Monday

 There are some days when nothing much seems to happen - at work anyway. I was trying to think of something - anything - to tell M and S this evening but I kept coming up blank. It's good that way sometimes though because it means that nothing has happened to upset the delicate balance (or would that be equilibrium?) of the work ecosystem. It's not a good look when the balance is disturbed - depending on who is doing the disturbing!  

Meanwhile,  back at Latimers,  it was time for Beazley's next visit to the vet to check his blood sugar levels.   He's about the same - so no change to his insulin regime - but he is starting tomgain a little weight so M is putting him on restricted calories to see if that helps.   Each daynshe will measure out all the cookies he can have and then,  when he asks,  he can have a couple - that way he will eat them and not leave them for the others - so it will be controlled. Let's hope it works!  

M and S took the recycling up to the road with them this morning when they went out - leaving just the rubbish for M to take up on the way to the vets.  

Have I mentioned the Shiatsu massage chair yet?  Sa bought the chair overlay for S for her birthday - and it was worth the wait.   The chair heats and vibrates as it massages and it seems to hit all the right spots and is incredibly comfortable!  And it's a very good excuse to settle down in front of the television for the 20-minute massage cycle - which I stretched to 30-minutes today by breaking it into "top back" and "lower back".   One could get very used to this.  

S made a new Luke Nguyen dish for dinner - Ginger Chicken - and she did well ... it was very yummy and can certainly go on the "cook again" list.  

The washing in the shed had changed from ours to M's so it looks like she was able to get some washing done and be fairly sure that it would dry at some point.  The towels which have been on the outside line since the rain started are still there - but hopefully they will come off tomorrow before the next lot of rain hits.  

Sunday

Markets Day - and we were about the last there.  We weren't sure if it was 9:30 or 10:00 ("I don't know") but it turned out to be the earlier time.  At least M and A came after us - but they had an excuse - A had been busy making pumpkin scones to continue the Australia Day Celebrations.  And even though I am not a pumpkin scone girl, I have to admit that even I enjoyed them.  Mouse and A had brought along a selection of jams including Mouse's fig jam!  

Even Mi had been to the airport with E and the kids who are returning to New Zealand today beat us there.   As M said on Facebook of her putting them on the plane: "Goodbyes are heartbreaking :(" but it won't be long before friends come to stay with them and then in justba little while more,  one of her other sisters is coming to stay,  

The Markets were good.  We were a table of only ten - a little smaller than we're used to and we would have been able to hear what everyone else at the table except the band had moved to the inside Food Court area - they were good but a little loud to allow quiet conversation. 

S chose to stay home this afternoon while I went in to The Big House to try my luck in the Australia Day draw. Ther was a chance to win $ 1,000 every half hour ... and some folk did - just not us.  I bumped into M there so was able to spend time in the upstairs area with a comfortable seat and a cup of coffee and snacks as we waited for the draws (when we weren't trying our luck on the tables).  The draws were every half-hour from 2 to 6:30pm - but unlike other draws,  there were no redraws - except for the 6:30 call - which they called until someone did show up.  I think it was the 6th or 7th redraw that they found a winner who was "there".   

S and I had planned to have Laksa (using fridge food) for dinner this evening but M surprised us by picking up Thai takeaway (from the new place on Pappas Way) on her way home..  I was truly grateful not to have to help cook!  It made a very nice end to a wonderful four-day break!  

Saturday

It's still raining but that gives us a great opportunity to go walking in the rain - although getting soaking wet isn't an option unless you venture out while it's pelting down, which isn't all the time. Pearl seems to like walking in the rain but does have a brisk pace out there - and a tendency to stray too close to the foal (that would be Dolly, not Molly as we keep calling her) if she comes to the fence for a chat; we have to be careful about that in case Pearl mistakes her for a duck and gives chase. 

M went off this morning planning to spend part of the day with Mouse, and S, I and the furries settled in for a quiet day at Latimers with the Saturday Herald, Word W.E.L.D.E.R.  (I can't get past Level 7 ... grrr) and the television. It was just the day for it and it was wonderful. 

But we did make it out later - to the movies at Nerang.  I finally managed to see "The Darkest Hour" which,  now having seen it,  was fairly reminiscent of "The War of the Worlds" (the new version) with people being reduced to ash by the aliens,  and a downed plane,  to name only a couple of the similarities. We are going to have to wait for the sequel though to see if we get the Earth back (a bit like "Skyline")!  S, M and Mouse went to see "We Bought A Zoo" instead and they all enjoyed it very much although one or two of them did look a little moist around the eyes (or was that just my imagination - too many light creatures affecting my vision?).   S did point out that it was a study of grief,  not unlike "The Descendants". What is it that has Hollywood releasing two films like this at the same time? 

