toward the front door. The kids came home, it ran out of the garden, along the window sill outside his study, past the front door and around the corner. The kids are chattering about it as they come in.
I decide to go out for a quick look, but I doubt it's there. Elder calls out to me on her way past "Mind the orb weavers!". Dang. Sure enough, there is a huge web and in the centre sits a big spider. I can go no further. It doesn't give me the heeby jeebys though, possibly because she is firmly ensconced in the centre of the tangle and not invading my personal space. The threads are anchored on the downpipe; a gorgeous golden colour in the sunlight.
At Elder's encouragement, I give the threads a good tug. They twang back into place and do not break. The spider remains where she is. I do this several times and still they hold. Wonderfully strong stuff that silk.
MOTH and I lie talking in the dark. He stops and asks ... are you wearing glow in the dark nail polish? I look. And hey! My nails are glowing! Huh. Well, it really does work! Looks kinda eerie.
Shame I missed seeing the dragon though. Always good to catch up with my kin. *grins*
Queensland Police have been asking people to be more vigilant on the roads. The road toll so far this year is somewhere in the vicinity of 20 more than this time last year. That's a sad and sorry state of affairs and I can only shake my head as I watch some drivers and wonder if there really is any way to get the message through.
There's a crossing of sorts across two lanes of traffic to the median strip, then across another two lanes to the other side of a very busy stretch of road. It's controlled by lights which bring traffic to a stop when a pedestrian wants to cross. The light is red and I wait patiently in the inside lane for it to change.
The lights change and the vehicle stopped in SECOND spot in the outside lane pulls out and passes the FIRST vehicle on the outside. In the blink of an eye he is down the road, through the major intersection and through the traffic lights at the crest of the hill and gone from view. I'm beginning to think it's not speed that kills, but plain simple stupidity. I wonder if they can gear an awareness campaign that way? I think the New Zealanders may have worked out a way....
I'm sitting at my work desk, dressed ultra casual. Just because I like to to that occasionally. I don't have face to face public contact so corporate attire is not required. A colleague comes in through the front door. A chirpy good morning! as she walks past. And suddenly she is walking backward to stand at the front of my desk. She's staring hard at me. Or more specifically, my boobs. Her expression is puzzled and I can't figure out what the problem is. I'm just trying to figure out what that is, she says. What is? I look down and realise *finally. not slow me* that she's trying to read my shirt. My hair is over the beginning of the word. I shift it. Realisation dawns. Ahhh, she says. I was wondering if that said DYKE! I was about to say Yeah, you go girl! I laugh. It says Spyke...
Elder has asked me to paint her nails. I start to pain the base coat but somehow I manage to knock the bottle over. On my dining table! Luckily, it's clear, on the stone tile not the timber and I'm able to wipe most of it up. Great start! I paint on one coat of the colour. She's decided to give it a little time to dry before we paint the next. *which reminds me, i haven't painted the next yet* While I wait, I paint a couple of coats of one she has which is supposed to glow in the dark. Huh. I've never seen it do that. But hey, it's a girly thing, right?
The weekend is hot. Waaaay too hot. Temperatures are in the middle 30's already and summer hasn't arrived. I don't want to use the airconditioning because then what will I do when it really does get hot? And humid. I've popped the one in the kitchen on using the dehumidifier setting. It's not working very well. I remind MOTH that he will have to put in a call to the realtor to have them serviced.
Elder and Burrich have done a late afternoon run up to the supermarket. MOTH is in his room and suddenly calls out. Dammit, I've just gotten comfy again after the last interruption. Yeah, whaddyawant? He comes down to the rumpus room. He's excited. WE'VE GOT OUR OWN WATER DRAGON! Oh? Yeah, it was outside. He points toward the front door. The kids came home, it ran out of the garden, along the window sill outside his study, past the front door and around the corner. The kids are chattering about it as they come in.
I decide to go out for a quick look, but I doubt it's there. Elder calls out to me on her way past "Mind the orb weavers!". Dang. Sure enough, there is a huge web and in the centre sits a big spider. I can go no further. It doesn't give me the heeby jeebys though, possibly because she is firmly ensconced in the centre of the tangle and not invading my personal space. The threads are anchored on the downpipe; a gorgeous golden colour in the sunlight.
At Elder's encouragement, I give the threads a good tug. They twang back into place and do not break. The spider remains where she is. I do this several times and still they hold. Wonderfully strong stuff that silk.
MOTH and I lie talking in the dark. He stops and asks ... are you wearing glow in the dark nail polish? I look. And hey! My nails are glowing! Huh. Well, it really does work! Looks kinda eerie.
Shame I missed seeing the dragon though. Always good to catch up with my kin. *grins*
Monday, October 15, 2012
Can I have another piece of chocolate cake?
Not much on the agenda this week. Work has been progressing as usual. Home life is still the same.
Sheldon, Penny and Jerome are still sorting out their borders. It gets exciting at times.
A strange cat is in our entertainment area this morning. Jerome has spotted it and begins to yodel his challenge. I take him away from the window, but soon he's back, calling again. The strange cat is still there. Sheldon is very interested, but silent. Penny is hiding and acts like she doesn't know what's going on but that it can't be good. I open the door, the stray retreats. But not too far. I step out, making sure the other cats haven't followed. The stray retreats around the corner and I hear it jump the gate.
I'm back indoors and things have settled a little. But not as much as I thought. Jerome and Sheldon are still on edge. Penny does something wrong and Jerome begins to reprimand her. Even Sheldon looks like he wants a go. I break it up but it still takes a while for things to settle.
Jerome and Penny are still on a tentative truce. Sometimes I wonder if she was taken from her litter mates before she learned the social niceties. She begins to play, then runs away. Of course, Jerome chases and it ends in a fight. He sniffs and she hisses. That can earn her a cuff. She gives him the long stare and he tackles her for that. Sometimes I wonder if they will ever sort themselves out. Sheldon, of course, is back to his old habits of taunting, baiting and trying to rule the roost. I'm not sure that Jerome is going to let him have his way this time.
The house hunting has ceased until they find work. I have gently expressed an opinion that being unemployed and trying to find a house will be less of a hassle than trying to find a house to accommodate two indoor cats and two outdoor dogs. Maybe one dog or one cat, or maybe just the cats. But not all. This upsets Elder immensely as something she doesn't want to deal with. I don't want to begin a spiral cycle so I don't push the issue. We'll burn that bridge when it comes time to cross it.
A friend invites me to participate in a gaming tournament he is holding on the weekend. I love gaming but am totally terrible at it. This gaming is not LAN based but board, cards and die. Some games use cards and die only to follow a game plot, others use miniatures. I decline to play but I would love to come for a look. The Elder and Burrich are going away for the weekend so I have to rely on MOTH to drive. Or do it myself. I guess I could gird my loins so to speak but I don't like walking into those places alone. Neither of us know where it is. I google map it and think I've found it. MOTH has gone out for the morning to join the Baby Sitter's Club. He's not home until nearly lunch time.
So, no one is home this morning. I kick off the kinect on the XBox and have a go at some of the Star Wars games. Whew! It takes some work! I'm getting a bit puffed. Jerome rescues me briefly by sitting in the 'play' area and meowing at me earnestly. I think he wants attention. It's good to take a break and I'm back into it again briefly. By mid afternoon I'm beginning to rediscover muscles I had forgotten I had.
I'm tired and not willing to drive into a heavy traffic area so I decide to leave the visit to the tournament. I tell my friend I've taken headache meds and that I won't be there. Shame it was this weekend! Later that afternoon MOTH apologises for not taking me. Never mind.
Sunday lunch time we head to a friend's place for what she terms a Get Together. They have relatives visiting, it's her partner's birthday and a house warming drinks and nibblies all wrapped up in one.
The company is good and I don't want to leave. The Elder and Burrich have returned from their trip away and meat is out for dinner. If there was no foodage planned I think we would have stayed longer.
Home and cook dinner. And I can't eat it all; I've managed half a burger.
Off to bed early - I'm still exhausted and it's only 8.30pm! Either I'm coming down with something or those three ciders I've had this afternoon have worked *and tasted!* better than warm milk...
Sheldon, Penny and Jerome are still sorting out their borders. It gets exciting at times.
A strange cat is in our entertainment area this morning. Jerome has spotted it and begins to yodel his challenge. I take him away from the window, but soon he's back, calling again. The strange cat is still there. Sheldon is very interested, but silent. Penny is hiding and acts like she doesn't know what's going on but that it can't be good. I open the door, the stray retreats. But not too far. I step out, making sure the other cats haven't followed. The stray retreats around the corner and I hear it jump the gate.
I'm back indoors and things have settled a little. But not as much as I thought. Jerome and Sheldon are still on edge. Penny does something wrong and Jerome begins to reprimand her. Even Sheldon looks like he wants a go. I break it up but it still takes a while for things to settle.
Jerome and Penny are still on a tentative truce. Sometimes I wonder if she was taken from her litter mates before she learned the social niceties. She begins to play, then runs away. Of course, Jerome chases and it ends in a fight. He sniffs and she hisses. That can earn her a cuff. She gives him the long stare and he tackles her for that. Sometimes I wonder if they will ever sort themselves out. Sheldon, of course, is back to his old habits of taunting, baiting and trying to rule the roost. I'm not sure that Jerome is going to let him have his way this time.
The house hunting has ceased until they find work. I have gently expressed an opinion that being unemployed and trying to find a house will be less of a hassle than trying to find a house to accommodate two indoor cats and two outdoor dogs. Maybe one dog or one cat, or maybe just the cats. But not all. This upsets Elder immensely as something she doesn't want to deal with. I don't want to begin a spiral cycle so I don't push the issue. We'll burn that bridge when it comes time to cross it.
A friend invites me to participate in a gaming tournament he is holding on the weekend. I love gaming but am totally terrible at it. This gaming is not LAN based but board, cards and die. Some games use cards and die only to follow a game plot, others use miniatures. I decline to play but I would love to come for a look. The Elder and Burrich are going away for the weekend so I have to rely on MOTH to drive. Or do it myself. I guess I could gird my loins so to speak but I don't like walking into those places alone. Neither of us know where it is. I google map it and think I've found it. MOTH has gone out for the morning to join the Baby Sitter's Club. He's not home until nearly lunch time.
So, no one is home this morning. I kick off the kinect on the XBox and have a go at some of the Star Wars games. Whew! It takes some work! I'm getting a bit puffed. Jerome rescues me briefly by sitting in the 'play' area and meowing at me earnestly. I think he wants attention. It's good to take a break and I'm back into it again briefly. By mid afternoon I'm beginning to rediscover muscles I had forgotten I had.
I'm tired and not willing to drive into a heavy traffic area so I decide to leave the visit to the tournament. I tell my friend I've taken headache meds and that I won't be there. Shame it was this weekend! Later that afternoon MOTH apologises for not taking me. Never mind.
Sunday lunch time we head to a friend's place for what she terms a Get Together. They have relatives visiting, it's her partner's birthday and a house warming drinks and nibblies all wrapped up in one.
Home and cook dinner. And I can't eat it all; I've managed half a burger.
Off to bed early - I'm still exhausted and it's only 8.30pm! Either I'm coming down with something or those three ciders I've had this afternoon have worked *and tasted!* better than warm milk...
Monday, October 08, 2012
Cooler today
The temperature is cooler today, and the sky overcast. The weatherman assures us there is a possibility of showers as well. Guess where my jumper is ... not in the same place I am, that's for sure.
It's the last week of the school holidays and the drive to work has been marvellous. Not as much traffic to contend with. No school zones in effect. I'm all for school speed zones, but not peak hour along a busy stretch of road. Who the heck would build a school ground on the busiest section of the road anyway? Why can't it be set further back so the kids aren't near traffic? Dumb idea. And there are about four of them on the same side of the bridge, then another on the other side.
So I'm guessing no more early finishes as I'm not going to be at work quite as early in the mornings. Darn.
Saturday rolls around and I realise it has been two weeks already since The Elder and Burrich moved in. I have been getting plenty of advice regarding how to handle them living there and setting rules and giving chores *pokes self in eyes* but I think that since they are my *temporary* boarders I have a handle on that anyway.
So, chores have been allocated. Well, one each. I'm not pushing myself any further than that since I'll only hold myself to one. We'll see how it goes. Already it's been a help to me. I'm pretty relaxed so I only have one hard and fast, non-negotiable house rule. Make that two. The other applies to smokers.
I've been busy tonight. I've tidied the rumpus room as best I can, shifted the kid's stuff out to the table with some of their other stuff. I've swept the carpet and stacked the dishwasher. Having to do these things annoys me *a lot* but not as much as having to put sheets on the bed when I am tired and ready for sleep.
No one is up yet so I finish the clean up. Put shoes away, pick up the cat's toys, do a couple loads of laundry, wipe kitchen benches, put oven shelves back. Small things but already the place looks better.
Visited with the Baby Sitter's Club in the morning. I don't mind sitting and talking to them but somehow it always makes me feel like I've wasted half my weekend. Much the same as having to work on Saturday morning used to. Saturday is, after all, my fave day of the weekend. Sunday is a write off cause it's just waaaay too close to Monday.
MOTH hasn't been feeling well; he suggested to Wombat it was his fault. Wombat is clogged up and gargly too. MOTH has a script for antibiotics left from the last time he had this URTI, so has decided to get it filled. We'll see if it helps.
Sunday and so many options! Play Starcraft! Play WoW. Play Diablo III. Figure out how to use this X-Box that's been attached to my television. I have permission and decide to raid the kid's stash of games and have a look at the box. It's going to take some getting used to as the controls are so very different from those of the PS3.
MOTH staggers out of bed and the kids head to the city. I don't last long at the box as the controls aren't helpful. MOTH has decided to put music on. It's loud and I can't hear the instructions on the games while it's going. I've got a headache so I pack it all away.
The weather is trying to be summer. The temperature peaks somewhere in the mid 30s, but at least it's not humid. Not yet. I can tolerate some heat, but not humidity! I'm tempted but not yet game enough to kick off the airconditioning. I wonder how MOTH is faring. At least I'm not clogged up with an infection.
Dinner is simple fare tonight. Bangers and mash. With brown onion gravy. I have three thin sausages cooked on the bbq and mash on my plate. Drizzled with gravy and it looks delicious. Bon appetit!
