Last day of Summer

The days are drawing in and sunset is getting earlier. We are still in for some warm days (historically at least) but the nights should stay below 20*C and the mornings will start to get crisp and foggy. 

I went to fave yarn shop with J and C and we had a lovely day as always. Lunch at our fave Hastings cafe - never had a bad meal there. I showed great restraint and only bought a pair of knitting needles. The other two bought yarn to knit one of our favourite scarves.

I was very tempted but decided to use yarn I have at home. And I also have 3 projects actually on needles with umpteen others planned so I really don't need another one right now but crafters will understand the temptation.

I have finally booked our accommodation for our trip to Lakes at the end of March. I am glad I procrastinated took my time as I was going for el cheapo which would have been a mistake. Himself pointed out that what I was looking to spend was not conducive to a pleasant stay. 

After looking at the various motel photos and all the pics of Lakes, today is a we will move day.

Himself had his first day of cardiac rehab. It's an 8 week program and is free. A bit of exercise, a talk each week on various cardiac related issues and general support. Yet again I have to say that for all the issues with our health care we really can't complain when compared to other countries.

Himself is cooking hamburgers for dinner. I wanted chips or potato cakes and there are still very few, if any, spud products in the supermarkets. He found one lonely packet and paid a small fortune for them. They had better be good. What Sparkling wants, Himself makes sure Sparkling gets (most of the time - I am still working on more cats). I am spoilt and I will admit it. I am also very tolerant of a contrary bastard. I am sure all of you who have long term partners will understand. 

Tomorrow we go to talk to Centrelink. I think it will be a three gin night.

Grandmothering

Sally was dropped off yesterday evening. She was still a bit tired from the busy weekend with the wedding and everything. She sang with the band, danced in front of everyone and didn't go to bed til 11 O'CLOCK, Granny. She slept with her other grandparents in their caravan. Three and Amy had to contend with Alice waking screaming at 3 in the morning. As did everyone else who was staying in cabins as they were basically made of cardboard and the size of a large shoebox. I don't get the current attitude that kids are just mini adults and can be taken everywhere including fancy weddings with loud music, a lot of alcohol and poorly thought through sleeping arrangements. But then I AM the old grumpy woman.

Anyway, back to Sally. She had chicken nuggets and pasta alfredo (from a packet) for dinner followed by icecream with chocolate topping and sprinkles. Then a bath ...

Tucked up in bed, fast asleep.

We did have an episode at 2.45am where she woke with a sore tummy (anxiety - she was homesick in case anyone was judging my menu) but cuddles with granny, a poo and sending granny back to her own bed and she was right as rain.

We had a quiet day in light of the busy weekend. I just let her dictate what we did which was very little. Games on Granny's computer, watching telly, baking a cake using this recipe:

which was ok but surprisingly could have been sweeter. Then I remembered he was using American ice cream and everything is sweeter in America (take that as you will!). I will try it again and use a strawberry icecream and see how it goes. The texture was really good.

She has had a wobbly tooth for a while. I asked her to show it to me. I was wiggling it and it came out. No pain and no blood. Thank god she didn't swallow it. I am not sure how the tooth fairy manages those teeth.

She then decided to help me with my code cracker. She has been itching to have a go so I deciphered the letters and she filled them in. She was very proud of herself.

Dropped her off at dance and mum will have picked her up from there. 

I think I have mentioned how bad our potholes are especially on country roads. When the Mermaid and I went away we knew when we were in Victoria because of the sudden deterioration in the roads.

This town has taken things into their own hands. And good on them.

It is now time for a well earned adult beverage. Himself has gone to a local meet the politicians event. I pity the pollies.

Dinner is from the freezer. I just need to cook some rice which I will go and do now so when he gets home it looks as if I have been productive!

Yuc yuc yuc

Back in the '80s and '90s there was a bit of a drought and yuccas were a popular plant in many new estates. They were probably great in pots. Funky even.

But people planted them in gardens. And those fuccas grow. And grow big.

And their leaves are really spikey and could poke an eye out or puncture a lung without warning. But they do have rather lovely flowers. Unfortunately they only flower once a year and they don't last long but whilst they do ....

They look as if they should have a delicious scent and maybe they do but I am not risking an eye or a lung trying to climb up to smell them.

