Swans!!

Yet another glorious day, here. We took the dogs along the waterfront again, but in the opposite direction. We saw lots of these ....

I sent Three these pictures ...

And he responded with this ...

 

... asking "are we even in the same state?!"

After our walk we stopped for coffee and a muffin each which we shared with the dogs (the muffin, not the coffee). A run for the dogs at the lookout, a trip up to the block, supermarket for dinner stuff and cheapy shops for supplies to take up to entertain the girls. Lots of craft things which I hope will keep them quiet and occupied for, oh, five minutes!

The floors have been vacuumed and washed. All I have to do is make the Mermaid's bed and pack for the trip away.

I will be scarce as she arrives tomorrow lunch time and we head off first thing on Wednesday.

Be safe.

A lovely Sunday

I didn't post yesterday because I spent most of the afternoon at a rustic rug weaving class and had nothing to talk about and my brain was full and I couldn't even think of a topic to discuss.

Also, said rug had been wet finished and was drying on the line so I couldn't even show you the results of my afternoon's work.

Here it is, in all its glory. The warp is wool and the weft is a blend of alpaca, merino and silk. I think it's called tops but I am not a spinner so I stand to be corrected. Wet finishing felts it so it holds better. It's about the size of a bath mat and I have it on the floor next to the kids' beds. The cats, however, seem to have other ideas so it might end up as a wall hanging. Regardless of its fate I will be trimming the fringe.

This gives you a closer look at the construction. Ashford use leftovers from their fibre lines and then put them all through their carding process to produce this stuff. Consequently it has many colours in it and the warp helps with the finished look, in this case making the greens pop.

Today we walked the dogs the length of the foreshore and back. It was a glorious day.

I love the reflection of the boats in the still lake water.

They are starting to realise that water can be fun.

 I started to clean the house after lunch but decided to go with Himself to the dog park. A lovely bunch of people. The house has been dusted, I will vac tomorrow and wash the floors. The Mermaid comes down on Tuesday so I want the place to look nice for her.

Himself bought some hamburger patties from the butcher. Hopefully they will be nicer than the snags. We will have them with bacon, onion, cheese and beetroot (and lettuce and tomato of course).

And that folks, was another day in my life in Lakes Entrance!

Another glorious day after a bit of a dodgy start.

We woke to rain which was a bit of a bugger as I had a line full of washing. With the sunshine and a bit of a breeze it dried in no time (except for the pieces I dropped first into the washing basket that had also been out all night and therefore was wet - duh!)

Jinx has been having some issues with her nether regions. I may have mentioned this in past posts. She has had two lots of cortisone and antibiotics. I was hoping that moving here would help things as I felt a lot of the obsessive licking might have been caused by stress. She hasn't been licking much of late. I found out why today. And boy, do I feel bad. Her vulva is so ulcerated and infected it would hurt to lick. God knows how much pain she has been in having a pee.

We got an appointment with the new vet and she was thoroughly examined. More steroids, more antibiotics and a cream. Poor Jinx actually cried when he took a swab. She never cries. She also cried when I applied the cream. Fingers well and truly crossed the drugs will ease things very soon.

After that we took them up to our local patch for a run. 

Murphy loves a run ...

The sky was, as usual, just stunning. Even with clouds ...

We then took the dogs up to the block. They haven't been and I suggested it. The universe must have been speaking to me. When we got there a site supervisor from our builder was also there and Himself had a really good chat about a few things. It made him feel that things are sort of happening. 

The dogs got their walk on the block and did sniffy hellos with the dogs behind us. I think Himself was happy ...

I was on a suggestion roll (probably exacerbated by extreme guilt over Jinx's issues and feeling I have neglected her) so we ended up at Eastern Beach.

More new smells ...

Up the track and over the dunes ...

And another glimpse of paradise.

We let the dogs off their leads and they had a ball.

Himself fancied a hamburger for lunch so I opted for fish and chips. Look at how fresh and white and yummy that gummy shark is and how light and crisp the batter is. The chips were awesome, too.

 

A quiet afternoon and I even had a bath. First time in this house and it is so much more comfortable than the one in our old place. 

Jinx is curled up at my feet. Himself is cooking dinner. I have a glass of wine and life is good.

Building stuff

I apologise to my non-Aussie readers but this is just a quick post about our builder who is in the news again.

The ABC has been broadcasting that Metricon has been reneging on contracts and asking clients to pay a lot of money to build their homes.

We have just got off the phone with our representative and it makes perfect sense.

Firstly, the ABC are not telling the whole story (no surprises there - media are renowned for that). 

