Last day of January already

 

So this morning Himself had a doctor's appointment. He put in his hearing aids and complained that they were whistling which they were - I could hear them. Off he trotted to the doctor and he couldn't hear a damn thing she was saying with or without hearing aids. She, of course, was wearing a mask which always makes it hard to understand. She had to write things down for him in some cases. Turns out his ears are full of wax so he will get them syringed next week after some wax softening drops. I guess it's a good thing I'm learning Auslan!

The funny thing is I found that cartoon yesterday and was going to use it anyway because his lack of hearing and reluctance to wear the hearing aids is doing my head in. I should be a bit more tolerant.

Sally started school today. She was so excited she couldn't sleep last night! Mum and Dad were a bit teary but she was over the moon. I expect her to be very tired tonight and wonder how long before the novelty wears off. For the first four weeks she doesn't go on Wednesdays then when Amy goes back to work we will pick her up Wednesday through Friday.

She had a wonderful day and her teacher said she is made for school - whatever that means. We can only assume it's a good thing!

So. Miss Jinx has many hot spots caused by bitey play with Murphy. She had a shot of long acting cortisone, is on anti-biotics and I need to find a spray to stop him chewing on her neck. I think I'll try a natural one first made with vinegar and lemon juice or cider vinegar. She will smell like a fish and chip shop! The vet was new to us. A delightful Yorkshireman who is deaf. His hearing aids are connected to his stethoscope which means he actually hears the heart better than a hearing person. He was delighted with Jinx and said she is in excellent shape and wished more dogs were like her. I'm guessing he meant not overweight! Jinx was very well behaved and didn't whimper when she got her shots (3 in total) so she got 3 treats. When I told him Murphy was out the front with Himself he took a treat out to Murphy as well. I think he likes our dogs.

The temperature is not likely to get below 21 overnight but then it won't rise above that tomorrow either. Here's hoping February brings the lovely late summer weather but with the craziness of late I'm not holding my breath.

Pizza tonight. 

Sunday

 

I am not a lover of sport and I rarely watch it (including this current event) but I must say Ash Barty is a gem. She is talented but not entitled; she is a determined sportsperson but humble with it. She turned what started off as a Djoke into a true example of sportsmanship. 

I have spent the past hour or so watching YouTube videos on Auslan. It is a challenge because I am used to learning with books but that isn't going to help learn a visual language!

I forgot that I did that while I was waiting for some dough to prove. It's been sitting in a bowl in the sun behind me. It has more than doubled in size so I had better go and make bread!

I made the bread and it smells delicious (rye with carraway seeds) and I also made a double batch of biscuits. I usually double up as it means I use a packet of butter and make more so I don't have to make them as often. Except they get eaten regardless! One came over to help Himself with something so he went home with a dozen each for the girls.

I have done a bit of weaving. Not feeling this one and the next will be worse (scarves asked for by friends with the yarn supplied).

Jinx has developed sores on her face and neck. We think Murphy is the culprit as he tends to grab her there which creates breaks in the skin and then keeps licking the sores which makes them weep. Guess who's going to the vet tomorrow? If a cone of shame is required I reckon Murphy should wear it as Jinx can't actually lick the hot spots and even with a cone on her he could get to them. She also has a dodgy dew claw. I think she caught it on something as a pup and it split and has never really grown back properly - more at a right angle to her foot. I have been trimming it in the hope it will eventually grow out but I think it might need to be removed. Maybe they will both have to wear cones of shame!

Not my dog but you get the idea (if you're not a doggy person and have no idea what I was talking about!)

 

Bangers and mash with peas and onion gravy tonight and a cherry custard tart (thank you Mr Aldi).

Saturday stuff

 

It is so humid that the perspiration is stinging my eyes. My eyelids feel as if they have hot sand on them. I am grumpy.

That aside, today was our fortnightly L'arte Saturday get together. Fewer people than Fridays but a good bunch. Lot of chatter and we lost track of time. Went half and hour over but nobody seemed to mind. Amy and K have really hit it off. Amy suggested K go over for dinner at some point as Three is a bloody good cook. This makes me so happy.

Sally wowed everyone again but then tiredness hit and Daddy had to come and take her home. She starts school on Monday so some down time is probably a good idea.

Himself mowed the front lawn and weeded the rose garden. He has now gone to get dinner. I think I'll keep him.

Tomorrow I plan to spend a few hours on my course and some time weaving. 

Now, though, it's nearly wine o'clock.

