Bits and bobs.

I talk a lot about the dogs but deep down in my very essence I am a cat person. I love their independence, their personalities, their furry purry snuggles.

Minnie (the little black one) has started waking us every morning by launching herself at the flywire screen door in our bedroom. I have no idea why she does it but it is damned annoying! That then sets the dogs off and any plan for a sleep in is just a distant memory. This morning she nearly got to the top of the door. Maybe she will stop when she does. 

I baked a loaf of banana bread today (alright, it's really a banana cake because of the ingredients but I like it toasted and toast = bread = healthy). I put about 100gm of walnuts in it and it is very nice. It will be even nicer tomorrow for breakfast toasted with a dollop of butter. I also baked a loaf of bread which made a very nice ham, cheese and salad sandwich for lunch.

When I was at the deli getting the ham I bought one of those small tubs of rooted basil which are meant to be used asap but I brought it home and planted it. We shall see how it goes.

The herb seeds I planted last week have started to sprout. I will need to see how they grow as I forgot to mark them! The lettuces are ready to have leaves harvested. Time to plant another lot so they are ready when this lot turn to seed. 

More work on the baby blanket this afternoon. I should finish it in the next couple of days and I can see if it's worked once I've washed it. The sock is on it's umpteenth incarnation but I am getting there.

So, all in all a day of this and that but quite productive and the weather has been perfect. Melbourne delivers Spring again. I feel for those up north who are being inundated with rain again and, of course, those poor folk in Florida with Cyclone Ian.

Pies and peas tonight. Not home made but bought from a really good local bakery.

Dog day

Just as I was settling in to a night in front of Netflix (Mr Mercedes) with my knitting another glass of wine I realised I hadn't actually finished the post I started on my phone.

Jinx has a thing for toy animals with large noses. This is her second (they aren't cheap!) and is strictly an indoor one. If you look carefully you can see her paws wrapped around the dog and her mouth latched onto its nose. She sucks like a baby. It's rather cute and gives her a lot of comfort.

We took the dogs to the park for a run. These are on the way there.

No other dogs but that doesn't stop them. It could do with a mow.

On the scent of something

We are so fortunate to have this within walking distance of home. It's been completely fenced in with proper gates, doggy drink fountains and poo bags.

INCOMING!!

Ready ....

GO!! ...

I had a good session with the psychologist today which has left me wrung out but feeling positive.

 

I have nothing

I have no photos.

I have no stories to tell.

I scoured youtube looking for funny videos.

I looked at poems by Robert Frost hoping he would speak to me.

What I do have is a sense of nothing. Nothing to give. Nothing to say. Nothing to feel.

Spring does this to me. It's as if I am overwhelmed by the new growth, the baby birds, the warming sun and new beginnings.

Winter is a safe season. I don't have to leave the house. Spring demands it.

Dogs

Is he not a handsome beast? (the mark across his nose is from his halti - they'd just come back from a walk)

This was last night after I got into bed for some quiet reading and a bedtime cuppa. 

Another stay at home day. My favourite. 

Just the usual - floors, baked bread and worked some more on the baby blanket. I am just about ready to start the actual weaving but I'm concerned some of the warp threads aren't quite right. There is no way in a pink fit I am undoing and starting over so if it doesn't work it will go into the rubbish bin of shame.

Something that is starting to irritate me is the spelling of words in the online newspapers. I don't know if it's auto correct, voice recognition or the writer's ignorance of the English language.

If you are weary of something you are tired of it. If you are wary of something you are being cautious or apprehensive. The two are not interchangeable. They are actually pronounced differently as well but that's another issue.

Time for a glass of Chardonnay (pronounced Cardonnay - the haitch is silent*)

*Kath and Kim. Best Aussie comedy show ever but I can't find that particular clip. And don't even think about the American version *shudder*
 

Treats

The dogs have worked out that if you sit right next to the high chair you get all sorts of interesting treats.

We had a lovely evening. It was very late when they finally left (around midnight) and much red wine had been consumed.