Secondly, when you sign your initial contract with Metricon you are given 365 days locked in on the base price of that home. That supposedly gives the office time to do all the paperwork, planning, engineering etc. Once that stage has been handed over to the build team they don't/can't change the price.

Where problems happen is where land has been bought that hasn't been titled and the time to title has blown out. No builder will be able to honour a price set, in some cases, three years ago and make a profit and, believe it or not, that is their sole reason for being in business. There are other scenarios but that is probably one of the most common and easy to understand.

We are comfortable with our current situation. We are doing our best to get our council permits through asap, we are not dependant on finance, we are not fiddle faddling with the plans (too much) and, above all, we purchased titled land. I don't understand buying untitled land and I certainly don't understand getting into a contract to build on untitled land. Some land being sold still has cows grazing. It is highly possible that something will go pear shaped within 12 months to affect title regardless of what the developer tells you.

In other news, we had lunch at a local cafe and it was amazing.

We walked the dogs this morning and took them to doggy play this afternoon. A lovely bunch of people and dogs - except one dog has taken a distinct dislike to our two. She spent a lot of the afternoon in time out but her owner said she has to learn her manners.

Last night's snags were not the best we've ever had. We aren't really sausage people so when we have them they have to be fantastic. After lunch today, dinner will just be soup and a sanga.

I have a walk I want to do. It involves steep hills and it is my first goal.

Moving here was the best decision.

I love sky

 We have big skies here and I love them as much as the water.

I had a hair cut today. With a proper stylist at a proper salon with a hair wash and a scalp massage and everything. Bliss. I will be going back.

I had coffee with the Wednesday coffee group. I was anxious but put my big girl pants on and they were lovely and we had a lot of laughs.

I had a long conversation with One last night about family and stuff and a lot of things got resolved. His mother in law is barking mad very strange ... she suggested that they go away with One and Ebs on the romantic week end One and Ebs have booked for their 10th wedding anniversary (her parents are looking after the girls). I was hurt we weren't invited to the kids' birthday parties and the in-laws were - except they aren't, they just rock up. 

For dinner tonight we are having sausages from the local butcher. They are smelling pretty good as Himself is cooking them on the barbie.

We are settling in ...

• Vet - tick
• Doctor - tick
• Optometrist - tick
• Hairdresser - tick

The Cast

 Boud commented that she doesn't really know who's who and it made me realise it has been a while since I have explained the participants in the play that is "Life and Times of SparklingMerlot"

So here we go. Some names are noms de plume and some are those given by parents. I like to mix things up and they are not as obvious as may initially appear.

SparklingMerlot ... me, born 1956

Himself ... the husband of 46 years, born 1949 (god he's old)

Stepson ... born 1973, very close to his brothers and for that I can't be happier. He is married to a wonderful woman and they have raised two amazing kids that were sired by another but to whom he is dad. His mother and I got on well, all things considered. We referred to ourselves and wives in law. She sadly died from melanoma way too early.

One ... firstborn son (1988)

Ebs ... his wife

Lily ... their firstborn

Ivy ... their second daughter

Two ... middlest son (who was really upset when he realised that being the middlest wasn't a thing)

Mads ... his wife

Audrey ... first kid

Billie ... second daughter

Henry ... gorgeous son (and first grandson)

Three ... the kid I had just for me who is probably the closest because that is his personality

Amy ... his wife

Sally ... our first granddaughter

Alice ... their second daughter 

Here are the grandchildren in order of birth, not family ...

Sally, Lily, Audrey, Ivy, Billie, Alice, Henry.

I have two brothers ... Other Brother born 1958 and Dr Teacher born 1963

Other Brother is married to Fave sis in law (sometimes Mrs other)and Dr Teacher is married to Mrs Teacher (cos she is married to him and was a teacher. This is his second marriage and if you go back far enough in this blog his first wife might also appear and be referred to as a Mrs Teacher but she rarely appears here so wife #2 is Mrs T. Confused yet). Any reference to nephews are the offspring of Dr T and wife #1.

The Mermaid is our oldest friend. 

I could go on but I am confused so I hate to think what you are feeling! Please let me know if you need clarification. 

Still here

I have been a bit absent from blogland of late. I do read and sometimes comment but haven't had the oomph to post anything here.

The drive up to Melbourne was uneventful. I drove as much as I could there and back off the highway and it was great fun. I had to drive right under the Yallourn power station. It is a massive thing.

It was great to catch up with Fave sis in law. We went to Doncaster shopping centre, had lunch and talked a lot. On Friday I called in to the Mermaid for coffee and chat, then went to the ophthalmologist. The original issue has resolved but my intraocular pressures are up. He thinks it is a steroid reaction so I have to see an optometrist down here in about 6 weeks for another pressure check. 

