New Year's Eve

And here we are again. Another trip around the sun. 2024 has certainly had its ups and downs. When I look back I realise that I did cram quite a bit into it!

The new house and the new hip took up a lot of time, several trips to Melbourne, dealing with the awful rental and the fall out, making new friends (hi Penguin), joining  U3A and then the committtee and generally getting used to our new lives in Lakes. We are still convinced we made the best decision moving here.

On Monday last week we had some neighbours over for drinks. It was lovely getting to know them better. One couple have sold their house and will be moving mid Jan which is a shame. Their new next door neighbours are a challenge (drugs, feral kids, noisy cars and we get frequent visits from the local constabulary which is fine by me) which was the catalyst in them selling although they had been toying with the idea to be closer to her children and grandchildren. They have only been here 2 years. He is our neighbour that works at the local transfer station and he will continue to work there for the foreseeable future so we can still catch up. 

The other couple live next door to them on the other side and are more our age (if not a bit older) and I think we will see more of them. 

I also invited Sue whose husband recently decided he didn't want to be married anymore after they built their new house so she is living in it alone (he comes up from time to time to work on the garden, decking, fence, etc and makes her cry) until it is sold and then she will have to decide whether to go it alone in Lakes or move back to Melbourne where she has family. If she chooses the latter it will be a huge financial struggle for her as her share of the sale won't get her anything half decent in the city whereas she could get a nice little unit here. Either way, I will continue to support her as best I can whilst she is in this awful situation. We have coffee at least once a week and she just talks about the soon-to-be-ex.

While they were here we got notification that our VCAT hearing will be on 4th February. It is all now in the hands of the magistrate and on 5th February we can put that episode behind us and move on regardless of the outcome.

We had a quiet Christmas. We took the dogs for a walk along the foreshore and as the tide was in and the tourists scarce we let them have a bit of a swim.

                            

                                            

A couple of my favourite feathered residents ...

                                        

                                

... it was a glorious day.

On Friday Two and his lot arrived and stayed until first thing Saturday. I had my trepidations about this visit as his kids are not well behaved and his wife is not the best at setting boundaries. My fears were well founded. I was very sad when they left that I couldn't say they were welcome any time and I couldn't wait to see them again because, honestly, until the kids' behaviours improve they aren't welcome and I can't see that happening any time soon. 

Three and his lot arrived later on Friday and it was lovely to see the cousins interact but everyone was exhausted including Sally as everything was a drama. If Two's kids don't get their own way they literally scream until they do. 

Once the NSW lot had left things were a lot calmer. We had doughnuts for breakfast, played in the new playground and generally chilled.

Part of the issue with Two's girls is their fear of dogs but instead of reassuring them, their fear is fed. Billie said she didn't want the dogs inside and Himself said the dogs would come inside. Mads said that would be interesting as Billie always wins. Well, this time she didn't and the dogs did come in and the girls were told in no uncertain terms to stop squealing which they did. And they even patted the dogs. 

Which is why these two photos mean so much to me. Alice also used to be terrified of the dogs - and understandably when you realise how big they are and how small she is - but she is told to be calm and tell them to go away (which they do) and we end up with this ... 

... maybe one day Two's kids will be the same.

On Sunday we had doughnuts for breakfast and the blokes took the girls to play minigolf while Amy and I looked at the shops. We had a quiet afternoon and then had fish and chips for dinner on the foreshore before heading to the carnival. We did this last year when they surprised us with a visit. Sally wanted to go on the ride she struggled with last year and asked Himself to go with her. It wasn't a success! Initially they seemed fine but her face quickly changed to one of acute discomfort. Unbeknownst to me Himself had knocked back two 500ml energy drinks whilst waiting for the fish and chips to be cooked - he has only just discovered these and didn't realise the effect of such a caffeine hit. He ended up very unwell and took himself home while we stayed on. Energy drinks and fairground rides don't mix well!

If you have looked at the link to last year's visit you will remember the dude who helped Sally with the backward/forward turns. He was there again this year and was amazing with the kids who obviously wanted to challenge themselves. Including, no surprise, Sally.

She was very hard to photograph but had an absolute ball.