Oh, and I did manage to get to the laundromat this morning - and have that much-waited-for coffee at Eat Well 101.   I was amazed at how many machines were in use at the laundromat when I arrived (this was just after 7) and how many people were there when I got back from the coffee shop!   It seems to be a busy little venue - and I'm glad I had taken change with me rather than having to resort to taking the step ladder again so I could reach the change machine.  Luckily there is enough undercover area at Latimers to be able to hang out the washing so there's a good chance some of my work clothes will be try before it's time to go back on Monday.   Otherwise I might just have to stay home!   

Friday

Still raining ... and it looks to be set in now - so the weather forecasters were right.  We'll try for the Lion Dancers at MovieWorld another day although if they were performing today (is the World even open?) you wouldn't have to jostle into position to get a good view!  (When S,  M and I were in Hong Kong 12 years ago for Chinese New Year,  we went to the parade route early enough to be in the front row and by the time the parade started and we were surrounded by people,  we became aware of one very insistent local who was inching her way forward and trying to edge us out. I don't think so!)

Emma came out with me this morning (to drink that all-too-wonderful outside water) and started grooming - and was doing that old cat trick of cleaning behind her ears - "too late" I had to tell her "it's already raining" but perhaps this doesn't bode well for the coming days.  I wonder if forecasters keep cats to confirm their findings? 

Where to have breakfast - that is the question - or was the question this morning.   After (too) much debate we finally settled on Alto at Broadbeach - and it was good to sit in the dry, earing breakfast and drinking coffee and watching the rain pelt down outside.   Doesn't get much better - unless you follow it up with a trip to Pacific Fair to have a much-needed haircut and go to the cinema to see "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" or "TINKER TAILER SOLD" as it said on our movie tickets. 

It was interesting talking with the hair stylist about the fracas in Canberra yesterday where the PM and Leader of the Opposition were "rescued" from the melee (of protestors from the Aboriginal Tent City established outside Parliament House 40 years ago) by her personal protection unit. She said it looked a bit like both sides were "show-boating" but unless you were there it's hard to tell - especially when two people who were there rang the same talk-back radio program and gave quite different accounts of the proceedings.  The event made world headlines - it's nice to know that the world is thinking of Australia on Australia Day - just a pity it's billed as a "Day of Shame".  

Friday Night Dinner was at Mouse's - and was wonderful.   E and the kids were there as well and the kids were in fine form.   They made it to Wet & Wild yesterday and had a really good time - and M and S,  who had been there when little H was out last year,  were able to talk about the best rides with them - even though the very best ride was closed when they went because it was Winter.

Kathy almost came to day but the creek out the back of her place is on the verge on flooding so she wants to stay close to home just in case the rain starts bucketing down again. We can understand that, so we'll see her in a fortnight.  

Thursday

There’s a $5,000 jackpot on offer at the Bingo today but we’ll be going to The Big House instead for their Australia Day BBQ. We went last year and had a wonderfaul time – great food plus some fantastic games (we did win some small prizes).  And it was good again this year – they had managed to put a wet weather plan in action and even though it was a bit cramped – you had to walk through the lines of people waiting to collect salad, sausages and other goodies to get to the main room – but at least everyone was staying dry – or would have stayed dry if it had started raining again, which it hadn’t.  It saved that for as we were just driving along the main road on the way back to Latimers.

There was a good selection of eats but probably the longest line was reserved for the Mr Whippy van which was serving soft-serve ice cream – a particular favourite of mine – and S is quite partial to it as well.  Of course, truth be told, it wasn’t as good as the gelato we had at The Big House the other evening – and even though it was incredibly yummy, M says that the combination she’s had – chocolate and strawberry – was ...she did use a word but I’ve forgotten it – but the sentiment was ut was a taste sensation not to be missed.  Maybe tomorrow or sometime over the weekend if we go in to The Big Housse again and with that gelato calling – it’s going to be hard to resist.

After the Oz Day celebrations we came back home to have a quiet afternoon and evening in.  I’m trying not to worry about the massive solar flare that is currently hurtling towards earth with the potential to knock out all our electronics but then again, it may just miss us.

The furries are all in this evening, staying out of the rain. The question is whether they will decide to stay in or whether they will beg to go out – which means we’ll need to go looking for them at lockdown. 

