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.