Day 3

Last night's gin cocktail before the most delicious meal.

Today we paid a deposit on the block.

Yes, another builder has gone belly up but we are still confident and have time to pull the pin if necessary. 

Day 2

Remember how I said we weren't going to build?

This view could be ours tomorrow 

From this block

Stay tuned 

Day 1

It was raining when we set off

And rained

There are major road works outside Sale so our GPS sent us on a detour

We decided to get off the dirt road and were glad to find the highway again!

A pretty view  ... through the rain

Still raining 

Our room. Very nice. The bathroom has a spa.

 I've given up trying to format this!

We had a drive around looking at the houses we're seeing. A couple are definitely off the list, one is back on and there are three possibilities. 

Himself has gone to get fish and chips. How could we not?

One more sleep

I was up at sparrow's fart to take my car in to be serviced. It was so early my headlights came on. 

Alright, the days are getting shorter and until daylight saving ends on Sunday, sunrise isn't until 7.30 and it was cloudy and dull. But still, I am not a morning person. 

Himself followed me down and we came home, had breakfast and took the dogs to the park. Then we went to the shops so he could buy some more tracky daks and I could get a couple of winter fleece tops. We are nothing if not stylish. I also bit the bullet and had my hair trimmed. It looks OK.

Tomorrow will be another early start but this one I won't mind! I am hoping that while Himself is taking the dogs to the dog sitter I will be able to finish packing the car and throw down a cup of tea. I want to head off as soon as we can. We can stop at Yarragon for a coffee. They have a lovely café there.

We have 8 houses lined up to look at as well as a chat with a builder. 

The latest one I have fallen in love with is this one. The views!! It is a small house and the kitchen and ensuite are very tired but for the price we could afford to have them updated. It has been on the market for a while so there must be something wrong with it.

I will try to update daily but there are no promises. It was easier when it was just the Mermaid and me. Having Himself around wanting to know what I am doing on my phone all the time could be awkward (no, he doesn't know about this blog - any wonder when you know what I say about him sometimes!) I may just upload photos randomly.

Regardless, you will get a good rundown when we get home.

Stay well, stay safe and be happy.

A day when the title could be more interesting than the post

Silly me.

I decided to stay in bed and doze for another 20 minutes. 

I ended up falling back into a deep sleep with really disturbing dreams that I found hard to wake from and have been feeling discombobulated for the whole day. Does this happen to anyone else?

Himself did some more painting of the outside woodwork and it is looking amazing. I would show you but it's raining. 

He then went to the shed and I did absolutely nothing. 

Eventually I did start to pack for Lakes. Decisions, decisions. Long sleeves or short? So I have packed some of both. To add to my irritation for the day I found FOUR tops with stains on them. Those with big boobs and messy eating habits will know what I mean. I usually check my tops before chucking them in the machine but I must have missed these. Or the stains came out later. I really should wear my bibs more frequently.

The weather looks to be a bit chilly with some showers. Not really a problem but we have decided not to do a cruise on the lakes as that could be windy and a bit unpleasant. We have done them before and can do them again. We will probably go for some drives and walks.

Max is not the most affectionate cat but he does like to sit/sleep in a chair next to me and spends a lot of time curled up in my wardrobe. When he wakes up he goes and says g'day to Murphy. He hates anyone coming into the house. Especially small people.

See a problem?

On Wednesday Murphy and Jinx are going away, Himself and I are going away and Three will come to feed the cats and scoop their litter - with Alice in tow.

I envisage a very frosty reception on our return.

I wonder if there is such a thing as a kennel/cattery where you can board all your four legged family members together. That could be a good business idea for someone.

Well that was depressing!

I decided that if we are putting the house on the market people might look inside the wardrobes. So I thought I should really sort through mine.

I own 22 pairs of these. (And linking that was a mistake - I found a whole lot more to fall in love with).

I own too many pairs of jeans that don't quite fit.

Ditto dresses.

I have 5 supermarket bags full of clothes to take to the op shop. Many are brand new. Most have not been worn since we moved here 5 and a half years ago.

I need more undies. I wish I had a bra that fitted out of the 10 that I own.

I haven't started on the shoes.

I found that a wheat bag given to me and stored (don't ask me why) with cards from eons ago had created its own microcosm of bugs which meant I spent a good hour or so sorting through what I had to keep (handmade cards from the kids) and what I could toss. Including cards from my 40th birthday. 26 years ago. The kids' cards go back further. I haven't been called "mummy" for a long time!