It's the last week of the school holidays and the drive to work has been marvellous. Not as much traffic to contend with. No school zones in effect. I'm all for school speed zones, but not peak hour along a busy stretch of road. Who the heck would build a school ground on the busiest section of the road anyway? Why can't it be set further back so the kids aren't near traffic? Dumb idea. And there are about four of them on the same side of the bridge, then another on the other side.
So I'm guessing no more early finishes as I'm not going to be at work quite as early in the mornings. Darn.
Saturday rolls around and I realise it has been two weeks already since The Elder and Burrich moved in. I have been getting plenty of advice regarding how to handle them living there and setting rules and giving chores *pokes self in eyes* but I think that since they are my *temporary* boarders I have a handle on that anyway.
So, chores have been allocated. Well, one each. I'm not pushing myself any further than that since I'll only hold myself to one. We'll see how it goes. Already it's been a help to me. I'm pretty relaxed so I only have one hard and fast, non-negotiable house rule. Make that two. The other applies to smokers.
I've been busy tonight. I've tidied the rumpus room as best I can, shifted the kid's stuff out to the table with some of their other stuff. I've swept the carpet and stacked the dishwasher. Having to do these things annoys me *a lot* but not as much as having to put sheets on the bed when I am tired and ready for sleep.
No one is up yet so I finish the clean up. Put shoes away, pick up the cat's toys, do a couple loads of laundry, wipe kitchen benches, put oven shelves back. Small things but already the place looks better.
Visited with the Baby Sitter's Club in the morning. I don't mind sitting and talking to them but somehow it always makes me feel like I've wasted half my weekend. Much the same as having to work on Saturday morning used to. Saturday is, after all, my fave day of the weekend. Sunday is a write off cause it's just waaaay too close to Monday.
MOTH hasn't been feeling well; he suggested to Wombat it was his fault. Wombat is clogged up and gargly too. MOTH has a script for antibiotics left from the last time he had this URTI, so has decided to get it filled. We'll see if it helps.
Sunday and so many options! Play Starcraft! Play WoW. Play Diablo III. Figure out how to use this X-Box that's been attached to my television. I have permission and decide to raid the kid's stash of games and have a look at the box. It's going to take some getting used to as the controls are so very different from those of the PS3.
MOTH staggers out of bed and the kids head to the city. I don't last long at the box as the controls aren't helpful. MOTH has decided to put music on. It's loud and I can't hear the instructions on the games while it's going. I've got a headache so I pack it all away.
The weather is trying to be summer. The temperature peaks somewhere in the mid 30s, but at least it's not humid. Not yet. I can tolerate some heat, but not humidity! I'm tempted but not yet game enough to kick off the airconditioning. I wonder how MOTH is faring. At least I'm not clogged up with an infection.
Dinner is simple fare tonight. Bangers and mash. With brown onion gravy. I have three thin sausages cooked on the bbq and mash on my plate. Drizzled with gravy and it looks delicious. Bon appetit!
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
Dunno what I did there...
... but it closed Chrome completely. Nice one SOL!
The week seems to have flown by. I mention to MOTH that the kids have been with us for a week. What? Really? Yep, last Saturday. My lord, says he, that's gone fast. Yup.
Kitties are still working out their boundaries. *sigh* This night they got into it. I was up and down most of the night breaking up the bickering and chasing Sheldon out of my room. That's Jerome's space buddy! This time. You can't have it all like you did last time!
Things are looking up this morning. Not. At the traffic lights and I stall the car. How the heck to you stall an automatic?? Dunno, but I manage. Whoops.
Same morning and I'm driving down the tree lined boulevard. Suddenly KLONK! What was that! Something hit the car. I peek in the mirror and as far as I can see, some stupid bird was so wrapped in giving another a hard time, they've flown straight into my car. Doesn't seem to have done them damage though. Thank goodness for that - I've hit a bird before and it was most distressing.
Been suffering with mild vertigo for two days this week. Still at work, but holding my head still and trying desperately not to look up, down or sideways. And propping myself against the wall if I'm standing. *that must look odd...*
Going out tonight. Started the meds so hopefully the spins will keep their head down while I'm out. Bestie has invited MOTH and I to Riverfire, a feature of the yearly Festival. Fireworks and laser light show, viewed from the balcony of her work place. Catered too. Yay!
Bestie suggests we travel to hers first and then from there. If we leave early enough we may be able to snag a park in her building. We get there a little early but there is still a line up for parking! Elder and Burrich have travelled with us, but leave us to make their own way once we reach street level.
The catering was good - butter chicken with rice, spag bol, sausage on bread, mini dagwood dogs. Cake for dessert, fairy floss and popcorn too! Entertainment was provided for the kids - a juggler of sorts, balloon animals and face painting. Since the light show is 'choreographed' to a local radio station, a DJ was provided for the festivities as well. We were close to the DJ but it wasn't a problem till someone angled the speaker our direction. It made talking a little difficult which seemed to upset the others, but it meant I could sit quietly without have to talk much. I recorded a part of Patrick Hernendez Born To Be Alive and sent it to Teen. Just so she could feel included. But mostly because she hates the song. Heh. It was followed by Reel 2 Real "I Like To Move It" *one of her faves when she was small* and Dave Dobbins "Slice of Heaven" *one of her current classic faves*. Didn't record those!
Bestie and I can't find the face painting. Ah, there they are. Her kids line up for theirs. Bestie and I think about it, but the line has grown a fair bit and we decide nah, not this time. The juggler is keeping the kids in the line entertained and Bestie's boy makes his presence known by entertaining the Entertainer. *read asking questions about the tricks, his props, 'helping' and other things curious boys can do*
The new hornets fly over and drop the flares. Pretty spectacular but no more F111s with the 'dump and burn' anymore. We can't see what's happening on the river, but there seem to be some helicopters hovering about *they've already flown over* dancing over the river. Eventually the fireworks start. The action happens from rooftops and barges on the river. We don't see the river as apartments block that view.
The night is fun and when it ends, it seems much later than it really is.
Today is for recovery. I'm still not well and I sleep away most of it.
And not only do I manage that, I go to bed at 9.00pm as well. Told you those tablets make me sleepy! G'night!
The week seems to have flown by. I mention to MOTH that the kids have been with us for a week. What? Really? Yep, last Saturday. My lord, says he, that's gone fast. Yup.
Kitties are still working out their boundaries. *sigh* This night they got into it. I was up and down most of the night breaking up the bickering and chasing Sheldon out of my room. That's Jerome's space buddy! This time. You can't have it all like you did last time!
Things are looking up this morning. Not. At the traffic lights and I stall the car. How the heck to you stall an automatic?? Dunno, but I manage. Whoops.
Same morning and I'm driving down the tree lined boulevard. Suddenly KLONK! What was that! Something hit the car. I peek in the mirror and as far as I can see, some stupid bird was so wrapped in giving another a hard time, they've flown straight into my car. Doesn't seem to have done them damage though. Thank goodness for that - I've hit a bird before and it was most distressing.
Been suffering with mild vertigo for two days this week. Still at work, but holding my head still and trying desperately not to look up, down or sideways. And propping myself against the wall if I'm standing. *that must look odd...*
Going out tonight. Started the meds so hopefully the spins will keep their head down while I'm out. Bestie has invited MOTH and I to Riverfire, a feature of the yearly Festival. Fireworks and laser light show, viewed from the balcony of her work place. Catered too. Yay!
Bestie suggests we travel to hers first and then from there. If we leave early enough we may be able to snag a park in her building. We get there a little early but there is still a line up for parking! Elder and Burrich have travelled with us, but leave us to make their own way once we reach street level.
The catering was good - butter chicken with rice, spag bol, sausage on bread, mini dagwood dogs. Cake for dessert, fairy floss and popcorn too! Entertainment was provided for the kids - a juggler of sorts, balloon animals and face painting. Since the light show is 'choreographed' to a local radio station, a DJ was provided for the festivities as well. We were close to the DJ but it wasn't a problem till someone angled the speaker our direction. It made talking a little difficult which seemed to upset the others, but it meant I could sit quietly without have to talk much. I recorded a part of Patrick Hernendez Born To Be Alive and sent it to Teen. Just so she could feel included. But mostly because she hates the song. Heh. It was followed by Reel 2 Real "I Like To Move It" *one of her faves when she was small* and Dave Dobbins "Slice of Heaven" *one of her current classic faves*. Didn't record those!
Bestie and I can't find the face painting. Ah, there they are. Her kids line up for theirs. Bestie and I think about it, but the line has grown a fair bit and we decide nah, not this time. The juggler is keeping the kids in the line entertained and Bestie's boy makes his presence known by entertaining the Entertainer. *read asking questions about the tricks, his props, 'helping' and other things curious boys can do*
The new hornets fly over and drop the flares. Pretty spectacular but no more F111s with the 'dump and burn' anymore. We can't see what's happening on the river, but there seem to be some helicopters hovering about *they've already flown over* dancing over the river. Eventually the fireworks start. The action happens from rooftops and barges on the river. We don't see the river as apartments block that view.
The night is fun and when it ends, it seems much later than it really is.
Today is for recovery. I'm still not well and I sleep away most of it.
And not only do I manage that, I go to bed at 9.00pm as well. Told you those tablets make me sleepy! G'night!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Week That Went Too Fast
I can't decide if it were a fast week, or a slow one actually.
I'm stopped at the traffic lights on my way to work. There has been a red mazda in front of me that doesn't seem to be able to travel in a straight line. It's now in the lane beside me as we wait for the lights to change. A movement at my peripheral vision makes me look. The red car is stopped between two vehicles ... and rolling backward and forward between them. What. An. Idiot. Glad they aren't in my lane!
MOTH has managed to get in and shift some stuff around in the garage to make room for Elder and Burrich. And all their junk. He's even put out a couple of markers so they don't go beyond that and block the clothes line.
So. Everything looks settled. Jerome can sense the tension. He's wandering around lost and a little cuddly.
Looks like rain today. They are scheduled to arrive but we aren't sure when.
There goes the neighbourhood! They are on their way and I get a text to say they were stopped at the driver reviver station at Granite Creek. They've even managed to score a box of biscuits as the bloke serving the coffee said they expire in a month and they need to get rid of them. Nice one!
MOTH and I are going out to dinner with the Baby Sitters Club. Most of them anyway - the evening has promise as Wombat will not be there. Elder and her crew are welcome to join if they arrive in time. We've decided on Sizzler. It's been a while since I have been there.
Elder and her crew have arrived. All is noise of course and the first things unloaded are Sheldon and Penny. I have relegated them to the bathroom for the time being. They are flea treated and watered and there they shall stay until tomorrow I think. When we are home to supervise the introductions.
John and his daughter collect us. We've decided to use the train as the restaurant is part of the shopping village and the station is right underneath. Much easier than driving and trying to catch a parking space. I've forgotten to warn them - not experienced public transport users - to carry change. Uh oh. But I think we can eftpos the fare. It turns out we can't but the ticket office is open.
The train is at the platform and I am fielding questions from K about how I know it's the right one. We board and wait, John and K in one set of 4 seats, MOTH and I across the aisle in the other. From there, it's one long laugh fest until we reach our station. K stops for a ciggie but it turns out the rest of the party have beaten us!
The kids don't end up joining us - they've flaked and are running on empty.
The night is a blast. We've arrived early, around 5pm and the place is almost empty. By the time we leave an hour and a half later, it is packed. I'm glad we decided on an early dinner! The ticket booth at the destination station is not open and we have to use the TVM (ticket vending machine). A lass is in front of us, we have 15 minutes to get the tickets and down on to the platform. She is so organised! She presses the buttons, digs around in her back for her gocard, fiddles about some more and I can see the clock ticking away. By the time she's finished and we make it down the platform we have about 8 minutes to wait. Needn't have worried so much after all.
We must do it again. Different restaurant next time? Who knows. I did find out that I let the cat out of the bag that morning. Apparently K and I are in charge of planning a bbq when Stan returns from the UK. I didn't know it was a secret ...
Not much happening Sunday. Looking around my messy house. Love 'em to bits but missing when it was just me. And MOTH. And Jerome. Already...
I think the cats have reached an uneasy truce. That is still yet to be determined.
I'm stopped at the traffic lights on my way to work. There has been a red mazda in front of me that doesn't seem to be able to travel in a straight line. It's now in the lane beside me as we wait for the lights to change. A movement at my peripheral vision makes me look. The red car is stopped between two vehicles ... and rolling backward and forward between them. What. An. Idiot. Glad they aren't in my lane!
MOTH has managed to get in and shift some stuff around in the garage to make room for Elder and Burrich. And all their junk. He's even put out a couple of markers so they don't go beyond that and block the clothes line.
So. Everything looks settled. Jerome can sense the tension. He's wandering around lost and a little cuddly.
Looks like rain today. They are scheduled to arrive but we aren't sure when.
There goes the neighbourhood! They are on their way and I get a text to say they were stopped at the driver reviver station at Granite Creek. They've even managed to score a box of biscuits as the bloke serving the coffee said they expire in a month and they need to get rid of them. Nice one!
MOTH and I are going out to dinner with the Baby Sitters Club. Most of them anyway - the evening has promise as Wombat will not be there. Elder and her crew are welcome to join if they arrive in time. We've decided on Sizzler. It's been a while since I have been there.
Elder and her crew have arrived. All is noise of course and the first things unloaded are Sheldon and Penny. I have relegated them to the bathroom for the time being. They are flea treated and watered and there they shall stay until tomorrow I think. When we are home to supervise the introductions.
John and his daughter collect us. We've decided to use the train as the restaurant is part of the shopping village and the station is right underneath. Much easier than driving and trying to catch a parking space. I've forgotten to warn them - not experienced public transport users - to carry change. Uh oh. But I think we can eftpos the fare. It turns out we can't but the ticket office is open.
The train is at the platform and I am fielding questions from K about how I know it's the right one. We board and wait, John and K in one set of 4 seats, MOTH and I across the aisle in the other. From there, it's one long laugh fest until we reach our station. K stops for a ciggie but it turns out the rest of the party have beaten us!
The kids don't end up joining us - they've flaked and are running on empty.
The night is a blast. We've arrived early, around 5pm and the place is almost empty. By the time we leave an hour and a half later, it is packed. I'm glad we decided on an early dinner! The ticket booth at the destination station is not open and we have to use the TVM (ticket vending machine). A lass is in front of us, we have 15 minutes to get the tickets and down on to the platform. She is so organised! She presses the buttons, digs around in her back for her gocard, fiddles about some more and I can see the clock ticking away. By the time she's finished and we make it down the platform we have about 8 minutes to wait. Needn't have worried so much after all.
