A pleasantly full day.

History at U3A. We discussed dentists, how to remove fingers using a hydraulic log splitter, how to get gloves to fit after said removal, selling houses, old pubs, female licencees of said pubs ... and watched the video we were there to watch and discuss! Still covering the beginnings of Islam. Fascinating.

Came home feeling fabulous as I always do after social interactions (well, most of them!). Before class I popped into fave cafe for a take away coffee and had a lovely chat with the owner. We aren't the only fans of their meat pies, apparently. They are getting a really good reputation and I hope she goes from strength to strength. She is such a lovely person, puts so much back into the community and deserves every success.

Once home I packed my bag for my trip to Melbourne. When we first moved into this house the washing dried in no time but now we are heading into winter the south facing backyard and lack of wind makes drying a challenge. You have to grab the sweet spot when the sun is out and the clothes have dried before sun moves and the cool evenings draw in and everything gets damp again.

I finished Himself's jumper that I started a good two years ago. He is wearing it as I write and loves it (at least, he says he does - wise man). It will be a good dog walking jumper if nothing else. I am never knitting with 80% acrylic again. My fingers get too sore.

I got a call from the pre-admission clinic to make an appointment. We have a phone consult two weeks before my op. She did ask if I was going to be in Melbourne in the mean time but other than tomorrow I have no plans. I paid the surgeon's fees today and have the quote for the anaesthetist. All I need to do now is get my bloods and ECG done but they have to wait until the two weeks prior to the surgery (they do a cross match in case I need a transfusion so has to be close to the date). This new hip will cost me well below $5,000 thanks to private health insurance. I could wait and go public but I am not patient and would probably have to wait several years. And if I can afford to go private I am freeing up a public bed. 

I won't be back in blogland til the end of the week.

Speaking of dentists, how is this for a review ....

Late edit ... my hip op is next month. This month is the laser fix on the cataract surgery. Sorry for the confusion. 

A quiet weekend

Yesterday we went to our favourite cafe for brunch. Delicious as always. We bought some fresh out of the oven meat pies to reheat for dinner and a couple of vanilla slices for dessert. Oh my goodness those pies were the best I have had in a very, very long time.

Other than that it has been a stay at home weekend. I have completed another set of diamond dot coasters - this time for Ebs although I am sure she won't use them but I had fun making them.

We have watched two seasons of Orange is the New Black are debating whether to take a break. It's pretty intense to binge the whole series.

Himself has gone to get fish and chips for dinner. I am getting a bit worried about his mental health as he worries about his physical ailments. 

The view from the balcony today. I love the colours in the ocean.

 

Take me home, country roads

I left home at 10 this morning and got home just before 5 this afternoon.

My Android Auto (via google maps) took me through some road works which was most annoying. I chose to use it to avoid roadworks. At least it took me off the main highway before it directed me back on to it and the roadworks and the relief I felt as I started driving through farmland was almost overwhelming. I find the fields full of cows and the rolling hills in the distance so relaxing they always put a smile on my face and I feel my shoulders drop.

I stopped at Maccas for a piccolo flat white and a toastie and was greatly underwhelmed. The coffee was cold and the sandwich undercooked. I will have to rethink my pre plasma snack (the blood bank do offer snacks but ... meh).

I found a car park and toddled in for my donation. I had a lovely nurse who was probably a few years younger than me. She has only been there since Feb and apparently is struggling to get up to speed (literally - they want her to work faster). There was another nurse there who was pulled up by the woman in charge for minor things. I got the feeling that this is not a happy place to work. I wonder if managers realise how much their clients are aware of these vibes. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as just not going back but I would be interested to see if there was a way of quietly letting the powers that be know that they need to do something about morale. Still, at the end of the day, it's not my problem and the staff need to stand up and say something. I won't be back until next year as I have to wait 6 months after the hip.

After the road works on the way in I decided to avoid the main route which I have started taking from Traralgon as it takes me through Rosedale (which has a new yarn shop that I couldn't spot on the way in) and then the back way through Sale avoiding quite a few towns. One day I will post a map so you know where I am talking about.