One of the things I liked about working as a nurse on the wards was wearing a uniform. I seem to have my own uniform at the moment comprising the above leggings and tops like this.

I have long sleeved and short sleeved versions. 

Oh the joys of being an overweight, elderly, apple shaped, frumpy woman.

Men seem to be able to age and gain weight with dignity. Or is that society telling us so?

Sunny Saturday

 

I will be dusting when the place goes on the market, obviously. Assuming we make that decision.

Over the past few days I did a big cull on facebook. I have removed myself from groups and culled my friends list. I was spending way to much time doing absolutely nothing. One of the groups and some of the friends were the old craft crowd. I am waiting to see if anyone notices. If not, good. If they do, then I will think of something. Can't really say I found they had become a bit too bitchy for me!

We dropped Sally off to dance and picked her up as Three and Amy were looking at rentals. Nothing appealed but at least they are looking. He is going to feed the cats while we are away so will pop over tomorrow to make sure the key he has is the correct one.

This is the floorplan of one of the houses they looked at. Tell me if you notice anything strange.

If you didn't see it maybe this will give you a hint!

It has been a glorious autumn day. The pumpkins are continuing to grow. Himself is painting the timber at the front of the house. It is very quiet. All I can hear are the birds and the crickets. 

Friyay

I caught up with fave sis in law today. We had lunch at PappaRich and it was delicious as usual.

We caught up on shared news and then debated all the problems in the world. At least the ones we consider important. 

We then had afternoon tea at Laurent and continued our problem solving.

She is leaving in a month to return to Italy. At least this year she will return mid year for a couple of months so I will get to see her then. The both return in October.

Talking about our possible move to Lakes made it all seem real and exciting. She is quite happy with the idea of coming and spending a few days with me. Other Brother can then come and pick her up, stay the night with us and then they can go and visit Dr Teacher and his missus. 

Now I just need to find a house.

All the ones we have fallen for have significant disadvantages so we are now down to one which doesn't have a floor plan so I fear there are hidden nasties! 

If we don't find our dream home next week we can at least tell the agents what we are looking for and get this place ready for when the right place comes on the market. At this stage I am not keen on selling first as we could be trapped into buying somewhere because we need to or renting which is dead money. 

I think I have 6 pumpkins which might make it. Maude is getting very close.

Tomorrow we are taking Sally to dance as her parents are looking at a possible new rental.

I am now going to pour a glass of something and peruse real estate in Lakes!

One of those days

Can any of you relate to any of these?

Ice cream

Not the best top for her to model the bolero with but you get the idea. She loves it.

I'd love to make her another one using a bit of sparkle. I thought I had some in my stash but it looks as if I might have to go yarn shopping!!

Himself got the tick from the urologist. He is retiring due to health issues and seems sad about it. Such a shame. 

I popped into see Angela who has given me some leek seedlings and some struck cuttings of oregano and perennial basil. We had a good natter and I got special attention from Trixie the wonder dog. 

I then collected Sally from school. Ice cream was requested. THREE scoops, please, Granny. Granny obliged. Clever Granny. Next time it will be two scoops. Or maybe even one, Granny. Far better to accede to the request and have the dream found wanting than to argue and deny and build the anticipation.

It was too late to head back to our place but too soon to meet Dad at day care so we found a park which had two young boys and their mum playing as well. Miss Bossy soon took charge and the two bewildered lads followed her lead. 

The stupid pumpkin keeps producing tiny, weeny babies. They will not see adulthood. I am not impressed with the parenting abilities of this pumpkin.

 

A trip to the vet

The dogs were way overdue for their vaccinations. I was a bit worried but our lovely vet assured us that, whilst boarding kennels are adamant they must have annual shots, in fact the vaccines give them cover for the nasties for up to 3 years. Not that I would let them go that long but it was good to know.

Both dogs weighed about 45 kilos! I was surprised he didn't weigh more and she didn't weigh less. I guess his floofy coat and boofy head make him look bigger. The vet was happy with their weight but they are not allowed to gain any more. No wonder the bed groans when we are all on it!

Here is Murphy looking gorgeous while waiting to be called in.

Jinx was more interested in keeping an eye on what was going on in the street outside. She has been licking her nether regions a bit so is on antibiotics and got a shot of cortisone as well. Nothing serious - just girly stuff.

Most animals hate going to the vet. Ours can't wait to get in there and say hi to everyone. Jinx took herself behind the office desk to greet the vet nurse.