I popped in to see Lily for her birthday. Her other grandmother was there. She is always there! After an hour or so I left and went to Three's place. I got a message from Ebs with a photo of Lily blowing out candles on her cake. I said I should have stayed! She asked when I was heading home and when I said first thing she said bugga. I think I might have been given an invitation to the birthday party but considering we were living in Melbourne when Ivy had her party and we weren't invited it would have been very much an afterthought. Sally was invited two days before the RSVP cut off and we think that was an afterthought as it was just after Amy wished Ebs a happy birthday. Amy said it was very awkward. Alice wasn't invited so wasn't able to play with the other kids in the party room. The invitation didn't have names on it so the assumption was both cousins were invited. All in all it has caused a lot of angst with Three and Amy and I do feel very sorry for them.

I think that is one reason why I have been so flat lately. The chance of all my boys and their families spending time together is slim to nothing.

Anyway, life goes on.

We are still waiting for site costs from the builder. We met another owner yesterday who has just had her build started (different builder) and she was giving us tips for dealing with the council permit people. We had hoped that would be a quick process but that is unlikely. We have to give them three months but then we will start nagging them!

Next week the Mermaid comes down and we head off to NSW for a few days. I will see Two et al and she will stay with her mother. Maybe once I am home from that trip I can get some routine going here.

In the meantime I have baked another batch of brownies.

Cold

Every so often you get a perfect photo when you have pets ...

Then you get these ...

 

After a lovely still, warm start to the day the winds came in with a vengeance. At least I was able to get my washing dried in record time. Then the rains came. We went up to the block to see how windy it gets.

Very.

You can see the white caps on the ocean. 

I am going to love looking at this view. The sky is so big and the sea is constantly changing.

And that has been about it for today.

Tomorrow I drive to Melbourne and spend a couple of days with Fave sis in law. I probably won't post tomorrow cos that would be rude. I am taking some brownies. They are delicious and I will certainly be making them again.

On Friday I see the eye doc, spend the night with Three and drive home Saturday morning.

Behave yourselves while I'm away.

Another day in Paradise

What can I say?

We took the dogs for a wander along the North Arm. 

Pelicans! There would have to have been at least a dozen of them

 

And then I came home and baked brownies from a recipe in the local paper. They are still too warm to cut but the house smells delicious!

A recent report on a robbery at a fast food restaurant made me giggle. Do journos get taught anything about writing? Does nobody proof read any more? 

"Each time the teens, who were armed with knives, made off with cash and intimidated staff."

It's a big block!

Himself had to go back for another few hours to finish mowing the block! It is pretty average for around here but huge compared to modern Melbourne metro blocks.

The mown bits are ours up to the fence about halfway up the picture.

Looking from the top right corner.

Next time (assuming the building hasn't begun) I will get someone in with a ride on mower or a slasher. 

I cleaned the house. This is such an easy house to clean after our previous one. Granted I have been vacuuming the carpets every couple of days (dogs and cats) but today I dusted and did the floors and I couldn't believe the lack of dust compared to Langy. 

I am sure living in an area without the pollution of city living helps with so many things. Like breathing.

On a completely different note, while I am typing this the TV is on. They just played yet another gambling ad. Now these ads have to play something anti-gambling after each ad. This one after showing big scenes of winning battles with resounding music, asked very quickly over a black and white screen "what are you really gambling with?". It reminds me of the cigarette ads before they were banned. They had a disclaimer in the same black and white with a quick voice over "medical authorities warn that smoking is a health hazard". 

Someone once likened the effect as a marshmallow falling on a shag pile carpet. 

The gambling disclaimer is the same. 

In the mean time our illustrious state government is introducing very strict restrictions for anyone one wants to play the pokies.  Andrew has often talked about the benefits of increasing wealth with investing in these machines (and before you crucify Andrew or me that was, and is always, firmly tongue in cheek). I just feel that online gambling using the myriad of apps available is as bad, if not worse, than the pokies. 

From a media fodder perspective the pokies are filmable and their victims are usually older.  They are, however, often a source of company for older people (who aren't addicted and know their limits) or a bit of a flutter at the end of a night out for others (like us). 

The younger, tech savvy sucker, who can use an online gambling platform on their mobile phone, can lose far more money far more quickly. This is as scary as the little old lady betting her pension on the pokies but I guess they don't tug at the heart strings as much. And these online gaming platforms have huge backing which, dare I suggest, might have some political financial influence.