As soon as I hit the back roads I was back in my happy place. These photos were taken on the drive home (pulled over or stopped in the middle of an empty road in case anyone asks!)

The block that is for sale next to us has been sold. It has been bought by a local and I am hoping that it will be a young family who will build a smallish house (like ours) rather than a two storey Taj Mahal. Time will tell and we can't do anything anyway.

A favourite phrase of my mother's when we were growing up was "If you think ... (you can avoid tidying your room, for example) ... you have another think coming". More and more I hear "you have another thing coming which sets my teeth on edge. It's another British English vs American English. Make up your own mind. 

I'm home. Thank you, country roads!

Hopefully you can get an idea of why I am so thrilled with the way Atilla the tiler has matched up the corners. They are all like this.

Yesterday was coffee group. There were only three of us but we still managed to cover immigration, cataracts, rural health, acoustics, real estate, cars, cakes and the olympics. The cakes were as a result of a couple passing through and stopping for a bite to eat and eyeing off the cake display. We convinced them to call in on their way home to try even more!

I left there feeling very happy and upbeat and we went up to the house where we snuck in through the unlocked back door (hush) and had a quick looky look. 

We then did the usual drive around the estate and I started to text Three about something. As we were driving past Nutcase's house we slowed to look at the retaining wall she has installed using the same sleepers as ours and thus commenting on whether we should have done the same (answer "no" in case you were wondering). Out of the corner of my eye I saw her come out of her house and the next thing she is accusing me of taking photos. I said I was texting my son and we drove off.

I was really upset. Stupidly upset but still upset. I thought she was better but more fool me.

That woman really has way of getting into my head and I realise that I am letting her in my head but it's hard to stop it.

HImself took the dogs for a walk around the estate today and she was outside. He asked her what yesterday was about and long story short she apologised. He told her that I had held hopes of maybe being able to at least have a coffee with her after her change in attitude and she said that would have been nice. Well I certainly won't be making any approach to her now. I will do a lot to keep the peace with other people but she has had too many opportunities. 

I kept asking myself why I was so upset and I think it's because of her lies. I hate being lied to or about. 

Today I did a few loads of washing, washed the WHITE floor tiles downstairs where the dogs have left muddy footprints, finished a set of diamond dot flamingo coasters for Three and started a set of skull coasters for Ebs.  I have a weird family.

Tomorrow I am going into Traralgon to donate plasma. I had emailed the blood bank to make sure they would take it with my hip surgery coming up and the rules have changed so they can. I made sure a note was put on my file to this effect as I am not going to be happy if I drive two hours to be told they won't take it. 

Three had an unexpected day off work today so he took Sally out of school and they had a daddy/daughter day. They went to Chadstone and Sally loved it because "it is so Paris-y"! They went to Tiffany's and she was given a chocolate to commemorate her first visit (and probably her last for a long time!). They pretended they were rich and visited all the upmarket shops and he drove her through Toorak. He remembers me taking them out of school for random days and I am so glad he is doing the same with his kids. This is how memories are made.

Lamb for dinner and a couple of gins. Well I am meant to drink plenty of fluids before my plasma donation! I know, I know .....

Tuesday twitterings

I have mentioned before that we can sometimes see the oil/gas rigs from here. Today, although the sky has been cloudy, the horizon is clear and I have been able to see three with the naked eye whereas I can usually only see one. When I get up in the night I can see the lights but this evening the horizon was obviously still clear as I could see lights this early. You will have to biggerise the picture but you will be able to see lights. On the left are two and I think one might be a supply vessel as it appears to have moved from the brighter light. The one on the right is the one I usually see which I believe is the Snapper rig. 

Here is a map (agan, biggerise to read the names):

Yesterday was history and a lively discussion ensued regarding the Palestinian/Israeli situation and other conflicts. This was probably triggered by us covering the beginning of Islam with Mohammed and his flight from Mecca to Medina and subsequent return. It made me realise I really want and need to learn more about this religion. 

Religion fascinates me. The way it controls people. The similarities between three of the major ones (Judaism, Christianity and Islam - all stemming from Abraham). I wish children were taught about all religions in state run primary schools. It just might lead to a bit more understanding. If parents want their kids to learn about their religion they can send them to a religious school or give them out of school hours religious ed.

