Blinked did I.

Time seems to be racing away so quickly. Has it really been that long?

The Niece seems to have settled in well. Her teacher has advised that she has transitioned very well. She seems to enjoy the school.

I am on the iron supplement injections again. I have completed the first course but there wasn't enough improvement so I have to continue the injections for a second course. I'm nearly finished that but still feel very tired. I think my body can't decide what it wants to do. I have even quickly researched some foods that are high in iron to include. Hopefully these help. One of those is kale. I haven't sampled that one yet. I'm not big on boiled green leafy vegetables. I can eat spinach in a salad but not boiled. I've also read that kale can be bitter. Not quite game enough to try it. Another inclusion is kangaroo. Luckily I don't mind this, much better than beef. Odd to think isn't it that Australia is likely the only country that eats its national emblems!

The budget is very tight at this point. Unemployment benefit pays only $460 a fortnight. Combined with MOTH's pension is only enough to pay the rent. It is very hard but I'm lucky enough to live in a country that does have a welfare system.

I am thinking of applying to my superannuation fund under the hardship provisions but I don't meet the criteria yet. I'm not hopeful. And then I have to decide which of the bills have priority as the amount I can claim is capped. Fun and games!

One of my old friends is wrapped in The Walking Dead. I really must look at this series. I only managed to catch the first episode and it didn't grab me straight away. There has been so much talk about it that I really should look. Another series that had promise is Hannibal. Looks great but again, I've only managed one episode. If I think about it there is so much viewing I haven't seen that I would like to!

I've missed a call from the school. Uh oh. But the call isn't returned until the afternoon. Ok, so it's obviously not urgent! They want to know what we have decided about Niece's future. They have mentioned that she can continue for another year at the school. Her previous case manager contacted me to advise a transfer of funding and at the same time mentioned that Niece's previous school would like her to return there for another year to transition through their work placements. This limits her options drastically as job opportunities for special school students in that area are scarce. A limited retail or Endeavour Foundation. I want her to be as close to independent living as she can and working as well. I've discussed this with Ma and she is very happy to agree. We think it better that she continue here. Niece is very disappointed as she was looking forward to returning home at the end of the year. She came to me after her shower and said she'd decided to stay. I reminded her she would have to return to live with her brother whose behaviour has not changed. She is happy to stay here. Now.

Niece has fallen in love with Adventure Time, the cartoon. To the extent of taking the characters as "imaginary friends". She says they're imaginary, they aren't real, and continues to talk to them like they are. Her imagination is so vivid that you can listen to a one sided conversation, complete with inflection, responses, laughter, and jokes. It's a little ... worrying. I dismissed it until I found her making beds on the floor for them. Time to draw the line. I think she still talks to them but a little quieter so I don't notice as much.

The Teen texts me. To tell a tale of typical Teen-ness. She says she wanted to be gluten and lactose free to be good to herself. She orders a pizza gluten free. And then proceeds to order three different cheese toppings.

The Elder is moving house at the end of her lease. Till she can find a new abode, she will be moving in with her Outlaws. This means she can't have Sheldon and Penny with her. So, guess where they are going? Yep, back with us. For about two months. I hope that's all it is too. Oh wait, now if MOTH tells Wombat he will become a rooster and crow about it for days. I must remember to remind him not to mention it. Elder promises to make sure they have been flea treated before they arrive. We shall see what Jerome thinks of this.....

Supanova 2014

Gold Coast Supanova 2014

The last couple of weeks seem to have flown by. I don't have work to measure my week by anymore! How sad is it that I no longer necessarily remember what day it is? Very sad, that's how sad.

Niece had a day off from school. Sick. I don't like it when kids get sick for some reason. I know by the end of it with Teen, she was claiming sick so often I didn't know if she was genuine or not. I sent her to school most of the time. This is a ploy I think I will have to take with Niece. She woke up late for school and spent half an hour in the toilet. I think she was just sitting avoiding getting ready. She claimed sick. I said she could go to school. And she ended up staying home. With a strict warning that if she was sick the next day, she wasn't going to respite or school camp.

She went to respite for the weekend. It was a weekend stay with only the three girls. Usually the respite 'guests' are boys so this was a special weekend. I was curious how they would go together. When we picked her up on the Sunday we were told she had a good time with one of the girls and had spent a lot of time giggling and having fun. Excellent news, although not so great was the imaginary friend thing, her favourite cartoon characters. I must remember that she is very open to suggestion!

Senior school camp is this week. Niece will be away for four days. It means packing everything and making sure it is all labelled. The school has sent home a list of what sort of things to pack. I help Niece with this and we check to make sure all her belongings are marked. This is not quite so bad as a fair bit of it is already done from having previous stays in respite.

It's a very quiet four days.

It's the weekend of the Supanova and MOTH and I decide we will head down a little earlier than previously planned. This way we'll miss most of the traffic. We find the motel and MOTH delivers me to Reception and heads out again. I go to check in.

I have the pre paid booking but the credit card is declined. Uh oh. Well, I thought that would happen. But the debit card declines as well. Panic sets in as MOTH has left, they won't honour the booking unless I can come up with the $200 bond. No exceptions. They won't take a normal ATM card. I don't even know how much is in that account. But there goes all my spending money for the weekend. Why does that always happen?! Luckily the hotel is near a shopping centre and I can locate an ATM. There isn't enough in that account but I can manage to scrape enough together with that, cash in my wallet, and drawing against my overdraft. Which I DEFINITELY did not want to do!

At least I have a place to stay. But I don't get to go out to dinner on Sunday night with the rest of the volunteers. Bummer.

The apartment looks ok on the surface. The kitchen looks lovely. Yes, it has a full kitchen. I check the draws and cupboards to find where everything is. Ummmm I see pots, a pan, toaster, jug, crockery, utensils .... where is the cutlery? Oh. Found it. Kitchen has an island bench. With cupboards. I get to the bedroom. Oh. Disappointing. I can see that the bed is not up to the usual hotel standard. Something about the bedspread is offputting and I'm reluctant to touch. But I do. When I'm ready for bed I turn it back and .... stains! The underside of the 'spread has had staining. URGH! I am REALLY fussy about my bedding! And the sheets are thick but soft. And occasionally the springs in the mattress creak when I move. Yes, the bed is that old. Think I should leave them some feedback. On the up, I have a main bathroom and an ensuite. Spoilt for choice.

I'm on line control again. This time for Emmanuelle Vaugier. She has done some roles with Smallville, Two and a Half Men, Lost Girl. The line is busy, but not terribly so. My only regret is that I have only one life... Ha! Actually what I regret the most is that as I'm working, I don't get to photograph a lot of the costumes and there are plenty of good ones. Steam Punk is big this year. Oh, and Adventure Time as the voice artists are on the guest panel.

I will post what pictures I did get separately.

By end day one, my feet are killing me.

Rock up today and oh! Nicole taps me on the shoulder and tells me, Lovey, I need you to go to photo booth today. Fair enough. I'm directed to photobooth and given a quick induction. I'm to stand at the exit and direct the traffic. No problem. I do this for a while, then am sent to another point to be the barricade so people don't go beyond a certain point. Oh again.

I don't have any freedom of movement here and OH LORDY MY FEET HURT. I think they're going numb. Well, maybe not quite. But it turns out I'm forming part of the barrier at the edge of guest access so I get to see them all as they go past to take their breaks. WHOO! One of the voice actors strides down the walkway back to his post, his PA not in sight. He's quite tall, his paces long. Soon after she comes running by. She's short....

Another guest swanns by. Again. His PA is not too far behind him. She looks at me and grins. He's a free spirit she says as she rushes by.

I chat to the patrons as I stand minding the walkway. One of them is dressed from the Pokemon labs. We start chatting pokemon and she mentions she was going to bring her Fennekin plushie but it didn't fit in her lab coat pocket. I asked her what that pokemon looked like. She then proceeds to pull her Nintendo DS from her pocket and checked her Pokedex to show me!

This day is pack up. I stay behind a little, don a high vis vest and pitch in to help dismantle some of the exhibition. After a time I go to help bring in the metal barricades. Despite a call for help over loud speaker only two of us end up working this job. After about 45 minutes of helping on the floor I've had enough and quit to go 'home'. If I thought my feet were sore earlier it's nothing compared to now. I can barely put one foot in front of the other and I still have to walk back to my hotel.