Himself had gone home by this point so the 5 of us went on the ferris wheel. The views are still amazing. Like last year, this is the best time as the sun is setting but you still get a good view of the area.

   

Alice was still mainly interested in the kiddie rides but she and mum thoroughly enjoyed the dodgem cars - as did Dad and Sally.

It was a quiet morning yesterday as they packed up. We went to the pub for lunch and then they headed home.

This morning we hit the shops but not early enough! You can always pick the tourists - they are the ones with an entire family in a small supermarket; grandparents, parents and many kids all meandering around the store blocking the aisles and discussing what they should or shouldn't buy. I wanted eggs and neither Woollies or Aldi had any. We tried Foodworks on the offchance and they were unloading a delivery from a local free range chook farm. Score!! 2 dozen eggs and I was happy. We have had a huge issue with bird flu which is why eggs are so scarce but the price hike is crazy. They are almost in the luxury food category whereas they used to be a good, inexpensive source of protein.

And now here we are. 

Himself is planning to go into town to see the 9.30 fireworks. I will not be joining him. I understand we might see some from here and that will be fine whether we do or not. 

I realise I haven't posted much here this year but I did write something every month! I will try harder next year but if I have nothing to say I will stay quiet. I admire those who manage to come up with such interesting content every day (you know who you are and I salute you). 

I am so grateful to be part of this online community. You make me laugh and cry, you challenge my thinking and you share so much of yourselves and your lives. Thank you.

Have a very happy and safe New Year's Eve and may 2025 bring you health, happiness and the strength to navigate the ups and downs of life. 

Christmas 2024

So here we are. 

A very merry Christmas to each and every one of you. 

Be safe, be happy and gentle with yourselves. 

Feeling brighter

We sent the paperwork off to VCAT on Tuesday. I hope we haven't clouded the issue with too much information (Himself and I have different ideas on what was necessary - me less, him more, I think we reached a compromise). I would love to show you what our submission was but, hey, the internet isn't the most private place to share stuff! Now we wait. To be honest, we really aren't too fussed as we will abide by whatever the VCAT dude decides. It was more a case of letting the agent and landlord know we know that they are lying. And as the wise Ms Moon said, we know ... they know ... just let it go.

Yesterday I drove for three hours to catch up with my brothers and their wives for Christmas. Himself didn't come. He was invited but long time readers will know that my husband and a brother and a sister in law aren't a good mix and I really didn't need that shit so I used the dogs as an excuse. I enjoyed the drive by myself although Google maps decided that the middle of a dirt road was my destination! It took me probably 20 minutes out of my way but I found Dr Teacher's place without calling for help. We had a lovely couple of hours and then I drove three hours home. I went the exact same way up and back but home seemed to take less time. Maybe the road was familiar or something.

Of course this gives you no idea of distance but it was just over a 500km round trip.

Himself's recent trip to Melbourne was to see the ophthalmologist who prescribed eye drops for a condtion that can only really be resolved with a corneal transplant so we will avoid that for now. I arrived home last night to a husband with a very, very sore eye as he managed to poke his eye with the eye drop dispenser (fortunately single use). Why is it necessary to actually see the dispenser as it delivers the drops into the eye?  

Today I roped him into helping move some stuff from the old U3A digs to our new home in which we will no longer be the poor cousins at the mercy of the whims of our landlords. It was good to see him interacting with other people and I think he got a buzz out of helping. 

We have long been meaning to have neighbours over for a drink and one of our neighbours works at the local waste transfer station so as we were dropping some e-waste off from the U3A move we invited him and his wife for Christmas drinks on Monday. We then invited their next door neighbours (across the road from us) as well. The last time we had neighbours over for drinks was exactly 12 months ago when Crazy Neighbour came and turned feral on us. I think I will have to stipulate that feral behaviour won't be tolerated!!!!

I have had more social festive functions this year than I have for many a year. It is lovely feeling part of a community. 

We were going to ignore Christmas Day completely but Himself bought an Aldi stuffed turkey breast so I guess I'll have to buy spuds and greens and a pud and some bubbles so we will actually have a semblance of a traditional meal! Knowing that Two and Three and their lot are coming down on the 27th is uplifting as well. 