A bit of weather

 

Where we have our craft catch ups is in a meeting room with no windows and fairly soundproofed from outside. When we arrived it was hot and steamy. It was quite unpleasant, in fact. In spite of this a great day was had by all with lots of laughs and some crafts. It is lovely seeing people open up and join in. When we left we were greeted with the above. Thunder, lightning, hail, floods - the works. Even now it is still thundering. The good thing is that the forecast heat for the next 5 days has changed and we will not have to put up with temps in the 30's.

The temps might have dropped but I am melting.

Good night

Better get in quickly

After my brain fart yesterday which saw my blog being posted today I thought I'd better get in early as I have my Auslan course this evening.

It was lovely seeing Three and Alice. She was a gem. The only time she cried was when she was hungry and that was easily fixed. She was happy to lie on her play mat or in her bouncer and after a couple of inquisitive sniffs and licks the dogs were happy to leave her alone. Jinx was never far away in case she was needed as obviously we have no idea how to look after our puppies! Three and I got to talking about Himself's family history and we spent ages looking over old documents from the war. Amy's mum is a genealogist so we will take them to her to see what she thinks about them.

Sally had a ball at Frozen. She was an exhausted wee girl when they came to pick Three and Alice up.

I have spent most of the day reading for my course. I did get a phone call from South East Trees (that's who my phone said it was) but it was a hospital calling about a job I had applied for! Apparently there is an issue with Samsung and the caller recognition thingy. The panel shop where Himself's car was fixed comes up as a Chinese restaurant. During the Great Storm of '21 we tried ringing the SES (State Emergency Service for non-Melbournites) and it came up as Dan's Donuts. 

Tomorrow is craft day at L'arte. Always a fun time. 

I am now going to make a ham and salad roll to have before class starts.

Catch you tomorrow.

Sally running through the Carlton Gardens on her way to see Frozen.

Austraya Day

And the debate continues as to whether we should celebrate Australia Day today (anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet) or another day or indeed, should we celebrate it all. Changing the date will not change history and nor should it. The way the Indigenous were treated by the English was appalling - especially through today's eyes. Back then it was the norm. Not saying it was right - it just was what it was. We cannot change the past but we can learn from it. We need to stop with the them and us and move forward as a country. Indigenous history should be as much a part of education as European history. We have the opportunity to continue to be the best country on earth. Keeping the date gives us a n opportunity to be reminded that must be an inclusive country. I would really like to hear the opinion of someone living in a remote indigenous community.

Enough of that. 

 Yesterday I posted about my anxiety rings. This is what they look like. The outer bit spins.

This company is who I bought mine from but a google search shows others as well. They come in quite a few colours. I have the rainbow and silver. Amy bought Three a black one and it suits him well. He has had it a while now and says it does help in stressful situations. 

Last night was interesting. I don't think zoom is the best platform for this type of learning but we don't have any other options. It will be a challenge when we lose the interpreter and have to communicate only with sign. We are not allowed to speak to each as it is disrespectful to the teacher who is deaf. We can ask questions in chat. We did a couple of activities and it was strange being in complete silence. I was knackered at the end. When I went to bed I put myself to sleep by finger spelling things from A-Z - countries, food, flowers .....

This evening Amy is taking Sally to see Frozen on stage. Sally doesn't know this - she thinks she is just having a Mummy/Sally dinner. She will be over the moon. Because it's hot and they don't have decent cooling in their house, Three will come over here with Alice for dinner. Himself and Three can go and see Mother in Law and I'll look after Alice.

Thank you, everyone, for you kind words regarding Mother in Law. Every time Himself's phone rings we expect bad news. It will take time but my gut feeling is this is the end.

Whoops. Three arrived and I forgot to post this so you get it a day late.

Today is the day

Talk about leaving things to the last minute! I finally got the links to my course and have spent the last couple of hours reading through and making sure my zoom works. The reality has sunk in that there will be little if any speaking in this course! The first 2 or 3 weeks we have an interpreter and then it's us and our deaf teacher. Oh well, they do say immersion is the best way to learn a new language. I can 't remember if I told you that Sally will be learning Auslan at school so we can practice with each other!

Himself's brother came up from his farm (a 9 hour round trip) and they went and saw Mother in Law. She's not eating and barely drinking. A doctor has prescribed diuretics to get rid of some of her fluid. A physio will start getting her up and about but I don't think that will be a great success. Our society is so focused on life at all costs that we find it uncomfortable to discuss dying. I wish we put as much into dying as we do birthing. When I worked in oncology I felt my best work was helping someone to a good death. For the patient and their families and loved ones.

I bought some anxiety rings for me and my mates and they arrived today. I am wearing mine and find I am spinning it constantly! It is quite bizarrely soothing.

Right. nearly 4.15. Time to grab a bite of something and get ready for my 6 o'clock session.

I just did a test run with my camera. Think I need to wear some makeup!!!!