The latest development in the Lakes move is to considering building rather than buying an established property. This is something Himself has wanted to do for a long time. We have built twice and bought off the plan once which gave us some input. I thought it would be hard to get a builder who would go that far out of Melbourne (it's a tad over 300kms and just shy of 200 miles) and we couldn't afford an architect/builder. It turns out that some volume builders (including Simonds who we have used before) do build in Lakes. 

So this afternoon we went looking at display homes. 

This is always an interesting exercise to see what the current trends are. It seems at the moment random rooms for sitting in are popular. Not the main living area or even the ubiquitous theatre room (seriously?) but just a random space with a couch and maybe a television. Lots of televisions in the display homes. 

Open pantries because I want everyone to be able to see my disorganised storage and half opened packets of stuff. Not, I hesitate to remark, a butlers pantry. They had them, too. A couple were done well, but hells bells people. We are talking small suburban homes, not grand mansions that actually have a butler. I don't need two sinks within cooee of each other. And I don't want to have to cart my dishes into a separate room to put them in the dishwasher. Under the bench is fine.

I rather hope we do go down this path as it is fun. And we would have the money to make it just the way we want. The problem will be finding land although it doesn't seem to move as fast down there as it does here. Here, we could buy a block of land that MIGHT be ready to start building at the end of 2025 if we are lucky. I kid you not. That is how the developers make their money. Sell the land and THEN develop it. The other issue will be working out the finances to buy the land, sell this place and rent while the house is being built. Nothing is impossible.

And we could just as well stay here.

The Mermaid is thinking like we are. Here one minute, there the next. She is going down for 5 days on 15th March and has booked some activities. She wants to see what it's like living there as a single person and see if she could see herself doing it.

On the way to the display homes we saw this ...

I have no idea either. Australia does love its big things but this is ridiculous!

Old

I gave in. Himself went to the local $2 shop and bought me a pill container. It's not as funky as I'd like but it's better than some. The wording on the packaging gave me a giggle.

And now I am officially old. 

Some time ago we bought three punnets of cat grass and put them in larger pots.

Over summer they have completely died off. Probably due to lack of water and too much heat. After seeing Minnie chewing pathetically on a piece of what is effectively straw, Himself went to Bunnings and bought 3 more punnets which I dutifully repotted into the larger fancier ones.

Minnie was thrilled. As soon as I brought this one inside she was on it happily chomping way.

I'd love to be able to let the cats outside to graze but there is too much bird life, too many cat haters and too many other cats around. This is the next best thing and will hopefully stop her munching on my indoor plants - of which I have few and would like to keep alive.

The cool change has come through but even though temperature is lower we keep getting sporadic downfalls of rain which release the heat from the ground along with moisture creating a warm humid feel. Not pleasant.

Three and his lot are at a bush formal wedding. About halfway up the map to the right of the blue stuff you can see "Thomson Dam". That is where they are. Camping. In formal attire. The rain band is moving from left to right. I think they might get a tad damp.

We have Sally tomorrow night and into Monday (pupil free school day) so I am sure we will hear all about it.

We will still go down to Lakes in March for a holiday but I am almost convinced we will stay here. To up sticks and move so far away to an area where we know nobody would require a rather outgoing social couple to put down roots and make friends. We are not that couple. Yes, it would be lovely to have a house with a view over water and be able to mosey into town to have coffee and walk along the beach. Himself could join the local Shed and there are craft and social groups I could join. The question is ... would we?

We are having steak tonight - Himself is cooking. I have been very slack since I came home and have barely cooked. 

Last night we fancied Chinese and we got some from a place with good reviews and which was busy but it was awful and not cheap - so disappointing. We have a good pizza place but that is it. Even the fish and chip shop we discovered which was ok until I had fish and chips at Lakes and remembered what really fresh fish is like and now I couldn't buy from there. 

We have never been big eaters of takeaway food but every so often it makes a pleasant change. I am always amazed to hear of people for whom cooking at home is a rarity if it happens at all. Surely one would get sick of eating out or taking away all the time. What do you do for something special? I remember when a McDonalds birthday party was so exciting. Now kids seem to eat it as every day food - or worse, a snack between other meals.

Yep - I am that grumpy old woman!

Bugs

 I have little today.

So to reinforce the general opinion that we have the craziest insect life I give you these ...

This flew into Mrs Teacher's ear. They poured olive oil into her ear to try to stop the buzzing (ie kill it) which appeared to work. A visit to the GP the next day and they were able to remove. No damage other than some slight inflammation to the ear drum.