Wednesday

The rain continues although not quite as heavily this morning ... but enough that a few people at work were concerned about local flooding and whether everyone would be able to get past flood waters to get home this evening.  I must admit I was concerned enough to ring M and ask her if there was any possibility of being flooded out of Latimers ie not able to get back in – even though there are two ways in – one over the bridge and the other around the back way.  Apparently there won’t be a problem – which is good to know.  I wouldn’t want to be stranded away from home at the start of a four-day weekend!

S, M and Mouse managed to make it to Bingo today and while M had a couple of wins, the luck was not flowing to the others, nor to Daphne and her husband. “First timers, not even from here” said Daphne of the two women visiting from Melbourne who won the $200jackpot and then the $1,000 jackpot at the end of the day.  They, Daphne and her husband, are regulars there – going three times a week. Part of the rest of the time they spend knitting things including caps for premature babies.  Yes, time they had a win.

It was magazine time again today and I spent some time this afternoon working out the last of the puzzles Mouse hadn’t finished in the magazine, in time for it to be sent off.

The Great K almost came over for the evening and to stay the night.  He had called M on the mobile to say that he was seeing his first patient tomorrow and didn’t feel like being . He has his first session in the clinic tomorrow – seeing his first patient – but he’s the patient this afternoon – seeing the doctor about his back which is causing him some pain.

But what to do with The Great K coming over on CSP night?  We put it on hold – at least until we had had dinner and then we were going to decide what to do. S said she would be fine to stay home with D but that wouldn’t have been fair.  So we stayed in – and by the time we found out that the Great K was in fact not coming over, it was almost too late to go – so we didn’t.

Tuesday

The wet weather warnings are in place and it will be interesting to see if the forecasters are right this time. Let’s hope not, because if they are we are in for a very large amount of rain in a very short space of time. It’s worse on some parts of the Coast than others of course, with some reporting flooding already. 

I’d hate to be here on holidays – NSW school children have still not gone back and there are sure to be lots of holidaying families here on the Coast – and it can’t be much fun for them.  The shopping centres are full – the only dry place to be – except for the movie cinemas etc Of course, it’s not just ;people from NSW – closer to home, there’s also E and the children holidaying here from New Zealand.  They were planning to go to Wet and Wild today, but that didn’t happen – it was still raining.  I’m not sure if even the theme parks are able to be open today.  I think MovieWorld has been closed only a few times in the twenty years since it opened.  

Monday

 Why did rainy days and Mondays always get Karen Carpenter down?   Does the song say? Or is it one of those things we will never know?  Not that it's raining at the moment but there is lots forecast for the coming days and I can almost hear the water in the tank lapping near the top - of course,  that's wishful thinking but it shouldn't be that far off!  

Chinese New Year is upon us - the Year of the Water Dragon - S's token, and M's as well - so they are both looking forward to a good,  if not great,  year!   As my email from a work colleague said:  2012 is the year of Dragon. The Dragon is one of the most powerful and lucky signs in the Chinese zodiac, with many believing there is a balance between heaven and earth in the lives of people born in the Year of the Dragon. As well as being blessed with good fortune, Dragons are innovative, flexible, self-assured and passionate, making good artists, diplomats and politicians. However, Dragons can also be stubborn, intense and quick tempered. 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, with water having a calming influence on Dragons’ fearless temperament, and also making them more perceptive of others.  Best of luck for us in the year of Dragon. Kung Hei Fat Choi - 恭喜發財! (It means May Prosperity Be With You in chinese.)

To celebrate Chinese New Year The Big House had Lion Dancers and they were on again this evening so S and I went in for a Bite Chinese Meal (not bad for Casino food) before donating a little money to The Big House and then, alas, watching an almost disappointing performance.   The Lion Dancers were there but did ony a couple of minutes, with the one drum, at the entrance to the Casino gaming area - before disappearing into the night.   M who joined us said it was much better last night - and you would hope so!  

The gelatos on sale in the lobby ($ 3.50 for two scoops) did go a little way to helping us feel cheerier and,  in keeping with the Chinese New Year theme,  M took a photo of S and I eating our ice cream (did the Chinese invent it?) as we sat in the Dragon seat.  There was a lot of demand for the Dragon seat for photos so when we were done we moved around to the lobby to chat and finish our treats before calling it an (early) night and heading back to Latimers.  