So yes, I am a bit brighter than the last time I posted and I can honestly say that most of that is due to the insightful, supportive, understanding comments from you lot.

I really need to take a cup of harden the f**k up but instead I wrote a miserable post

 It took Himself nearly an hour to register that the unit with the bottles on it had been moved from under the painting and the dining table and chairs had been moved towards that wall.

I, and others, have written about hard this time of year is and I have been trying to work out why. When the kids were little Christmas was a wonderful (albeit expensive and very busy) time of year. I am not a person of faith so I cannot rejoice in the birth of someone that means nothing to me. I think I had hoped that when grandkids came along we would be part of their Christmas celebrations. Sadly this is not the case. We have never been considered by the other grandparent families and have just had to slot in when it was possible to get the boys and their families together in one spot. Sometimes this might be around Christmas - one year it was well into January. This makes me very sad and bitter towards these people as we share grandkids. It doesn't help that every man and his dog keep asking what we're doing for Christmas. I know it's just polite conversation but it still stings having to come up with an answer. I usually opt for "we have a quiet Christmas" or "not much" unless they know us and know we have grandchildren and then I offer more of an explanation. Those who have sons understand. 

This year we have the VCAT issue thrown into the mix. What is really upsetting me here is the lies that have been told. The cleaner who invoiced for the clean before we moved in sent an email to the agent saying the house was extensively cleaned and ready for any tenant to move in with no evidence of pet odour. It was filthy and the entry report reflects this. The carpet people who told Himself they had issued a quote on 28th October and didn't do reports and didn't want anything to do with VCAT presented the agent with a quote dated 28th November stating the presence of "pet odour". It's not the money that bothers me, it is the fact that people are lying and the nasty piece of work landlord will win. We are not denying that the cat piddled on the carpet - we are arguing that the carpet is 40 years old and was in very poor condition when we moved in. I am hoping that the magistrate will take this into account and ask us to pay a very small amount. I am also hoping that the ex husband gets a win in court against her.

In the words of that movie I really should just let it go. 

I will be back in a brighter mood very soon.

A lovely day

True to her word, Penguin made her presence obvious!

We had a coffee and a lovely getting to know you chat. I won't give much away as she is a very private person but she has lived here a long time and leads an interesting life.

This went past as we were sitting in a cafe with an amazing view of the water and water traffic. Not sure why such a piece of equipment was being towed in through the entrance. Might need to do some research.

While Himself has been in Melbourne I have been moving furniture around. I am pleased with the results. I hope he is cos if he isn't he can move it back!

Had lunch with a new neighbour which was also pleasant. Not sure if she will stay as just before their house was finished her husband of over 35 years decided they weren't getting along and called it quits. There is still landscaping and fencing to be done and then the house will go on the market. I feel so sorry for her. She didn't see it coming.

Himself will be home shortly and the animals will be thrilled. I don't jump at their bidding!

You probably don't want to read the following if you're eating......

The flies are terrible at the moment. I don't mind the little bush flies but we have been inundated with blowies to the extent I have resorted to fly spray. Those disgusting little buggers lay their ... um ... live offspring as they die. Gross.

On that note I'm off to pour a much needed and deserved gin (I HATE fly offspring to the point of gagging). Be grateful I didn't take a photo!!

Penguin

I am delighted at the interest in the upcoming meeting between yours truly and Penguin. 

So far I know she is female and not young. (You can go back over the comment sections to know as much as I do)

I am wondering how to make ourselves known. Help me, blogging mates. Should we wear hats? Carry something unusual? We are meeting at a cafe but not one on the main street so I can't pretend to be wandering past. 

The success of this meeting is now in your hands. Tell us how we should recognise each other. What shall Penguin wear/carry and what shall I?

The winner will get a photo (as long as Penguin agrees of course).

No title cos it's taken me longer to think of one that it did to write the damned thing!

The only thing I missed about the rental was the view but then I realised that we get some pretty good sunsets from here. 

We weren't going to bother with Christmas this year but Himself kept asking me if I wanted the lights put up. I think he secretly wanted to, so today he hung the the outside and lights and I put the tree up. We bought this one in our old place as it's very festive and requires minimal setting up and even less taking down. The lights change colour. I couldn't get the red ones but you get the idea - and it's not as wonky as it looks here!