After a day like that I thought I deserved a spa. It's one of those that's built into the bathtub. I hate those. They're never wide enough to accommodate my Rubenesque figure. I made sure the water level was above the jets, adjusted them to suit and pressed the button. GLUB GLUB GLUB! Press the button! Quick! Yoiks! These jets are VERY POWERFUL! And ummmmm pointing upward. I aim them down, and it's still not right. Water on the walls this time. I've pushed them down as far as they will go, but the jets are still very powerful and shoot across the top of the water. The only way I can prevent the spray is sitting upright and pushing my thighs to the bottom of the tub. That's too much bother after a short time and I turn off the spa. There's water all over the floor, and the bath mat is soaking. Ooops. But I'm giggling too much to worry.

Check out time and I get my bond back. Just as well.

Think I'll nap when I get home...

Two two B or not two two B...

I've just had a flashback for whatever reason. Perhaps I'm reliving my childhood? And my love of the Three Investigators? I loved then so much better than Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.

It's been four months now since my bloggers have updated. One I know to be on the slack side *slacker!* and one ... I don't know. He used to update regularly. I hope all is well. Maybe he doesn't have time to read and blog anymore.

Ma and Pa seem to have settled into the new place. The Nephew has been spending time helping them tidy the garden a little. I have yet to see it and hopefully I will get up that way for a peek.

As mentioned in the last post *i hear the dogs beginning to howl* MOTH has been finding spending time with the club having an adverse effect on his well being. He hit the withdraw-from-social-contact low. This is not a good sign and means time to intervene. I decided to go for a picnic. The weather is lovely and the days are warm but not humid and hot. We decide on wraps for lunch and I've bought a small container of shortbread as well. Lunch basket packed and we head out.

We've decided on the cottonwoods or Sutton's Beach. It's going to be a bit of a drive. But the battery light comes on. And stays on. Oooookay, maybe the car is just running diagnostics. I's been known to do that. Suddenly the car slows and other lights start popping on. Uh oh. By the time we make it to the nearest shopping centre and find a park, the radio is switching on and off and the dash lights and readouts are doing the same. Battery! we chorus together. As the fates would have it, the car park sign reads full but up one level and immediately there is a spare space. We park and call RACQ. By the time they turn up and look at the fault, it's too late to head out for the picnic as we will have to head back to pick the Niece up from school.

I don't mind, the RACQ chappie is very easy on the eye. He's also tall, long legs and a tight butt as he leans over the engine.

And it seems there is a problem with the alternator. We limp back home and I get a taxi to pick Niece up from school.

I've been selected as a volunteer for the Supanova Cultural Expo for the Gold Coast event. Whoo! Induction is today. Luckily I don't need the car. I jump the bus. Hello bus, it's been a long time. I arrive at 10:30am, a little early. There are a couple of other volunteers waiting. And it seems I'm actually an hour early, not half an hour. Oops. But I'm cool with that, I've packed a lunch for myself so I have a little something to eat. The day lasts until nearly 3:00pm. I spy a couple of familiar faces from the last event, but not the ones I was hoping to see. I think it might be best for me to stay down there rather than try to drive an hour for an 8:00am or earlier start each day. I've booked my accommodation expecting to pay a deposit but no, it's debited the whole amount. Whoops, my card is now overdrawn. And after reading the fine print on the web page it seems that this hotel chain is one of the ones that subscribe to the totally stupid rule of $200 charge up front. To cover "incidentals". Ridiculous! How the heck could I rack up that much in incidentals in a single room over three nights?? *grumble* Even the you beaut 5 star Royal Pines world class resort and golf course doesn't charge much more than a couple of dollars up front at check in.

I decide to branch out and see if my Foxtel is now connected to the internet. Yes, it seems it is and 'on demand' is now activated. I decide to test it and MOTH and I settle in to watch Thor: Dark World. The lights are out, MOTH is comfy on the floor, I have the recliner and it's a very comfy way to watch movies. A little cheaper too as Box Office on Demand is $5.50 or so a movie.

The Niece will begin catching the bus to school soon. She's excited and after this morning, so am I. So much easier than driving. Which might actually spoil me. Maybe....

The Honeymoon is Over

Yesterday while sitting with the Customer Service Officer, I noticed she was using a vertical mouse. I'd never seen one before. Or heard of it before either. It looks an interesting concept. I've been suffering overuse injuries a lot lately. Too much gaming I guess. It's certainly curtailed my activity the last couple of days! Not good, I've had to resort to reading!

MOTH and I decide on a day out to go to the movies. We still have a couple of vouchers left from Christmas. What movie to see is the big question. I suggest 300: Rise of an Empire. MOTH can't remember seeing the first one but he's happy to give this one a go. I book on the web but there only seems to be V class screenings available. I look to see what that is. *i've never been to a V class screening before* Okay, bigger seats, bigger screen. Prices are a little more than normal but the voucher covers most of the cost. The movie is loud, lots of blood, war, killing, maiming, men wearing not much at all. For once, most of the women wore more than the men. I liked it. So did MOTH.

I'm fast running out of the money Centrelink thinks I have. Poor MOTH is confused because they keep changing his rate of payment. Who knows. Hopefully things will sort themselves out very soon and we can get on with trying to make ends meet.

Seems that one of the 'pets' is now a permanent employee. Hardly unexpected but I'm betting that her position wasn't advertised either. Not that I thought there was enough work for her to do on a permanent basis as it seems she isn't picking up any of the work I left and Admin2 is doing most of it. They have a temp in to do the conference things I was working on. Poor Admin2 gets none of the good stuff.

I thought MOTH had been doing well on the lower dose of the antidepressants. I'm not sure though. I could never say that tact has been his strongest point. Special K has now asked him not to mention her sister in her presence. Her sister and brother in law join the Club occasionally and she is not liked. Wombat has been rather narky of late and it's getting the the point where MOTH has been thinking of walking away from the Club. Special K has asked that he not, but I can't see this latest request going over well either and he may just walk away after all.

The Niece seems to have decided that she's comfortable. Comfortable enough to work herself up. She had a small behavioural slip but a talk about inappropriate behaviour, expectations, and a distraction soon had her back on track.

The Elder has finally had her surgery. Well, I can't really say finally as the wait was not very long considering she was on the public waiting list. Keyhole surgery is a marvelous thing, isn't it! Certainly they do things differently from when I had mine. But hopefully this will put an end to the pain though she will be feeling uncomfortable while she sorts out what food her body will and won't tolerate. That part can be fun!

I haven't heard much from The Teen. She's working full time and seems to be enjoying herself. I'm hoping this is so and she will progress really well. She is still spending time with Barbie, but nowhere near what she used to now she's working.

Buffy went on 'holiday' for a couple of days. That was peaceful. Even Jerome relaxed. She's back now and Jerome isn't quite sure what to feel. I laugh at the faces he pulls sometimes. He's begun to spend a lot of his nights curled up at the top of the bed between our pillows. Sometimes he shares one of our pillows, laying his head on it and looking all cute and fluffy and black. I just wish he wouldn't shed so much black hair. Yoiks! It's everywhere!

Tried a new dessert recipe. Blueberry cheesecake roll ups. They are a little fiddly to make but oh, so very nice. The Niece and I baked some for a taste test and I should really go and finish off the rest so we can have them tonight. Yes, I think I should do this now... before I get distracted....

Ads are repetitive!

Buffy seems to be settling fine. I can now get her to sit and stay when I feed her. And she'll sit when I ask her to. Not so great on the stay when she's not eating. Holes in the garden too it seems but that's new. Maybe she's bored. Not being a dog person I rarely venture outdoors.

Niece is in the house. Things are cruising well. So far. Well, it's been a week, I might as well take this week as good. *ahem* She likes the room. She loves the school. She's made some friends and even has an invitation to afternoon tea in the coming week. From all I've heard before this is very different from home. A lot of the house rules here are different from before so it's a big change. Fingers crossed it continues!

Not working is fun. Almost. Now if only I can think of a way to use this unemployment to generate an income. Hmmmm. Being lazy sure had its downfalls.

Jerome is not liking having the dog about. He now resides at the front end of the house and rarely ventures down my way unless he knows it's after dinner and Buffy has been sent to bed for the night. I have had to close blinds to keep them away from each other. Exciting times here!