Settling down

Yesterday was a quiet day. 

I baked a loaf of bread. It tasted OK but looked a bit weird. My old oven had a proofing setting so I am going to have to work out the best place to let my dough rise. And I'm not sure about the oven settings either. All things to figure out over time.

This morning we took the dogs into Lakes for a run at the dog park. Then we walked along the main street and had a doughnut and coffee for breakfast. Himself talks to everyone. Having the dogs always strikes up conversations. 

I then checked out a local market. It was OK but nothing really grabbed me. I would have enjoyed it more with a friend in tow. I might see if any of my Melbourne friends would be interested in sharing a table down the track as it seems to be mainly handcrafts and they have some interesting stuff. 

I have spent the afternoon searching for my weaving equipment and buying some cotton on line because I can't get to my yarn stash (and I don't think I have what I want anyway). I am thinking of weaving some cloth to make small bags and weaving the bands on the inkle. 

Himself has taken himself up to the block with the mower and whipper snipper to tidy it up. He should be home soon and then we start the "what do you want for dinner" game. We had fish and chips last night. Yummy as always.

It was a glorious day today but has now turned quite chilly. 

I am really going to have to work at this retirement living gig. I feel guilty if I am not doing something productive. I think I need to get some pots so I can pretend to garden.

Or I could just sit at the waterfront and just drink in the scenery. 

Tired and happy

When Sally was staying with us we were in Kmart buying some clothes for her (why her parents let her pack for a trip away is beyond me - she is 6 for heavens sake) she was given a picture to colour in for Naidoc week.

As we were driving up to Melbourne on Monday for Himself's angiogram I got a call from Kmart to say she had won a prize. Needless to say she was over the moon. She got a small lego kit and a $10 Kmart gift card. Heaven for a 6 year old girl. 

I did pop in and take a photo of her entry. Every bit was her own work. I don't believe in helping kids with competitions like this. It's cheating. For those who don't know the black and red flag with the yellow sun is the Aboriginal flag. 

Yesterday was a lovely day. One of our neighbours had invited me to their Wednesday coffee group. I put on my big girl pants and went to the cafe (you all know how I just love stepping outside my comfort zone!). The women were just delightful and I felt very welcome. I won't be able to go consistently but apparently that is the norm for the group. Another step closer to becoming part of a community. I have felt more welcomed and at home in 2 and a half weeks here than I did in 6 years in Langwarrin. I guess that's the country for you.

This morning we took my car to get the windscreen replaced. They did a great job and again, friendly family business.

We came home while the job was being done and took the dogs for a walk along the North Arm. I want to walk more but need to walk on flat even surfaces while my hip bursitis is still giving me grief. This ticked those boxes.

We then took the dogs up to Jemmy's lookout for a run (not strictly allowed but if no one is there it appears to be ok - that seems to happen a bit down here). I never tire of that view!

Here is a map of the area that might give you an idea of places I am talking about. 

The Esplanade is the main drag so to speak where all the shops and cafes are. If you see the arrow pointing towards number 5 and move across to the wiggly bit, that is where we are renting. The footbridge in the far right of the map is how you get across to the ocean beach and to the left of it is where Sally paddled. The Gippsland Lakes are a huge system and we are pretty much at the easterly end of it.

The past couple of weeks have caught up with me and I am weary but oh so happy.

Tomorrow I think I will do some baking. And maybe dig out a loom. I might even knit in front of the telly tonight. If I can remember how! 

I hope all is hunky-dory in your part of the world.

 

I know it's just a blue line but that blue line is approx 285 kms (177 miles for some) long and I have driven it four times in the last two days! I am so pleased I took the risk and went on the back roads. They are such a delight to drive. The mountains, the colours, the clouds, the little country towns, the farms ...  it beats the boring highway any day. I still do highway driving but it's nicely broken up. 

I left home at 7.22am. I had planned to get up at 6am and leave straight away but having to get up twice overnight for the dogs to go out I got up at 7 and I wasn't going to push it. As it was I got to Three and Amy's at 11.00 so not a bad run. We did a quick turn around, headed back, stopped at Koo Wee Rup for petrol, Yarragon for a sandwich and a coffee and got home just after 3.00pm. The dogs were thrilled to see us (read "Himself"). I had left them with treats. Murphy was all "wow thank you" Jinx was "nah ... I know this trick now". Cunning female dog.

I need to go back up to Melbourne next week for my ophthalmologists appointment. I was trying to make it stupidly big and cram as many visits in as possible. As if I wasn't ever going to be back there. The main reason for extending the trip is to see Fave Sis in Law who is on hiatus from Italy. So I shall see her, see the doctor and spend time with Three et al. I should pop into One's place with pressies for various July birthdays. 