You may remember (although I fully understand if you can't - my life is not that riveting!) that I was helping the Mermaid with her crochet. I finally finished it and will drop it off to her tomorrow when Himself has his post TURP review.  I am pretty pleased with myself considering I am not an accomplished crocheter and the pattern was a bit open to interpretation as I find a lot of crochet patterns are. Knitting patterns are so much easier to follow. Anyway here it is ...

It is a bolero. It is meant to look like this!

The three storey house I showed you yesterday is under offer (they rang the Mermaid but haven't contacted us yet) but never fear I have found two more that I like even better. 

This one appeals because of the outlook front and back. Behind is the oval for a primary school (the school is way on the other side) and across the road is a pony club and bush. The beach is only a short walk away.

Just up the road and around the corner is this place. Whilst smaller and not as new it is $200k cheaper. It backs onto bush and is still not far from the beach. The beach in this case is not the popular swimming beach, but rather a beach for walking which actually suits us better. 

Initially I wanted a place that could sleep the whole family if they all came to visit at once. This, in hindsight, is a bit unrealistic. As long as I can sleep one family at a time and use the bedrooms in between times that should be enough. The idea of having a guest wing, whilst appealing, is a bit silly. There is heaps of accommodation in the area and as long as I book in advance for the holiday season someone can stay there. 

So, yes, at the moment it does look as if we are going to move. The final decision will be made next week after a visit.

On the pumpkin front ...

I think I counted another 5 at least. Some are very, very tiny and might not develop at all. I have learned what to look for now. Also one of the M girls might not make it as it looks as if something has chewed her flower down to the base and I don't know if the flower is needed to reach maturity.

On that note I shall go and pour a glass of something and listen to the rain.

Lakes update

The house that I showed you yesterday, while looking lovely, does have some location issues. However, there are other places!

This place is over three levels and NOT for retirees according the real estate agent (the Mermaid went through it this morning) but if we made the top and bottom floors for guests then we could live in the middle area. 

This place looks very interesting. It has a self contained granny flat. Perfect for visitors. There isn't a floor plan though, which concerns me. Anyway, we are looking at that place and the one from yesterday when we go down as well as the one above.

We are also talking to Metricon homes about building.

Himself has agreed though, that unless we win the lotto we most likely won't be building. Phew.

Now I just have to find the place I could live in and still have family to visit. 

I mentioned that if I found the right place I would love to put an offer in and he agreed. Fingers crossed.

Either way it will be a great getaway. And if we decide to move but don't find the place next week we'll just have to go back. What a shame.

There are pet friendly places to stay so the next step will be to find out if pets are proper dogs or just microwave dogs.

I saw a new doctor today as it is really hard to get an appointment with my normal doc. This woman is lovely. Young and overweight. So much easier to talk to someone who knows the battle. I have a slip for an ultrasound and xray on my hip. 

Tomorrow the dogs go to the vet. That will be interesting. I wonder how much they weigh. At least Himself is in charge of the feeding so if there is any discussion to be had about Murphy I can plead innocence!

Pumpkins

Maude

Mildred

Mabel

Martha

Matilda

Mavis

Marybelle

Marjorie

Maureen

Maeve

Yup. I have 10 pumpkins. I think I will stop naming them now! Apart from anything I keep forgetting who's who and where they are in the pumpkin patch.

Apparently I have to wait until the skins harden and get knobbly and can't be marked with a fingernail and the pumpkin should sound hollow when gently knocked. Also, I should wait for the leaves to wither and die - a bit like spuds, I suppose. If it looks like this isn't going to happen I might be able to harvest and use straight away but obviously only if a decent size. I wish I could remember what variety I planted! I might have planted the label with the seedling but that would now be hidden under a mass of leaves and vines. And those suckers have little sticky things that hurt when you grab them.

In no particular order (because I can't remember!)

This is Maude. The matriarch of the pumpkin patch

And this was her just a short week ago.

And this is her domain!

I fell in love with a house I saw in Lakes. I got the Mermaid to do a drive by. It is in the not so salubrious part of town which probably explains why it is still on the market. 

Bummer.

Saturday

We spent the better part of the day driving around looking at display homes. It was a horrible hot, windy day so a good day to spend in an airconditioned vehicle taking the pretty way to nearby country towns (which are now more like extended suburbia).

If we go down this path we will be looking at a minimum of 12 months from sign up to move in. This will most likely mean a period of renting unless we can borrow against the sale of this place which can get expensive but so can renting.