Almost finished the round of iron injections. There may be some improvement as I don't seem to want to nap twice a day. Just once. One more injection and then more tests to see how it worked. I'm hoping that will fix it. For this round.

Another email pops up. I haven't yet contacted any of the carer groups. Perhaps I should? Things are going well right now but I guess I should. I like to take things slowly but perhaps I am taking it more slowly than I should. The old case worker is very enthusiastic and checks back with me regularly. Oops!

MOTH and I still have movie vouchers to use. We are debating which movies we would like to see. Divergent? The new 300 movie? Captain America? There are plenty I would like to see but finding one we both agree on can be a bit difficult. I will watch action movies. And I will watch the kids ones too. The Lego Movie! Peabody & Sherman. I'm sure I watched that as a cartoon when I was a kid. I love going to the movies, especially when someone else pays.

Elder and Burrich were down to attend Soundwave. Sometimes I think I would like to go and see the bands and soak up the atmosphere. Then again, maybe I'm too old to cope with SO MANY KIDS! MOTH rode the train up north to help tag team the driving. They brought a ute with them to take back what they could. We did a swap. A bookcase in, Elder's gear out. MOTH returned and set up the bookcase for me. Again, Elder and Burrich ran out of time so MOTH packed the ute. He works hard my MOTH.

I love my bookcase too.

And with some of the stuff gone from the garage, I can find some of my books to put in the bookcase! Yeah! Reading time. Back later peeps....

Buffy v Jerome

It's hard to find things to update when you think you spend most of your time at home. Or do you? It feels like nothing ever happens but if I strain the grey cells a little I might think of something.

I have my payout from work. Not a lot but I hope enough to get me through. I've been to Centrelink for income support but I need to serve an income preclusion period. It means that you don't get any welfare payments for a certain period of time after you have received a termination payout from your employer. For me, that ends on 15 March 2014. The only problem is the way the tax rules are applied means they make the calculation based on the gross amount you receive. And my actual net amount was about $4000 less than that. I'm thinking I might have to pimp out MOTH for the last couple of weeks to pay the rent. Not sure how much I'll get for him though. Unless I can pass him off as an antique.... Hmmmm.

Things are slowly falling into place for the arrival of Niece. The room is ready but we are still working out how to get her gear here. And more importantly, a bookcase that Ma has given me. Wooden. Three doors, mostly glass. It's kinda big. A previously worked out plan has changed because two of the people involved have changed their minds and will no longer be making up the convoy, and likely not helping load/unload either. Elder is hoping to take as much of their gear back home as they can manage on this run. We're working on alternative plans.

A new boarder moves in. MOTH has volunteered to provide temporary accommodation for one of Teen's friends dog. Her name is Buffy. She's kinda large and boofy looking, but a pleasant enough girl. At this point *she's been here about four days* she hasn't barked much which is a definite bonus. I so do not like dogs barking!

Jerome was not impressed at first and refused to go down the back end of the house where he might have to walk past the door. That's changed and now he spends a bit of time down that way. Buffy is excited to see him and desperately wants to play. That's when she barks the most. Jerome is having none of it.

MOTH and I were having a bit of a chuckle as we realised that she's somehow, in the mess that is our garden, managed to find or dig up an old moose leg that belonged to one of Fred's toys.

At the moment, Buffy's ribs are showing. Her 'mum' can't understand why. Could be anything really. However, seeing as we seem to be able to fatten animals up *without trying* we'll see how she goes over the course of her stay.

While discussing the blood test results as mentioned last time, I find I'm also vitamin D deficient. Sigh. That means a supplement. Or maybe more time outdoors? Neither appeals but at least with Buffy here I can take a bit of outdoor time if I go pet her. Maybe?

I've purchased some hair colour. A toner actually. It's supposed to be so good it turns your hair white. It's vegan so you can leave it in for ages without damaging your hair. I decide to run a test piece behind my ear. This area has dark roots and blonde ends ranging from light to dark. I washed my hair first. Only to discover that someone had upended the shampoo bottle and I had actually washed my hair with conditioner and conditioned with shampoo. Oh dear. I added the toner and left it to dry till that afternoon. Thankfully I had to wash it out so I managed to shampoo and condition properly this time. Annnnnd result? Zip, zilch, nada. Not a skerrick of difference. Ah well. Maybe I can find something to do with it. Maybe I and put a bit of it into Niece's hair. She's blonde already so it won't be too drastic. If she's good.

Iron. Ferrous Fumarate. There's a mouthful. Or not.

A slow week again. Or maybe it's not. The thing I missed most about driving to work was ... no crazy bus stunts. I think I still miss that.

It's some ungodly hour and I can't sleep. I can hear something in the trees. I peek out and I can see shapes of bush rats chasing each other through the trees. And on to the roof. Great. Will have to trim those trees. I doze off, and later I am up to feed Jerome. The rats are still playing but this time it's daylight and I can see them better. Oh. Not rats at all. But some type of possum I've only seen in our suburb deceased at the side of the road. They put themselves to bed, one shimmying up a nearby gum tree, the other travels along the fence top and out of sight. These are smaller that the brush tailed I've seen and a different colour. Maybe they are even small enough to have lived in the walls? Hmmmm.

MOTH drags me off to Bunnings hardware. To buy some stuff or another. And while my skin is drying and cracking *i'm allergic to hardware stores don't you know* I notice some Clever Cube furniture. Which might make a good addition to the spare room where Niece will be sleeping. Hmmm. The price is a little expensive. Well, compared to the Kmart items of a similar nature which adorn the wall in the kitchen. Maybe I can get them.

I've been web surfing looking for bed specials. Snooze seems to have mattresses on special. Worth a look. We find the nearest store and wander in. They have a king single at a reduced price. And it seems we get an extra discount for being RACQ members. We have been for years but it's the first time we've ever used the membership for discount. MOTH is happy with this. We walk out of there having purchased the bed, sheets, a pillow, and a doona. They did very well by us!

MOTH drags me off to Bunnings. Again. And this time I buy the furniture. I am looking forward to adding the finishing touches and setting it all up properly. I hope she likes it!

We unpack the box for the bedside and begin to assemble. We've done a few 'some assembly required' items before but this takes the cake for simplicity. I think we've assembled it in about ten minutes. So easy! The larger cupboard takes a little longer but once we get started it also is a breeze to put together.

Disposing of the rubbish and I hear MOTH call. Hon! Can you please switch the light on? I think I see a possum? I comply and yes, there it is. In the garden. It walks up to MOTH as bold as brass and sits at his feet for a second. I pass him some of the cat kibble and he sits on a chair. The possum has fled to the shadows and sit there, watching. Eventually MOTH puts it in the bird feeder and the possum climbs and begins its feast. It might be a ringtail. But definitely one of the more common type and not the ones I had seen that early morning.

I've had the dvd sitting here for a while. Maybe I should watch it. The Conjouring. I've been told it's spooky. And the rumpus room lights are out. But I'm also playing Black Flag so I should be alright. And I am. Until out of nowhere this high pitched child's voice calls. BOO MUMMY! I almost jump off my chair. And then I realise it's just the movie and the rear speaker. Bloody heck. But that was the only start I had during that screening. So there you go. Want to cut down on the spook impact? Do something else while you're watching.

Off to the doctor today to check the results of my blood work. It seems I am low in iron. Again. I have to do the injection cycle. Again. I'm sure they didn't cost that much last time. But it means that I can't get the finishing touches for the bedroom just yet. Ah well. So here I am, feeling that pincushion thing again... Hopefully the dye doesn't tattoo me this round. It didn't last time so it shouldn't this time, right??

Who's been napping in my chair?!

It's all very quiet on the blog front. I wonder if everyone is still recovering from the new year?

Unsupervised, I've changed the rumpus room again. This time I've swapped the desk and the couch. I'm now looking directly at the TV. I thought that usually when I watch I'm sitting at the desk. When I lay on the couch I nap so there is really no point watching the tv from there! *jerome is sitting in MOTH's recliner and watching a tv show about a serial killer. this might very well be a bad omen*

I have had a call from Niece's disability case worker. I had intended that she finish school when she comes to me but it seems that she is two semesters short of the required 24. This means that I will have to organise for her to attend school while she is here. So here we go with the 'back to school' thing. The case worker seems to be very chatty and enthusiastic. However I haven't heard back from her yet *it's only been about three days including a weekend and a public holiday* and since I'm a very proactive person I guess it might be up to me to contact the school to look for information about enrollment.