Tomorrow I hope will be another almost normal day. Thursday my car is getting its windscreen replaced after the buchan truck flipped a rock on the way to the Buchan caves. 

Now? Himself (who is back to his old relaxed self) is cooking dinner, wine has been opened, the dogs are happy and life is pretty damn good.

I hope it is in your part of this wonderful world.

Relieved

Thank you everyone for you kind words on yesterday's post. It has been a huge day and I just haven't got the oomph reply to them all. This community means so much to me and has been a sanity saving place for me of late!

We left home at 8.00. Got to the hospital at just before 12.00 and I turfed the old man out of the car.

I then went to what used to be our local shops with the intention of getting a sandwich and a coffee for the drive home (and a quick piddle stop). The supermarket had said sandwiches but they were marked down as their use by was today so a big no from me (I like my bread fresh). I could have had one made at a cafe but they overfill them and they are too hard to eat on the road. So I bought some mixed nuts, a packet of white chocolate and macadamia cookies (yes, these are called cookies, not biscuits) and a coffee drink. 

I strongly suggest not drinking coffee drinks when driving over speed bumps.

I took some country roads on the way home and it really didn't make that much difference to time (like maybe 10 minutes) but so much more pleasant than battering down the freeway. I will repeat the trip tomorrow!

The dogs seemed fine. We had left them with bones. When I got home they didn't even register I was there until I opened the back door. It seems they were playing in the back yard. I don't have any more bones for tomorrow so I will hide some treats around the back yard and hopefully that will keep them amused. Once Himself is home they won't care, anyway!

Oh, and his results? Well it turns out there was nothing obvious on the angiogram so no need for stenting which means Amy will pick him up shortly and take him back to their place for the night. The cardiologist said the discomfort could be caused by occlusion in tiny arteries that don't show on angiogram so he will try some new meds. 

Hopefully now he can settle down and relax which I am sure will ease a lot of issues.

A nearly normal day

We really do live in a beautiful place. This is from the top of the hill that overlooks Lakes. It was a bit blowy out there today. We had been to check some measurements on the block and on the way back a mattress blew off a trailer. Himself stopped to help the woman get it back on and we followed her to the tip (just up the road) to make sure it didn't happen again.

Early on I did some washing and actually got to hang it on the line! In Langwarrin we had a washing line but it was a pain to get to and nothing really dried on it so I used the dryer or a clothes horse. Here the line gets the breeze and some sun and it was just lovely to peg stuff out. 

It's the little things, eh?

Himself mowed the lawn front and back. I vacuumed. I unpacked some more kitchen stuff. I will see what I use and pack some away if it's not regularly. It really depends on how much I get back into baking.

My anxiety has ramped up a bit. I think it was in abeyance because of the busyness of moving and the excitement of a new place and having Sally. Himself's procedure tomorrow doesn't help but it is also the putting myself out there and meeting people. And routine. I need a healthy routine that doesn't involve time wasted.

My eyes are also worrying me a bit. I am hoping it is just dry eye. I see the eye dude in just under two weeks.

So yes, all things considered, a nearly normal day!!

Toe in the water

I suffer from almost crippling social anxiety. To the point I nearly didn't go to my inkle weaving class today.

But I did.

There were only two of us plus our teacher who is a mere child (OK, she was born in 1987 but she is still a mere child).

I am so glad I did because I did learn how to weave on an inkle loom and thus my looms will not become firewood. I have much to improve but I am thrilled with my effort. What looks navy is, in fact teal, and the colours pop.

I have signed up to do another one with the same teacher and the other student (and hopefully a few more) in three weeks. This one is making a rug on a rigid heddle loom using a particular type of wool/silk/alpaca mix the name of which escapes me. Emily (the teacher) also gave us information about a yarn based group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. I will check that out, too.

It gets dark quickly in the bush! The drive home (class finished at 6.00pm) was a bit scary but I am sure I will get better at night driving in the bush. The downside of my new lenses is that they cause a significant halo effect around oncoming headlights but as I don't plan to do much night driving it's not a problem (eye doc did check that before choosing these lenses - they offer better vision). On a positive note I found out that my car manages the high beam on the headlights so it's one less thing to think about when driving in the dark.

Tomorrow I need to unpack some more kitchen stuff and check out my yarn supplies. I am enthused to get back into my craft. I have lost my creative mojo over the past few months. Can't think why!

Now I am having a glass of wine and Himself is cooking a roast beef on the bbq. It smells yum.