We must do it again. Different restaurant next time? Who knows. I did find out that I let the cat out of the bag that morning. Apparently K and I are in charge of planning a bbq when Stan returns from the UK. I didn't know it was a secret ...
Not much happening Sunday. Looking around my messy house. Love 'em to bits but missing when it was just me. And MOTH. And Jerome. Already...
I think the cats have reached an uneasy truce. That is still yet to be determined.
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Dr is in the House!
Well, he's not really. He's on my iPad at work. Except this week because I forgot to bring it.
Our ABC is screening this series on their website prior to it screening on Free To Air. Which is totally delightful, and I'm really enjoying this series. So far. This is week three. If it continues in the same vein of fun as it has begun, it will be a ripper.
Rode the bus to work twice this week. And what do you know? I've seen some odd things. Driving to work never gives me much of an opportunity for the weird!
I'm staring out the bus window as we pass through the city on the way to the last stop. Oh. There's a cat on the ledge at the edge of the garden bed. Wait. No, not a cat. What is it? Still thinking it's some sort of animal *a possum?* I look again and realise it's ... A WIG! Someone has left their hair the in the garden! And it wasn't even a party wig...
Cruising along the riverside, daydreaming out the window. Yes, I'm on the bus. Again. Oh. The dredge is right alongside the river bank. There is a truck and a 4WD parked on it. Spares I guess, just in case the water gets a bit shallow? You never know!
Today is R U OK day. The wider work *we are but merely a part of a whole* is having a morning tea. I've RSVP'd in the affirmative as it is in a good cause, particularly after recent events. It turns out that no one else in my office is going. Slack, lazy lot! For heaven's sake, it means a 10 minute shuttle bus ride to and from campus! *shakes head*
Since I'm catching the bus, I let all know that I will be going straight there instead of coming into the office first. I can pick up GM's replacement mobile, some coffee beans to replenish the machine while I'm there. My supervisor is fine with this. Morning tea is early at 09:30 to avoid a clash with another meeting. The morning tea is great; set up out on the balcony. Fortunately there is some small amount of shade for the tables but the tim tams are still getting a bit soft! The sun has bite in it, even at this time of day.
There are many faces there that are familiar but whose names I don't know. But I have asked some of those I do know how they have been. It is actually good to catch up with them. I don't know why my lot don't seem to want to make the effort. Off now to catch the shuttle and ..... darn. It's driving up the road and I'm still too far from the stop for him to see me if I wave.
I let my supervisor know and settle down for a half hour wait till the next one. Brilliant day weather wise and I'm glad I'm outdoors.
Turns out work had their own spur of the minute thing.
Saturday I look at the kitchen window and think it needs cleaning. I'll try the new Norwex cloth. I've used just water and most of the grime lifts off and it doesn't streak. Impressive. I wipe some of the cupboard fronts, splashback and bench tops.
But now I can see the grass. It's dying in a very rapid way. Out to water it but there is no nozzle on the hose! Dammit. I use it anyway and try to make spray using my fingers. It works. In that I get soaked. Without even realising it at first. Think being blonde is rubbing off.
I've shifted clothes and folded up the stretcher bed. MOTH helps me move the single bed from the end room to replace the stretcher. The chair moves as well, along with the small cabinet. Yes folks, Elder and Burrich are coming down to house hunt. But with all their funiture in tow. Yep, they are moving in...
I'm looking out the front window. Again, the lawn is dead. In fact, it's worse than the side lawn. The hedge is totally overgrown but at least it hasn't taken over the stairs up to the front door. Okay. I get the pruning shears and clip a couple of the branches. The pruning shears are dull as, so I can't take the bigger ones. Ah well, looks like it's something that is going to take all summer to accomplish. I don't really want MOTH to get into it. He's too messy! Heh.
Our ABC is screening this series on their website prior to it screening on Free To Air. Which is totally delightful, and I'm really enjoying this series. So far. This is week three. If it continues in the same vein of fun as it has begun, it will be a ripper.
Rode the bus to work twice this week. And what do you know? I've seen some odd things. Driving to work never gives me much of an opportunity for the weird!
I'm staring out the bus window as we pass through the city on the way to the last stop. Oh. There's a cat on the ledge at the edge of the garden bed. Wait. No, not a cat. What is it? Still thinking it's some sort of animal *a possum?* I look again and realise it's ... A WIG! Someone has left their hair the in the garden! And it wasn't even a party wig...
Cruising along the riverside, daydreaming out the window. Yes, I'm on the bus. Again. Oh. The dredge is right alongside the river bank. There is a truck and a 4WD parked on it. Spares I guess, just in case the water gets a bit shallow? You never know!
Today is R U OK day. The wider work *we are but merely a part of a whole* is having a morning tea. I've RSVP'd in the affirmative as it is in a good cause, particularly after recent events. It turns out that no one else in my office is going. Slack, lazy lot! For heaven's sake, it means a 10 minute shuttle bus ride to and from campus! *shakes head*
Since I'm catching the bus, I let all know that I will be going straight there instead of coming into the office first. I can pick up GM's replacement mobile, some coffee beans to replenish the machine while I'm there. My supervisor is fine with this. Morning tea is early at 09:30 to avoid a clash with another meeting. The morning tea is great; set up out on the balcony. Fortunately there is some small amount of shade for the tables but the tim tams are still getting a bit soft! The sun has bite in it, even at this time of day.
There are many faces there that are familiar but whose names I don't know. But I have asked some of those I do know how they have been. It is actually good to catch up with them. I don't know why my lot don't seem to want to make the effort. Off now to catch the shuttle and ..... darn. It's driving up the road and I'm still too far from the stop for him to see me if I wave.
I let my supervisor know and settle down for a half hour wait till the next one. Brilliant day weather wise and I'm glad I'm outdoors.
Turns out work had their own spur of the minute thing.
Saturday I look at the kitchen window and think it needs cleaning. I'll try the new Norwex cloth. I've used just water and most of the grime lifts off and it doesn't streak. Impressive. I wipe some of the cupboard fronts, splashback and bench tops.
But now I can see the grass. It's dying in a very rapid way. Out to water it but there is no nozzle on the hose! Dammit. I use it anyway and try to make spray using my fingers. It works. In that I get soaked. Without even realising it at first. Think being blonde is rubbing off.
I've shifted clothes and folded up the stretcher bed. MOTH helps me move the single bed from the end room to replace the stretcher. The chair moves as well, along with the small cabinet. Yes folks, Elder and Burrich are coming down to house hunt. But with all their funiture in tow. Yep, they are moving in...
I'm looking out the front window. Again, the lawn is dead. In fact, it's worse than the side lawn. The hedge is totally overgrown but at least it hasn't taken over the stairs up to the front door. Okay. I get the pruning shears and clip a couple of the branches. The pruning shears are dull as, so I can't take the bigger ones. Ah well, looks like it's something that is going to take all summer to accomplish. I don't really want MOTH to get into it. He's too messy! Heh.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Hello Spring!
And goodbye in the same breath! Lovely warm days in the mid 20s C, then cold again during the evenings.
The week has been busy. Well, the week has been busy for MOTH. Not necessarily for me. The Elder and Burrich are looking to move down this way so MOTH has been at their beck and call doing house inspections. It's not easy to find one that is pet friendly.
Once upon a time the Teen had a facebook. Just recently she's deactivated her account. I miss being able to snoop on what she was doing, how she was going and things of that nature. Who would have thought that it would be such an inconvenience? I guess it's a sad state of affairs relying on electronic communication so much but neither of us like to use the telephone for what it was actually invented for!
My Norwex products arrived during the week. I had almost forgotten about them. Although the hole in my wallet should have reminded me. Bestie and I thought the best way to hand them over was to join up for a late lunch/early dinner. Excellent. All set.
We had decided to revisit that pet store and pick up some diet food for Fatty Jerome. Yes, I know that could give him a complex - that's why I'm typing it here. Where he can't see. That outlet stocks all sorts of cat food brands including Royal Canin and Science Diet. But gosh they are expensive! A small bag of Royal Canin *i didn't check the weight* is around $40. Today though I am after the wet food. A very friendly shop assistant finds MOTH in the toy aisle while I make my selection. I join them and they are talking toys, pets, pet dietary requirements, rugby league, rugby union, NZ in general.
During the course of the conversation he asks what we are feeding Jerome. I tell him that at present, we have Purina and something else. He suggests that supermarket food is mostly fillers and not nutritionally complete. Hence the desire to eat grass. I just nod sagely. He could be right for all I know but as far as I remember, the Purina brand is put through some very rigorous testing. Well, it used to be.
While we are up that way, I recall that we don't have any cheese knives. I thought we had, but we don't. Not a one. We look to see if Loot might have any. There is an outlet in that centre. Nope. I didn't think so, but hey, you never know.
The Elder has asked us to inspect a property for her this morning. It's a small place, but the yard is fenced. There are about five other couples looking. Open house inspections these days only last about quarter hour. The bedrooms are tiny. There is built in wardrobes in the main bedroom but barely enough room for a queen sized bed.
We head back via the usual haunt *the village* and MOTH decides to check out the cheap shop to see if they have any. This isn't a cheap shop, I say. What is it then? It's a junk shop. *it's a small space with lots of things crammed into it. like dollars and cents and all of those 'junk' shops* But it turns out to be a junk shop with cheese knives. Cheap ones, but functional all the same. Two knives is just under $6.
Home again and clean up time. Vacuum the floors, wipe the benches, clear stuff off the table and Mr Sheen it. The kitchen looks tidy, the loo is clean. Now just time to settle and wait. I settle on the couch with a book and the tv. Aaaaannnndddd ... suddenly I'm awoken by a text message! She's let me know she's on her way.
The afternoon/evening went very well. Chicken thighs done in maple syrup, soy and sage, chicken sausages, rump steak *just for bestie as she doesn't eat dark meat and isn't keen on sausages* Boston baked beans, lots of salad and a cheese platter for dessert. Bestie brought along a bottle of Brown Brothers .... you know, I didn't look at the label! I think it was Crouchen Riesling.
Bestie mentioned that the sausages were quite tasty and after all that, I have a bit of salad left over and one piece of steak. I think it went down well. They trundled off around 9pm, tired kids in tow.
Cleaned up a little on Sunday morning, and Bestie left me a note to say we should do it more often, even hubby agreed it had been a really good night. MOTH went out to check up on the Babysitter's Club. In a way previous blog post I had mentioned the woman who approached them on the topic of religion. She approached again and MOTH introduced the Club. By his telling, she said three happy ones and one grumpy one, while pointing at Wombat.
Wombat has really been getting on my wick lately, and stressing MOTH. His digs at MOTH are becoming less polite and barely disguised as humour these days. On previous occasions he has been known to tell MOTH that someone will punch him one day. And by god if he does, that shopping centre will see a witch whaling on an old man whose mouth is too big for his head. Who knows, I might even make it bigger by physically taking his foot and shoving it in there.
Although, having said that, he's a different person when his wife is around - he doesn't speak much. And Saturday, he was pleasant and laughing.
After lunch we head out to do a drive by on another property. No inspection on this one but just to see what it looks like from the outside. If the net photos are anything to go by *HA!* I think I might move in myself. Nothing too flash but very tidy looking. And much cheaper than the place we are in!
It's a brilliant Sunday afternoon drive, and we top it off by looking at car yards. Again. We aren't in the market for a car really as we are only on one wage, but maybe in a couple of years? Who knows ...
The week has been busy. Well, the week has been busy for MOTH. Not necessarily for me. The Elder and Burrich are looking to move down this way so MOTH has been at their beck and call doing house inspections. It's not easy to find one that is pet friendly.
Once upon a time the Teen had a facebook. Just recently she's deactivated her account. I miss being able to snoop on what she was doing, how she was going and things of that nature. Who would have thought that it would be such an inconvenience? I guess it's a sad state of affairs relying on electronic communication so much but neither of us like to use the telephone for what it was actually invented for!
My Norwex products arrived during the week. I had almost forgotten about them. Although the hole in my wallet should have reminded me. Bestie and I thought the best way to hand them over was to join up for a late lunch/early dinner. Excellent. All set.
We had decided to revisit that pet store and pick up some diet food for Fatty Jerome. Yes, I know that could give him a complex - that's why I'm typing it here. Where he can't see. That outlet stocks all sorts of cat food brands including Royal Canin and Science Diet. But gosh they are expensive! A small bag of Royal Canin *i didn't check the weight* is around $40. Today though I am after the wet food. A very friendly shop assistant finds MOTH in the toy aisle while I make my selection. I join them and they are talking toys, pets, pet dietary requirements, rugby league, rugby union, NZ in general.
During the course of the conversation he asks what we are feeding Jerome. I tell him that at present, we have Purina and something else. He suggests that supermarket food is mostly fillers and not nutritionally complete. Hence the desire to eat grass. I just nod sagely. He could be right for all I know but as far as I remember, the Purina brand is put through some very rigorous testing. Well, it used to be.
While we are up that way, I recall that we don't have any cheese knives. I thought we had, but we don't. Not a one. We look to see if Loot might have any. There is an outlet in that centre. Nope. I didn't think so, but hey, you never know.
The Elder has asked us to inspect a property for her this morning. It's a small place, but the yard is fenced. There are about five other couples looking. Open house inspections these days only last about quarter hour. The bedrooms are tiny. There is built in wardrobes in the main bedroom but barely enough room for a queen sized bed.
We head back via the usual haunt *the village* and MOTH decides to check out the cheap shop to see if they have any. This isn't a cheap shop, I say. What is it then? It's a junk shop. *it's a small space with lots of things crammed into it. like dollars and cents and all of those 'junk' shops* But it turns out to be a junk shop with cheese knives. Cheap ones, but functional all the same. Two knives is just under $6.
Home again and clean up time. Vacuum the floors, wipe the benches, clear stuff off the table and Mr Sheen it. The kitchen looks tidy, the loo is clean. Now just time to settle and wait. I settle on the couch with a book and the tv. Aaaaannnndddd ... suddenly I'm awoken by a text message! She's let me know she's on her way.
The afternoon/evening went very well. Chicken thighs done in maple syrup, soy and sage, chicken sausages, rump steak *just for bestie as she doesn't eat dark meat and isn't keen on sausages* Boston baked beans, lots of salad and a cheese platter for dessert. Bestie brought along a bottle of Brown Brothers .... you know, I didn't look at the label! I think it was Crouchen Riesling.