Himself and Three had some heated political discussions which at one point reduced Sally to tears as she thought they were fighting. I don't blame her. I have never coped with raised voices. We used to go to the in-laws for lunch every. single. Saturday. It was hell. Himself and his mother would get into these loud discussions. He would automatically take the opposing view to her and he could never understand why I was so uncomfortable. My parents never raised their voices at each other and I always feel that raised voices mean anger rather than spirited discussion. Many a day I left and walked home. The day we stopped those lunches was a red letter day indeed. We only went over for birthday lunches after that and they were bad enough.

I woke up this morning feeling a tad seedy. Can't think why!

I spent the afternoon warping my loom to make a blanket for the next grandchild due in November. It's yellow and white as the gender is un-revealed. I wonder. A 7th granddaughter or finally a grandson? It won't really matter as they live in NSW so contact will be limited.

It is now trying to rain in that Melbourne Spring way. The remaining two birches have finally put out leaves and the veges are coming along well. The roses remain aphid free. 

Today I am content.

The afternath

Thank you for your kind words. The meds kicked in and my vision returned. I am just left with the brain bruised headache and a bit of nausea. 

In the past (decades ago) I would be bed ridden - often for two or three days. My vision would go and often, so would my speech - or at least the ability to say the words that were in my head. This was all preceded by extremely heightened senses. Colours were brilliant. Sounds were acute. Smells were overwhelming. A sense of rising panic ensued as I knew what was coming. So many people assume a migraine is just a bad headache. I have been told to put my glasses on when I said I couldn't see. Take a couple of aspirin. 

Once the vision cleared I would have about half an hour of feeling fine and then the headache would hit and could last for days. The worst pain I have ever experienced and I have had three kids, adenomyosis and a knee replacement. Nothing compares to the pain of a migraine headache. This would also be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea. Great fun when every movement sends hot skewers of pain through your skull. We would contact the on-call doctor but guess what? Druggies wanting a hit of pethidine would say they are having a migraine. So if the doctor ever turned up (which was rare) the worst of it would have passed. I am talking hours after the call was made. 

As I got older the severity lessened a bit. I also learned to manage them with a combination of paracetamol (acetaminophen in other countries), anti-inflammatories and anti-nausea meds taken as soon as the signs showed. If it was an appropriate time of day a glass of red wine also helped. Seriously. 

When I went to a new GP for a repeat of the anti-nausea meds and explained why I needed them he told me that new drugs had been developed to stop migraines in their tracks. My life has been changed. I am fortunate that I don't get them as often as many do but one is one too many. Fingers crossed this is the first and last for many months.

I slept well and even the dogs were gracious to allow me an extra hour or two. The sun is shining. Floors have been vacced. Bread has been baked. Washing is on. 

The major decision I have to make at the moment is whether to pull out the sock I have been knitting cos it's too small for me or finish it and knit the second in a different size and put it down to experiment and experience. The latter option is appealing at the moment.

Three and his lot are coming for dinner to celebrate his birthday. We need to go and get supplies.

Later...

Well went to the new fresh grocer and got all the veges we needed at a very good price. The rest we got from Coles including a jam and cream sponge cos I'm just not up to baking a cake today.

Yesterday I was checking on the roses and they were covered in fucking aphids. (Who remembers Allan Seale and his "whistle"?). I have flicked them off with my fingers if there was only a few or squirted them off with a strong stream of water but this was next level so I had to resort to spray. I thoroughly drenched them all and today not a aphid in sight. They were also showing some signs of black spot so hopefully I have nipped that in the bud (haha).

This morning when I checked on then I also had a peek in the new beds. Bugger me sideways and tickle me with a feather but the seeds I planted just a few days ago have sprouted. They must love living in a sauna. I reckon within a week we will be eating lettuce leaves as well. This gardening lark is pretty cool.

Apart from the aphids 

And the sock has been frogged and restarted.

Migraine

 I was just finishing up my knitting to come and write a pist but have been struck with a migraine. My vision has gone and I am waiting for my meds to kick in. 

I am touch typing this and have no idea if what I am writing will make any snese.

If it clear and I feel up to it I will come back and update. If not, I will see you all tomorrow.

Grand final eve.

It's been a heavy day. The sky has felt heavy. The air has felt heavy. 

I have always been very sensitive to a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure and this his how it has felt today. We used to have a barometer and sure as eggs if I started to feel this sense of oppression the needle would be falling. I think I need to get another one.