Tink followed us in but took the first opportunity she saw (as I was trying to call Maggie in from the chair out the front) to escape into the wilderness.  Hopefully S was able to lure her back in when I gave up citing "school night" aka no staying up late.  

恭喜發財

 

Sunday

 Sunday ... seems like a very long time ago now (I have been a little behind with blogging - attracted as I have been by other bright and shiny things).   

It was a good Skype call with T who was filling me in on the political happenings at the Federal level,  specifically about how Juliar (note the introduction of the word "liar" at the end of her name - an intentional disparaging suffix by people wishing to discredit her - as though she wasn't seeming to do a good enough job of that herself!) had shored up her smallest of majorities by changing the Speaker of the House before she fell out with Andrew Wilkie (thereby losing his "vote") because she wouldn't endorse the anti-poker machine measures he was promised in exchange for his support when she was trying to form Government after the last election.  

Then it was off to the Markets to catch up with everyone - even though we had seen them only yesterday.   I think it's amazing that we can always find new and exciting things to talk about - and that the group is now so big even when people aren't there.   E,  visiting with his mother,  was more than a little surprised when he counted 14 of us around the table - or tables - and Mouse is incredible the way she manages to secure seating for everyone - and keep it even when people are wanting to take the chairs - "do you need these" they ask,  as Mouse sits alone (she's always early) and she assures them "yes (and then) some".

Today was lawn-mowing day and I had planned to do it around 4:30,  in the cool of the afternoon,  but by the time we arrived back at Latimers after lunch (at Soba So Good - a wonderful noodle place on Chevron Island which M has been meaning to get to for some time - but which S assured me was okay to go to without her because we were just "trying it") it was looking just a little overcast and S suggested an earlier mow.  So I did ... and had a wonderful Colorbond moment when I was done.  When I went near it, I so much wanted to try the electric fence to see if it was "on" - the last time I had touched it - by accident - it wasn't and M said there must be a break in the line - and it's amazing how reluctant one can be to touch a fence which "might" be live.  

The furries are good and Emma sat out with me this morning while I did the call with T.   The others were out there as well - strange for them all to be in the one vicinity - and it was only later that I noticed there was a cane toad treading water in one of the water bowls - which M kindly emptied and washed to get rid of the cane toad germs.   I saw an episode of LA Law once (many years ago) where residents in an aged care facility were licking cane toads to get a buzz from their hallucinogenic skin secretions.  I'm not sure if that's true - whether they would wash off into the water bowl - or if they would have the same effect on the furries - so it's better to err on the safe side!   

 

Saturday

 What was with the big bottle of water, a white cardboard diamond, a bicycle helmet and a phone per team - plus a survival kit, personal backpacks - and four teams setting oft towards Surfers Paradise - making sure they remembered "this number" - a different one given to each team.  Thus was our visit to Budds Beach.  

That wasn't our first of the day.   It started at Crave where we had breakfast with S.  This was the first one in a while so there was a bit of catching up to do.  But before we could get in to that,  or perhaps while, it was order-placing time and, just as on previous occasions, they seemed able to cope with our seemingly standard orders - we have what's on the menu but need bits of it (like toast and butter) on the side so they don't get "contaminated". Yes, yes, it's all going to end up at the same place but ... well, it's just something you get - or you don't. 

It was sad that Pearl couldn't come.  We had talked last night about what we could do so she wouldn't realise it was Saturday because we know she can't use the calendar - although,  come to think of it,  I don't think there are any calendars at Latimers.   M runs a diary (near the phone),  S uses her memory,  and I have my calender "in the cloud". 

While we were at Budds Beach - Brad the board instructor set up there again and except for the teams group, there were very few people there. I think it's something I've said before,  but it's going to be a shame if tourists ever discover it. Even at Saturday lunchtime you can go there and get a table under a shady tree only a few metres from the water.  

Then it was on to late lunch at M and A's for N's not-birthday.  She turns 24 today - and it only seems like a moment ago that she was playing "which paw was that".   We were having such a good time that we didn't make it to The Big House for the St Tropez draw.  But,  too,  we decided we didn't want the disappointment of not winning following so closely after not winning CSP! 

Back at home,  S had a nap while I did some television series catch-up before we scoffed down some fruit and took oursevles off to the dance.  Alas,  it was no better than last time except there was a thoughtful rendition of Abba's "Supertrooper" which I can just image S and M doing,  with friends A and S.   We left early - before the raffle was drawn - but we were there for the lucky door prize - which we didn't win.  