Criminology today and we looked at arson and a particular arsonist who was responsible for lighting a fire in Churchill in the 2009 fire that killed 11 people (out of 173 that died in those Black Saturday fires of 2009 in Victoria). What amazed me was how the arson investigators could find the two seats of the deliberately fire in the thousands of hectares that were burnt out (pine and eucalypt plantations burn hard and fast). I can get how they can find the source of fire in a house, for example, but the bush? Boggles the mind.

I then had craft and found out that the facilitator used to work as a theatre nurse in the hospital I am having my hip done (and had my knee done) and the one where I had my carpel tunnel releases and cataracts. My surgeon has her tick of approval. Always good to hear recommendations from a nurse.

Once home, we popped up to the build and got a sneaky look through (the site supervisor was in Bairnsdale and the trady on site was ok with us having a quick squiz). The tiler has done the most amazing job with the herringbone tiles. I am over the moon with how fabulous it looks. He has matched the corners perfectly. 

I think I have worked out the logistics of my THR. Himself will drive me up and drop me off at the hospital for my 11am admission. The Mermaid will collect me, take her back to her place and then bring me home and stay with us for a few days. On the day of my post op appointment we will drive to Traralgon and meet One who will then take me to the appointment and then back home to his place then the next day he will deliver me back to Traralgon where Himself will pick me up and bring me home. This all depends on Ebs as it is One's 40th birthday the week before and she has been planning a small trip away. If One can't do it the Mermaid will.

Aldi had laundry baskets that match my laundry cupboards. I have bought two. How could I not? They are not to be used until we have moved.

We are late to the party but have started watching Orange is the New Black. When it first came out it looked too much like Prisoner and I had no interest whatsoever. For some reason the other evening we started watching it and have made it through the first series. There are a few "what the hell" and "this showed in America?" comments but it isn't as bad as I anticipated and I like the way they look at the back stories. I can also concentrate on my knitting without worrying about missing anything important. 

Bodkin was hyped as a comedy but it really defies descrption. Another Netflix series and worth a look if you like a bit of dark comedic mystery. 

Time for another G & T and an Aldi boneless chicken roast. 

Feeling happy

Yesterday started out as a glorious autumn day. By mid afternoon it was grey, cold and raining. A good day to stay home and faff around with my diamond dot stuff which, by the way, arrived yesterday morning. I have no idea where the New Jersey USA bit came from but the map showed it as being there. One day I will have to take a stall at the local market to get rid of a lot of the stuff I make because I can.

I think I mentioned a while ago how our next door neighbour turned up at the front door with a cat bed cos she knows we have cats. I was dubious as cats are notorious for not using things given to them but Minnie loves it. Some people refer to black cats as 'voids' - I can understand why! 

More rain overnight and another chilly day. Himself.took the dogs for a walk and when he got home I suggested a coffee so we went to our favourite cafe.

As we were getting out of the car a chap came up and asked me which cafe I would go to out of two and I directed him to KPs. We also went in and had our cheese and tomato toasties and coffees (and bought our dessert!) and as we were leaving I asked them how their meal was. Turns out they are from Canada and were driving down from Sydney and just stopped in Lakes for a meal. "The best meal we have had in Australia". We chatted and left and went for a walk and when we got back to the car I popped into the cafe and told the owner what they had said. She was deservedly chuffed.

I wanted to walk across the footbridge to see how my hip would behave. It was a tad painful but now that I know what the issue is I was happy to persevere. It was a lovely afternoon (the wind had dropped) and I was so glad I did.

I love the ocean when it's in this mood.

Turn around and this is the view across town.

I have shown this seat before but I still love it.

One and his family have a new puppy. A French bulldog. Not my favourite breed (I really don't like the brachycephalics) but she is cute and the family are in love. Cheaper than another baby! He rang for a chat while he was walking up to the bottle-o and has offered to help out with driving me after my hip op. 

Mexican beef for dinner with apple and custard vanilla slice for dessert. 