I did a bit of housework today and I planted another couple of rows of radishes and carrots. The radishes I planted a few weeks ago are coming along really well. If the sun ever decides to shine I think a lot of my recent plantings will take off.

Himself washed the outside windows and what a difference it made. I can see clearly now ...

After a late lunch of bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes and home made bread toasted I sat down to do some work on my socks. I am really enjoying this pattern and can't wait to get into the heel and see if I can do it without dropping stitches like I did on the previous pattern.

It was another public holiday today in Victoria. The day before Grand Final.

This time 34 years ago I was out shopping with a girlfriend. Our husbands were looking after our kids. I was 40+ weeks pregnant with Three. We had dinner at the Pancake Parlour and as we sat down (at a table - I didn't fit in a booth) my contractions started. I was determined to finish my meal and we eventually staggered back to the car with me having to hang on to the wall every few minutes. When we got home she rang the door-bell, told Himself I was all his and ran as fast as she could back to her car! 

34 years ago was also grand final eve and I spent the early hours of my labour in the hospital pacing the TV room with Himself watching the overnight coverage of previous grand finals. Three was born and I was able to sit up in bed and watch the sun rise. 

I remember thinking it was the perfect place to be on a grand final day.

Tired Granny

Sally was a delight. Talked non stop but still a delight.

Sausages, chips and Alfredo pasta is not a dinner I will be repeating any time soon. Why did we have the same as she, I hear you ask? I have no idea - ask Himself.

She had a bath, a bowl of ice cream, some more craft time then hopped into bed to read until she was tired. With Jinx on guard on the end middle of the bed where she stayed all night. She takes her guard dog responsibilities very seriously. Murphy lay on guard at the bedroom door until we went to bed where he took up his post on the floor at the end of our bed.

Murphy demanded to be let out for piddles and poos at about 7.15. When Himself went past Sally's room she was still fast asleep. After they had done their business they decided it would be a good idea to give Sally lots of doggy kisses on her hands and feet (and face!) so naturally she woke up. It was about 7.45 so she came into our bed for snuggles (and hopefully another 30 minutes of zzz but that was not to be).

First off Murphy bounded on the bed landing on Sally and me followed closely by Jinx who stuck her nose into everyone's face until she found Sally and then she curled up on Sally's feet.

At this point I gave up and Sally and I got up and spent the morning colouring in, drawing on the pavement with chalk, making pom poms and eating disgusting shit Froot Loops (she ate the latter - the smell alone made my mouth hurt). I also made a loaf of bread.

Mum came and collected and off they toddled.

Granny came inside and played around on the computer trying to stay awake.

Sandwiches for lunch, Himself was outside working on the new vege area and tired granny took herself off to bed where she slept soundly for over 3 hours.

I slept through Himself having a shower, Jinx jumping on the bed and the excitement of two dogs getting ready for a walk. I was told I was snoring. I don't snore. I purr. 

I think it will be an early night tonight. I am still not feeling 100% and even did a covid test just to be sure. 

Whatever it is it ain't that. 

A kid in the house

 I am on my phone as my computer has been taken over to play some game or other so this will be short!

Dinner tonight is sausages, chips and Alfredo pasta. Breakfast is multi coloured sugary crap a special treat. All chosen by a nearly 6 year old excited for a sleep over. Mum will be picking her up around 10.30 in the morning to go and see great Nan and Dad will come and visit us sometime tomorrow on his first day free from his toxic work place.

I had physio today. I swear that when physios were kids they pulled the wings off butterflies. She is a tiny thing but by christ she hurts! I feel so much better afterwards.

Sally is now reading the back of the cereal packet to me. 

I need wine.

Spring in the air

The ground is still really wet. We wonder if there is an actual issue with drains or something. It's not a burst water pipe - at least not on our side of the meter - but the ground seems to be getting wetter and over a bigger area. We might need to talk to the council and see if they can be bothered sending someone out to have a look. I am starting to worry about sink holes and the like which is bizarre considering where we live.

This morning the sun was shining and my camellia bush is just full of flowers. Add the scent of daphne, jasmine, violets and some sweet scented tree in the neighbours garden (that is full of bees which makes me so happy) and it made me feel that Spring really is just around the corner.