The outside lights look amazing and I will get some pics of them in a day or so.

This will be the extent of my Christmas frivolity.

On Thursday I am meeting "Penguin" (a reader who doesn't have a blog) for coffee. I have met blogging mates in the past but always know a bit about them from reading their blogs. I don't even know if Penguin is male or female! I am feeling a tad anxious and haven't told Himself (he will be in Melbourne) as he will probably tell me I am being reckless. 

Penguin, I hope you are not a serial killer!

Tomorrow is the cut off date for our ex landlord to send her paperwork supporting her claim through to VCAT and us. I had hoped she would drop it but I am sure she will try her damndest to get money out of us. Not good for my stress levels at the moment.

Added to the stress is the appalling whistling when the wind is up. The builder has told us this is not considered urgent. I would argue that wanting to leave the house because the noise is intolerable makes it urgent but they hold the cards. 

And on that note I shall leave this somewhat miserable post and go to bed. 

I know I am not the only one who suffers with mental health issues at this time of year. If you are another, know you are not alone.

win win win

Win #1

On Monday I received a text message saying I would be getting a call from a private number that would be a representative of Services Australia (aka the keeper and provider of pensions and other monies) and to not ignore this call. The call duly arrived and it appeared the reason was to explain why we had been knocked back for the old age pension. The lovely person at the other end was trying to explain how things had been calculated (based on something from over 18 months ago) as I was trying to explain that the information provided on Friday was all that mattered. 

We reached an agreement whereby I would provide further information by uploading documents into the ether and she would contact me if she hadn't received them or required further enlightenment. 

I was the recipient of another phone call (without the prior text message warning) from the same person and went through some more interesting proof of identity validation (when were you married, where were you born - Somalia; always throws them, which bank do you bank with - that bank; if you're Australian of a certain age you will know which bank!) and then provided the details of how much we sold our house in Melbourne for, how much this house cost to build, what other things we had spent money on, what I had for breakfast and the last time I went to the loo. At the end of this interrogation - don't get me wrong she was very pleasant -  the call ended with her saying she had all she needed to assess and process the review and we would hear back in due course. Christmas is coming (and the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat ... sorry, I can never help myself  *) and we didn't expect much until the new year. 

Hence my surprise this morning to see an amount of money had been placed in our bank account followed shortly after with a message from mygov to say our application has been approved.

We are now officially old age pensioners (still mainly funded by our superannuation but every bit helps). 

Win #2

For my birthday two years ago Himself gave me a whizz bang super duper Dyson vacuum cleaner. I love this cleaner and use it frequently as opposed to the previous cleaner, which was also a Dyson but a barrel and too hard to lug around. Since moving here I often use it two or three times a day (at least once a day but our dogs are shedding a lot right now) and I have noticed that my hard floors were getting scratched (not a huge issue as a damp mop fixes the marks but still not happy). I asked Himself to have a look and it turned out that a tiny wheel on one side of the motor head had jammed up with dust and effing dog hair and a part of it had worn flat hence the scratches. 

Himself worked out he could fix the problem but wanted to make sure he was buying the correct $3 (plus $10 postage) part so he rang the Dyson service people. Long story short (you're welcome) - we will be getting a brand new motor head valued at $199 posted to us for nothing come mid Jan when they are back in stock. Registering the vacuum cleaner when we bought it (it was out of warranty) might have helped but I was very impressed with their customer service.

Win #3

Our new fridge has had issues with the ice maker freezing up and the freezer showing high temperatures. Because we live rural we don't get the manufacturer's service people, rather a local company who can service this brand. A couple of calls for service and the delightful local chap said fixing it wasn't really going to be work and approached the company with this opinion and -woohoo-  we will be getting a new fridge when stock comes in mid January.

Now, here is my problem. Things happen in threes. I was hoping that the third win would be VCAT. Himself said the fridge was the first win but I feel that it is a warranty issue that had to be dealt with and therefore doesn't really qualify as a win as such.

Not that I am superstitious or anything.

*I apologise for his pronounciation of "ha'penny" but I liked his rendition

A quick update.

Not much happening here. Just the usual day to day stuff.

