Crap.

I guess it was inevitable. Three has Covid. He has a cold and last night realised he couldn't taste anything so got tested and returned positive this morning. So far he is just unwell with cold symptoms but he is very run down (new baby, no sleep) so I am keeping everything crossed he doesn't get any worse or develop long Covid. No idea where he picked it up from but probably work. He works for a smash repair shop as an assessor.

The four of them are now locked down for 14 days so I see some supermarket deliveries in our future. We will buy and drop at their front door. I'm not sure what the financial impact will be. I can't remember what the current government support scheme is.

It's another lovely day here and I have arranged to have an illegal walk with 2 fully vaxxed friends. 5 people from 2 households can walk together so to have 3 from 3 is a no no. We will socially distance. We will be in the fresh air and we will bloody enjoy it. (I haven't seen Three for 2 weeks so there is no way I am in any way infectious.)

I really believe that this thing has got away from us and the govt is stuffed. Sally's daycare is a tier 1 exposure site. We know this because ... well, it's Sally's daycare and they told their clients (she hasn't been there since before Alice was born). But it isn't listed on the DHHS website. It will be interesting to see if Three's workplace will be listed at any tier level. If it isn't then I will have lost all faith in the reporting system.

Update - DHHS have said that Amy and the girls must get tested (obviously). If they are negative they must remove themselves. If they can't find somewhere to stay then One will have to go into hotel quarantine.

Tea

Whilst I have an intense dislike of green and herbal teas, I do love a good cuppa. From the two or three cups mugs of  Lady Grey (black and unsweetened) in the morning through to the Assam Bold in the afternoon (really strong with a dash of milk unsweetened) often taken with something small and sweet like a lemon slice or home made biscuit to the final mug of Lady Grey (with a slug of scotch and teaspoon of honey) taken to bed to be sipped as I read my book. Tea does define my day.

Coffee, on the other hand, is something I keep for catching up with friends so I obviously haven't had any for a while. Instant coffee is a hot brown drink; it doesn't even taste like coffee. Nothing is more disappointing than going somewhere new and finding their barista can't make a good coffee. Some of them are so weak you may as well drink the dishwater and others are so strong they are overly bitter. I have my favourite cafes and can't wait to be able to see my friends and down a good coffee of whatever variety.  A lovely woman that worked in the hospital cafe many years ago used to call a skinny decaf a why bother. I share her sentiments.

Another glorious day today. The sun is shining, birds are chirping and the blossom trees are blooming. The air smells sweet. Hopefully Australia Post is getting it's staffing levels back up after being hit with Covid which shut down way to many sorting centres. I am waiting on orders I placed weeks ago and yet stuff coming from Brisbane seems to get here quite quickly. A timely reminder to get the Christmas shopping done and dusted as soon as possible.

One rang me a couple of days ago. He has to have an ankle reconstruction as a result of damage caused by running through Richmond after a bevvy or three and rolling it in the gutter. This was years ago. He then slipped in the supermarket whilst running in thongs (flip flops) and rolled it again. Finally a newly graduated physio caused further damage and now he is stuffed. He sees the surgeon in November so hopefully will be done before Christmas. Kids. No matter how old they get, they still give you cause to worry!

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdies is*

 My camellia ....

And inside ....

A glorious day. Dogs run ragged at the park to the point Murphy actually came up to me and wouldn't move until I suggested home! A stroll around the park talking to other dogs (and sometimes their people) always eases the anxiety which is strong in this one today.

It's Sally's 5th birthday today. Another year where I haven't been able to shop for her birthday. I'll do what I did last year and when the shops are open I'll take her shopping and she can choose anything she likes. As long as I pick a discount store like Big W I won't go broke!

Lunch then more weaving.

*the birdies on the wing, but that's absurd, because I heard, the wing is on the bird.

Flakey

Migraines always leave me feeling a bit fuzzy in the head for a couple of days.

Last night I put the nearly full container of ice cream in the fridge. I will see if it will re-freeze!

Today I tripped over the footstep that has been there forever, stumbled into the dining table and misplaced my keys. And it isn't even gin o'clock.

We lost a ball in the dog park (NOT my fault) but it resulted in a lovely walk around and around and around looking for a yellow ball in a field of capeweed. We didn't find the ball but we did find a lot of dog poo.

I had a good chat with another doggy person and met the previous owner of our house down there with her dog. 

We were supposed to have someone come out to assess the damage to the roof and ceiling yesterday. No show. They forgot. Rescheduled for 2pm today. It's now after 3 and still no sign or contact. Doesn't bode well for the fix, does it? Might have to ask the insurance company to give us to someone else.

I am off to warp a loom for a scarf for one of my sisters-in-law for Christmas.

A special Sunday

 I caught up with One and his family today. He and I went for a lovely walk with the two girls while Ebz had some down time and coloured her hair. Unfortunately during the walk I developed a migraine and my meds were in the car so at the end of the walk I went into their house (care giving) and had a cold drink while I waited for my vision to clear. It was just so lovely to see them all after way too long.

On the way home I got a message from a friend asking if we were no longer using the dog crate she lent us when we got Murphy as her son has a new pup. So I got another hug and another face to look at when we dropped it off.

Then a quick visit to Aldi for dinner (fish cakes with a sauce filling and potato gratin with asparagus and I succumbed and bought a key lime tart for dessert).

I can feel the barometer dropping and BOM shows a band of rain coming our way.

The only good thing about day light saving is that gin o'clock comes an hour earlier.

Cheers.

Whinge

 

I know some people love green tea but I find it difficult to drink anything that smells like one should bathe in it.

Dinner is prepared - I love being organised. We are having chicken tikka masala. The chicken is marinating and the sauce has been cooked. 

And the afternoon stretches before me. Read? Knit? Weave? Waste  spend time playing stupid mind challenging games on the computer? Whatever gets me to gin o'clock quickest.

It's been so long I've forgotten what life was before Covid.

Daylight saving starts tonight. I am one of the few who dislikes it and the hot weather it heralds. 

God, I'm a grumpy guts today.

Friday. Whatever that means.

 

My guard dogs. I guess they are a tripping hazard if nothing else! And so neat and tidy. 

We didn't go to the dog park today. They have had four really good runs this week so we took them for a smelly walk. Lots of smells out there today.

While we were walking Three rang to tell me that Gladys Butterchicken (NSW premier) had resigned as she is under investigation for corruption. The fall out from this will be interesting as she has been spearheading the race out of lockdown for NSW. Not great timing on many levels as she will also just miss out on some of the overly generous benefits our politicians get after serving for so many years. The only time they seem to agree is when their salary and benefits are being discussed and they never seem to object to getting more and more.

Weather permitting I am hoping to catch up with One and his two girls tomorrow. Lily might remember me but Ivy (who is only 2) will wonder who I am. I haven't seem them since early this year. 

The Christmas shopping has been started. Actually I started it in January when I bought some Australian metal birds for my brothers. I have ordered some bath tonic with a cocktail for the daughters-in-law and I'll add some chocolates or the like. I plan to weave my sisters-in-law a scarf which just means I have to decide on what to get the three boys and their kidlets. And a couple of friends but they're crafty so easy to find things.

I frogged my knitting again last night. I have lost count of the number of times I have restarted this bloody jumper. I have some beautiful yarn waiting to be woven and my inkle loom ready to be warped and played with but I refuse to give up on this damn jumper. Until I do.

Gin and bath time.