I struggled to wake up this morning for some reason. Himself and I are both really tired lately and think we might still be suffering the after effects of Covid. Interestingly when One was around over the weekend he commented that Ivy (3) needed a nap. He said she had stopped her afternoon naps until she contracted Covid. Her day care centre said that before Covid went through the place they were making up a couple of beds for afternoon nappers but after Covid they make them all up as the kids are all needing an afternoon snooze.

I baked my second daily loaf of bread, tidied and dusted my desk, vacuumed the floors and planted some seeds. I have started using Koh. I have always been a bit iffy about so called environmentally safe products as I find they just don't do as good a job as the chemical shit. After hearing people rave about the stuff I took advantage of their 50% sale on the starter kits and I am hooked. The cleaner worked better than any spray polish, glass cleaner, floor cleaner and all out of the same bottle. I did the floors with the mop the other day and was really pleased with the results until 8 large muddy paws walked over it. 

After my gardening efforts my back was killing me so I came in and made a ham, cheese and salad sandwich (fresh bread and ham from the new deli - heaven) and sat down at the computer for a bit. Himself knocked on the window and pointed to this ...

 In 40 years of owning dogs and cats this is the first time we have had a bunch get on so well. These two particularly are best mates.

Musical Monday

I am borrowing Andrew's theme because I am having a can't be buggered day and nobody needs yet another weather forecast (cold and wet).

I hope this brings back memories for some. And if not, the eye candy isn't bad.

watch in on the full screen for best pervs effect

Socks and visitors

I finally finished the damn socks. I swear I have knitted them 8 times to get two. I still haven't worked out what I am doing wrong to keep dropping stitches in the same spot every bloody time. I am now going to knit another pair in lighter yarn and with smaller needles. 

One dropped by to pick some things up for a camping trip next weekend. Just to clarify we are not campers by any stretch of the imagination but we did have star pickets and an esky. Apparently he needs the pickets for his swag and the esky to keep the all important beer cold. He had his two with him and they played and pottered and coloured in. Then Three arrived with his lot and all hell broke loose! It is so lovely to see the cousins so excited to see each other but I wish they could express their glee in a more genteel way. Add wee Alice into the mix who just squeals with the joy of being alive (and being tickled cuddled by Granny) and it got damn noisy. Himself beat a hasty retreat to Bunnings. 

It has been bitterly cold and wet today. We even had several rumbles of thunder. And, if the news is to be believed, a 2.4 earthquake at 5.40 this morning which is when the dogs woke Himself. 

My knees are still a bit dicky. I really did a number on them. I guess as we get on in years things take longer to return to normal.

Full circle

When Two and Three were very young, around the mid-'90s, they went to dance lessons. Every Saturday I would drive them to the church hall about 30 minutes away. 

One day a voice from the back seat pipes up "Mum, what does homosexual mean?" Thus ensued an age appropriate explanation which seemed to satisfy and the journey continued.

This morning Three rang to tell me that on the way to Sally's dance class she piped up "Daddy, where did the earth come from". He explained in an age appropriate way describing the true scientific most plausible theory (clouds of gas and meteors and stuff). She replied that a friend from school told her that The God made the earth so daddy tried to explain how different people believe different things and that is ok but no one can tell you what to believe. She then said she'd like to believe in The God and learn to pray. Having just told her no one can tell you what to believe Three had somewhat stymied himself.

I think I had the easier conversation.

After I had dropped the boys off I would drive to the local Maccas and get a bacon and egg mcmuffin, a hash brown and a coffee and then sit in the park for an hour of me time. Three has the exact same ritual on his Saturday mornings right down to the menu. 

I felt re-connected all the way back to those days in the mid-90s.

Our local shopping centre used to have a Target Country (like a normal Target but on a smaller scale). In 2020-21 they closed which was a shame but understandable with larger shopping centres expanding close by. The large space sat vacant for months but today we had the grand opening of a new Italian styled grocer. It is amazing. 