We applied for the aged pension as we have had to dip into our super a bit with this house and had dipped below the threshold for a part pension. Or so we thought. We were knocked back and the letter said it was because we had over $2million in assets. That would have been nice if we did but, sadly, nowhere near that! On Friday we toddled off to the local Service Australia office (it was easier to make an appointment than speak to someone over the phone) clutching all our paperwork and it appears that someone mis-keyed our data and doubled up our super balances. Hopefully we will hear back from them soon and can start the pension again. The pension won't be much but the benefits like rates reduction, car registration, power bills and medical stuff will be a big help.

On the VCAT front (the issue with the carpet at the rental) we got notice from VCAT saying the landlord has until the 10th to provide VCAT and us with documentation supporting her claim and we have until the 17th to provide our side of the story (which is simple - the carpet is old). I managed to contact her ex-husband and he said the carpet was laid in 1985 so I think we're ok there. She has to provide the reports she claims to have had done although I wouldn't put it past her to get a mate to dodgy one up. Himself wants to give way more information than I think is necessary as I feel the less the better - the carpet is old; that is all that matters. Anyway, it gives Himself something to do so I shall let it go. 

Three sent me this ...

I mentioned my bin stickers. Here they are ...

I am still sewing strips of fabric together to weave into place mats ...

 ... the pile doesn't seem to be getting any smaller. It reminds me of the magic pudding.

Yesterday the Mermaid successfully bid on a unit. It's been at least two years that she has been looking and after she sold her house earlier this year (the new owners have kept her on as a tenant) she kept losing out on so many places. I think it is because she was reluctant to spend what was necessary. Yesterday her son and daughter in law were there and convinced her to go beyond her planned highest bid and she got it. It's brand new and in a great location so she did very well.

We have had a lot of rain lately interspersed with sunshine so everything is growing really well. My tomatoes are growing so fast I'm sure if I sat and looked at them long enough I would see them grow. Yesterday I planted lettuce and radish seeds and some chives, coriander, basil and capsicum seedlings. Today Himself dug up the tree we planted at the front of the house that is dying. Once he removed it the hole filled up with water so I am hoping that some dry soil in a pot will help if it isn't too late. Now we have to work out how to fix the water problem. It could be an underground spring of which there are many around here, or just heavy clay soil that doesn't allow the recent rain to drain away. Or a pipe has been damaged. Something else to keep the old man busy.

Three and I have been sharing gin cocktail recipes. I recently tried an elderflower collins and it is delicous. Might just go and make one now!

Bits and bobs

Because you can't have too much of Max the Magnificent ... 

... he does love being outdoors. Nothing like a good roll on warm ground and an explore through the garden. If I leave him out it's not long before he's at the door demanding to be let back in. I would NEVER allow him out unsupervised, just so you know, but if I go out and come back in he's not far behind me. Of course that could change ... he is a cat after all ... and if it happens that he even thinks about expanding his domain then he will be firmly advised of the error of his ways.

I finished the top I was knitting for the Mermaid. I hope she likes it.

Yesterday it bucketed down. Our wonderful landscaper made a trip out in the rain to see how the drainage was holding up. I think we got the tick of approval. He is also happy with the way the grass has taken off so Himself gets a tick of approval there because he put a lot of work into it. 

We received an email from the property manager of the rental saying she is waiting on a copy of the report from the local carpet company. Himself went down to said company seeking a copy and ... surprise, surprise ... they don't do reports, just quotes. And not room by room as we were told but for the whole house. I was at the supermarket this morning and bumped into our old neighbour who gave me the email address for the landlord's ex husband who might be able to shed some light onto the state of the carpet when he moved out. I just need to compose an email to him and hopefully he will be happy to help us (she apparantly did the dirty on him financially so there is no love lost there).

This morning I had coffee with a very dapper looking gentleman who has driven down from Melbourne for a wee break at the seaside. It is always lovely meeting internet friends in the flesh.

The year is racing to a close. Even though we don't do anything at Christmas I am still arranging a few presents to get to family and couple of friends and hopefully Three will be able to come down for a few days after Christmas. I have no idea when I will see One and his lot. The Mermaid will come down I am sure - I just hope it's not at the same time as Three! I had said I would try to get up to see Two but it's hot and humid on the Central Coast at the moment so I think I will wait until Autumn for that visit. 