Bestie mentioned that the sausages were quite tasty and after all that, I have a bit of salad left over and one piece of steak. I think it went down well. They trundled off around 9pm, tired kids in tow.
Cleaned up a little on Sunday morning, and Bestie left me a note to say we should do it more often, even hubby agreed it had been a really good night. MOTH went out to check up on the Babysitter's Club. In a way previous blog post I had mentioned the woman who approached them on the topic of religion. She approached again and MOTH introduced the Club. By his telling, she said three happy ones and one grumpy one, while pointing at Wombat.
Wombat has really been getting on my wick lately, and stressing MOTH. His digs at MOTH are becoming less polite and barely disguised as humour these days. On previous occasions he has been known to tell MOTH that someone will punch him one day. And by god if he does, that shopping centre will see a witch whaling on an old man whose mouth is too big for his head. Who knows, I might even make it bigger by physically taking his foot and shoving it in there.
Although, having said that, he's a different person when his wife is around - he doesn't speak much. And Saturday, he was pleasant and laughing.
After lunch we head out to do a drive by on another property. No inspection on this one but just to see what it looks like from the outside. If the net photos are anything to go by *HA!* I think I might move in myself. Nothing too flash but very tidy looking. And much cheaper than the place we are in!
It's a brilliant Sunday afternoon drive, and we top it off by looking at car yards. Again. We aren't in the market for a car really as we are only on one wage, but maybe in a couple of years? Who knows ...
Monday, September 03, 2012
Sleepy kitteh
Very sleepy. Wow. Already. And it is only 08:51 on Monday morning. Oh wait. Monday. That could very well be it. The office is quiet this morning; only two of us are here so far. I've had a cup of coffee but caffeine is overrated. It never peps me up.
Both funerals were this week. Same day, same time. I went to support my friend while she buried her grandfather. MOTH dropped me off and went to amuse himself in the shopping centre. Ippy was very glad to see me. I was smothered in a hug while she cried for a little. The gathering was small, mostly family and RSL friends it seemed. The service was lovely; the RSL friends laid poppies on his casket.
I teared up a little at one point. They had been married for 66 years or so and it made me pause to wonder if MOTH and I will ever get that far. *realistically, probably not. we're half way and MOTH is nearly 60* And what the heck will I do without him? I nearly lost it there, but deep breaths helped.
MOTH was a little late coming for me as he had to negotiate the length of the shopping centre back to the car and being MOTH didn't get my message straight away. I caught plenty of curious looks so satisfied myself with being the mysterious blonde that turns up at these kinds of dos. In the stories anyway.
The days have been delightful. Well, looking from inside it has been and I've been receiving regular reports from the campus mailman about how beautiful the days have been. He's a lovely old fellow, always a smile and a cheery word.
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be stuck in an office all day, and could pack up and walk out whenever I wanted. I think I need a job where I can work from home at my own pace and my own hours. Any suggestions as to a job like that anyone??
The day is lovely and for something different, MOTH and I wander the car yards. We aren't really in the market but it used to be my favourite passtime when I was a kid. That, and a trip to the dump. Who didn't enjoy that as a kid. Though we were never actually allowed to get out of the car, it was still a lot of fun. The dirt. The smell. The birds. The flies. The adults and kids crawling over piles of refuse looking for treasure. Mum found so much useful stuff!
So. We wandered up and down the street, looking at cars. So many I would love to have! But hey. I'd need a second job to be able to afford one.
We decide to look at the new JB HiFi store that opened recently. On the way we decided to stop at a pet store in the same complex that we hadn't seen before. It's .... spacey. Large. Plenty of stock, specially pet food. The supermarket stuff, Royal Canin, Science Diet and many, many more. Expensive, but possibly worth looking at when we go to restock. We purchase a small 'auto' feeder for Jerome.
JB HiFi is also spacey. I succumb and purchase a couple more DVDs to add to my collection. Harry Potter 7.1, Batman Begins *for MOTH* and ... and ... oh yes. Conan. The latest one, not the original Arnie version.
The feeder is set up. It's not technical at all, just a plastic tube with a tray at the bottom that lets the food slide through. If you turn the tray and attach the tube to the other set of notches, it can be converted to an auto water dispenser as well. We fill it with dry food. Jerome eats what has dispensed into the tray and when he discovers that he has to use his paw to get it to dispense further, he seems less than impressed.
Father's Day. I phoned my dad without being prompted. And spent half an hour chatting. I think that is a record. Neither he nor I are particularly chatty when it comes to the phone. Mind, the call lasted an hour. Half hour for Dad, and another half for Ma.
I decide to cook MOTH a nice lunch. He had chosen a piece of steak from last shop which we had forgotten about. Kind of like a cutlet but probably about 500g or more. The aim was to portion it between the two of us, but I thought what the heck, you have to die of something, it may as well be something you enjoy *no, i'm not trying to hasten him along. heh* I seared it on the bbq, then moved it to a roasting pan to finish. It was still going about 30 mins later. MOTH tells me I should have put the pan on the plate, not the grill. It would have cooked better, with a more even heat distribution. Ah well, next time I'll know. It did still turn out well though, and served with some mashed sweet potato seasoned with cinnamon *his fave* some peas and carrots. I ate the peas and carrots and a couple of pork sausages. He gave it a good shot, but couldn't finish it.
He ate the rest of the steak for dinner, wrapped in bacon and trying to pass itself off as a mignon. It failed on that count *no sauce, no crouton* but was still very tender.
So another week begins. The day is looking lovely through the tinted office front door. I think I might go for a walk...
Both funerals were this week. Same day, same time. I went to support my friend while she buried her grandfather. MOTH dropped me off and went to amuse himself in the shopping centre. Ippy was very glad to see me. I was smothered in a hug while she cried for a little. The gathering was small, mostly family and RSL friends it seemed. The service was lovely; the RSL friends laid poppies on his casket.
I teared up a little at one point. They had been married for 66 years or so and it made me pause to wonder if MOTH and I will ever get that far. *realistically, probably not. we're half way and MOTH is nearly 60* And what the heck will I do without him? I nearly lost it there, but deep breaths helped.
MOTH was a little late coming for me as he had to negotiate the length of the shopping centre back to the car and being MOTH didn't get my message straight away. I caught plenty of curious looks so satisfied myself with being the mysterious blonde that turns up at these kinds of dos. In the stories anyway.
The days have been delightful. Well, looking from inside it has been and I've been receiving regular reports from the campus mailman about how beautiful the days have been. He's a lovely old fellow, always a smile and a cheery word.
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be stuck in an office all day, and could pack up and walk out whenever I wanted. I think I need a job where I can work from home at my own pace and my own hours. Any suggestions as to a job like that anyone??
The day is lovely and for something different, MOTH and I wander the car yards. We aren't really in the market but it used to be my favourite passtime when I was a kid. That, and a trip to the dump. Who didn't enjoy that as a kid. Though we were never actually allowed to get out of the car, it was still a lot of fun. The dirt. The smell. The birds. The flies. The adults and kids crawling over piles of refuse looking for treasure. Mum found so much useful stuff!
So. We wandered up and down the street, looking at cars. So many I would love to have! But hey. I'd need a second job to be able to afford one.
We decide to look at the new JB HiFi store that opened recently. On the way we decided to stop at a pet store in the same complex that we hadn't seen before. It's .... spacey. Large. Plenty of stock, specially pet food. The supermarket stuff, Royal Canin, Science Diet and many, many more. Expensive, but possibly worth looking at when we go to restock. We purchase a small 'auto' feeder for Jerome.
JB HiFi is also spacey. I succumb and purchase a couple more DVDs to add to my collection. Harry Potter 7.1, Batman Begins *for MOTH* and ... and ... oh yes. Conan. The latest one, not the original Arnie version.
The feeder is set up. It's not technical at all, just a plastic tube with a tray at the bottom that lets the food slide through. If you turn the tray and attach the tube to the other set of notches, it can be converted to an auto water dispenser as well. We fill it with dry food. Jerome eats what has dispensed into the tray and when he discovers that he has to use his paw to get it to dispense further, he seems less than impressed.
Father's Day. I phoned my dad without being prompted. And spent half an hour chatting. I think that is a record. Neither he nor I are particularly chatty when it comes to the phone. Mind, the call lasted an hour. Half hour for Dad, and another half for Ma.
I decide to cook MOTH a nice lunch. He had chosen a piece of steak from last shop which we had forgotten about. Kind of like a cutlet but probably about 500g or more. The aim was to portion it between the two of us, but I thought what the heck, you have to die of something, it may as well be something you enjoy *no, i'm not trying to hasten him along. heh* I seared it on the bbq, then moved it to a roasting pan to finish. It was still going about 30 mins later. MOTH tells me I should have put the pan on the plate, not the grill. It would have cooked better, with a more even heat distribution. Ah well, next time I'll know. It did still turn out well though, and served with some mashed sweet potato seasoned with cinnamon *his fave* some peas and carrots. I ate the peas and carrots and a couple of pork sausages. He gave it a good shot, but couldn't finish it.
He ate the rest of the steak for dinner, wrapped in bacon and trying to pass itself off as a mignon. It failed on that count *no sauce, no crouton* but was still very tender.
So another week begins. The day is looking lovely through the tinted office front door. I think I might go for a walk...
Monday, August 27, 2012
Great start to the week...
A shock start to the week to come in to work and see an email arrive ... apparently one of the young blokes *and by young I mean mid 30s* working in the wider ITS community committed suicide on the weekend. Apparently he had been very sick. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
The rest of the week kinda pales by comparison.
So angry on the road this morning! It feels like every idiot is on the road and out to get me. Well, so maybe not all of them. But a goodly proportion. Well, maybe only four. But that's enough I reckon!
Traffic is a little heavier this morning. I think I've timed my run a bit later than usual. I'm nearing the high school on a busy section of road. It's near the railway station which has no parking beyond whatever you can find on the street. It's also a residential area. Some teenager is out on the roadside near the parked cars. He drops a skateboard and kicks off. I can see he is holding what appears to be a cup of coffee and his earbuds are firmly in. Suddenly he spots the tail end of a car attempting to reverse out of a driveway into the traffic and he swerves. RIGHT INTO MY PATH. I sound the horn *and begin swearing!* and the fool doesn't even turn his head...
And then it was a 4WD mummy who was doing 20km in a 40km school zone while she looked for a park that was close to the school. And outside the parking zone I might add. She finds one right at the top of the parking zone and as she pulls in, another mummy in a 4WD pulls right out in front of me. Lucky I made it to work that day!
The Teen suggests that she would like a new job. One where intelligence is appreciated. I laugh quietly to myself. One thing I've discovered is that how much intelligence you have depends very much on how secure you supervisor is in their own job. I tell her this. Mum she says, they're illiterate here, even the venue manager. The bistro menus have spelling mistakes and are you allowed to point that out?? Ooooh no no no. She sends an example of a closing procedure. All the nouns ending with "s" have an apostrophe. Tray's. Sheet's. Jigger's. *rolls eyes* She goes on. I want to have a conversation with someone who doesn't look at me blankly when I try to talk to them. I'm tired of feeling like I'm in Grade 6 again! *we moved to a new area. a straight A student moving into a lower socio-economic school. much bullying ensued* I wish her luck. Perhaps administration might suit better than barmaid? She seems to think so.
The Elder sends me a text. Her store manager tells her she's a fantastic team member, but isn't suited for 2IC. One of her faults is she stresses much too easily. Elder agrees. The manager would like to keep her as a team member. She's not sure if this means she will be staying on as part time or dropping to casual. Head Office advise she must take 2IC or they have nothing to offer her. She is devastated.
To add a cherry to her screwed up week, her live in landlord has advised that he would like to rent the house out and they have until October to leave.
Jeebus! Why can't my kids cop a break occasionally?!
I notice a friend has posted of the loss of her grandfather on Facebook. We've been out of contact for some time now as we no longer work in the same place. I send her a text to let her know I'm there if she needs anything. She texts me back with the funeral details. I take this to mean that she would like me to attend. I've known her for about ten years, met her grandfather, brother in law and her mother. She and her mother visited me in hospital. The only problem is, the funeral is at the same time as the other. I guess I should be there for her.
An email arrives from Bestie. Did I want to come and visit on 4pm Saturday? She's have a Norwex party. I've never heard of the product but apparently it's cleaning products. With a bit of skin care thrown in. I'm in two minds but decide to go anyway.
I've bitten the bullet and upgraded to Mountain Lion. There are supposed to be 200+ enhancements/changes. And I've found some, still looking for others. These are likely to be in apps that I don't use. I like the way I can now lock the screen! That may be useful in the future!
MOTH is off the leash while I stay home and do stuff. I don't know what I did beyond clean the ensuite vanity. He's off to upgrade his phone now that the contract has expired. He's back with a Galaxy 3. I think I can now see what some of the fuss between Samsung and Apple might be about. The phones look different but if you can work an iphone, you can work a Galaxy; the way the home screens, swipes, home button, volume, lock off, swipe to unlock etc are so similar!
I spend money I don't have on cleaning cloths that afternoon, but everyone is happy and enjoying themselves, the consultant is bubbly and relaxed and it turns out to be a great afternoon. She's asked MOTH and I to stay on for a bbq dinner. It's nearly 9pm by the time we leave. It's great to catch up and I can't believe how much her daughter had grown.
Rebleach the hair this morning. What a tedious job! And having to work with dry hair is the pits. *i think there are STILL bits that look missed* MOTH goes to visit the baby sitters club and I get to work on this uninterrupted. Yay!
I attend a perfume master class today. It's brief but interesting. We learn about the different types of perfume - floral, oriental, wood, fresh. What the notes are - top, heart or middle, base or dry down. We get to smell different examples. We get to ask questions. We get light refreshments. We get to take home a couple of samples. One of them is Marc Jacobs 'Dot' which isn't released till September. We get to buy at a discount. I purchase a body lotion to go with the perfume I am getting for Christmas. Retail is $63, but today with discount and the refund of the class booking fee, I pay $36. Money well spent I thought. And I've found a new second favourite perfume. Thierry Mulger 'Alien' *quiet froggy!!*...
The rest of the week kinda pales by comparison.
So angry on the road this morning! It feels like every idiot is on the road and out to get me. Well, so maybe not all of them. But a goodly proportion. Well, maybe only four. But that's enough I reckon!