We bought the best ham we've had in a long time from the deli. They slice it on demand and give you a piece to taste before finishing the slicing so you could try a couple if not sure. They have dips and beautiful European and Australian cheeses. They have fruit and veg and a limited stock of tinned and bottled tomatoes and the like as well as some very basic supermarket stuff but there is a Coles at the other end of the not very big centre. A doughnut shop. A coffee shop (of course). An Artisan bakery whatever that is. A pizza oven. They also have a large section with fresh cut and potted flowers and plants. I am sure I have missed something. 

Naturally, today it was packed. The car park was worse than Christmas but we will go back when the excitement dies down. I had wondered how it would work with Coles, Bakers' Delight and a butcher in the same complex but I think it is different enough. It is a bit more expensive than Coles but offers better quality which will be enough for some people. 

I said to Himself I am over buying cheap. I would rather buy less but better. Let us see if the penny pincher agrees. He initially balked at paying more for truss tomatoes than the floury "gourmet" ones but I said I wanted a tomato that tasted like a tomato or it wasn't worth having a tomato. And although the price per kilo difference is significant when you are only buying one or two it's not that bad.

We came home and had brunch with some really nice bacon from the new place, eggs, tomato (that tasted like tomato!) and a thick slice of toasted home made bread (mine, not theirs).

I then ran into a patch of extreme tiredness and slept for 3 hours. I woke thinking it was morning.

It has been wet and cold today. Himself got the rest of yesterday's delivery shovelled into the beds and tubs but it has been to miserable to plant anything. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the peas in.

The story of a cake - in pictures.

 I think she liked her cake! 

Today was the day to fill the garden beds. Himself went off to the soil supply place. I went off to Friday craft. As I was driving I heard the weather report for the next few days - rain, showers, rain and a bit more rain. I rang him and told him it might be an idea to wait.

Nope. He would get it delivered and placed in the beds before the rain came.

Except he didn't. The soil arrived as the heavens opened.

He got a bit done before the heavy stuff arrived when he called it quits and had a shower. And then the rain eased.

For once he has left well enough alone. Tomorrow we will finish the beds and I can get my peas planted out. 

Craft was OK today. The dynamic has definitely changed but I was made to feel welcome. The crazy lady went to the cafe on Saturday, upset a lot of the staff and badmouthed the Friday group. She was sent a message by the group admin telling her her behaviour was unacceptable and she was being removed from the group. I wonder if I will hear from her but I doubt it. Sadly this will just add to her paranoia but no one should speak to people the way she did.

Will I go back on Fridays? Probably. Especially as my mental state gets stronger and I can deal with more than one or two things a week.

I picked Sally up from school at 2.30 as it was the last day of term and her mum didn't pick her up from us til 6.30. We are eating dinner from the freezer (mexican mince and rice with vanilla slices from the cafe for afters) and will share a bottle of red and watch some telly. 

And I am this close to cutting off one of Himself's feet so I don't have to finish the second sock. 

And just like that

Our precious Alice turns one today.

I have Sally here after school and we (I) baked a cake. She licked the bowl and beaters.

She is now doing craft while I wait for the cake to cool so we can sandwich it with jam and cream and top it with pink frosting and sprinkles. Cos what is a first birthday cake without pink frosting and sprinkles?

Apart from shopping, picking the kid up from school and baking I have done very little today and the brain is not feeling particularly witty so you can feast your eyes on photos of our birthday girl. Some you may have seen before but you can never have too much of the beauty that is Alice.

 And this is her Daddy at about the same age.

Normal services will resume tomorrow.

Steak and magpies

Last night's dinner was delicious. 

As I was sitting on the couch with Jinx Max decided he wanted some love, too.

The blurry pink thing is Jinx's tongue as she was giving Max a wash!

When I picked Sally up from school today she was quite distressed. They have swimming every day this week and for some reason today her eyes were very red and sore from the chlorine. We went to the chemist and got some eye drops and antihistamine. The drops made her cry which made me feel awful but at least washed some of the chlorine out. The antihistamine made her fall asleep in the car on the way to her mum. We went to the discount shop in to see if they had any goggles. They didn't but they did have a Collingwood magpie which I had to buy for her.

Where has the day gone?

I was meant to catch up with J and C at our favourite yarn shop and then have lunch but C wasn't well. J and I went to Karingal and had lunch just the two of us. We took our knitting and knitted and nattered for a couple of hours. It was lovely. The two gave me a voucher to the favourite yarn shop so that is something to look forward to spending.