I was sad to find this wee chap (chapette?) on the floor today. I love our huntsmen and name them and talk to them. I'm guessing the food supply ran out.

This beautiful beast was about 3" across. I love the cours and symmetry. 

And in case you forgot,  this glorious specimen from Two's place.

And yes, I do know that spiders aren't insects.

34,960,320 minutes

The real estate agent came. He was here for a good hour and a half and he gave us lots to do if we plan to sell. All were on our list regardless so we will get it done. Paint, new carpet in some areas, new curtains ditto (not a problem as I buy from Spotlight on sale), oil the deck, etc. If we do go to market we will have to hire furniture to return the front room from my craft dumping ground space to a formal area, move Himself's desk into my study area and probably store my desk along with other bits and pieces like all our personal stuff. 

The price he gave us was about what we were expecting. Now I just need to see if there is somewhere in Lakes that will give us a changeover without costing any extra. Otherwise, we stay put.

I then had to tackle Centrelink. Nothing that I had inputted (is that a word? it is now) was on my account which means we have probably been getting more than we should for a few months even though it appears on the tax dept site all of which is supposedly under the one umbrella of mygov which is supposed to mean the various departments talk to one another. And if the ATO could get annuity information then surely Centrelink could, too. It knows about his superannuation pension account. 

One question was when did I purchase my superannuation investment product. What the holy fuckfuck does that mean? I have never purchased a superannuation investment, I just paid my super when I worked and added when I got an inheritance. It said that information would be on my statement. Couldn't find it. Rang the super fund. Some twatwaddle from god knows where had no idea what I was asking about. I have been with this fund for over 30 years. So I tried to contact centrelink to ask exactly what they meant.

It was at this point I was seriously in need of strong liquor but it was only 2 in the afternoon.

First of all trying to find a contact number on the centrelink website was a challenge as they encourage you to use online platforms. When we finally did find a number we had to play games with the automated answering voice person who told us to be nice when we spoke to a real person or our call would be terminated and then told us we had to wait for an hour.

By now I had decided I would do what I could and if we have been overpaid we will just have to deal with it. Thank god robodebt has been scrapped.

I filled in the form for my super to draw a pension from that. I had to attach a scan of my driver's licence along with a photo of me holding said licence.

Oh god, I look old. Every one of the 24,278 days I have been on this earth are showing. That's 582,672 hours. It doesn't seem that long somehow. I guess we should make sure every single one counts.

Chooseday

Last night's dinner. The pie was frozen (but a very nice wagyu and portobello mushroom one) but all the veges were from my garden. I think I have had the last of the spuds.

This morning I vacuumed the house. I had to empty the canister so many times (I really don't think Himself did much while I was away) and then I decided to change the filter and clean the canister. I somehow managed to dislodge the seal. Himself tried to fix it and it turns out a part was broken. Now I can't see how I could have broken it just by wiping the seal but it did sort of fall apart. Anyway, I was going to buy a new canister but he rang Dyson and went over to their facility about an hour away (in peak hour bless him) and they gave him a new canister under warranty even though we sort of stuffed it up. Two thumbs up for Dyson's customer care.

The dogs went ballistic at the front door. It was the real estate agent's offsider with a package for us to look at before he comes tomorrow. It has a block of chocolate in with it and a sealed envelope. I haven't opened anything - waiting for Himself to come home. With pizza. Not that that has anything to do with the price of fish.

I have had a look around the house and think I should probably have tidied up a bit more than I have! Oh well. We can make the bed, clean the bathrooms and pretend the grandkids have just left. I'm sure Daniel's seen worse. 

A few weeks ago I put in an application for the age pension to commence on 4th March when I am 66 and a half. I am sure I filled everything in but today I got notification that I will get the full pension because they don't have any record of my superannuation. Oh shit! I need to get that addressed quickly or I will be in Centrelink's bad books and that never turns our well.

After Daniel has been tomorrow I will spend a couple of hours on centrelink and super. Not a favourite job. I hate doing things on line as you never know if they upload. Give me a pen and paper any day.