Ma phone today and some how Niece has found out about needing to go back to school. She is not a happy camper! I wonder though if Niece was fussing about going back to school full stop, not necessarily transferring down here.

The work to clear out Elder's belongings goes slowly. There is still much to pack. Alas, Elder is a bit like Pa *if it wasn't for the 11th hour, nothing would get done* with some things and not a lot of things were sorted or packed properly prior to their departure. There are still some things I will need to get for Niece to occupy the room but luckily a bed isn't one of them.

MOTH was left to pay his phone bill online this time. Usually it's a matter of printing the bill off while I'm at work for him to make a cash payment. This time he thought he would do it online. Payment made he went to check the bank account to see what was left. Uh oh! Panic stations! He's paid too much having accidentally typed a three figure sum instead of two. A frantic call to the telco ensued and he arranged to have the difference refunded. Not fair! he says. You usually do this stuff. This time I had to do the stuff up myself! I giggled.

Which day is which??

Sometimes it's difficult to tell which day is which. Or even the date...

John has gone into hospital again. Things still aren't good after his major fall. I think I may have mentioned it when he did it. He fell while getting up and didn't know he'd done any damage until his daughter arrived to take him to the shops and he was bleeding. It seems that there may be some residual damage from a blow to the head. He has difficulty with his memory now along with some pain in his hip and knee. Apparently he still has falls and now uses a wheeled walking frame. This worries the rest of the Club and scares the heck out of Special K. He will be moving in with her when he's discharged from hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.

I wanted a new mouse for the laptop. I searched the gaming shops online but only the outlet on the Coast had it in stock. I decide that we would take a day trip down and have a look. It was hot. The air conditioning in the car is not working. While we toured around the shops we were stopped by a seller for a holiday group. Please scratch these cards and see if you have won anything. MOTH scratched but nothing, I scratched and uncovered a match of 3 symbols. Darn. I have won one of three prizes but I have to attend a sales seminar in order to claim the prize. Damn that curious me. It won out.

The seminar is scheduled for Friday. I didn't want to go but when we turned up at least the office was air conditioned. The sales talk was on an individual basis. It ended up taking 2 hours and we turned it down. It's a holiday club. Membership is very expensive at $90 a week for the top of the range lifetime package. I really liked the idea of the product but I would have to really use it hard to get the value. It works on a points basis and you use the points to buy your holiday accommodation. For instance 7 nights in a domestic 5 star accommodation would end up costing $511 for the week.

But I have to sit through this to find out I've won 7 nights accommodation for $199 in Australia, Indonesia, or Thailand. I've opted for the Australian locations. Just have to make a choice now. I can upgrade from studio to 2 bedrooms apartments for an extra $100.

On the spur of the moment we decide to have lunch out and see a movie. We choose Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Froggy has given us a movie card voucher for the cinema. I check the terms and conditions and it doesn't list any restrictions. I use to to prebook a Gold Class screening. We end up having lunch at the local then off to the movies. Parking looks like it's going to be rough, so many cars! We find a spot eventually. We order a side of parmesan chips and a classic sundae to be delivered during the movie. Yes. MOTH eats most of the chips, I eat most of the sundae. It's big enough to share but I still manage most of it. Yeah.

Ma and Pa have sold the house and chosen a unit. They are in the process of packing now. Although the new owners have purchased the lounge, sofa, and dining setting there is still much to pack up. The new abode is much smaller and a lot of their stuff won't fit. Apparently Pa is having trouble throwing things away. I think he must have jackdaw genes spliced in there somewhere. I have managed to get the triple door bookcase but how I'm going to transport it is a toughie. Maybe I should have just let the new owner purchase it as she wished. Ma does not agree!

Gunsmoke. Definitely a classic.

I'm too young to have watched it on television on it's original screenings, and sometimes I like to watch the old westerns. Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Bonanza. Ah, they don't make TV like that anymore.

And it seems that in my last writing I forgot a whole week, and an important event at that! Between Christmas and New Year, Froggy and Dobby came to visit family. I picked them up from the airport and we discovered the joys of a black car interior, non working air conditioning, on a stinking hot summer day. Mouse was with me and we sat in the cool airport terminal and waited. As we sat in the steaming hot car ready to reverse out of the park, I waited for two little old ladies to pass behind us. They were smiling and pointing at my license plate.

We head out to Coffee Club for lunch and drinks. I have eggs benedict. Haven't had those for a while and can't decide if I like CC or Jamaica Blue better. I might have to try them again to decide. We go out to the car. It's roasting inside ... but central locking won't release the passenger doors. The sun beats down while I try to fix it. I give up and call MOTH to see if his key works. And then ... it unlocks. Darned car, playing nasty tricks on me!

The weather for the entire time we stayed there was atrocious. Hot and humid. So hot it was hard to stay dry. In the middle of all this, Ma and Pa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It was celebrated with a small gathering at Mouse's place. I worked the kitchen, heating sausage rolls and things. Froggy worked the cake. It looked lovely and tasted great. I think it was a hummingbird cake. Froggy had prepared an album for them, and as part of that, included letters of congratulations from some of our local and national politicians. It was great to see the smiles on their faces.

Jerome spent a lot of time hiding. Occasionally we put the air conditioning on and then you'd find him on the back of the couch, soaking it up. Or in Elder's bedroom where she ran the air conditioning 24/7. Sometimes she would open the door and he would go in. Sheldon and Penny were a bit fazed, they aren't allowed in there because Sheldon won't sit still and Penny hides under the bed.

We were out most every day doing something, usually at the local shops picking up softdrink or food it was that hot. Spending time with family and yet not. As I look back we were there for about a fortnight but didn't seem to do much. At all.

We travelled north a couple of times to visit Teen. It's amazing how we can travel for an hour here and it's nothing. An hours travel up there is a journey. There is nothing to look at and an hour feels like two. On one occasion, Elder came with us in the search for a pair of shoes for a wedding. Not hers, she's bridesmaid. The search for shoes goes on.

We spend some time with Ma and Pa, Rabbit and her children. It has been determined that Niece will come to live with us. I'm still not sure of the timing, but likely at the end of February. Things seem to have sorted themselves with her and deteriorated drastically with Nephew's behaviour. Ma and Rabbit can no longer cope with the two of them so it's all happening. I am not sure how Niece feels about this yet.

Ma and Pa have sold the house and are trying to sort out their belongings. The new place is smaller than their current place so they are trying to give a lot of things away. To the kids. That's us. I come away with some small things including a painted box that I didn't know I wanted *ahem* but I can't get the things I really want. The bookcase won't fit in the car darnit. I don't think I've managed to convince Ma that the camphor wood carved chests would look good in my place. I don't know quite where, but they would look good anywhere. *grins*

Storms have come up on the home base. Usually the storms miss us, we get some of the side events if you want to call them that. This time it passed overhead and power was out for several hours. MOTH decided we needed to come home and check on things. We left a day earlier than planned.

Jerome is sedated. I know it. His eyelid has come across and he can no longer walk in a straight line. It's mean but we can't help giggling. It doesn't knock him out completely but he doesn't cry anywhere near as much when he's in the car and carrier.

Everything seems fine when we get home. Luckily most of the electrical equipment is switched off at the wall and the automatic garage door was switched to manual so any power outages would not have caused it to open. It takes at least 24 hours for Jerome to sort himself out to look and behave normally again. It's kind of scary but there is no other way to travel with him. I've caught up with the washing. MOTH hasn't finished unpacking the last of his stuff yet. Things are back to normal.

Happy New Year!

It's hot! So hot! Maybe I should rephrase. It's humid! So humid! Temperatures are at the 34 - 38C but humidity is at 50% or higher. Sometimes I wonder when I'm going to start growing mould.

So I'm sitting in the sweltering heat of the lounge room watching Brickleberry and wondering what the heck I'm going to do when I melt. Into a puddle. I think I'd stay here till I evaporated. Or maybe Sheldon would clean up part of me. *heh* See. Brain meltingly humid.