On the way back to Latimers,  we stopped in at the Gilston Hall where there was another dance in progress - one that has been going for 70 years in the same venue - on the third Saturday of the month.   M was intrigured because they were doing the Pride of Erin and other"non-modern" dances - we could see them through the windows as we drove past - then we went back and M went in to ask ("if I stand in the door long enough someone will come over and talk to me").  

Friday

 Well, there was more wildlife on the drive out of Latimers today, but this time small and white ... a rabbit - just near B's.  It was standing in the middle of the lane and seemed reluctant to move,but finally did ... but apparently not very far as he was still hanging around when M and S drove by later.  It turns out that it's B's pet rabbit and when they pointed out to him that it was loose, he set chase in his ... did they say "thongs and shorts"?

This was a while after I had seen M stopped by the side of the road in Broadbeach and wondered if she had broken down (hopefully not) or had pulled over to use the phone.   I didn't pull straight over,  there was traffic on the inside lane - but when I did manage to speak (she didn't answer when I rang but she did call back) I found out she had been on the phone . . .  to S,  making plans for this evening.   We would go to Mouse's for soup,  on to Surfers for pizza,  and then to Circle on Cavill to watch Mi's Latin American dance class strut their stuff.  It's a fun thing to watch and tourists would probably flock to it. I can imagine it written up in travelogues as a good thing to do if you're ever in Surfers Paradise on the first and third Fridays of the month.  

By the time we made it to Mouse's she had made dinner - soup (as expected) and vereneki - two lots - one cheese,  and the other cherry.   It was all very yummy and we were lucky enough to get some soup to take home with us (it may be quick dinner before the dance tomorrow evening).    

This is the first time we'd been to see Mi dancing - and she's amazing - both when she does her own dancing, or when she's dancing with one of the usual guys from her class,  or the woman from Montenegro who saw her there (doing her own dancing) and asked her to dance.  Extra bonus is that there is a cafe right there so we were able to enjoy a cup of coffee (thanks F! ) as we watched with him,  M and Mi's sister,  E.   In the end Mouse decided she wouldn't come . . .  which could have something to do with the bad cold the last time she came.  

All done, we left Lars at Mouse's - to have a try at conserving petrol.   I was pleased not to have to drive - at this end of the week,  and tonight was no exception,  I am a little on the tired side - and the drive home is often enough to wake me up again rather than allowing me to just fall into bed! 

Thursday

 Disappointment is ... taking the washing to the Laundromat specifically so you can have a coffee at the next-door Cafe - and finding the Cafe is closed - and knowing that the wash cycle isn't long enough to allow a side trip to Zarraffas. 

Disappointment is ... finding out that CSP has gone off - over $350,0O0 - at the table you were sitting at only a few hours earlier. Luckily it didn't happen at the seat/table just after we'd left! In the end, it was our usual table up the front near the Casino entrance, Box 2, and Diamonds (sounds a bit like a game of Cluedo!).   I'm not sure who was more disappointed - M, F or me. ("Have you ever seen a grown man cry?" M asked.) Still, we'll keep trying for the $25,000. 

But real disappointment is ... driving along the main road and finding a dead kangaroo (too small to have been yesterday's) at the roadside.

Wednesday

It looks like yesterday's movie struck a (fashion) chord because S,  M and Mouse were reportedly all wearing George Clooney shirts today.   Hopefully they brightened up the outlook of their fellow Bingo players!  And it seems to have helped because both M and S won games - Mouse, shirt notwithstanding, and E (on a PET machine) were not as fortunate. Here's hoping they had a good time anyway.

It was fine today mostly and I noted, as I was leaving the house, that there was a big yellow thing in the sky and I was going to investigate ... that's how long it seems since the sun's shone on Latimers!  It's supposed to be fine tomorrow so we may get some washing done - either here or at the laundromat, depending on whether Mr Pumpman comes to increase the pressure - not something that folk on town water often have to worry about.

Wednesday night is CSP night this week - preceded by a game of "fastest finger" for M who just made her heat - she had been told 4:30 but it was actually 4:20 (was she down for consecutive per chance?) and luckily they were running behind - so she made it into the seat for the heat at 4:25. And better still, she qualified for the semifinals tomorrow. Fingers crossed - except for her as she needs as many free fingers as she can to work the machine! 

CSP has still not been won - not the big one anyway but it does appear a couple of 10%s have (straight flush). We played for a while (after I finished the puzzles for Mouse) and even thoughnboth M and I were close a couple of times to straight or flushes we weren't close enough to a straight flush or the big kahuna (more George Clooney?) the Royal Flush. 