Later ...  The dogs went ballistic again and there was a couple with their two dogs chatting to Himself (sans pizza). They bought in the street last year and have got to know Himself through dogs and the fact that he will talk to anyone. The agent they bought from (I probably shouldn't have said I wouldn't buy from him again as he squeezes every last penny from the buyer but would sell with him over any other agent!!) is the chap coming around tomorrow. Apparently we live in one of the five most popular streets in the suburb. That's not bad seeing as it's not a long street but location location location. 

And just like that the sense that we will end up staying has been upended again.

My vacuum cleaner is working, Himself has gone for pizza, we have a roof over our heads and can make choices. Life could be a helluva lot worse.

Fuzzy head

J and I caught up for brunch and a good natter and knit at L'arte today. It was lovely to spend time just catching up with our news. Her daughter is in labour with her second child so there was a lot of pinging from her phone. Very exciting.

I then had time to kill before I picked Sally up from school so I drove past Angela's place and admired her new driveway. I messaged her to see if she was up for a visit and we had a lovely chat for around an hour about everything and nothing.

Picked up the kid and brought her home. Fed her two bowls of icecream with tiny teddies and unicorn sprinkles. Hush.

We have her again on Monday as it's a pupil free day at school so it makes sense to have her overnight on Sunday. She will be knackered after a family wedding on Saturday. It's a formal wedding but everyone is camping. I don't get it either.

Still no sign of flowers on the pumpkin. 

I felt very ordinary last night and this morning and then realised I hadn't taken my meds for the past two days. I hope they kick in soon and I lose this spaced out feeling. 

Frozen pies for dinner. I just can't be bothered cooking - probably meds related. 

Himself has been busy tidying the garden. Whether we move or not this place is getting a spruce up. I should have mentioned moving sooner.

Monday

First it was the zucchini and now the pumpkin is taking over. As yet there is not a single flower. Can one do anything with an overabundance of pumpkin leaves? I hope I get some fruit. I can't remember what variety it is. I know it's not a butternut; I think it might be Kent or Jap. Either way I see pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin salads, roast dinners with pumpkin, pumpkin gnocchi and any other pumpkin based recipe - assuming, of course, the bloody thing produces some flowers.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was wondering if all my birches were going to produce leaves. Now they are turning. A sure sign that autumn is around the corner. We are still in for some hot weather but in a few weeks we should at least lose the hot nights. (And my Melbourne friends can stop laughing - we have had some). Autumn is my absolute favourite season. Stable weather, warm days and cool nights with brisk, foggy mornings.

I went and had another massage today. The bloke I saw last time wasn't there and I had a delightful tiny slip of a thing. I think she is not long off the plane from China. She was lamenting that it is summer and so cold. I told her I'd driven to Sydney. She asked if that was in Queensland. She then had a brave go at saying "New South Wales". I hope I have her next fortnight. She might be small but by jiminy she found some sore spots and really worked on my hips and glutes.

I won tonight's scrabble game after trailing miserably until the second last move. I really enjoy a win like that.

Tomorrow I should probably tidy my craft area up in anticipation of the real estate agent on Thursday. After looking at properties on line we have decided we really need a good price for this place as we don't want to just make do. The whole idea is becoming less likely as we consider things but we haven't given up hope yet.

And I remembered to wear decent undies to the massage!

Blah

Rockin' it, kiddo.

Another Sunday done and dusted.

Himself washed windows.

I did sweet FA.

I have joined some facebook groups in Lakes hoping to get a feel for the place as a resident not a tourist.

I fluctuate between wanting to move and hating to leave. The big thing is that if we sell and move and hate it we will never be able to afford to move back here. 

In the past we have made the huge mistake of buying before selling but it has always worked out for us. My fear is that if we do sell here we might not find a place we like down there. 

So much to think about. 

I will be more cheerful tomorrow, I promise.

I did it!

I faced my fears and didn't post an entry yesterday! I do plan to post daily but if something crops up I don't need to feel guilty about not posting. Welcome to the crazy that is my brain.

It was disgustingly hot and I stayed indoors. I baked a loaf of bread and made a beef rendang for dinner.

Three and Sally dropped by to pick up my car so they could go to the airport and collect StepSon who flew down from Brisbane to pick up a car he bought. The model he wanted is very hard to get and the only dealership that had one was the one I bought mine from. Three took him there at 8.30 this morning and at 8.45 he was driving out of the dealer's yard on his way back north. A 12 hour drive today and then another 8 hours (at least) tomorrow.

It's much cooler today. I have made a batch of baked beans and watered the very thirsty garden which consists of a pumpkin and some herbs. I need to get out there and do a replant. 