I dropped a bloody stitch in the same place I did with the first sock and had to pull the whole thing out. Obviously I am doing the same thing wrong at the same place. Doesn't matter. I get to knit more for less money spent on yarn. Or so I keep telling myself.

When Three went into work today he handed in his written resignation (it had been in his back pocket all day yesterday so when he went to resign it was crumpled and grease stained!). He gave four weeks notice but was told he only had to give two. So he finishes up next Wednesday and will have a decent break before starting the new job a week earlier than anticipated. This is a good thing.

Himself is cooking dinner tonight. He is making it up but will involve porterhouse barbecued and thinly sliced, creamy mashed potatoes and wilted rocket and cherry tomatoes. And a nice cab sav to go with it. I am very lucky he that enjoys cooking. 

I bought Alice's birthday present when at Karingal. It is a soft toy that you can programme to be unique to the child. I think I will leave that task to a parent. It also plays lullabies and other songs. Not quite the noisy interactive toy I had in mind but probably better for her mum and dad!

I am now going to try to track down a strange smell in my study/craft area. Not sure if it is damp dog or something worse. It's been there for a while and is starting to perplex me.

Another glorious day

This is the view of the jasmine from my bedroom. The smell, you can imagine, is amazing.

I woke very stiff and sore today. My replaced knee has a strange dent in it which I hope is just bruising.

We assembled the second bed without mishap which was pretty good considering I also managed to burn my fingers yesterday when I picked up the lid of the bread tin without oven mitts straight out of a 200*C oven! Those nuts and bolts on the garden beds are tiny.

This is what the first one looked like yesterday. You can see how steep the block of land is.

Himself dug them in a bit and now they are almost level. At least level enough for what I want to plant.

They will have cucumbers, pak choi and zucchini. I have a half wine barrel we will move up as well as some other pots and they will have flowers and herbs in them. Anything that can be eaten or otherwise attacked by pests will be in the raised beds under cover.

Remember the faint green tinge on my birches from the other day? This is them today. Still only one in leaf but the others won't be far behind. The black containers behind them are the potato planters. Still waiting for them to sprout.

As I write this it is 3.30 and Three STILL hasn't handed in his resignation. Amy and I think he has been intimidated at a meeting this morning and will resign at the end of the day where he won't have to cop the wrath of the boss. Until tomorrow!

I won't publish until later this evening. Hopefully I will have better news by them. Oh, in that meeting with his immediate boss and his boss's boss he was asked again, are you ok ("seeing as it was RUOK day last week") and again he broke down and repeated he wasn't and he was really struggling. Their response? Take it a day at a time. Three days off is too much for them to cover. And he can always ring his boss who will always answer the phone except he never does.

Later And he has done it. He hasn't told them where he's going - as far as they're concerned he has nothing but needs to leave. His immediate boss was quite good about it. The other twat manager will have found out by now. How he treats Three will be interesting. There is a mass exodus happening from that place. Couldn't happen to a better company.

I can now relax.

Clutz

It was a lovely day and Himself continued to get the vege area ready.

I helped him put the raised beds we bought from Aldi together. Well, one of them at least. A piece of paper blew away (it was quite windy this afternoon) and I chased after it.

As I climbed back on to the front porch the toe of my gum boot got caught under the cardboard box the bed came in and I went arse over elbow landing on my knees, grazing my hand and clocking my head against the wall of the house. I sat there shaking, rubbing my knees and trying not to cry. Thank goodness I had a pair of fleecy tracky pants as even with those my knees are bruised and grazed.

Our esteemed prime minister has declared the 22nd September a public holiday to mourn the late queen. The 23rd September is a public holiday in Victoria because it is the day before our footy grand final. I wonder how many people will take advantage of an unexpected 4 day long weekend and hoof it out of town.

At least it means Three gets two fewer days in that toxic workplace. He rang me and said "Albo's got my back"! Tomorrow will be hard for him as he will be handing in his notice as soon as he gets to work and will then have to deal with the incessant questioning and recriminations.