I am still on team buy established but Himself has his heart set on building. I will let him dream a while longer.

It is now cooler outside, thank goodness, so I went and watered the pumpkin.

We now have Matilda and Mavis. 

Maude is now the size of, well, a small pumpkin! I wonder when I can harvest. 

Mildred, Mabel and Martha are growing nicely. 

SIX pumpkins!

I don't know why it took me so long

Sometimes you get funky patterned bandages when you give blood. This one is to celebrate women who donate or something. 

This is the machine they use. The blood is taken from your arm and is spun around the white thing at the top right separating the plasma which goes into the bottom bag. It happens in cycles and between each cycle your red blood cells are reinfused through the same tube in your arm. 

Once they have taken the volume they calculate based on your weight (mine was 855mls - I'm fat!) they flush the line with saline (and give you a bit of volume back), disconnect you, bandage you up and send you off to sit for 15 minutes and have something to eat and drink. Today I had a sausage roll and a strawberry milk.

You sit in a very comfy recliner and they put a hot pack under your elbow and on your shoulder to help the blood flow and you can read or watch telly and just chill. 

It is quite a pleasant way to spend an hour or so (whole blood donation is much quicker as they don't spin it and reinfuse and they don't take as much volume).

So if this is something you have been thinking about maybe give it a go. You never know whose life you might be saving.

I will get off my soap box now. I do apologise but this is something I am passionate about.

And now for something completely different.

Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you ....

Mabel and Martha!! 

I swear they weren't there yesterday. 

Tired

I am convinced that the less one does, the more tired/weary one feels.

Anyway.

The glazier came and fixed the windows. A lovely young chap. Mini was very interested in everything he did. She followed him from window to window but didn't try to get out. 

Max, fortunately decided the bottom of my wardrobe was a good place to spend the morning, there was a stranger in the house after all. If he had worked out there was an escape route he might have changed his mind.

I think I am weary because I spent waaaay too much time on the computer looking at land in Lakes and house plans.

Yes, folks, we are back to the building option. The land is affordable and the houses are, too, at the moment. The issue will be releasing funds to pay for the land/build until we sell and settle on this place and where to live while this is going on. Also, the huge risk that the time line could blow out. Tradies are scarce, raw materials are getting expensive, etc etc etc.

The Mermaid is down in Lakes at the moment as is having a wonderful time. She says it is a great place for single women of a certain age. She would move there in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the grandkids. Which means she won't move which is sad as it means she will have one day a week with them and 6 days being lonely and bored. Hey ho, her life.

It has been well over 12 months since I last donated plasma. I have bitten the bullet and booked for tomorrow at 1.30. It isn't the most pleasant experience (blood is much quicker and easier with no side effects) but I can suck it up because I know too damn well how precious plasma is and how many lives it saves. I can also remember how awful it was trying to source blood products for our oncology patients when stock was scarce. 

Why haven't I given for so long? 

I just wrote a whole lot of reasons and then realised that, apart from being sick last year, none of my reasons were valid.

Do you donate blood/plasma?

Wednesday

The trees are starting to turn. We don't get the glorious autumn colours of some northern hemisphere countries so I take what I can get.

This sunset almost looks like Neapolitan icecream! And again, just with the phone, no filters or photo shop.

Last night I had both dogs on the bed.

When it's time to go to the park the dogs know. They get very excited and wait until Himself opens the door and says "In the car". They then race to it and jump in waiting for Himself to get a move on and drive! "Hurry UP, Dad!"

J and I went to Hastings. C was meant to join us but wasn't feeling well. We went to say goodbye to one of the women who works in the shop as she is retiring but she left early. We left an orchid and a card with the owner to give her when she pops in. There was a new group of women who were learning to crochet. We sat with them for a bit, went and had lunch and then back to the shop for more yarnwork and a chat with the owner and her sister who is now helping out in the shop.

Maude is getting big. Mildred is still very small and there are no more coming up that I can see. 

Himself went to the GP. My first aid intervention was the correct one and he just needs to be patient and let the foot heal. He has degenerative disease in his C spine with nerve impingement at C7 which is causing the tingling in his arms. Prednisolone for now and see how it goes. He has arthritic changes in his knee but again, not bad enough for intervention so keep taking the pain relief.

Needless to say I do not have a happy chappy in this house at the moment. He likes instant fixes.

Aldi chicken Kiev for dinner and I bought some orange cake from the cafe for afters.