Himself got some mulch delivered and is currently laying it on a couple of beds. It keeps the moisture in and the dogs out! 

This is one of our new eucalypts - I forget its name but the leaves have a lovely blue tinge.

Preparing the beds for mulch. The bricks are to stop the dogs from digging the plants up as they can smell the fertiliser.

Our jacaranda is doing well. Again - dog proofed.

And the mulch is in. 

Three and his lot popped in for a visit. Alice thought it was great fun to play with Mum's hair.

Turkey burgers for dinner tonight. Himself has gone to put lotto on and get the turkey mince as I bought pork by mistake and gave it to Three as they will use it.

Returning to normal

These two were very confused. No mum then mum and no dad.

I stayed up later than I should last night googling properties in Lakes Entrance! Consequently I am very tired today. I think I am also tired from all the driving I did.

I collected Himself from the hospital and we took the dogs to the park. I then drove him to see his psychologist. Supermarket shop and now I am home.

When we were in Batemans Bay trying to find our motel I managed to illegally park AND drive the wrong way down a one way street. Fortunately a much amused gentleman waved me back the way I had come. It would have helped if this was actually signed! I drove into a car park and only later realised it was reverse angle parking. At least I had my Victorian number plates to identify me as an out of towner. I apologise to all my Victorian friends for reinforcing the NSW opinion that we can't drive.

Now that I am getting all excited about the possible move Himself is throwing up reasons to not move. Like the salty sea air that damages cars and other metal things. Just wash them more frequently! The big thing will be finding somewhere we really like.

I was going to book time away in April but I think I might do it in March. His TURP is booked for the 9th March (assuming it can still go ahead after the stent insertion) and, while he can't do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 4 weeks post op, I don't see why a gentle mosey down to Lakes can't be done. We can then decide if the move is viable and get stuck into making the house presentable for sale.

A lot to think about. 

Right now I am going to see if I can convince him to play a game of scrabble.

Day 8 and home

This is where we sat and had breakfast this morning. Coffee and a doughnut. Look at that glorious sky

The Mermaid fell in love with Lakes Entrance and is talking about moving there. I told Himself that I could live there and he said he always wanted to live there. In the past it was hard as we had aging parents but they have all gone to god now. The new beaut roads mean it's only about 3 and a half hours from Melbourne (ongoing roadworks notwithstanding) so the kids and grandkids could come and stay for a weekend or longer in the school holidays. It is a beautiful place. If all my ducks lined up and the Mermaid sold and moved and we sold and moved it would be brilliant. I am going to book a few days there in April so we can properly look at houses. There is a broad range of prices and quality from the 'oh my giddy aunt' to 'oh hell no'. I think we can find somewhere in the 'oh I can live here' pocket. Until we can see what our budget will actually buy I am not committing to anything. In the meantime we can dream.

We had a drive around and then headed for home. 

We stopped at Yarragon which is a pretty little town on the highway. It has some lovely little knick knack shops and a food shop to tempt the most jaded palates. We had lunch there in the delightful tea rooms.

We completed the trip home discussing the options of moving and the ramifications on family relationships. So far the reactions have been positive.

On the way I got a call from Three to say that Himself had been admitted overnight as he had a stent inserted. This is a good thing as it means whatever was there was relatively new and has been fixed. He feel vindicated over his angst about his chest discomfort. I still think it is more anxiety but then I am a callous bitch when it comes to nursing my family!

Three was here when I got home and we had a good chat. I have spoken to Himself a couple of times and will pick him up tomorrow morning.

We have lots to discuss.

It is now past 10pm and I am, unsurprisingly, rather knackered. It has been a wonderful trip away and I have driven an incredible number of kilometres. The Mermaid and I have laughed and strengthened our already firm friendship. We had many late nights and many glasses of wine. We have shared secrets and solved the problems of the world.

I will do it again in a heartbeat.

But now I am going to bed.

Day 7

Bodalla. Pretty place. Amazing cheese and icecream but it was too early for either.

Eden. Stopped for lunch

Our final night in Lakes Entrance. Do you get the feeling this motel might have had an issue with people and crabs? Lakes is known for its seafood but still!

A black swan family 

Dinner. Local fish and chips. The best I've had in a very long time.

 Home tomorrow and a proper post. When depends on Himself and his angiogram.