Traffic is a little heavier this morning. I think I've timed my run a bit later than usual. I'm nearing the high school on a busy section of road. It's near the railway station which has no parking beyond whatever you can find on the street. It's also a residential area. Some teenager is out on the roadside near the parked cars. He drops a skateboard and kicks off. I can see he is holding what appears to be a cup of coffee and his earbuds are firmly in. Suddenly he spots the tail end of a car attempting to reverse out of a driveway into the traffic and he swerves. RIGHT INTO MY PATH. I sound the horn *and begin swearing!* and the fool doesn't even turn his head...
And then it was a 4WD mummy who was doing 20km in a 40km school zone while she looked for a park that was close to the school. And outside the parking zone I might add. She finds one right at the top of the parking zone and as she pulls in, another mummy in a 4WD pulls right out in front of me. Lucky I made it to work that day!
The Teen suggests that she would like a new job. One where intelligence is appreciated. I laugh quietly to myself. One thing I've discovered is that how much intelligence you have depends very much on how secure you supervisor is in their own job. I tell her this. Mum she says, they're illiterate here, even the venue manager. The bistro menus have spelling mistakes and are you allowed to point that out?? Ooooh no no no. She sends an example of a closing procedure. All the nouns ending with "s" have an apostrophe. Tray's. Sheet's. Jigger's. *rolls eyes* She goes on. I want to have a conversation with someone who doesn't look at me blankly when I try to talk to them. I'm tired of feeling like I'm in Grade 6 again! *we moved to a new area. a straight A student moving into a lower socio-economic school. much bullying ensued* I wish her luck. Perhaps administration might suit better than barmaid? She seems to think so.
The Elder sends me a text. Her store manager tells her she's a fantastic team member, but isn't suited for 2IC. One of her faults is she stresses much too easily. Elder agrees. The manager would like to keep her as a team member. She's not sure if this means she will be staying on as part time or dropping to casual. Head Office advise she must take 2IC or they have nothing to offer her. She is devastated.
To add a cherry to her screwed up week, her live in landlord has advised that he would like to rent the house out and they have until October to leave.
Jeebus! Why can't my kids cop a break occasionally?!
I notice a friend has posted of the loss of her grandfather on Facebook. We've been out of contact for some time now as we no longer work in the same place. I send her a text to let her know I'm there if she needs anything. She texts me back with the funeral details. I take this to mean that she would like me to attend. I've known her for about ten years, met her grandfather, brother in law and her mother. She and her mother visited me in hospital. The only problem is, the funeral is at the same time as the other. I guess I should be there for her.
An email arrives from Bestie. Did I want to come and visit on 4pm Saturday? She's have a Norwex party. I've never heard of the product but apparently it's cleaning products. With a bit of skin care thrown in. I'm in two minds but decide to go anyway.
I've bitten the bullet and upgraded to Mountain Lion. There are supposed to be 200+ enhancements/changes. And I've found some, still looking for others. These are likely to be in apps that I don't use. I like the way I can now lock the screen! That may be useful in the future!
MOTH is off the leash while I stay home and do stuff. I don't know what I did beyond clean the ensuite vanity. He's off to upgrade his phone now that the contract has expired. He's back with a Galaxy 3. I think I can now see what some of the fuss between Samsung and Apple might be about. The phones look different but if you can work an iphone, you can work a Galaxy; the way the home screens, swipes, home button, volume, lock off, swipe to unlock etc are so similar!
I spend money I don't have on cleaning cloths that afternoon, but everyone is happy and enjoying themselves, the consultant is bubbly and relaxed and it turns out to be a great afternoon. She's asked MOTH and I to stay on for a bbq dinner. It's nearly 9pm by the time we leave. It's great to catch up and I can't believe how much her daughter had grown.
Rebleach the hair this morning. What a tedious job! And having to work with dry hair is the pits. *i think there are STILL bits that look missed* MOTH goes to visit the baby sitters club and I get to work on this uninterrupted. Yay!
I attend a perfume master class today. It's brief but interesting. We learn about the different types of perfume - floral, oriental, wood, fresh. What the notes are - top, heart or middle, base or dry down. We get to smell different examples. We get to ask questions. We get light refreshments. We get to take home a couple of samples. One of them is Marc Jacobs 'Dot' which isn't released till September. We get to buy at a discount. I purchase a body lotion to go with the perfume I am getting for Christmas. Retail is $63, but today with discount and the refund of the class booking fee, I pay $36. Money well spent I thought. And I've found a new second favourite perfume. Thierry Mulger 'Alien' *quiet froggy!!*...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Normalcy. I think....
Back to the grind today. Amazing how some weeks fly, isn't it.
I may have mentioned I was on holidays this week. If not, I apologise. I was on holidays this week! Whoo!
I had intended to do an awful lot of nothing, and I think I might even have managed to accomplish that too.
It was our wedding anniversary earlier this month while I was visiting with family for Mouse's 40th birthday. While I was there, Ma gave me a small monetary gift as an anniversary present. Unexpected, but wholly welcome. I added a little bit to it and thought MOTH and I could go out to dinner somewhere. He agreed. We just had to settle the day. Saturday? Maybe. Actually, I'm on holidays next week, we can go out any time. Good point he says and we left it at that.
We decide that lunch will work well. Into Southbank for Italian? He's happy with that. We hop a lunch time bus and off we go on our little adventure. It's been some considerable time since the two of us have ventured city-wise and we notice there have been some changes. Not all of them good. New buildings have gone up, one right in the middle of the *once* common areas and it well and truly spoils the view.
Wait! What's this? A churro house? We'll go there for dessert I say. We'll see, he replies.
And further along THERE'S A CHOCOLATE / COFFEE PLACE ON THE CORNER! *dies*
I've done some research so I know where the Italian restaurants are. We stop at the first. It only does pizza. *crosses off list* We find the fully fledged proper Italian one. He's not happy. There's no cannelloni on the menu. We keep going. He walks past another. Wait! Don't you want to look? What? Oh. He stops and we ask to check the menu. It's touted as Itallian but pasta dishes make up only a small portion of the menu. He sees other possibilities and we stop there.
We sit, and I see this place has done away with salt and pepper shakers ...
I ended up with fish and chips, he had a steak. We also ordered a chorizo dish to share. When he'd finished his meal *steak and mash, no vegies* he remembered the chorizo. It hadn't come out. He was going to leave it, I told him to ask for it. He did, it came promptly with apologies for the kitchen and he had something else to scoff.
And I decide to be adventurous with my drink. The waitress asks if I'm sure. She's seen customers order it and walk away with it untouched. I'm game.
There's just enough room to go back for churros dessert.
On the way back to the bus stop I pause to look in the window of a little boutique that seems to have some interesting shoes occasionally. MOTH draws my attention to this pair.
I wonder what they would be like to wear as they seem to be made of plastic.
I have a whole week at home with MOTH dragging me along to the baby sitters club. Why not. It's an outing. Of sorts.
The Elder is in a huge panic. She as worked extra hours this week and is expecting a big pay. She is planning to use it for a visit. She gets only half *employer has stuffed up somewhere and has taxed her at a rate like 50%* She is well and truly upset. She checks with her boss who agrees that something has gone wrong. She tries to phone HR the next day buuuut....
Today is RNA Show Holiday. The Ekka is in full swing but I've decided not to go this year. I seem to have run out of funds. Never mind.
She tries again on Thursday and manages to get something sorted. Her fingers *and toes* are crossed. The same thing happened to Burrich but his employer said they couldn't fix it and he is to wait to tax time to claim it back.
It seems there is a new JB HiFi store opening locally. I'm sure the sign said today but research on their website indicates next week. MOTH decides he needs to get mower blades and we'll have to stop in the hardware place on the way throught. *rolls eyes*
We go to park around the back and the shop is definitely not open yet. Ah well. We drive round the front and MOTH and I wander through the hardware where he eventually selects mower blades. He's not sure if they are the right ones. Did you check before we left home? Nooooo.
I decide I want to visit a different JB HiFi store. Turns out not only have they got DVDs for $15.95, there is also a buy 2 get 1 free deal going. I end up with six DVDs and one extra MOTH chose. Which, oddly enough, wasn't part of the 2 4 1 deal.
The Elder and Burrich arrived just after midnight / Saturday morning. Up again next morning. She and I went shopping for a dress for a friend's wedding while Burrich stayed home and played WoW. We found a dress with promise very quickly but the size was wrong. Back home and she and Burrich head out to the Ekka.
The next day they are out and about again to check out that dress in a different store and a different size. She's still not happy with the fit. Dang. It had such possibilities.
They pack belongings and dogs *yes, they brought both the dogs with them* which proves to be more difficult that first thought. Freddy is fine but Heffe doesn't want to jump in the car. He sticks his head in and has to be manhandled in. *he's 10 months and is bigger than Freddy* We don't close the tailgate fast enough and he's back out. He's headed toward the neighbour' garden and suddenly he sees a bush turkey. The turkey's off! Followed by Heffe! Followed by Freddy! Followed by Burrich! While we stand and laugh. Eventually we get the dogs rounded up and in the car. The door is closed a bit quicker this time! They're in and headed off around 2.30pm. Fifteen minutes later I fall asleep in the recliner.
A busy week. Not bad considering I wasn't supposed to be doing anything!
I may have mentioned I was on holidays this week. If not, I apologise. I was on holidays this week! Whoo!
I had intended to do an awful lot of nothing, and I think I might even have managed to accomplish that too.
It was our wedding anniversary earlier this month while I was visiting with family for Mouse's 40th birthday. While I was there, Ma gave me a small monetary gift as an anniversary present. Unexpected, but wholly welcome. I added a little bit to it and thought MOTH and I could go out to dinner somewhere. He agreed. We just had to settle the day. Saturday? Maybe. Actually, I'm on holidays next week, we can go out any time. Good point he says and we left it at that.
We decide that lunch will work well. Into Southbank for Italian? He's happy with that. We hop a lunch time bus and off we go on our little adventure. It's been some considerable time since the two of us have ventured city-wise and we notice there have been some changes. Not all of them good. New buildings have gone up, one right in the middle of the *once* common areas and it well and truly spoils the view.
Wait! What's this? A churro house? We'll go there for dessert I say. We'll see, he replies.
And further along THERE'S A CHOCOLATE / COFFEE PLACE ON THE CORNER! *dies*
I've done some research so I know where the Italian restaurants are. We stop at the first. It only does pizza. *crosses off list* We find the fully fledged proper Italian one. He's not happy. There's no cannelloni on the menu. We keep going. He walks past another. Wait! Don't you want to look? What? Oh. He stops and we ask to check the menu. It's touted as Itallian but pasta dishes make up only a small portion of the menu. He sees other possibilities and we stop there.
We sit, and I see this place has done away with salt and pepper shakers ...
I ended up with fish and chips, he had a steak. We also ordered a chorizo dish to share. When he'd finished his meal *steak and mash, no vegies* he remembered the chorizo. It hadn't come out. He was going to leave it, I told him to ask for it. He did, it came promptly with apologies for the kitchen and he had something else to scoff.
And I decide to be adventurous with my drink. The waitress asks if I'm sure. She's seen customers order it and walk away with it untouched. I'm game.
There's just enough room to go back for churros dessert.
On the way back to the bus stop I pause to look in the window of a little boutique that seems to have some interesting shoes occasionally. MOTH draws my attention to this pair.
I wonder what they would be like to wear as they seem to be made of plastic.
I have a whole week at home with MOTH dragging me along to the baby sitters club. Why not. It's an outing. Of sorts.
The Elder is in a huge panic. She as worked extra hours this week and is expecting a big pay. She is planning to use it for a visit. She gets only half *employer has stuffed up somewhere and has taxed her at a rate like 50%* She is well and truly upset. She checks with her boss who agrees that something has gone wrong. She tries to phone HR the next day buuuut....
Today is RNA Show Holiday. The Ekka is in full swing but I've decided not to go this year. I seem to have run out of funds. Never mind.
She tries again on Thursday and manages to get something sorted. Her fingers *and toes* are crossed. The same thing happened to Burrich but his employer said they couldn't fix it and he is to wait to tax time to claim it back.
It seems there is a new JB HiFi store opening locally. I'm sure the sign said today but research on their website indicates next week. MOTH decides he needs to get mower blades and we'll have to stop in the hardware place on the way throught. *rolls eyes*
We go to park around the back and the shop is definitely not open yet. Ah well. We drive round the front and MOTH and I wander through the hardware where he eventually selects mower blades. He's not sure if they are the right ones. Did you check before we left home? Nooooo.
I decide I want to visit a different JB HiFi store. Turns out not only have they got DVDs for $15.95, there is also a buy 2 get 1 free deal going. I end up with six DVDs and one extra MOTH chose. Which, oddly enough, wasn't part of the 2 4 1 deal.
The Elder and Burrich arrived just after midnight / Saturday morning. Up again next morning. She and I went shopping for a dress for a friend's wedding while Burrich stayed home and played WoW. We found a dress with promise very quickly but the size was wrong. Back home and she and Burrich head out to the Ekka.
The next day they are out and about again to check out that dress in a different store and a different size. She's still not happy with the fit. Dang. It had such possibilities.
They pack belongings and dogs *yes, they brought both the dogs with them* which proves to be more difficult that first thought. Freddy is fine but Heffe doesn't want to jump in the car. He sticks his head in and has to be manhandled in. *he's 10 months and is bigger than Freddy* We don't close the tailgate fast enough and he's back out. He's headed toward the neighbour' garden and suddenly he sees a bush turkey. The turkey's off! Followed by Heffe! Followed by Freddy! Followed by Burrich! While we stand and laugh. Eventually we get the dogs rounded up and in the car. The door is closed a bit quicker this time! They're in and headed off around 2.30pm. Fifteen minutes later I fall asleep in the recliner.
A busy week. Not bad considering I wasn't supposed to be doing anything!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
So it occurs to me...
...that I haven't updated this week. Um ah!
Spose I should get on that. But the last week has been very quiet.
I've worked a short week this week; winding down for a holiday is why. Just a week off, but sometimes a week break is just what a person needs. I don't have anything planned, just log on occasionally so I can chat to Froggy.
And even though I've been working shorter days - that's what I meant by a short week - I still managed to get sick and take a day off.
Oh. I've not quite managed to finish my task today so it looks like I will have to check my email while on holiday to see if the travel agent sent the e-ticket and forward that on. Nicely.
I'm busy facebooking and a post pops up in my feed. It seems that Blizzard have released a note stating that some accounts on the American servers have been hacked. They aren't sure what has been taken, but it's a good idea to do a password change blah blah blah. Really people! Obviously some people have too much time on their hands, an over developed sense of entitlement and other people need to kick their arses all around the world. Sheesh! I'm so sick of reading about people's online accounts getting hacked!
