Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thursday

The new horse next door is Lottie - yes, the same Lottie we saw racing the other day. (Lottie is her paddock name.) In what can only be more bad news for M & L, Lottie had a bleed from the nose after her race on Saturday which means she cannot race again here in Australia. I'm not sure what this means for her but we'll find out in coming days. Even though we're sorry her racing career is over, S and I are both glad that we did get the chance to see her race. And isn't it just as well Jeanne was relocated the other day or it may have been a bit cramped in the paddocks over there!
It's not surprising but it is raining again here at Latimers. I know it will stop - it would just be nice to know when so we can plan (mowing) around it. Although if it does keep raining, there's a good chance I'll get the fertilizer onto the grass so it can be soaked in! But the washing needs to be done as well. Did someone say swings and roundabouts? Or tradeoffs?
Never discount the power of advertising. That's how the cats - and maybe Pearl - have a new pet cover on the lounge. M saw it in a catalogue over the weekend and picked it up yesterday. Beasley was on it last night and again this morning - and seems to be very comfortable there, possibly because where it is is traditionally Maggie's spot but for some reason of late she has taken to sleeping on a pillow on the bed in the spare room at the other end of the house. It's good because we know where to find her but it will be interesting when she's had enough and wants to reclaim her "rightful" spot - and she will!
It did fine up this afternoon but there was no chance to jump on the mower - we were too far away since we were shopping at Robina. S bought a nice new coat which she is very happy with and which looks very nice on her. I purchased a new thermos travel mug which I am trying to test but each time I put it to my lips, I get scared that its advertising blurb is right and I've made my drink so hot that I'm going to get burned. It's a slightly different drinking experience but I am starting to get used to it - but not in a foolhardy way. Is this what they call a drinking problem? I'm off to Toowoomba tomorrow so I'll give it a field test.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wednesday

It's raining here again today - which is okay since it's a work day but I'd like it to dry out enough for the mowing! But judging by the way it rained off and or all day - today is not going to see anyone on the mower.
S's plants seem to have enjoyed the soaking and have settled into the garden very nicely. It won't be long before we're eating nice fresh green leafy vegetables out of there - and I'm sure the local wildlife (read: insects and grubs) are looking forward to it as well. It's all part of that rich cycle of life - and this is one way to make sure the birds get fed, even though we don't yet know which birds that will be as the nest we were hoping would go up, hasn't ... yet. Mind you, it has been a bit wet for any kind of construction over the last few days - avian or otherwise.
Twice today I have towelled Beasley down as he seems to enjoy being out in the wet - which is preferable to him getting himself into trouble inside as he is want to do of late. Still he is the best boy in the house (not counting Hermes the horse who actually isn't allowed in).
All of the cats are inside this evening - it could be the rain outside or the fact that the temperature seems to have dropped about 10 degrees since yesterday. That is possibly a little bit of an exaggeration but it does seem very much cooler - to the point where I am thinking about putting on a pair of track pants for the first time since we came to Latimers - and I woukd if onky I had some idea where they might be! S loves the cold and tells me that it always does get cooler after Easter - and I can't argue with her on that one.
M is out for the evening so we finished off the Corned Beef from last Friday's dinner with some mashed potato (double yum) and vegetables for dinner. Pearl sat beside us, givng us her fullest attention, lest something drop from our plates to the floor and/or her mouth - of course, she may have just been waiting for the rest of HER dinner, which we had neglected to give her as soon as we sat down to eat. She seems to have discovered her voice during her sleepovers with Nana last week and I, especially, have to be careful not to get her too excited, especially later at night when the others are sleeping.
S is watching a program on preparations for Friday's Royal Wedding - and we're not sure if it is THE cake or just A cake we're seeing being iced. I wonder if this is going to be bigger than the last "proper" Royal Wedding - which was about 30 years ago (sorry Camilla) - and whether, with the wider predominance of media, some programs might be tailored to the masses ... like this one. (Wonder if they've got a FaceBook page or if you can follow them on Twitter?)
The other news is that there's a "new" horse in the next doors' paddock - more on that tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday

So much for definitely having to do the mowing today! The sun has set long ago and still the grass remains uncut - even though only doing ''part" of the yard was discussed and agreed. Still it was nice to see the rain and it may how off enough tomorrow so I can get it done.
So what to do instead of the mowing? K had told S about a Vegetarian yum cha restaurant and that was where we took ourselves today - and it was wonderful. I had to keep reminding myself that there wasn't any meat in any of the dishes - although by the way the couple next to us were extolling the virtues of the calamari and its tenderness, they may not have realised.
The shops had re-opened today after Anzac Day and we did a small stop on the way home to stock up on ingredients for the soup S was planning to make this evening - although she didn't get the chance to make it as I brought dinner home with me after I had been in town (read: Casino) for the afternoon.
It has been a great weekend except for the worry about Emma but she really does seem much better now. She was asking for food earlier today and is still drinking and appears well within herself. She's even back to sleeping on S's pillow.
It was rubbish night last night - but not here. Neither of us took the bin up last night or this morning so it's still here - and we're amassing more - which is why M and I each took bagsful of rubbish when she and I went out this afternoon - and hopefully she managed to find a bin for hers as well. I did have a moment of concern when I couldn't get the boot open and I was worried the trash was going to be stuck there - and becoming pungent - overnight since the other car keys (the ones that open the boot) were at home. I needn't have worried though because it opened with the central locking (which is move than the fuel filler cap does sometimes) and the rubbish is now gone!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Monday

Anzac Day at Latimers did not start with the dawn service although I had thought about it last night and was surprised this morning when I realised I had missed it! I sometimes think it would be just too sad, remembering all those who have gone off to War and never come back. And even sadder knowing there are still people out there today risking their lives for uncertain causes.
We are lucky to live in a country not ravaged by war and strife - and lucky to live here at Latimers - where it is a lovely day.
Em seems to be a lot better today and has had a few snacks and some outside time as well - this time she's been keeping Tink company. Although last night it could have been Maggie who was still out and not responding to calls or whistles when it was time for lock-down. The good news is that she wasn't out all night. M let her in when she arrived home.
I went off to Helensvale Town Centre this afternoon to see J who had R and some of her friends in tow - which would have been much more exciting for them if the shopping centre had been open rather than closed for Anzac Day! Never mind - they went for a walk right around the outside of the Centre and seemed happy enough in themselves.
Word on the street is that the Caribbean Stud Poker jackpot is about due to go off and seeing how difficult it is to get a seat at one of the tables, you'd think more than a few people are taking that word as Gospel!. (The Casino was my next stop after Helensvale!)
S took the opportunity of the fine yet slightly overcast weather today to plant her vegetable seedlings. The question is whether they will still be planted overnight or will one of the cats have dug them up!
Not sure, but since there was a horse truck out the front this morning, we think M and L may have sold one of their horses. They had been talking about it because the costs of running a few horses is just sky- rocketing. I didn't see who it was but judging by the kicking noises coming from inside the truck, it (the horse) wasn't happy. S was saying this evening they couldn't see the foal and her mum this afternoon but I assured her they had both been there when the truck left (hopefully it didn't come back for them!)
Come rain, shine or hail tomorrow, I have to do the mowing!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sunday

Em seems to be a bit better this morning - she is more alert and had a big drink and a couple of smaller ones, but still hasn't had anything to eat. We left her on the bed resting when we went out to the movies - together with the shirt I wore this morning in case she misses us!  We also left her some fresh cookies and a cat tinnie - hopefully she will feel well enough to have a little something to eat. (Tink was stationed outside the room to keep her company.)
The movies was interesting - especially as my premonition of an evacuation was right on the money! We don't know what sparked the emergency but a couple of fire engines - and we left taking M's Mum to lunch with us at a new pizza place in Surfers Paradise - as it turns out it is part of an international chain (or is it franchise?) - in any case it was very nice - and pretty innovative with its "chip card" which each patron receives on entering - and then uses when  ordering their food and drinks: a bit like an upmarket self-serve cafeteria where you don't have to argue about how the bill gets split at the end.
Next stop was Zarraffas in Surfers for a coffee;  today, at least, it must have qualified as the busiest Zarraffas on the Gold Coast - people everywhere - and the first time I've heard someone order a skinny soy latte.
We passed on an offer of doughnuts (and possibly a Cosmos)from the Speerts to come home and have a nana nap before settling in for a quiet night.
Em was a little better when we arrived home - she bolted outside when I opened the door for her and had a proper drink.  She then meowed a little when I brought in some cat food and even had a few licks of the "juice" and maybe a mouthful of the tuna flakes.  It is a great improvement and one which gives us hope that she is at least feeling a little better. She has settled in for the evening with S who is having an early night - although she is planning to stay awake for a while yet - reading and listening to the radio. 