I am so happy we moved here. 

Bits and bobs

Thank you for your insightful comments on my previous post.

As Steve pointed out there will always be those who preach their prejudices and hate whilst claiming not to be anti-semetic or islamophobic.  Just as the ultra right will hide their bigotry, racism and sexism whilst claiming to be following teachings of the bible (or koran or whatever).

I fear that the current upsurge in violent demonstrations involving, particularly, the Palestinians and Jews towards each other is indeed hiding some nasty, nasty people in plain sight as well as indoctrinating the vulnerable, idealist and impressionable on both sides.

At the end of the day, though, innocent people are being slaughtered and it seems that those who yell the loudest are getting the most publicity and I would be surprised if the average citizen of either place is happy about the situation and would gladly welcome some peace talks.

Moving on - or rather back to my quiet little spot in the world - I saw the osteopath again today and he is certainly helping loosen some very tight parts of this old body. Hopefully once I have my new hip I will be hitting those walking tracks and nothing will stop me.

I ordered some more diamond dot crap kits and they were duly shipped from China (where else). According to the tracking information they are currently in New Jersey, USA. I will continue to monitor and if they show no signs of heading this way I shall put in a Paypal claim. How hard can it be to send something to the right country?

Attila the Tiler loves our dogs. He made a point of seeking out Himself when he was walking the hoonds without realsing who he was so another tick for bonding with a tradesperson. One can never have too many ticks in this department!

Does anyone else use old fashioned paper diaries? I like being able to go back over the years and pinpoint when things happened. Turns out it will be a help to make claims for transport costs for medical treatment we both undertook in Melbourne after we moved here. I had no idea but a coffee group friend told me about the scheme which will certainly take a bit of the sting out of all the travelling we have done up and back.

Dinner from the freezer tonight. 

Confused

I, like any reasonable person, was appalled at the actions by Hamas in Israel last year. Does that make me anti-Palestinian? No. It makes me anti-Hamas and anti-terrorism. 

The actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan are awful. Does that make me anti-Islam or anti-Afghan? No. It makes me anti-Taliban.

I am deeply disturbed by the actions of Israel in Gaza. 

Apparently that makes me anti-Semitic. Why? I have no issue with Judaism or Jewish people. I have an issue with the actions of a political party in the country of Israel. Does that mean I am putting Hamas and Netanyahu in the same basket? Perhaps. They both seem to be putting their agenda above the safety of innocents.

This is a deeply divisive topic and I am sure many will disagree with me.

I just had to put it in black and white to try and make sense of it all.

Random bits

Not the magical lights but we can still put on a pretty good sunset.

We watched a movie this evening called "Out of Death" on Prime. We weren't sure what it was trying to be but decided it was the worst film we have ever watched. Bruce Willis was in it and I have to wonder if this was an indication he was becoming unwell or just that he signed up to something that was just cringe worthingly awful.

In our history class yesterday we discussed the influence of Latin on modern languages. That led to all sort of things like mottos and in particular that of our state police which was "Tenez le droit" until 1986 but is now the English translation "Uphold the Right". Someone admitted that they thought it meant "Point the finger". "Droit" means right and "Droigt" means finger so she wasn't too far off the mark. I think "point the finger" is probably a more accurate interpretation all things considered.

I had forgotten how itchy bruises get as they are absorbed. 

 

Three steps forward and one step back.

Today we had a meeting with the site supervisor at 8.30. The house was so warm with the sun streaming through the double glazed window and the insulation is obviously doing its job. I am thrilled with the way the colours we chose are coming together. Visits like this keep reminding me there is a light at the end of this rather long tunnel.

One of the reasons we went up at that time was to meet the tiler about the herringbone design in the kitchen and Himself wanted to talk to him about laying our outdoor area tiles. Natter natter chat chat design chosen and the SS said something about Atilla ... Atilla the tiler. 

When we built with Australand in Bonbeach back in 2008 there was some amusement about the tiler called Atilla.

Yup, folks, Atilla the tiler is one and the same. His face when we made the connection was priceless. That contract was his first as he set his business up and lasted for many years and now here he is living and working down in East Gippsland and doing our tiling again and has agreed to lay the outdoor tiles as well.