The last few weeks have gone blindingly fast. Though when you're actually in the moment, they go slowly. MOTH spent some time cleaning the yard. While standing looking out the window I see movement. A tail? What was that? A rat? I run outside for a look as I think I've seen rats in the yard before. Oh! No, not a rat. It's a blue tongue lizard! I haven't seen one of those for ages. I go stand next to it and watch for a while. It's not moving, I'm not moving and we're at a Mexican Standoff. I back off first and head back indoors. I'm glad Jerome isn't out!

MOTH has been letting Jerome outside occasionally to play. Now however he's learned the world is bigger than our yard. He found a neighbour's cat and the shenanigans began. I raced out of our yard and up the street *high fencing along the street side* and stopped at the house. No good. I can hear them but can't see them. MOTH climbs into the built up garden in our back yard to yell at Jerome. When he shouts the neighbourhood cat takes the opportunity to escape. I walk back home, into the kitchen to find MOTH sitting at the table, holding a blood soaked cloth to his arm, and blood spots all over the floor and into the bathroom. He fell while stepping off the garden bed and scraped skin from his forearm. Ouch!

Christmas lunch for work. They've asked if I minded combining the lunch with my going away lunch. Sure, why not. The lunch is at the local golf club. They do nice meals. I settle for chips and aioli. Work pays for a round of drinks and I nearly fall off my chair. They've never done that before. I have my cider and chips. I like the company as I am down the end of the table with some of the GTs. There aren't many of us as most of the office is on holidays. The restaurant doesn't do split bills and I'm dreading that bit. I don't order much and totally hate the idea of subsidising someone else's meal. But this time the GM works with one of the other managers and they make note of those of us who have ordered the cheaper meals. As a result, my chips and aioli end up costing me only $5. I'm stoked.

They give me my going away present. A bunch of lovely yellow roses and a 3 tier tin of Lindor chocolates. Alas, I thought I had a pic of the flowers but it seems I don't.

It's very quiet at work. Most everyone is on holidays or working from home. There are only four of us in the office. Super takes us all to lunch. We go out to eat Thai. It's a good lunch but we're dining outdoors and it's hot. Hot, hot, hot. There is a good breeze though.

Christmas Eve and I'm trying to tidy up the loose ends and sort out my things. I've done most of it earlier in the week but I need to leave notes for Admin2. There are only two of us in the office this morning. And we have a half day. Finish up and head home to finish the last of the packing. MOTH tells me that Jerome has been sedated and should be ready to travel. He looks fairly relaxed but not sedated. MOTH assures me that he is, his eyelid is beginning to come across. Fair enough. I load him into the carrier. He fights a little but not badly.

Nightmare trip. Jerome is NOT sedated. He must have spat the tablet. He cries. And cries. Eventually I let him out. He's on the harness but tries to climb in my lap while I'm driving. Sigh. I tolerate it cause he's quiet and not to wriggly.

Overnight in Maryborough at Best Western Kimba Lodge. It's an odd place. Reception is modern and when we park, you can't see any rooms. There is a central hallway in a back building which looks like an old shower block with tiled floor. The rooms come off this hallway. It looks great. The room is small but clean. The bed is comfy too.

Jerome is definitely sedated today. But he's fighting it as hard as he can. He's on the harness this time. He tries to climb into my lap while I'm driving again, but this time he's using his claws. OUCH! I have to pull over and resettle him. Eventually he falls into the cat carrier and I zip him inside. Whew. Next time, straight into the carrier.

We get to stay overnight at Teen's house. Then we bring her back Boxing Day to spend it with the family. But first we collect her from Barbie's house. OMG, they have the air conditioning on "ice cold". I don't really want to leave...

New Year is spent celebrating with Burrich as he is turning 21. We've collected the Teen and are ready to have fun. MOTH can't last beyond 9pm and we decide to leave. Unfortunately we have to take Teen home with us as she can't stay at his parent's place and she has no other lift. Poor little lass. she's unhappy and I feel bad. Never thought but if I'd held off the Canadian Club a little longer I could have dropped MOTH off and come back. Ah well, I'll know for next time.

And New Year means I am officially unemployed. Scary territory which has changed since I was last here ....

Furbies are top toys again

I have finished my Christmas shopping! Yay me! Usually I'm doing the last of it Christmas Eve eve. That's what it's for, right?

Now I'm thinking about having to get the sedation for Jerome, enough for 2 x 4 hour trips, and 1 x 8 hours. I have no idea if it's even possible but maybe even a couple of hours might help. No, Jerome doesn't travel well at all. He tries to break out of the carrier and yowls like a Siamese for several hours. Oh, and if I decide to take food up north, what do I take. And how am I going to take it. I would really like to bake a ham. Or roast a duck. For Boxing Day as I won't catch up with the kids until then. Or Christmas night.

Note to self: Alcohol. Don't forget alcohol. Moscato. Lots of it. And a sparkling red. Yeah, gotta get that...

When I get home MOTH has refilled the bird feeder. There are some rainbow lorikeets, and two galahs. I giggle as the lorikeets very carefully monitor what the galahs eat. There's a 'keet on the ground and the galahs join it. It thinks they're getting too much and sees them off to the edge of the spilled seed. I've seen them hold off two cockatoos they thought were eating their seed!

There are two weeks to go. I'm mega excited but I'm also beginning to have panic attacks. If I can just not think beyond the end of the year I should be alright. Yes. I will be alright.

MOTH notices a microwave/grill/convection in a catalogue. On the way back from somewhere he decides we will go and look at it. And we do. We're looking, discussing and thinking about it. No rush, right? And suddenly I find I'm paying for a new microwave/grill/convection and a new tower fan. Oh my. Well, I used to use the grill to cook my chops and sausages. I've sort of missed doing that as the one we have seems to only microwave these days without setting off the safety switch. So, now I have a new one. It comes with a Matt Moran cookbook. But it seems I have to claim that from the supplier web site. Darn. Don't like doing that. Okay, and when I look at the website it seems we've managed to get the appliance for about $200 cheaper in store than the RRP. Whoo!

The Teen made me giggle. She was going to her first ever work Christmas party and like the nerdy girl at school going to her first ever party she didn't know what to wear or to do. Later, someone posted a video of her without sound. I would have loved to have heard it. She's waving her arms about then suddenly jumps up and begins to dance and pose. I giggled like a mad loon.

Elder has decided to give Freddie a clip for summer. She sent a photo but I couldn't believe it. I thought I was looking at a photo of Hefe. Freddie looks totally different!!

I have suffered from a moment of madness and done something I thought I would never, ever do. I've joined the Wankiness club and have personalised license plates. They haven't arrived yet but I'm eagerly looking forward to their arrival. They'll look exactly like this ... but different.

I'm really looking forward to Boxing Day when I hope to catch up with my kiddies. Elder, Teen, Burrich, Asian, Barbie, and maybe even the new one. We haven't really met yet. Hopefully he's a teeny bit scared.

So. Two weeks to go. Probably going to be the longest two weeks of the year.

Ah, so much to do at work, and so little enthusiasm....

Shenannigans!

Watched a video posted on Facebook that involved the Teen creeping up behind the couch *butt in the air* and letting go with an air horn. The video might have been better if Barbie hadn't got the giggles and stopped filming. Then again, maybe that's a good thing because I'm not sure my ears could have handled the language....

Meet Titus Groan, my wallet...

It's been a wickedly busy week at work. I nearly had to tell Super that I couldn't meet a deadline! Admin2's work was getting in the way. Customer service rules and someone wanted something done that took a very long time to do. It's still not completely finished and I shall have to continue. Obviously. *that's me, captain obvious*

It is only about three weeks till Christmas now and I have most of my shopping done. *is totally amazed. isn't that what Christmas eve is for??* Only Mouse left to go. She's given me some *ahem* helpful suggestions but I was looking for something a little different. I will have to revert to her suggestion though I think!

As part of my leaving work, I have to give back any equipment I have taken home. This includes the monitor that MOTH has been using. So he has his present early. Bet you can't guess what it is? *purely rhetorical question that* He is very, very pleased with it and the picture quality is amazing. So clear! It's a HP 21" flat screen monitor but I can't remember what model. I've voted myself an early present as well.

The BMW, being a somewhat older model, does not have an auxiliary port to plug in an iPod or similar. Or phone either for that matter. It does have a CD player though. A single. So how am I going to drive up the coast with half of the way not covered by radio and no one in the car to change the CD? Hmmmm. I could get an aux fitted. But I decide to buy a new iPod instead. Terribly capitalist of me but I have had my Classic now for about seven years. I go for a touch. And while I'm at it, some speakers. I think I can find a way to mount them or put them in the car.