So password reset *grumble* I haven't received any notification - yet - that my account was one of the ones affected...
And that was about the highlight of my week.
Oh, except 16:00 Friday afternoon. That was pretty darned good too!
Spose I should get on that. But the last week has been very quiet.
I've worked a short week this week; winding down for a holiday is why. Just a week off, but sometimes a week break is just what a person needs. I don't have anything planned, just log on occasionally so I can chat to Froggy.
And even though I've been working shorter days - that's what I meant by a short week - I still managed to get sick and take a day off.
Oh. I've not quite managed to finish my task today so it looks like I will have to check my email while on holiday to see if the travel agent sent the e-ticket and forward that on. Nicely.
I'm busy facebooking and a post pops up in my feed. It seems that Blizzard have released a note stating that some accounts on the American servers have been hacked. They aren't sure what has been taken, but it's a good idea to do a password change blah blah blah. Really people! Obviously some people have too much time on their hands, an over developed sense of entitlement and other people need to kick their arses all around the world. Sheesh! I'm so sick of reading about people's online accounts getting hacked!
So password reset *grumble* I haven't received any notification - yet - that my account was one of the ones affected...
And that was about the highlight of my week.
Oh, except 16:00 Friday afternoon. That was pretty darned good too!
Monday, August 06, 2012
What? Is the weekend over already?
*yaaawwwwnnn* I think today is going to be one of those days. I overslept. The garage door took about five attempts to close. It took longer than usual to get to work. The milk I set to heat overflowed the mug - AND it wasn't even as full as usual. The towel dispenser nearly came off the wall. *sigh*
There's an intersection just off the roundabout on the way home. Well, there are a couple of streets, possible points for u-turns and right turns on two lane traffic. All in the couple of hundred metres from the roudabout exit to the first set of traffic lights. I always do 60km there instead of the limit of 70km. You never know what some idiot is going to do. Today it looks like I've missed the idiocy. I can see two police vehicles, red and blue lights flashing. There is a blue vehicle parked between them. A group of blokes in yellow reflective trousers are gathered kerbside under the tree. A flatbed towtruck loiters. I don't see any other vehicles; no ambulance, no fire engine or recue vehicle. Looks like the action is over. Thankfully. The idea of being delayed on the HOMEWARD journey does not appeal. *workbound? different story*
The following morning you would never know an accident took place there.
I decide to take a trip into the city during my lunch. I want to get something but it's going to be a two hour round trip. It's to fetch a birthday present. *yeah. it was. i'm sure* I find the store. It's a store within a store, a cosmetic counter - kit - within Myers. The cosmetics at kit are not available at any of the other counters in Myers itself. I want some mascara for the weekend so haven't bought online. They don't have it in stock. I decide to have the sales assistant show me other products from the same line. They are so expensive here but kit is the only distributor in Queensland for Too Faced. I think I shall buy online next time. At least that way I don't get the 100% markup. I end up spending more than I orginally intended; a primer and concealer.
I get a facial from the experience. Like most, the makeup is nice but never applied the way I like it. Using my own products that night produces a reaction from senstive skin. I don't think I'll buy what she used instore!
Cruising down the city street. It's amazing what you see. I see a Caucasian man dressed in a neat business shirt and dress pants. His hair is pulled back in dreadlocks. Those locks almost touch the back of his thighs...
On the way back to work on the bus, dodging cars parked down narrow streets. Wait. What? There's a girl car. Or a gay car. Maybe the latter. It's wearing long eyelashes! *no time for photo!*
Friday drags and I'm nervous. I fly out today to join sibling Moose to help with her birthday. I'm leaving straight after work and I've allowed an hour and a half to get to the airport. We decide to use the airport tunnel but join from a different spot than when we did the dry run last weekend.
We're crusing and looking for the exit. Wait! There it is the signage, and there! We need to be in that lane ... back there. Right back there. Did you see it? Behind the truck? The one you didn't drop in behind, or follow the arrow to the left if you didn't want to change lanes? No? There was too much traffic and you didn't want to get stuck with the truck? *siiiiiigh. never mind*
Made it. Through security and sitting in the departure lounge. It's 4.30pm. Planned that well. Too well. Flight doesn't leave till 6.30pm...
Met a friend in the lounge. We're on the same flight and headed to the same house. Whoo! We arrive in good time and get settled in.
Out to get some stuff for the party. Uh oh. She's left her wallet at home. Luckily, I have mine so she can pay me back. Better still, you can buy me lunch. I manage to catch a quick glimpse of the Elder at her workplace. I thought afterward that I should have taken a photo. She's wearing leggings and a DRESS. She looks lovely and feminine.
We lunch at the Coffee Club. We get adventurous and order lime spiders. When it's time to settle the bill, the waitress asks how they were. No one was sure how to make them - lime softdrink isn't on the menu. They were perfect we chorus. She is relieved.
The night rolls on and Moose is getting nervous. We're running a little late for set up and she's beginning to panic. Breathe we tell her. Most people will be a bit late and those who turn up on time can help. No problems.
The evening seems to go well and the costumes look great! I didn't dress up but instead chose a colour that began with the letter B. Can you guess what it was? And I didn't even have to make any wardrobe changes.
Met the Teen and Harry for breakfast the next morning. They pick me up in Harry's mum's car. A Nissan Micra. I pooh pooh the car, but once inside... there's so much room! We get breakfast from Gloria Jean's. They've mucked up my order. A bacon and egg toastie isn't a chicken, cheese and avocado. Last time I compared, anyway. But the coffee *white chocolate mocha with cream* is good. And lo! While we were consuming breakfast one of the guests from the night before rocks up to use the ATM. I introduced him to Teen. He's a bit of a character, was her final assessment.
Moose has been gloating that she has been headache free for a while now. Today.... hmmmm. Ma is sure it's the alcohol but I don't think it is. I think it's sinus mixed with a dash of overtired and dehydration. The sniffles and sore face tells me this. Ma is not convinced. I pop a couple loads of washing through before heading out to visit with the olds. It's a pleasant couple of hours before heading back home to get ready to leave.
There's a few of them come to make sure I'm really leaving. I've already checked in but my baggage tag won't print. Off to the desk to get it done. An early call to proceed through security and I leave them waiting outside the departure lounge. I find out later they could have come through with me. Dammit.
Boarding call and I head to the desk. I have my phone with my boarding pass on it. It won't scan. They say they need a printed boarding pass. It won't print. The bloke on the desk recognises me from the problem with the baggage tag. He grins. It's your fault he says. Eventually there are four of us who need printed passes. Eventually we board the plane for our trip home. Gotta love technology ... !
Home again. Both the boys are happy to see me. I'm off to bed at 9.30pm. Visiting is such tiring work!
There's an intersection just off the roundabout on the way home. Well, there are a couple of streets, possible points for u-turns and right turns on two lane traffic. All in the couple of hundred metres from the roudabout exit to the first set of traffic lights. I always do 60km there instead of the limit of 70km. You never know what some idiot is going to do. Today it looks like I've missed the idiocy. I can see two police vehicles, red and blue lights flashing. There is a blue vehicle parked between them. A group of blokes in yellow reflective trousers are gathered kerbside under the tree. A flatbed towtruck loiters. I don't see any other vehicles; no ambulance, no fire engine or recue vehicle. Looks like the action is over. Thankfully. The idea of being delayed on the HOMEWARD journey does not appeal. *workbound? different story*
The following morning you would never know an accident took place there.
I decide to take a trip into the city during my lunch. I want to get something but it's going to be a two hour round trip. It's to fetch a birthday present. *yeah. it was. i'm sure* I find the store. It's a store within a store, a cosmetic counter - kit - within Myers. The cosmetics at kit are not available at any of the other counters in Myers itself. I want some mascara for the weekend so haven't bought online. They don't have it in stock. I decide to have the sales assistant show me other products from the same line. They are so expensive here but kit is the only distributor in Queensland for Too Faced. I think I shall buy online next time. At least that way I don't get the 100% markup. I end up spending more than I orginally intended; a primer and concealer.
I get a facial from the experience. Like most, the makeup is nice but never applied the way I like it. Using my own products that night produces a reaction from senstive skin. I don't think I'll buy what she used instore!
Cruising down the city street. It's amazing what you see. I see a Caucasian man dressed in a neat business shirt and dress pants. His hair is pulled back in dreadlocks. Those locks almost touch the back of his thighs...
On the way back to work on the bus, dodging cars parked down narrow streets. Wait. What? There's a girl car. Or a gay car. Maybe the latter. It's wearing long eyelashes! *no time for photo!*
Friday drags and I'm nervous. I fly out today to join sibling Moose to help with her birthday. I'm leaving straight after work and I've allowed an hour and a half to get to the airport. We decide to use the airport tunnel but join from a different spot than when we did the dry run last weekend.
We're crusing and looking for the exit. Wait! There it is the signage, and there! We need to be in that lane ... back there. Right back there. Did you see it? Behind the truck? The one you didn't drop in behind, or follow the arrow to the left if you didn't want to change lanes? No? There was too much traffic and you didn't want to get stuck with the truck? *siiiiiigh. never mind*
Made it. Through security and sitting in the departure lounge. It's 4.30pm. Planned that well. Too well. Flight doesn't leave till 6.30pm...
Met a friend in the lounge. We're on the same flight and headed to the same house. Whoo! We arrive in good time and get settled in.
Out to get some stuff for the party. Uh oh. She's left her wallet at home. Luckily, I have mine so she can pay me back. Better still, you can buy me lunch. I manage to catch a quick glimpse of the Elder at her workplace. I thought afterward that I should have taken a photo. She's wearing leggings and a DRESS. She looks lovely and feminine.
We lunch at the Coffee Club. We get adventurous and order lime spiders. When it's time to settle the bill, the waitress asks how they were. No one was sure how to make them - lime softdrink isn't on the menu. They were perfect we chorus. She is relieved.
The night rolls on and Moose is getting nervous. We're running a little late for set up and she's beginning to panic. Breathe we tell her. Most people will be a bit late and those who turn up on time can help. No problems.
The evening seems to go well and the costumes look great! I didn't dress up but instead chose a colour that began with the letter B. Can you guess what it was? And I didn't even have to make any wardrobe changes.
Met the Teen and Harry for breakfast the next morning. They pick me up in Harry's mum's car. A Nissan Micra. I pooh pooh the car, but once inside... there's so much room! We get breakfast from Gloria Jean's. They've mucked up my order. A bacon and egg toastie isn't a chicken, cheese and avocado. Last time I compared, anyway. But the coffee *white chocolate mocha with cream* is good. And lo! While we were consuming breakfast one of the guests from the night before rocks up to use the ATM. I introduced him to Teen. He's a bit of a character, was her final assessment.
Moose has been gloating that she has been headache free for a while now. Today.... hmmmm. Ma is sure it's the alcohol but I don't think it is. I think it's sinus mixed with a dash of overtired and dehydration. The sniffles and sore face tells me this. Ma is not convinced. I pop a couple loads of washing through before heading out to visit with the olds. It's a pleasant couple of hours before heading back home to get ready to leave.
There's a few of them come to make sure I'm really leaving. I've already checked in but my baggage tag won't print. Off to the desk to get it done. An early call to proceed through security and I leave them waiting outside the departure lounge. I find out later they could have come through with me. Dammit.
Boarding call and I head to the desk. I have my phone with my boarding pass on it. It won't scan. They say they need a printed boarding pass. It won't print. The bloke on the desk recognises me from the problem with the baggage tag. He grins. It's your fault he says. Eventually there are four of us who need printed passes. Eventually we board the plane for our trip home. Gotta love technology ... !
Home again. Both the boys are happy to see me. I'm off to bed at 9.30pm. Visiting is such tiring work!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Why is getting sick so expensive?
My wonderful marvelous tax refund, the last one of this size I shall ever get, is almost gone. Until you need treatment, you just don't realise how expensive having sleep apnoea can be!
And I did think about not writing anymore as I began this as a way to keep my sibling-in-another-state (Froggy) up to date of the happenings. But it seems that we chat every day and exchange most of the gossip there. Thank you readers, I guess I will keep the tales going so you may continue to nap through my updates.
The fortelling thing can be a little exciting. I dreamed once my ethereal self was standing with a couple of others, watching someone perish in a car fire. The radio news the next morning featured a story about some people who died in a car fire. I've dreamed that MOTH was riding pillion involved in a accident. He came off the bike headfirst into a light pole and broke his neck. His next doctor appointment revealed trouble with his neck... Haven't done it for some time though beyond the little things like the mattress. Just as well!
MOTH comes to pick me up after work. He's early, so I make him wait for about 15 minutes. Finish up time and I jump in the car, eager to get home. He turns the key and ... nothing. What? Again. Nothing. Then he switches off the lights and slumps in his seat. Dangit! Not AGAIN! Yes, the battery is about two years old and he's back to his habit of leaving the lights on...
I often see a cat running past the office through the garden. It looks way too well cared for to be a stray. An expensive looking cat actually, a beautiful cream with very pale red tabby markings. Someone has come in the front door and the cat has seen them. It comes to the door, meowing loudly. Is it hurt? I go to the door and look. No, but it has seen me and rolls on the step, showing its belly and continuing to meow. Now I see it up close, it's definitely an expensive cat! Beautiful colouring and lines, muscular and sleek. Pedigree by the looks of things. Why would you let a cat like that roam a busy street and with no collar?
Speaking of cats, Jerome has his vet appointment today. I've borrowed a cat carrier from the vet. He didn't fight to go in it, but when he realised he was trapped, he began to cry. Like a siamese. This little kitteh cried meow meow meow all the way ... to the vet, in the waiting room and finally quieted just before we went in. The vet was running late. Must be a medical professional thing.
He took the poking and prodding and temperature check in his stride and didn't even flinch at the needle. But apparently he's a bit of a porker. I didn't think I fed him that much - up to 1/2 a cup of dry food and an 85g can of tinned food. Googling and Bing-ing the interwebs and cat care forums don't give so much as a clue as to volume but plenty of opinions about WHAT they should eat. I took a guess, somewhat less than the packaging gave as a guide. So. Now he's fat. The Teen wails ... YOU MADE MY BABY FAAAAAT. I laugh, rough him up and call him fatty. In an effort to cut back, I've dropped the tinned food to half a can.
I've also got to figure out what details have been included on the microchip? The Teen's or mine? Or maybe even Ma's?