SS has put the date of my hip op on file so he can schedule handover around it if necessary but he said there are issues with the supplier of the shower screens so we could be looking at July now. I can see Himself's frustration levels rising but I keep reminding him it isn't worth rushing things. We won't be homeless and I don't want anything compromised due to his impatience.

U3A history was great as always. Lots of laughs and good discussion and I came home to listen to an interesting podcast about algorithms and AI that our facilitator had come across.

I made another diamond dot coaster today (easy and mindless but strangely satisfying), will cast on the shadow knitting project this evening so I can get help tomorrow at craft if needed and browsed the interwebs for tutorials on painting with water colour pencils (did it years ago) and looking at said pencils. 

If I keep telling myself that in three months we will be in our new house it will eventually come to pass. Three months is doable and then one day it will be tomorrow. 

Well, it makes sense to me.

As did this ...

 

Sunday

I have never been good with makeup and always wanted to perfect the smokey eye look. All I needed to do was walk into the corner of a cupboard!

I did it at the Mermaid's house and the bruising is getting more spectacular by the day (and I was stone cold sober!)

Yesterday we pottered around.

We had brunch at our favourite cafe then bought prawns for dinner. The prawn season is at the end so they weren't very big. I don't think we needed 1.5kgs, though at $18 a kilo they are great value but buggers to peel. We are having the rest for dinner tonight. 

A trip into Bairnsdale for Himself to buy a sander and some timber to make his desk for the new place.

After dinner we watched Bodkin on Netfilx. It is described as a comedy. It isn't but it is very good if a bit weird in places.

Two rang me yesterday and One and Three rang me today to wish me Happy Mother's Day. It's always lovely to hear from them. 

Himself mowed the grass at the new house and has now taken the dogs for a walk. I peeled the rest of the prawns and am about to run the vacuum over the floors. 

It's a glorious day.

My tip of the week ... don't wear a ring with stones in it while peeling prawns. It is nigh on impossible to get the smell out.

Home again.

 

And how pleased I was to drive down the hill into Lakes. It took me five hours to get home because I got lost decided to explore. I wasn't worried as I had a general idea of where I was, GPS in the car and google maps on my phone and I wasn't in a hurry. I saw some spectacular views of the Strzelecki Ranges, discovered the back streets of Moe (and will be happy to not take the wrong road there again!), and the closer I got to East Gippsland the happier I was. 

This is where I belong on this earth.

I headed up on Saturday and caught up with One and his lot. It was lovely and those girls are growing up so fast. I think I have almost convinced #1 son to actually come and visit us!

On Sunday I went to stay with the Mermaid. Her daughter and son in law came over as I haven't seen them since their wedding. 'Twas great to see them and we had a good catch up with many bottles of wine consumed. 

Monday morning saw the Mermaid very much the worse for wear. I guess my liver is more conditioned. I caught up with Himself's cousin for lunch. 

On Tuesday the Mermaid went to look after her grandkids as she does every Tuesday and I spent the day with Other Brother and Fave Sis in Law. We spoke a lot about her brother's recent diagnosis of dementia and how it is affecting the family. So, so sad. He has just turned 60.

Wednesday was the reason for my trip to the big smoke and I saw the surgeon. He explained my xrays and pointed out things that the radiologist hadn't noted in the report but which explains the pain - bony cysts which suggest the bones have been rubbing together for a while. (The left hip is much better but he did say it might only last me another 5 - 7 years). He said we could do anti-inflammatories or cortisone injections but they really will just delay the inevitable so I am booked for an anterior approach total hip replacement on the 26th June. I have to keep reminding myself that if I was going public it would be a lot longer and the 7 weeks will give me a chance to get some fitness up. At least when my hip hurts I know why and it will soon be fixed. Still doesn't make walking easier but that is what drugs are for!

Yesterday I drove home ... the pretty way!

I have been very scarce in the webby world so haven't caught up with my blog friends. It will take a day or so to do that as I really should give Himself some attention. I think he missed me.