The hardest part is the waiting. I tell MOTH he can't go out cause I'm expecting a delivery. He does, thinking I'm joking. And I sort of am because I didn't know which day it was arriving. Sure enough, it arrives while he's out. He does a redirection for delivery and I have to wait an extra day *dies* because the parcel has to be signed for. The speakers arrive before the iPod. I get them together and the speakers are fantastic. I've decided that maybe I can use velcro to mount the speakers in the car. Apparently I'm taking a little too long to get the velcro on it as MOTH decides to give me a hand. Honestly, I think sometimes he's more excited about my gadget collection than I am. Okay ... but wait! Don't do that yet! But I'm just helping! Yes, but I need to give this some thought before you go wacking them on. Like, will I need the charging dock in the car? No, I don't think so. In which case the dots can go on the speaker base. But if I do that, will the dots prevent the contacts for charging touching? Oh.... so we get it sorted and I can velcro the speakers on to the dash mat.

We haven't had a chance to take the car for a long drive yet. Well, relatively long. We decide to head down the coast to Harbour Town, a shopping precinct full of outlet stores. My wallet groaned at the thought. I didn't. Oh, and while we're at it, we'll try out the new GPS as well. No fun trying it out when you know where you're going, right? The GPS seems to be working great, even lane previews at intersections. Excellent! And ... then it dies. Whoops! I set it up and forgot to plug it in to the charger. I'm trying out the cruise control as well. MOTH is sitting in the passenger seat for the trip and looks very pale. He tells me I'm scaring the hell outta him. I admit that's isn't difficult because he doesn't feel comfortable anywhere except the driver's seat. I don't notice if he's hanging onto the 'Jesus' bar, but a car ducks in front of us. Lookout! he nearly yells. Yes, I've seen it. I want to change lanes and I indicate. I speed up a bit to position myself properly but the driver behind me speeds up too. I take the gap anyway. Watch him! from MOTH. Yes dear, I know he's there but I need to turn and I'm taking this space. I'm running the cruise control but traffic is a bit up and down. I downgrade the speed but get a little close. MOTH mumbles to himself. A little while later he tells me again to be careful because I'm scaring the hell out of him. Not that that is difficult. He's pale when we arrive so I ask if he wants to drive home. I was hoping, he says. I'd feel better. Ok...

We stop for lunch at Nonna's. They have a steak menu, a seafood menu, and an Italian menu. MOTH orders off the steak, I order from the seafood. We're placed at a table 'outside' *still under cover* and the breeze is really nice. The meals are great and when we pay for it I'm handed a 10% off Candyland voucher. I'm so there!

We stop at a pet supply store. I want a harness for Jerome. I find the style I want in a lovely royal purple velour. That will do. I take it to the counter where I am served by an older woman. We chat a little as she's trying to read my t-shirt. It says "I'm only wearing black until they invent a darker colour" and she laughs when she reads it. She comments the leash is a lovely colour. I mention it should suit, the cat is black. She looks at me *i'm wearing a black t-shirt, a black skirt* and she looks at MOTH *he's wearing a black polo* and put her hands in the air. Of course it is, she exclaims. Everything is black! I look at MOTH and we laugh.

I've spent way too much and I'm glad that MOTH is driving home. I'm kinda worn out and ready to nap. It's too late when I get home though for napping. I try the harness on Jerome. He's happy, happy, happy as he lets me begin adjusting the size. It means he gets to go outdoors and he sings his praises. I let him out for a couple of minutes on the leash. He seems to be content with that. He hasn't been out for a couple of days as MOTH caught him outside the fence on his last unsupervised outing. He has also been catching the giant skinks and bringing them indoors. Jerome was in the front yard when MOTH found him. He dived for the fence but the ground on this side is much lower than the ground on the other. He jumped, didn't make the height, hung off the fence then gave up and dropped to the ground. MOTH bought him indoors and he's been sulking ever since. *jerome, not MOTH*

So beginning to get ready for the trip up north. Music sorted. Christmas pressies bought. Accommodation booked. Since we are leaving when I finish work and having to take two cars we are planning to overnight Christmas Eve about halfway. Just have to organise sedation for Jerome. Wish he travelled better than he does! Oh, and decide what we're packing into the Bluebird *the car we are giving to Teen for Christmas* to hopefully clear space in the garage for our stuff instead of the Elders! Hopefully it's going to go quickly!

Airconditioning, where are you?

Bright Monday morning and the work air conditioning is failing. Yoiks. It's now 27C in the office. Stuffy! And I only mentioned to MOTH this morning it was almost a pleasure to go to work for the air conditioning. Looks like I broke it.

I've had my weekly meeting with Super. There are plenty of things on my To Do list now. And I have had some clear deadlines set. They might be a little tough to meet, but this makes things easier and I wish it had been done before. Things are going a little smoother but it's too late now.

Filled the car with fuel the morning, and I can't wait to get to work. Because I love driving the car. MOTH is having to get used to the view from the passenger side when we go out. And I don't think he's happy.

Christmas shopping today. But I allow MOTH to join the Club first. This is seriously going to decrease our chances of getting a park at the mall I want to shop at. For both the big malls you need to arrive early. Parking is very much at a premium by 10:30am. We joke with the others that we need peace, and karma, good will, and a parking space will be available for us. Traffic is very heavy when we finally get to the mall. There are cars everywhere. We decide that we will check where we normally park for the Dr and if there's nothing there we will go home and shop early on Sunday. Nope, nothing. We exit the upper car park ramp to go home and there, right there, across the other lane of traffic a space opens up. I put the indicator on and wait for someone to let me across the traffic. We park and head for the shops. Now most of my shopping is done, only three more to get. I know what one is, but have no idea what to get Mouse and Rabbit. Not a clue.

MOTH keeps the bird feeder stocked with seed. I've thought about putting out some honey for the lorikeets but they seem happy enough to eat the seed. We usually get crested pigeons, turtle doves, rainbow lorikeets, and crows by the ... too many. Occasionally we get a galah or two *quiet peanut gallery!* and a cockatoo. MOTH really likes this cockatoo. He's been close enough to notice it's banded so maybe it was once someone's pet. It comes to the fence and if there is no seed it screeches loudly. And often. Till MOTH comes out and puts more seed out. It sits on the fence near the feeder and watches MOTH will a beady eye till it's satisfied there is enough. MOTH can stand directly below it and hold up his arm. It doesn't jump on, but nor does it fly away. MOTH waits patiently for the day it steps onto his arm.

Wet season is beginning to come through. There have been some big storms but we keep missing them. We get some rain, a bit of wind, thunder, and a lightening show. And a sticky hot humid day the next. I don't mind some rain but it never seems to help. If only a cool breeze would blow after so things aren't so hot and sticky. The weather makes me torpid and more angry than usual. Even though I wake up sweaty, I keep dozing off and can't muster up the energy to do much of anything. I even turned off the computer on Sunday....

Song sung blue

I kept the eye paint. I could wear one of the blues. It's a dark grey blue. And I didn't bother getting the refund. It was less than $10.

So I'm staring at the light, blinding myself and watching the fan go round. Trying to think of what I did last week. Must have been exciting!

Things have been alright at work. It's like ... maybe she's taking lessons. She's not been over my shoulder as much. She stopped to listen to Admin2 and said "as good as that sounds, I think we should..." Very surprising. Work has mostly been preparing for Admin2 to go on leave. She takes six weeks so it's a big build up. She has to rush to complete as much as she can before she hands over to me.

MOTH has been in a great deal of pain, his back in spasm. I ask if he needs a carer for the day but he insists not. Darn. It's still grabbing but as I walk to the back door today after work I notice he's been busily chopping trees. Naughty, naughty, very naughty.

I drive the new car to work. MOTH says it should be okay but I'm a little wary. I am right to be. I slow down to stop at the lights, she's not too happy to get moving again. I slow down for the next lights. I miss them - she won't move. The engine revs and the car stays put. Uh oh. I turn it off. And turn it back on again. Yes, I know. Totally geeky, right? She moves again but the process repeats when I have to stop at the next lights. Eventually I make it to work and phone MOTH. He calls me back later and comes to take the car to Ash. Ash, the service chappy. That is where she is right now. Waiting for a part. And a gearbox service. I hope that she doesn't require any more. *crosses fingers*

Please hurry up and get that part!