Hopefully we can get the beds finished tomorrow and the soil ordered or I will have seedlings growing out of the soft drink bottles I planted them in!

Who had the bright idea to get a long haired shepherd?

Oh. That would be me.

Even better we got a long haired shepherd who hated being brushed. 

Until today when something clicked and he seemed to realise that a brush is like a big stroke and pat. 

This is what came off him after a quick going over. I think I have enough to make a small dog. (Why does it remind me of Tony Mokbel?)

I then vacuumed the whole house and turned around to this. More bloody dog fur. Tufts of it over the carpet. Just as well I was given a you beaut vacuum cleaner for my birthday that I love using every day. I think I am in for a long moulting season. 

When Jinx moults you can pluck the tufts off her like feathers off a chook. Not that I've ever plucked a chook but it's what I imagine it would be like. Between the two of them I am finding chunks of fur everywhere.

I had plans for today but ended up wasting time playing silly games on the computer. Sometimes I think my brain just needs to shut down its thinking part.

Nearly all my seeds have sprouted. I even have a zucchini seedling. I just need to get the beds happening so I can plant out the ones that need to climb. Sadly the tomato seeds show no signs of emerging so I think I'll give something else a go and go with seedlings. The ground is still so boggy underfoot I am grateful for my raised beds.

Typical Spring weather with a bit of rain, a bit of wind, a bit of sun. Hopefully tomorrow will be more sun than rain and Himself can get my beds finished. I really need to plant my peas!

I watched the speech King Charles made. I found it quite moving for a man who had just lost his much loved mother as well as his monarch. The media reported it as gushing when he referenced his wife, Queen Camilla (never thought we'd see that). This does not bode well for the future if they are already finding fault with him. Interesting times ahead.

I had a giggle last evening when after hours and hours of queen stuff, Channel 9 switched to the rugby. We know our what's important!

A sad day

Obviously the news on everyone's lips at the moment is the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of Charles as king. I knew my aunt would be upset and I rang her to find her in tears. We had a long chat about the monarchy (Harry and Meghan should be charged with treason among other points of discussion!) and she acknowledged that a lot of her grief was for times past as she (and so many like my aunt) remembered their lives in the light of her Maj.

We have seen the end of an era and will never see the like again. Whether this is a good thing or not remains to be seen.

Last night Three and his lot came over and we had steak for dinner. They thoroughly enjoyed this rare treat. Much discussion was had about how to resign, how much notice to give, how to handle the inevitable fall out (walk out if they treat him badly). He popped over today for a chat and is so looking forward to this new start. 

Three rang when he was on his way over and told Sally the news. He said "Do you know what this means, Sally"? She replied "Yes. We will have a better life". Out of the mouths of babes.

We have five steps that go from the kitchen/family area up to the top room. Sally missed her footing and slipped down them yesterday and the screams were terrifying. Her parents said they had never heard her scream like that before. I think she winded herself which is very scary She had small graze on her back and it might bruise a bit but otherwise seemed ok and perked up a bit after some mummy TLC.

Remember the bloomers/pilchers we were knitting for Alice?

Amy finished hers yesterday. The wouldn't even get past Alice's chubby knees but they did make a cool beanie for a kid with pigtails.

She of the chubby knees is nearly walking. God help us all.

 I have another physio appointment later today. I think my back is slowly improving.

Not sure what we will have for dinner. I made a loaf of bread this morning and we all had ham, cheese and salad sandwiches for lunch. They were pretty damn good if I say so myself.

It is a quiet, still day today. Not sunny, not overcast, just a bit dull. A bit like my mood. I think the events of the past few days have taken their toll.

Five years

We have been in this house five years today. This is the first photo I took on the day we moved in. 

We have had some ups and downs but on the whole we are very happy here.

Breaking news ....

Three has been offered the job at 12k more a year. They said he was professional, picked things up quickly and is exactly what they want. Needless to say we are all over the moon and I don't think he will come back to earth for quite a while.

Now he just has to work out his notice which won't be fun.

I had to pick Sally up from school early as she had been sick. It turns out she ate too much morning tea just before PE. She is bright as a button. Three is going to pick Alice up and then come here and Amy will come straight from work. They are staying for dinner.

Now I must go and supervise the not sick child.