I was a tad sad to hear that Andrew had gone to Murrumbeena which is where the Mermaid lives and I was staying! If I had known we could have grabbed a coffee. 

Things are moving along on the house front. We were going to have a walk through today but the supervisor was caught up elsewhere. As it happens the tiler wants to discuss the layout of our kitchen splashback so we will be meeting on site on Monday morning. 

I need to keep myself busy, positive and focussed for the next few weeks. I can see a lot of new crafty activities.

And I really need to lose some weight so that will be a priority as it will help with the surgery and the recovery. 

A lovely day

I drove up to L's place. It is very close but steep hill and dodgy hip. 

It's always a bit nerve wracking for me to meet new people but I needn't have worried. She was very welcoming (she had baked ginger biscuits and she made proper coffee!) and although I am sure I waffled on way too much (I get the gibberers when I am nervous - Three has inherited the same trait) she was very kind and I appreciated her sense of humour. I hope she didn't have anywhere to be as two hours passed very quickly and I had only planned to stay an hour or so!

To add to the great day, my pin looms arrived. I am thrilled with them. They are beautifully made and the instructions are very clear.

I had some yarn left over from the latest crochet experiment so gave in (I had planned to wait until I was back from Melbourne) and had a go.

Three rounds to warp the loom and then the big needle to do the actual weaving.

Finished and still on the loom (and yes, a glass of wine in the background!)

This is the final result. I mucked up one of the corners but as a first attempt I am pretty pleased with it.

We drove up to the house (it has long stopped being a block) and as we drove in CW drove past and waved at us. She was driving back as we left and she waved again. No smiles but a wave is a start. I still don't trust her an inch.

Tomorrow I head off to Melbourne. I won't be blogging (unless something happens that demands it). I am spending tomorrow night with One and his lot and then going to the Mermaid on Sunday. I will catch up with her daughter for Sunday lunch, Himself's cousin for lunch on Monday and Fave Sis in Law on Tuesday. Wednesday is the reason for the visit. THE ORTHOPOEDIC SURGEON! I will head home on Thursday.

Behave yourselves while I am away. 

I'll take two please.

 

Our site supervisor rang this morning. He has been off crook and it turns out he had Covid. 

Anyway, top management at Metricon gave the cabinet makers a bollocking as ours was not the only job they buggered up - our cabinets will be delivered and installed mid to end of next week. I am guess the cabinet makers don't want to lose the contract! The tiler starts on Monday things should start to move along now.

He said that the house was wide open and has no idea why or who would have had a key. The garage door installers wouldn't have needed access to the house. We did notice the back sliding door was unlocked (but closed) when we went around with Two the other week. My cynicial brain thinks CW might have let herself in and wandered around. Our houses could not look more different inside and out. Maybe that is why she has changed her tune - she has to realise we have not copied her. She, though, has chosen sleepers exactly like ours for her retaining wall. 

I won't say anything!

I had my flu shot today. While there I saw two ladies from coffee and one from the craft group. You start to feel you belong to an area when you meet people in random places and recognise them.

Tomorrow I am finally getting to meet a friend of Andrew's who lives down here. We were meant to meet the day the storm came through and we all lost power. I am looking forward to it. 

I shall then come home and pack for the few days away.

Don't eat the diamonds.

One of the ladies at craft does diamond painting and I thought I'd give it a go as something to do until I can get myself properly set up in the new house. I need a change from knitting and crochet.

I ordered a kit and it arrived today. This was the back of the box ...

 I am looking forward to having my nervous tension relieved and the hormonal atmosphere when finished!

Coffee group today was a laugh as usual. 

When I came home Himself was out with the dogs. He took them for a run in the off lead and then for a walk around our new estate. CW walked out of her house and towards him and then bent down and gave the dogs a hug! They had a chat about our new houses and landscape plans and then he said let's put the past behind us. She put out her hand and he gave her a hug. I am in shock. I am not sure what is going on in her crazy brain. It's as if the past 4 months never happened. Still, I guess this is better than abuse. I still don't trust her.

Maybe she is back on her medication!

I went to the doctor for repeat scripts and booked myself in for my flu jab tomorrow.