I hope to meet with Super today. Her suggestion, but she's too busy. I'm okay with this as I'm sure she will want to go over what I've managed to accomplish and take me to task for what I haven't. She reschedules for tomorrow.

I have a meeting today to discuss something for the conference next year. We have the discussion and it's suggested that I look into stuff and take on a project for next conference next year. I say nothing. She schedules another meeting for this afternoon. And changes it again. I decide I will have to take the initiative.

So this afternoon I have handed in my notice. It's totally terrifying. But it's done, effective at end of year.

Super appears to be gobsmacked.

MOTH and I go out for dinner. I order a seafood plate. And this arrives at the table....

I HAD TO PEEL THE PRAWNS MYSELF!! *ugh* MOTH spent time laughing at the faces I pulled and noises I made as I peeled them. A waitress came over with a plate for the shells. Not long after she came over with a bowl of water with lemon wedges. She chuckled a little and said "you might want this too". I reckon the staff may have been laughing at my faces too....

I ate most of it. Especially the calamari. I like the stuff they cook there, tasty coating and tender squid. I left the salad and chips and one of the seafood sticks. MOTH laughs at me as I pick up a chip with my fingers and dip it in the sauce. Typical you, he says, out to dinner and you do that. I just grin....

Now I know I have feet.

The last two weeks have gone quickly. Too quickly. I remember on a Tuesday that I haven't updated then, bam, it's Friday again and I've still not done anything. I think I've made a big decision, and had a really great time as well.

Right now I'm wrestling with a dilemma. I ordered an eyeshadow from Avon. They've substituted a different one. It's twice the price of the one I paid for. But of all the ones they used for substitution, it's the one duo in the palette range I won't wear. It's blue. Grey blues, but still blue. Do I send it back for a refund or not? Ah, first world problems!

I make it to induction. There is not a single person I know there. I'm feeling a little strange and I sit down the back. They introduce themselves then break up into teams. I'm in the Guest Management team so we head out of the room to sit. We are the largest group as our area covers quite a bit. There's a small chat and then we break into smaller groups to get to know each other. Then it's back into the big room for the rest of the session which covers quite a few topics. Of course, there are the usual people who ask the weird and the dumb questions. I sign the disclosures and other stuff about understanding health and safety and off I go. The volunteering session looks to be a lot of hard work! I wonder how I'll go?

I've been given THE LIST at work with all my tasks and my expected deadlines. My super has stressed that all deadlines have to be met. I've missed one of them so far, but I wasn't particularly worried. It was something small, due on Friday which I handed over on Monday. I had a quick question for another manager but I didn't expect him to want to call a "committee meeting" before he gave me the answer. Ah well. So, I'm working to my deadlines so "I can learn to use my initiative and judgement". I've been working on reports. I need to complete about 70 of them before end of this week. A tough call but I had to wait for others to review the template and first couple of reports. I wasn't going to prepare a heap of them just so I could go back and change them! I do have about 20 of them prepared now, but this time they've let me review them myself and send them out without further review. Amazing!

It's Friday night and I have to see if I can get across to the Valley to meet Nicole for a briefing. It's nearly 6pm when I get there. There are other volunteers sitting around and a small woman standing with them. Her name is Jade. I'm left with her while we wait for Nicole. Eventually we find her. She's a little brusque and checks to see if we are people she's been emailing. Apparently there is no briefing tonight, it's too late. She sends us back to Jade. More waiting about and eventually we find out that I'm on line control, and marked as a "cover". The cover is the person who 'cover's the other's lines when they go to break. I have four lines to cover. Eve is a spare. We're told our call up is at 8am on Saturday. Right. Till then, then.

8am Saturday and I'm ready for briefing. There are some of us gathered around. Most of the table, line, and barrier set up is done. Jade does a roll call and half of those who are supposed to turn up aren't there yet. She tells us to organise ourselves into small groups. There are a couple of younger ones standing near me and they look like they know each other very well. I said well I'm supposed to be a cover and they jump to my side. Ok, that's our group. Briona knows where she wants to be and we head off for those lines. Jade takes Beau and Kirsty away and I get a line to myself. I'm line control for Todd Lasance. Whoo. Another girl joins us to look after the line next to me. She seems a little hopeless and unprofessional. She sits on the floor when she's not supposed to. She doesn't look as tidy as she could. She spends all her time on the phone. Not good.

I'm on my feet all day. Jade drops by occasionally to see if we have breaks covered and what we are doing. We're fine. We call her the ninja because she appears when least expected. And with no fanfare. It's hard work but I'm enjoying myself. It's a great line to begin on as it's not terribly busy and I have time to figure out what's expected of me. I'm checking to make sure no one takes photos, and everyone has a token to get the signature *no freebies!*. I need to liaise with his PA to make sure that I'm ready to fetch anything they might need. His PA seems very efficient.

I've forgotten my phone today. And I have to contact MOTH to come collect me. I have notes, but no change for the phone. Hmmm. I'm so tired I don't figure out the solution till I'm halfway home. Hopefully my end station has a vending machine!

Home for a soak, and I crash to bed about 9.30pm. It's not a good night and MOTH wakes me in the spare bedroom at 6.20am. We need to leave at 7am for an 8am call time. Again. I know what to expect this time. Or thought I did. This time we have a full and proper briefing. I notice the hopeless girl has missed the briefing. It seems the PA on the line she was minding put in a formal complaint. There's a chance she might be moved. She moves briefly to the merch store and is back again at 10.30am. Not long after she says I've been told I have to go. We don't know what she's meaning but she says she was told to just go so off she's going. Briona and I look at each other. And I have two lines to mind. I'm not worried. I'm having a blast. My feet are not, but I am.

Our boys are all from Spartacus. Liam McIntyre, Todd Lasance, Christian Antidormi. Only the three best looking blokes on the entire guest panel. Ok, so Joe Flanagan, Sean Maher, and Dominic Monaghan are easy on the eye too!

The day ends, the volunteers pack up and fall. I head down to HQ for a snack and to sign out. Jade is there and thanks me for my help. She also tells me I was awesome because I could self manage. The lass looking after the sign outs tells me they don't often get that. I'm very very happy. Confidence back and I know it's definitely not me then!

MOTH collects me from the station. He's slumming it because he has the bluebird. He's walked out of the house and forgotten to fetch the BMW key from my desk. My feet are sore and swollen. I can barely walk. Luckily I thought to take tomorrow off work so I can recover! We'll see how we go....

Think I Blinked...

And a week went by. It seems it did. Now how did that happen? Not that I was busy, or doing anything exciting. Or much of anything really. It just seems to have ... happened.

I was on holidays and doing not much of anything except catching up with some washing. I would have said housework, but I didn't seem to have mustered up that much enthusiasm.

Oh, and I applied for a loan. To consolidate debts. I thought I would try and see if I could live without a credit card. I've had one for years so the challenge is on. I applied online and it took almost a week for the approval to come through. As the ad says, why does it take them days... I filled out the online application. Two days later they contacted me for the supporting documentation. I sent it same day. The next day they tell me I've sent the wrong one. I send the right one. Two days later they tell me it is conditionally approved. But I have to wait for it to be processed before I find out if I have the loan. Saturday they finally call me to say I have the loan. And the appointment to sign the paperwork at the bank is scheduled for the next day. Wait, isn't that Sunday. Yep, that's right. They trade on Sunday.

I open an account at the bank and the money is in there straight away.

I've managed to pay funds onto one card, but have forgotten to get a payout figure *d'oh!* so I will have to wait for the end of the billing period to get the final payout.

I've not seen my regular GP as she is on leave. I work out with another that I can go back to work full time. I think I can manage it although my level of enthusiasm is way low. Except the first day. That's still a five hour day so we can work out what jobs I need to be doing when I'm back full time.