It's a toll free weekend. The new airport tunnel is open. I get an email from our toll provider who say their tunnel is free this weekend so people can go check out the new tunnel. Perhaps we'll go for a look.
Movies again! W00t! This week's special is The Avengers. MOTH asks if it's the Emma Peel one. What? No, get with the program. Just asked, he said, cause they released that not long ago. The one with Uma Thurman? Yeah, that one. Riiiiiight, Rip Van Winkle, that was some years ago now.... The Avengers is great; great characters, great cast, subplots, themes, tension and all broken up with some well placed one liners.
And I like it even better because the ticket price on special is $5.50 a person.
MOTH tells me that we will have passengers for the tunnel trip. John and his daughter were going to have a look so they will come with us. No problem. She and I are quite alike and get on like a house on fire. We head out with a few thousand others to check it out. Around Airport Drive and MOTH and John are contemplating whether most of the other traffic is just 'doing the loop' as well. It seems so. The whole round trip takes an hour and a half from home. Usually one way takes a minimum of 45 minutes.
We extend our stay to a cup of coffee and chat. An hour or so flies by but it seems only a few minutes.
I walk the length of the house to MOTH's office. Wanna go out to Hardly Normal? Sure, we can do that. *surprise surprise cause moth doesn't do impulse* I'm thinking of buying an expansion pack for a game I have. We arrive and I remember that HN has very little in the way of computer games but gear more toward console. Okies. We browse and before I know it, I'm looking at printers.
Half hour later I've walked out with a new printer, an HP photosmart that takes the same cartridges as the printer I already have. It's wireless and networked too. Sunday night after dinner and I finally get around to setting it up. It is wireless and networked! It sits on my desk, not a cable in sight and it's on the network so MOTH can print too. If he wants. He snavelled the old one. And I have discovered I can print photos directly from the iPhone too. Excellent!
Now I just have to print out some photos to mail to Ma. She's not tekkalogically advanced....
And I did think about not writing anymore as I began this as a way to keep my sibling-in-another-state (Froggy) up to date of the happenings. But it seems that we chat every day and exchange most of the gossip there. Thank you readers, I guess I will keep the tales going so you may continue to nap through my updates.
The fortelling thing can be a little exciting. I dreamed once my ethereal self was standing with a couple of others, watching someone perish in a car fire. The radio news the next morning featured a story about some people who died in a car fire. I've dreamed that MOTH was riding pillion involved in a accident. He came off the bike headfirst into a light pole and broke his neck. His next doctor appointment revealed trouble with his neck... Haven't done it for some time though beyond the little things like the mattress. Just as well!
MOTH comes to pick me up after work. He's early, so I make him wait for about 15 minutes. Finish up time and I jump in the car, eager to get home. He turns the key and ... nothing. What? Again. Nothing. Then he switches off the lights and slumps in his seat. Dangit! Not AGAIN! Yes, the battery is about two years old and he's back to his habit of leaving the lights on...
I often see a cat running past the office through the garden. It looks way too well cared for to be a stray. An expensive looking cat actually, a beautiful cream with very pale red tabby markings. Someone has come in the front door and the cat has seen them. It comes to the door, meowing loudly. Is it hurt? I go to the door and look. No, but it has seen me and rolls on the step, showing its belly and continuing to meow. Now I see it up close, it's definitely an expensive cat! Beautiful colouring and lines, muscular and sleek. Pedigree by the looks of things. Why would you let a cat like that roam a busy street and with no collar?
Speaking of cats, Jerome has his vet appointment today. I've borrowed a cat carrier from the vet. He didn't fight to go in it, but when he realised he was trapped, he began to cry. Like a siamese. This little kitteh cried meow meow meow all the way ... to the vet, in the waiting room and finally quieted just before we went in. The vet was running late. Must be a medical professional thing.
He took the poking and prodding and temperature check in his stride and didn't even flinch at the needle. But apparently he's a bit of a porker. I didn't think I fed him that much - up to 1/2 a cup of dry food and an 85g can of tinned food. Googling and Bing-ing the interwebs and cat care forums don't give so much as a clue as to volume but plenty of opinions about WHAT they should eat. I took a guess, somewhat less than the packaging gave as a guide. So. Now he's fat. The Teen wails ... YOU MADE MY BABY FAAAAAT. I laugh, rough him up and call him fatty. In an effort to cut back, I've dropped the tinned food to half a can.
I've also got to figure out what details have been included on the microchip? The Teen's or mine? Or maybe even Ma's?
It's a toll free weekend. The new airport tunnel is open. I get an email from our toll provider who say their tunnel is free this weekend so people can go check out the new tunnel. Perhaps we'll go for a look.
Movies again! W00t! This week's special is The Avengers. MOTH asks if it's the Emma Peel one. What? No, get with the program. Just asked, he said, cause they released that not long ago. The one with Uma Thurman? Yeah, that one. Riiiiiight, Rip Van Winkle, that was some years ago now.... The Avengers is great; great characters, great cast, subplots, themes, tension and all broken up with some well placed one liners.
And I like it even better because the ticket price on special is $5.50 a person.
MOTH tells me that we will have passengers for the tunnel trip. John and his daughter were going to have a look so they will come with us. No problem. She and I are quite alike and get on like a house on fire. We head out with a few thousand others to check it out. Around Airport Drive and MOTH and John are contemplating whether most of the other traffic is just 'doing the loop' as well. It seems so. The whole round trip takes an hour and a half from home. Usually one way takes a minimum of 45 minutes.
We extend our stay to a cup of coffee and chat. An hour or so flies by but it seems only a few minutes.
I walk the length of the house to MOTH's office. Wanna go out to Hardly Normal? Sure, we can do that. *surprise surprise cause moth doesn't do impulse* I'm thinking of buying an expansion pack for a game I have. We arrive and I remember that HN has very little in the way of computer games but gear more toward console. Okies. We browse and before I know it, I'm looking at printers.
Half hour later I've walked out with a new printer, an HP photosmart that takes the same cartridges as the printer I already have. It's wireless and networked too. Sunday night after dinner and I finally get around to setting it up. It is wireless and networked! It sits on my desk, not a cable in sight and it's on the network so MOTH can print too. If he wants. He snavelled the old one. And I have discovered I can print photos directly from the iPhone too. Excellent!
Now I just have to print out some photos to mail to Ma. She's not tekkalogically advanced....
Monday, July 23, 2012
Slightly more than usual
True. I do have slightly more than usual to blather on about. But sometimes I wonder if I should let this slip for a while. I don't know if anyone reads it anymore as most of the people who used to read it seem to have dropped off the blog-o-sphere...
I'm in the car, music playing as I wait for the lights to change. Traffic is horrendous this morning. Busier than I recall from previous mornings. I glance in the rear view mirror and something catches my eye. I look again. It's an ambulance. Coming down the same side of the road as I. Usually I seem them rushing past going the other direction. Uh oh. This will be interesting. Everyone is at a standstill waiting for the lights. All three lanes are full. I start to pull the car to the left. Luckily I have room. As I watch, cars move and open up a gap in the middle as the ambulance weaves in among the traffic. And then the cars close behind it. I can see the same thing happen all the way up the hill. It looks amazing.
Different day, homeward bound. I approach the big overpass roundabout and notice a car, about three in front of me, with a mattress tied to the roof racks. An image flashes into my mind of the mattress coming loose. Gee, I think, I hope I'm not behind it when that happens. I think no more about it watching the traffic and waiting for my turn.
I wasn't behind it. On the other side of the roundabout, just down the hill, the mattress AND THE ROOF RACKS are lying in the middle of the road. A 4WD has stopped in the middle of the lane, the driver of the car is running back to get the mattress. It's a busy spot and I don't stop although I slow to the the 4WD cross into my lane and out of the way. I wonder how the driver got the mattress home...?
MOTH is driving me to work and we are listening to the breakfast radio show. They've found a website where you can enter a famous name and find out if the person is alive or dead. They've called the segment Dead or Alive. I look at MOTH. How come, I say, no one has yet rung up and asked about Elvis?? MOTH laughs, and a minute later, someone has phoned to ask about Elvis. MOTH looks at me. You've got to stop doing that, he says. I'd already told him about the mattress.
Cruising my email and I see the newsletter from our local cinema. They are offering discounted tickets to see Prometheus. Sometimes I don't bother, other times I check to see if MOTH wants to go. Prometheus. I had seen a trailer and it looked like it had potential. The plot seemed to indicate it was about the origins of man. Well. It was an outing anyway. The movie that had potential seemed to have lost it. Someone asked for a no spoiler review, but it was difficult to say anything without spoilers. It began with potential, cut to a scene in the mountains with nothing out of the ordinary beyond finding some cave paintings, then suddenly they were in space on a ship named Prometheus and from there degenerated into a monster movie. I leaned over to whisper to MOTH that I was waiting for the Aliens to jump out. It turned out to be an Alien prequel and not a great one at that.
My recommendation ... wait for the DVD.
I'm in the car, music playing as I wait for the lights to change. Traffic is horrendous this morning. Busier than I recall from previous mornings. I glance in the rear view mirror and something catches my eye. I look again. It's an ambulance. Coming down the same side of the road as I. Usually I seem them rushing past going the other direction. Uh oh. This will be interesting. Everyone is at a standstill waiting for the lights. All three lanes are full. I start to pull the car to the left. Luckily I have room. As I watch, cars move and open up a gap in the middle as the ambulance weaves in among the traffic. And then the cars close behind it. I can see the same thing happen all the way up the hill. It looks amazing.
Different day, homeward bound. I approach the big overpass roundabout and notice a car, about three in front of me, with a mattress tied to the roof racks. An image flashes into my mind of the mattress coming loose. Gee, I think, I hope I'm not behind it when that happens. I think no more about it watching the traffic and waiting for my turn.
I wasn't behind it. On the other side of the roundabout, just down the hill, the mattress AND THE ROOF RACKS are lying in the middle of the road. A 4WD has stopped in the middle of the lane, the driver of the car is running back to get the mattress. It's a busy spot and I don't stop although I slow to the the 4WD cross into my lane and out of the way. I wonder how the driver got the mattress home...?
MOTH is driving me to work and we are listening to the breakfast radio show. They've found a website where you can enter a famous name and find out if the person is alive or dead. They've called the segment Dead or Alive. I look at MOTH. How come, I say, no one has yet rung up and asked about Elvis?? MOTH laughs, and a minute later, someone has phoned to ask about Elvis. MOTH looks at me. You've got to stop doing that, he says. I'd already told him about the mattress.
Cruising my email and I see the newsletter from our local cinema. They are offering discounted tickets to see Prometheus. Sometimes I don't bother, other times I check to see if MOTH wants to go. Prometheus. I had seen a trailer and it looked like it had potential. The plot seemed to indicate it was about the origins of man. Well. It was an outing anyway. The movie that had potential seemed to have lost it. Someone asked for a no spoiler review, but it was difficult to say anything without spoilers. It began with potential, cut to a scene in the mountains with nothing out of the ordinary beyond finding some cave paintings, then suddenly they were in space on a ship named Prometheus and from there degenerated into a monster movie. I leaned over to whisper to MOTH that I was waiting for the Aliens to jump out. It turned out to be an Alien prequel and not a great one at that.
My recommendation ... wait for the DVD.
Monday, July 16, 2012
I love this!
It's a great shot. :)
Nothing much has been happening lately. MOTH has been sick and I have been keeping a low profile, hoping I don't catch it. He's been on a course of antibiotics for the last week and it seems to be easing. I'm gradually beginning to breathe again as I have seemed to have missed it. *of course, having just said that...* I took him to the doctor before I went to work this week. I'm grateful for flexible starting hours. I didn't get to work until nearly lunch time!
Things have been quiet at work. Admin2 returned from holidays this week. It's been sort of busy doing both her work and mine, but certainly waaaay easier to handle than the six week stint I usually have to cover over the Christmas/New Year break she takes.
I've put in for my holidays. Ekka week, and two weeks at the beginning of January next year. Maybe I can sneak in a day or two in between. I don't think she was happy, but like my super says, I got in first. She also didn't realise that Admin2 takes that time period EVERY year?? Yes, that's the emphasis she put on it.
It's tax time again, and I make an appointment. I hate making these appointments. I don't know why, but I am really out of my comfort zone doing this kind of stuff. I have all my papers and off we go. MOTH decides to come with me. WHAT?? No more dependent spouse rebate? This is the last year I can claim? Sigh. Typical. The Government gives with one hand and takes away with the other. Apparently the rebate no longer exists for non-working spouses born after 1952. The new tax changes that have increased the tax free threshold do NOT in any way come close to compensating for this loss. This is a huge blow as it pays my bills which all seem to come in at that time of year and lets me buy small things for Christmas that I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford. Look out Froggy, no presents for you next year not just no birthday ones! The change doesn't take into account any spouse that CAN'T work either. MOTH is on a disability pension.
The storeman is over today to collect his 'reward' for helping us ship things to our conference in May. We donate chocolates and a backpack for him. Usually we drop it off - Admin2 always seems to drag me along - but since we've relocated, it isn't as easy. He's carrying a box out to the car and as I see him in my peripherals, he takes a misstep out the door. Whoa! Luckily he steadies himself before he hits the next step but it's a close run thing. Imagine the horror of the rest of the department if the storeman is laid off with a broken ankle! My heart slows and as he leaves I remind him to watch the step. We laugh.
I have had a small payment of a work related allowance this week. Whoo! I decide to see if Target has some specials on DVDs. I leave MOTH with the old boys and as I go to walk away, Wombat asks MOTH ... Do you feel just like you're in an old folks home, where they bring you in, sit you down and leave you? Yes, I said. I'm getting in practice. They laugh. I have now decided to call them the Baby Sitters Club.
Yes, Target have specials but certainly not clearance prices. I purchase three. Choosing was a brain destroying exercise! I ended up with Harry Potter 7.2, Captain America and Jason Statham's Blitz.
I get the DVDs home and pop them on the shelves ..... and discover that I don't have Harry Potter 7.1. That must have been Elder's copy. Whoops.
I also tried to find a second pair of flanny jammies. I only have one pair and with the cold and rainy weather we've been having, getting them dry has been difficult. I don't have a dryer, and this weather is the only time I miss it. But none my size. Siiiiigh. When I get home, I look at the ones I have. Oh! They did have this size. I forgot I had bought 1 size bigger as I like them really baggy. Back the next day and grab a pair.
Ahhhh warm flanny jammies....
Monday, July 09, 2012
Monday, July 02, 2012
This is gonna be different...