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Saturday

We are a little concerned about Em today. She has been sick a couple of times yesterday, and again this morning, and she is not showing any signs of being hungry (she is usually ravenous and ready to take your leg off if she hasn't been fed by six) and is having only a couple of mouthfuls of water when she goes to have a drink. That being said, we know that cats are sensible and that she just wants to lay low until she feels better - but when your cat's 19 and diabetic, you do tend to be a little concerned. And, as the vet said when we had her there a little while ago, she didn't get to be that way for no reason.
As I was cleaning out the three water bowls that she normally drinks from - the outside water and yes, the bowls are next to each other, not even spread around the area - I was splashing water around (as one does) and thinking that if Pearl had been up she would have been having a wonderful time with it ... and then, who should be there but ... Pearl. I threw some water around for her to chase - but only used water, and then onto the lawn so as not to waste any of this precious commodity - and she had a great time. We even managed not to get any on her because I really didn't want her going back inside wet. (It IS true that there's nothing as friendly as a wet dog!)
It's nice having a few days off for Easter and not rushing out the door because I have time to watch all the animals and see what they get up to. I cannot believe how relaxed Tinker is - and the amazing positions she puts herself into! And that even though she is under the tree where the magpie larks are chattering away, she doesn't seem the least bit interested in them - but I fear that would change if they came down to her level.
Sitting out the front this morning I noticed some swallows seemed to be measuring up where the nest used to be. Does this mean we'll soon have new neighbors of the avian variety?
We left everyone (of the pet variety) to their own devices this afternoon when we went out to a "girls only" lunch at the Casino - arranged because N is back in town from Canberra for the weekend. It was good to see her again - being there obviously suits her but she was pleased of the opportunity the long weekend afforded to catch up with previous colleagues, family and friends here.
Then, unexpectedly, we learned the neighbour's horse was running today at The Gold Coast - which I immediately took to mean that because she was out of the City she'd have a better chance - but what it actually meant that because it was the Gold Coast we could go and see her race - which we did ... which is how I put my first bet on with a bookie. M did a valiant job of teaching me about the odds but I think it's another of those things I haven't quite gotten yet - and may never! But it was quite an experience to be there for an actual horse race and even though the actual race took about 1min15secs it did seem like a lot longer.

Friday

Easter. Friday night Family & Friends dinner was at O's tonight and she had cooked up a feast which we were able to share with the usual crowd plus D and her daughter who are visiting the Speerts from New Zealand. This is the second Friday night dinner we have been able to share with them and D is threatening to defer their return to NZ (again) to be able to come to next week's dinner.
M was able to get Hermes' paddocks mowed today - which leaves me the house yard to do at some stage over the next couple of days - weather permitting. It rained here today for a couple of minutes and then a fine fog settled over the valley. It really is very pretty here. And I hope the pilot of that noisy ultra-light plane that flew over this morning thought so too. Who would gave thought that ultra-light would translate to "ultra"-noisy.
Pearl has been having a sleep-over at Nana's for the last week and finally came home tonight. It's good to have her back - and maybe if she had been here last night she would have barked when the mystery bunny came visiting to drop off some Easter Eggs! I thought it was M's doing and she thought it was my doing - so we are at a loss unless it's S playing a trick on the both of us.
M seems to have recovered well from her ankle mishap yesterday afternoon. S was able to ice it immediately - and then apply some rest, elevation and compression. Not necessarily in that order. But what seems to have worked better than RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is the cream she was given a while ago by a physiotherapist - which may explain why it worked very, very well - and isn't it a shame that it isn't freely available as an over-the-counter medication?