We've seen interesting looking vehicles on the web. I've even looked on eBay. I found one I liked but it was interstate. That's not a problem, I am sure I can work out how to get it up here. But no go. The listing ends, is relisted but comes down again within 24 hours. MOTH pokes about on Gumtree. He finds some to look at. And we do. There's one he likes the look of at a wholesaler a couple of suburbs over. We head out for a look. There's a small BMW hatch with red leather seats. In reality, it's not as great as it looked on the web. The red leather of the seats is actually more of a darker red brown. The price is right though. The passenger window is broken out. The dealer assures me it will be replaced before we pick up the vehicle. I sit in the driver's seat. Nope, this is not the car for me. I buy my cars this way. I sit in the driver's seat. The car must "talk" to me. There's another car nearby that takes my fancy. It's unlocked. MOTH looks at it. He likes it. It's unregistered. I sit in the driver's seat and yes, this is the car. The seats wraps itself around me and welcomes me. Everything feels right. The interior is in very good condition considering. It's a 2000 model BMW 318i. But the price is $1000 more than I want to pay.

We wander around the lot and look at other vehicles. There are some that catch our attention but they are all out of my price range. I expected this. You can't get a lot for the price I have in mind. We discuss it further and decide that to heck with it. We shake hands with the dealer and I walk away after having signed the papers with a BMW to pay for and make arrangements to pick up. It's in "as is where is" condition so I have to look after the transport, roadworthy, and registration myself.

I get an email unexpectedly. Well, I guess I'm expecting it as it should be a reply to an online application I've submitted a while ago. I open it and am shocked. It's FANTASTIC news. I've been accepted as a volunteer for Supanova2013. A pop culture expo. Induction is this coming weekend. The geek in me is sooooo excited!

MOTH has spent the week running about finalising car paperwork, getting roadworthy/safety certificate, CTP insurance, registration papers. Isn't he marvelous?? He has a bad experience at the registration office with a very rude clerk. He didn't have the money to make the payment for the registration as it was higher than expected. And guess what. I've cancelled the credit card so we can't transfer any money. Oh no! MOTH tells me later that the clerk just walked away from the booth and left him there. He didn't know what to do and she had kept the paperwork with her.

I went with him the next morning. He's on edge and short tempered, not liking having to deal with government departments. We grab the ticket from the machine and are called to the counter straight away. Today's clerk goes through the paperwork and asks where the original RWC is. MOTH explains it was taken the day before and not returned. The clerk goes to find it and a short time later and about $450 later we walk out with the plates.

We spend time that night playing with all the buttons in the cabin. Oh dear. No AUX jack in the CD player. Darn. I can't connect my phone for my music. But whatever, I'll get by. I take the car to work the next morning. DAMN! The transmission light is on. I'm not sure what to do about this.

The induction is today. I'm SO NERVOUS! It's been a long time since I've stepped outside my comfort zone to put myself voluntarily in a room full of strangers. It's an interesting morning though and I wait for more information about what I'll be doing that weekend. I've been allocated to a team, but there is a chance this may change. I'm expecting to be keeping people in lines.

Whatever they put me on, it's going to be a full on weekend! I'll be totally exzzzzzzzz......

Surf, sun, and sand equals ouch!

It has been so long since I've been in the sun long enough to get burned that I'd forgotten how much it stings. OUCH! Apparently I missed some places with the sun screen. *is sheepish*

I've finally given up on my glasses. I check and the last time I had new lenses was 2009. Oops. I've upgraded but now I need to wait for them to arrive. My wallet is still recovering from the shock. Last time was a two for one deal and the whole gig cost me around $400. This time just the lenses for one pair is $380 or so. Ouch!

The part is this weekend and I've managed to stretch my stay out for a few days to catch up with family as well. For a long time I thought I couldn't go but at the last minute I managed to grab some cheap flights and a bit of a balance on my credit card. For the saree too. Poor overworked credit card! I'm leaving after work so MOTH and I have spent some time thinking about timing.

The flight departs on Wednesday night. Boarding is delayed about fifteen minutes. Not too bad and we arrive very much on time. It's great to see Elder and Burrich at the airport.

The Teen is eager to catch up and badgers me to attend a concert with her. All those young people going mad in the mosh pit? I don't think so! I agree to meet with her before the gig though. She's happy to settle for that. It's also a chance to meet one of her good friends. Teen makes me welcome because she's always happy to see me but sometimes I feel a little out of place as the only old person there. Never mind.

I spend some time out at Ma and Pa's place. It's great to see them. Elder drives me out and it's a good opportunity to catch up with Froggy as she passes through on her way back south. Frogs travelling south for the summer. Quite a novel idea. We spend a lot of time laughing and talking, eating cheese, kabana, and pickled onions. The day is warm but a breeze blows through the kitchen so it's not unbearable. I'm a dreadful stirrer and Ma is easy to spook. I take full advantage of this, after all I have plenty of time to catch up on! I stand close behind her but don't make a sound so she startles when she turns around. Elder is lifting a picture down from a high spot. She can just reach. I cry out she is going to drop it and turn in time to see that Ma got the fright, not Elder. We collapse about giggling.

I have two supervisors so to speak. One is my official one from my team, the other from a different team which I also help out as part of my job. While I've been away my duties for the second team have been sent elsewhere and he is now on Paternity Leave. His wife had their second child - a little girl - just recently. Super2 is away for a couple of days so I have been asked to do that part of my job for a day while I am on leave. Luckily it is the one day I haven't anything planned.

It's nice to spend the day just relaxing around the house. A glass of Nestea peach flavour and the laptop set up on the desk in the room where I'm sleeping. Even though I'm working it is relaxing. How odd.

Mouse isn't ready to collect me until mid afternoon so I spend the morning at the shops and mucking about with Elder. Mouse comes for me and we head off. I haven't seen her house before as she's moved recently. Oh wow. The kitchen is great. Sort of galley style but much wider. The house itself is not at peak condition and there are sandflies galore. But it does have a cozy feel and the breeze circulates much better than her previous abode. The kitchen window overlooks a park and the scene is very tranquil.

We nip around the corner and pick up Minx on the way to the party. It looks great when we arrive. A welcome table. Everyone is in costume. The decorations are great. There are a couple of pavilions set up with couches. There are lanterns. A food table. A lolly bar. We bag a table. The metal chairs are unbelievably comfortable. We stay there all night but are joined by plenty of people circulating through.

There is a slushy machine! I love it! Fruit tingle or Pina Colada. Choices choices. We go Fruit Tingle first. It's delicious. Think I have about three or four. Then switch to the other. It's nice, but I'd rather the Fruit Tingle. Minx likes the Pina Colada. The food comes out. Butter chicken. Chicken korma. Lamb rogan josh. There are things that look like coconut ice but are not. We sample some of those as well. I finally realise they must be halva. And someone said that there was a salad. I couldn't see it very well so didn't sample. Someone commented it had carrot in it. WELL WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE SAY SO! I LOVE THAT STUFF! I've made it myself once or twice. I help myself to a couple of spoonfulls. It tastes much like caramel. I usually eat it with vanilla ice cream.

It gets to half ten or so and we call it a day after the cake cutting. I was stuffed full of food and starting to get sleepy. Maybe if I hadn't eaten so much I would have wanted to stay till party end. Who knows. But I had a really great time.

The following day Mouse is sick. She didn't drink anything so we suspect that something she ate must have had cheese in it. Poor chook. I send her back to bed to nap and I reach Archie and Veronica comics. Elder comes to pick me up.

It's a public holiday and we are headed north to pick up Teen and head for the beach. I want to spend time with them though I'm not keen on sand and seawater. I don't have sunscreen or a hat. Luckily Elder has sunscreen. I must find out what it is too. It certainly worked. Where I put it on that is. I missed some patches and boy are they red and sore! I haven't been burnt like this since I was a kid. Elder thinks it funny because one of the red patches has a white finger mark on it, complete with joints. She giggles at this.

Some of Teen's friends join us on the beach and it becomes quite a crowd. The day is sunny but the breeze is cool and I have found a patch of shade. I stay there. Elder has brought the dogs and they manage to kick sand and water over most of us. Hefe also managed to stink out the car on the way up. Gotta love dogs. Not.

I doze on the trip home and we managed to get there with enough time for me to wash off the day and finish up the last of my packing. Once again MOTH has arrived too early and had to circle through some very heavy pick up traffic several times before he can collect me. I'm not waiting for him all this time, I come out and wait. He doesn't circle past once while I'm there. I try to convince him that I'm happy to pay for parking if he arrives early. But he doesn't want to spend the money. Mind, he's not happy to circle continuously either. Can't win there.

So home to relax, to a very happy hubby and kitty....