We are all creatures of habit or have our own way of tackling things until someone suggests alternatives. Before leaving Latimers this morning, I was searching for my Pogo Stylus to use with a new handwriting application on the iPad. Not being able to find it straight away, I thought it might have dropped on the rug and I asked S to hand me the torch so I could look for it properly as it was quite dark. "Why don't you just open the blinds?" she asked and, of course, that was the perfect solution since they were still drawn ... but I hadn't given it a thought. I'd like to say it had something to do with our late night (2am) but ...
Meanwhile, outside, S was playing with Pearl, and complaining about the state of the ball, even though she was using the "ball thrower". It made sense when I watched her. No-one had shown her how to pick up the ball with the thrower, so you never actually have to touch the ball, especially when it has gone up and down the yard a few times and is quite "soggy" with saliva. It's just what you're used to I guess. So we've both learnt something today - blind before torch and how to give a toss!
We found ourselves (perhaps a little accidentally on purpose) at the Q Centre at lunchtime today so S could feast on Hainan Chicken and me on Wonton Noodle Soup - it has been too long between good Chinese dishes because we're not counting our last Chinese meal as "good" - on a number of levels. We went past there on the way home this afternoon and could almost hear that child screaming again/still.
Because we had such a late night last night, afternoon naps were high on the priority list. Alas, so was watching "Hello Dolly" - I had never seen it and had been curious since finding out that two songs from it, and a clip, were in "Wall-E". They don't make movies like that any more - talk about a cast of almost thousands. It was amazing to see a young Michael Crawford who seemed to have, even then, a few Frank Spencer mannerisms, but not yet the lovely rich full voice of "Phantom of the Opera". That doesn't mean I totally forewent the afternoon nap - it just turned into a late afternoon nap - with Pearl providing a rather effective alarm when C opened the gate on her way to feed Holly (who, if the planned stud visit goes to plan, will soon be in foal).
The kids are all in early tonight so we're not going to worry about finding the magnets to affix to their collars so only they can go through their flap; it would no doubt be a very different story if it could be used while the back door is closed. After yesterday's sighting we had decided the screen doors must remain closed but hadn't for a second thought the cat flap could provide a snake entry point. With our luck, they'll bring their own magnets or get stuck on the way through. But enough about our cold-blooded reptilian friends otherwise I'll start scanning the floors for signs of one again. As long as we know what to do when we see one (stand still and scream) it will be okay ... and to use an umbrella when mowing under the trees ... and to make sure to wear boots and long pants while in the paddocks - the list will no doubt grow as we think of things.
Sunday comes around quickly and it's Markets again tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will hold off (it didn't today) so there can be mowing too. I missed it today because I actually find it quite enjoyable and still very satisfying. Also, because R is due back from his cruise, and here later in the week, I wanted it to be ready for him for edge trimming. The rain has been good though, together with the warmer weather, and I noticed this afternoon that one of the plants that had been pruned right back a couple of months ago - that would be the one that looked like dry sticks stuck in the garden - is now shooting green growth all over. Spring is truly wonderful here at Latimers and, as always, we are looking forward to tomorrow.