I usually close my eyes to housework. Somehow I've managed to train myself not to see that it needs doing. Until it gets to the point where I simply cannot ignore it anymore. This is a far cry from being a teenager and living at home. My room was tidy and before I had the carpet put in, I recall dragging the furniture out to the hall so I could vacuum and mop properly.
A lot has changed!
So, it's around 8.00pm and I walk into the kitchen and discover Jerome playing with a huge dust bunny. Mostly made up of his own fur mind you. Does he do this deliberately - throw his fur around to mark the house as his? It would not surprise me.
But this did! Holee! MOTH's guests arrive tomorrow at sparrow fart and THE PLACE IS A PIGSTY! Did I mention that I hate housework? The vacuum and I are not friends either. The Kirby man came to us once. Talk to him I said, I don't touch that stuff. I'm not tall by any stretch of the imagination and even with the pipe at full extention, I still have to bend my back to use the cleaner. There are chips of paint out of the corners where I never fail to get caught. They don't call it a barrel cleaner for nothing, I always manage to get it to barrel roll at least once.
So in the space of an hour and a half I had the main areas of the house vacuumed, the dusting done, the shower and bathtub cleaned, the vanity cleared of my stuff and cleaned and the kitchen and bathroom floor mopped. Oh, and towels replaced *is proud*.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTH! He already gets coffee in bed every day, and he'd been given his present last weekend so nothing special this morning except an early rise so he could get to the airport by 7.20am to collect his guests.
Still haven't managed to hem those jeans. They are dress jeans, not blue denim. But even the blue denim ones he likes to have chopped off to the right length. Usually I make him do those.
He drops me off at work on the way ... and the gate is still closed! Uh oh. Ok, so I am a bit earlier than usual but hey! That's no excuse. MOTH drives me round the long way - I can still get to my office, just not through our normal gate. I find out later the gardener doesn't work on Wednesdays so the site manager has to open them.
Home to meet Eva, Mike Snr, and Mike Jnr. She's nice, Snr is quiet and ... dorky. Jnr is ... well, a 6yo boy. Been a long time since I've had anything to do with one of those. This is going to be interesting. Jnr calls me Aunty. Roast lamb for dinner tonight. MOTH is cooking.
MOTH drives them to Dreamworld the next day. They pay for his way in. Bus home, and I walk in the front door. MOTH tells me they've only just arrived home themselves. His feet and back are killing him but they seemed to have had a good day.
Shopping night. MOTH told me she keeps Jnr well in hand, but not this time. Or is that me and she's just not keeping him as in hand as I might like? He's not mine so I feel I can't take him to task properly about his behaviour, but I do set him to task helping me find things. It keeps him occupied and Eva and Snr tell me it's the first time he seems to be enjoying shopping. *i'm glad someone is!*
Eva and Snr have gone to sit down, Jnr is still with us. We get to the checkout and Jnr is bothering me so I send him to find his parents. I can see them sitting on one of the seats. I'm packing things into the trolley and MOTH says ... Uh oh. I have to make a quick trip home. You what? Home. I have to go home. I've left my wallet at home ... in the bag I asked him if he needed before we left *rolls eyes*. I get to stand at the checkout and wait for him to come back.
Eva and the boys have something planned for Friday night and we leave straight after I finish work. They have a pass to see Ripley's Believe It or Not. I've gone past, but never visited. I'm excited at the prospect of doing something different, yet at the same time not as I like to come home and crash on Friday night. I fall asleep in the car. It's on Cavill Avenue and MOTH assures me he knows where it is. Turns out he was ... not correct ... and we are a little lost. I sigh and look it up on the phone. Not far enough south. He drops us off and we wait for him to park the car and come back. We're outside some eateries and Eva buys everyone Subway.
Eva wants to buy souvenirs but we aren't sure where to find a store. We wander a little, the weather is cool but not totally freezing, the clubs are going full bore. We find markets on the beach and spend time wandering along the foreshore looking at stalls. Eventually they tire of this and we head to Ripley's.
They pay our way in *yay* and off we go. There are some great things to look at but Jnr is very loud. VERY loud. I shush him several times, my patience is wearing very thin. I will add some photos in an update.
Home for them today. The flight out is 6.30am so we are up at 4.00am. The airport has changed a lot since I was there last! Drop them off with lots of hugs and back home to bed.
Later, MOTH lays on the floor to watch Robson Green's extreme fishing while I hemmed the jeans. Soon enough, he's snoring. He didn't surface again till nearly 4.00pm. He must have been tired!
Out to dinner tonight. This is what MOTH needed the jeans for. We had booked a table earlier in the week, but some of the old folk read reviews about the place and decided they wanted to change the venue. They chose Thai, but Stan told them he didn't eat Thai and wasn't going. Back to the original choice and see how it goes.
It went really really well. The only complaint from the table was Stan - he had bangers and mash and the skins on the bangers were a bit tough. Dinner was served within 25 mins of placing the order. Everyone who had steak thought it was perfect. Even Wombat *who wanted to change the venue* was raving. Home by 9.30pm.
He was still in a good mood the next morning when we all met up again. Amazing.
Jerome spent the day meowing. The. Whole Day. Ok, slight exaggeration. He spent the morning meowing. Constantly. I patted him. I played with him. I feed him and still he called. Eventually he wore himself out and fell asleep on MOTH's couch. Thank heavens!
Another pair of jeans need's mending. Not sure how to do this one as the waistband is falling off. The only thing keeping it on is the belt loop and some safety pins. I can't machine it - that means unpicking the belt loop and trying to sew it back in place. Ummm no, how many layers of denim is that?? I try to back stitch it. Nope, the needle breaks. And it wasn't a tiny embroidery needle either. I find a way and spend a pleasant couple of hours listening to Jerome and hemming jeans. Not!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Winter! You have arrived!
Winter seems to have arrived. I can tell. 'Tis the season of the Lukewarm Shower. Yes, that's what I said. By law, it seems, our State Leaders have decided that we are too sheep-like to be able to determine how hot is too hot. It's law to have a temperature regulator attached to your plumbing. Y'know, just so your water doesn't get above a certain temperature and you don't scald your little self. Or the little selfs you might have cloned and have running about the place. I mean, geez, surely you can keep your little selfs away from the bath/shower taps?
I have no idea if that happens to all or is merely a quirk of my hot water system. It seems to be affected by the temperature outside. In winter, hot water in my shower is a couple of degrees above body temperature. The only time I get hot water for a shower is ... SUMMER. Yes, right when I need it. Unless I choose to bathe in the kitchen sink. THAT tap gets hot enough to scald.
Wait ... haven't I mentioned this before??
I decided to go via the motorway to work today. Traffic was better than I expected. It was still down to a crawl in the usual spots but not as bad as it could have been. I seem to have missed the delay as I go past a five vehicle end to ender. They are all off the road and traffic is moving slowly but smoothly. Good timing!
The weekend rolls around again and I'm looking at the floor. Again. I really should do something about that. I have visitors coming during the week but I walk on by. Again.
I have other things to think about. Like taking up the hem of MOTH's jeans. Why do I hate doing that so much? But he's dressed and ready to go out so I don't bother him with it. We head out to the shops and join up with the oldies at the corner table. John has one of this sons with him. I'm sure we've not met before but he has one of those faces that look familiar. We discuss plans for our group outing next weekend. We've decided on a venue but some of them aren't sure where to go.
MOTH is up and dressed and out again. Ah well, maybe those jeans will have to wait.
I suppose I should make the cheesecake. Thank you Sparklingmerlot, he LOVES that recipe. Wait. First I have to let the cream cheese soften. I wonder if it will set in time? Ah well. If it doesn't it just gets to wait another night and we don't have it with the lamb shanks tonight. Off to play with Facebook while I wait. I like making cheesecake. I've finally found something I like using the food processor for. Crushing the bikkie mix is great! And so fast too.
Pop the cheese into the mixer and switch it on. WHOA! The bowl and the bit it sits on to make it spin jump off the base. I KNEW I didn't like this mixer for a reason. It looks kinda flashy, costs heaps considering where it's made and purchased. And could certainly function a whole lot better. There is no dial to tell you what speed you're at, only minimum and maximum. And a turbo button. And I had this set on minimum! It spins way too fast, but settles down a little once the cheese becomes creamy. Wish I could afford one of those Kitchen Aids! Anyway, cheesecake finished. I've added extra juice and a tiny dash of pulp instead of rind. I take to the tester. He doesn't want to wait for it to set!
A voice calls from the kitchen. I look and he's got the jeans on. I need to pin it. I do both legs. But you only need one pin he says. I tell him I do both legs cause you just never know if one of the legs is slightly longer than the other. I measure and pin the rest of the way around. One of the measurements comes out at 6.5 cm from the existing hem. The other has been pinned at ... 9.5cm. What? I fold the jeans and note that the legs seem to be the same length, and pin them both at 6.5cm. MOTH then begins to tell me a huge story about how he would have put the pin in and measured them down the outside leg to make sure they are the same and ..... so on. Sheesh. Maybe I should have left him to do it himself?
Anyway, they are now pinned and I just have to get myself motivated to hem them before Wednesday...
PS. The cheesecake is set and extra tangy. I'm not permitted to bring any to work. Success!
I have no idea if that happens to all or is merely a quirk of my hot water system. It seems to be affected by the temperature outside. In winter, hot water in my shower is a couple of degrees above body temperature. The only time I get hot water for a shower is ... SUMMER. Yes, right when I need it. Unless I choose to bathe in the kitchen sink. THAT tap gets hot enough to scald.
Wait ... haven't I mentioned this before??
I decided to go via the motorway to work today. Traffic was better than I expected. It was still down to a crawl in the usual spots but not as bad as it could have been. I seem to have missed the delay as I go past a five vehicle end to ender. They are all off the road and traffic is moving slowly but smoothly. Good timing!
The weekend rolls around again and I'm looking at the floor. Again. I really should do something about that. I have visitors coming during the week but I walk on by. Again.
I have other things to think about. Like taking up the hem of MOTH's jeans. Why do I hate doing that so much? But he's dressed and ready to go out so I don't bother him with it. We head out to the shops and join up with the oldies at the corner table. John has one of this sons with him. I'm sure we've not met before but he has one of those faces that look familiar. We discuss plans for our group outing next weekend. We've decided on a venue but some of them aren't sure where to go.
MOTH is up and dressed and out again. Ah well, maybe those jeans will have to wait.
I suppose I should make the cheesecake. Thank you Sparklingmerlot, he LOVES that recipe. Wait. First I have to let the cream cheese soften. I wonder if it will set in time? Ah well. If it doesn't it just gets to wait another night and we don't have it with the lamb shanks tonight. Off to play with Facebook while I wait. I like making cheesecake. I've finally found something I like using the food processor for. Crushing the bikkie mix is great! And so fast too.
Pop the cheese into the mixer and switch it on. WHOA! The bowl and the bit it sits on to make it spin jump off the base. I KNEW I didn't like this mixer for a reason. It looks kinda flashy, costs heaps considering where it's made and purchased. And could certainly function a whole lot better. There is no dial to tell you what speed you're at, only minimum and maximum. And a turbo button. And I had this set on minimum! It spins way too fast, but settles down a little once the cheese becomes creamy. Wish I could afford one of those Kitchen Aids! Anyway, cheesecake finished. I've added extra juice and a tiny dash of pulp instead of rind. I take to the tester. He doesn't want to wait for it to set!
A voice calls from the kitchen. I look and he's got the jeans on. I need to pin it. I do both legs. But you only need one pin he says. I tell him I do both legs cause you just never know if one of the legs is slightly longer than the other. I measure and pin the rest of the way around. One of the measurements comes out at 6.5 cm from the existing hem. The other has been pinned at ... 9.5cm. What? I fold the jeans and note that the legs seem to be the same length, and pin them both at 6.5cm. MOTH then begins to tell me a huge story about how he would have put the pin in and measured them down the outside leg to make sure they are the same and ..... so on. Sheesh. Maybe I should have left him to do it himself?
Anyway, they are now pinned and I just have to get myself motivated to hem them before Wednesday...
PS. The cheesecake is set and extra tangy. I'm not permitted to bring any to work. Success!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Rain. The end.
Sometimes I think Blogger is getting weirder every time I look at it.
A very quiet week this week.
Queen's Birthday Weekend. The first of the year. We get two this year as they transition to October for next year. Why can't we transition every year? I, for one, could do with more Public Holidays each year. We are invited to a bbq. The invite came over Facebook. MOTH comes to me. Do you want to go to a bbq on Monday? It's at 11 o'clock. Well, I say, you can go. I'll be working. Ok, he says. I decline the invite telling the hostess I will be at work.
And then I look at the actual date. It's not till Queen's Birthday weekend, and not the coming Monday. Sheesh! *facepalm* Back to accept the invite. It's a BYO meat and drink affair, salads supplied. The hosts are neighbours from our previous residence; we usually only see them out at the shops. It's raining. Of course. The bbq is outdoors. The weather is abysmal. Rain. Wind. But hey, we're under a cover and snuggled up in our winter woollies. Nice and dry and comfy .... and will you look at that. The roof leaks...
It leaks on to the glass topped table in front of me. And splashes. I'm not moving though. Lunch is eventually served. The company is good, the food plentiful. Eventually someone puts a cup under the splash where we watch it slowly fill, one drop at a time.
Around mid afternoon the family with the tiny babe decides to go home. The hosts son and daughter in law leave not long after. It's funny but once one group leave it doesn't take long for others to follow. That left MOTH and I as the last remaining guests. As the hostess leaves to take the son and daughter in law home, she checks to see if we will still be there when she gets back. Sure, why not. And we are. Lunch started at 12noon, we left after dark around 5.30pm. A great afternoon. We should do it again. But when the sun is shining....
A day off sick this already very short week. Lack of sleep, headache, cramps, joint pain. I wonder if maybe there is a virus going round.
A lazy weekend planned. Well, actually I toy with the idea of vacuuming the floor. It's something that needs strong consideration before I go ahead with the task.
I decide to play WoW. I haven't devoted much time to it lately. Too much reading, facebooking, Diablo 3 going on instead. I'm getting into the quest and suddenly BOOM! No more game. It's thrown up and error and it's my fave toon! Now it won't let me back to this game. Looks like I have to submit a ticket. Hope it gets resolved soon!
It's dark and I'm thinking of prepping things before work tomorrow. I walk past the lounge and realise... it's the weekend gone and that vacuuming didn't get done after all.
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