At the beginning of October I decided to take myself in hand and do something about the ever increasing waist line and restarted the Fast 800 program with which I had some success a few years ago. The weight loss must be showing because a few people have commented on my new hair cut - which isn't! Obviously I must look different and they can't quite work out why. I am feeling better in myself so will keep going. And the withdrawals from the anti-depressants are just about gone, thank goodness. That was a bit of a torrid time.

Time to start prepping dinner and then it will be gin o'clock.

A story

When I was a kidlet I remember being given a series of pictures and being tasked with making a story about them.

For your edification I give you the following ...*

 *No animals were harmed in the taking of these pictures but sensibilities might have been offended!

Max and Murphy really are very good mates.

More random photos and an update.

Where does the time go? I didn't realise how long it has been (again). Thank you Angela for the message.

In no particular order ....

 First up my gin collection. The numbers vary as bottles get drunk and others arrive.

The local authorities have built an amazing playground on the foreshore. It includes a wonderful water play area. I think it's meant for human kids but someone's four legged kid had a ball ...

I can't wait until Sally and Alice come down over summer.  They will love this ... especially Alice.

Part of my walk in pantry (the builder called it a butler's pantry but I don't have a butler and it doesn't have a sink so as far as I am concerned it's a walk in pantry - technically a walk through, I suppose, as we can access it from the garage). To the left is a cupboard with shelves that slide out when you open the door and holds all sorts of things that I really need to sort through like spices and tins of stuff and pasta and rice and all that paraphernalia! To the right is the kettle and toaster and teas and coffee and sugar. And biscuits although as fast as I bake them Himself eats them. I'll take a photo one day.

I had this bright idea of weaving with fabric. It involved cutting a jelly roll (precut strips meant for quilting) in half, stitching the pieces together into one long strip, folding the ends in and stitching thus making one long piece. 

I won't give up but it is not bringing me joy and is taking a lot longer than I thought. 

Someone posted on the local facebook page that she had tomato plants. She grows an incredible amount of heirloom and other varieties from seed and brought them up from her home. People who had said they would buy didn't turn up so I got a dozen seedlings for $30. She also gave me some great advice on how to grow them (it's all about the soil) and said I could contact her at any time if I had any issues. Love living in the country!!

The dogs love living here, too.

This popped up on Facebook. As I have weaned myself off my antidepressants it was very timely. I hope it helps others who live with the awful twins.

In one of the nature journalling workshops the facilitator brought plants along for us to look at and really examine and see. 

This is a Thomasia Pygmaea. It is just delightful. It is an Australian native and to my delight I found one in the local Bunnings so now have it in my front garden. The flowering season is over but I can't wait until next winter when the pretty little purple spotted bells appear. The leaves are also spotted - dark green on one side and gold on the other. Just delightful.

 

The landlord of the rental refused to back down so we now have a VCAT claim against us. Interestingly, we have been waiting on the report from the carpet company and so far, it is not forthcoming. I wonder if it is the same as the roof repairs and the heater maintenance ... the landlord lied about work being done and was called out thus costing her money to repair the issues. I wonder if she has even had a carpet company out to quote. Anyway, the fact that the carpet is more than 10 years old (probably closer to 30) means it is worthless as far as claims go. I will pay 50% of the depreciated value because 50% of fuck all is still fuck all. Of course, it all depends on who we appear in front of when our day in court arrives. 

So life goes on. I had to make an emergency dash to Melbourne last week as Sally had Covid and Amy's company insisted she had to work from the office for Thursday and Friday. Not five minutes after I arrived (after a 4 and a half hour drive) they decided that they didn't, in fact, want her in in case she had Covid. It wasn't a completely wasted trip as I was able to amuse Sally so her mum could work from home. And I got to come home a day earlier than anticipated.

As I finish writing this (it's been a few days since I started) it has just gone 4pm Wednesday which means it has just ticked over to Wednesday in the States and the news coming out is very depressing. My heart goes out to my American blogging friends. This is not what anyone wanted to see. Apart from the lunatic right.