But there was good news today - in Wiggle World.  Greg,  the Yellow Wiggle,  who had to leave the group five years ago for health reasons,  has returned!  While Sam did a great day standing in for him,  it's great to have the original group back together again!   

I had an unexpected start to the morning - when I slowed for the first roundabout on the main road, a kangaroo came bounding through.  It was a truly magnificent sight!  

Not so good is that they've started work on the road near the school again.   This means they may be on track for finishing it on schedule - early 2012 - whatever that means!

Tuesday

S was in at the Hotel again overnight and had a much better rest that she had on Sunday night.   It is still raining - which meant she didn't get to go in the pool or the spa,  but she and M had some spectacular views of the raging ocean from morning-Cheeseland.   "Waves breaking way out,  heaps of froth.  Grey.  Grey.  But Great" I believe is how M described it.   I know that the show last night was amazing - but this sounds even more so.  

After the Hotel,  M and S,  and Mouse,  met to go to the new George Clooney movie "The Descendants".   He won a Golden Globe for his performance as the husband/father of a dysfunctional family where the mother has been seriously injured in a boating accident ...  and then George's character finds out that his wife has been having an affair.  They had been planning to go to the movies at Pacific Fair,  but it seemed that everyone else had that idea too.   They decided they would never get to the head of the queue in time,  so they jumped ship,  drove to the Arts Centre - where they got some of the very last seats in what was a choc-a-block-full cinema - and settled in for what was a very simply-told "good" film. 

After the movies (and returning Mouse to her car at Pacific Fair),  M and S drove out to Nerang and joined me for a coffee (actually there was no coffee,  just a sit/chat) at Zarraffas before I took S with me to home, feeding the cats and then off to dinner at Advancetown Hotel; as M went off in the other direction.  

It's still raining today,  but not quite as much,  and the temperature isn't too bad;  it's definitely bearable.   It was great to have the opportunity to have a game of "ball" with Pearl - to distract her while the other furries were having their dinners - and she managed to keep her mind on it (even knowing there were cat dinners around) for a good few throws.   Even though we haven't been doing it for a while - she hasn't forgotten how!   

We had an early night and I had just sat on the bed to swing my legs in (I can't remember if boys or girls are supposed to get in bed that way,  rather than kneeling in and then lying down) when I heard some thuds from outside - somewhere,  I couldn't pinpoint it exactly - on any of the numerous times it happened.  We knew I wouldn't settle until I'd checked it,  so I pulled on my PJs,  put my shoes on,  grabbed the car keys and went for a drive up and down the lane,  looking for anything out of the ordinary (I believe S mentioned "horse rustlers") but on seeing nothing,  I came home and jumped back into bed - glad that I had used our door rather than run the risk of letting any of the furries - already on lockdown by that stage - out.    They're getting better at coming in - but I've never tried to get them back in after they've been in "lockdown" and have then "escaped" - and I didn't want to try tonight. 

Monday

 It was a dark and stormy night - which may seem like the start of a bad novel but is actually an accurate description of this evening: It is a dark and stormy night. The rain continues and gives no sign of letting up. But that's okay because we do need the rain! 

M spoke with the pump man and he says that it is possible to increase the pressure - so the showerhead may he able to be upgraded from "rain" to "showers" - or maybe even "storm"! Not that it isn't workable - it's just not as good as it used to be. And I don't think it has anything to do with being distracted as I keep looking for the huge huntsman spider that M chased in the bathroom and didn't catch because it went behind something. So, besides from checking my towel - both side - before I have a shower,  and keeping a general eye out for anything that moves, I'm not obsessing about it at all. 

We went to Cheeseland this afternoon and it was amazing to watch the ocean, whipped up as it was by fairly strong winds . It was an amazing dark green/grey and the surf appeared massive - certainly much wider (more off shore) than it usually is. 

S was staying in at the Hotel again tonight and seemed to be very relaxed. She hadn't slept well last night (she was doing some intarweb surfing and managed to scare herself so she slept badly) but she did catch up on some sleep during the day. She had breakfast with M at morning-Cheeseland before M went off to do errands and to attend a Ladies Lunch. The food at the LL, she advises, was great and judging from the picture of her dessert on Facebook, a "deconstructed pavlova" (I obviously saw way too much Master Chef last year) - it could have made it to "stunning". 

It must be very different for the furries with S in at the Hotel because all of us can have turns with the television - although I know they all like cuddling up with S to watch the lifestyle programs and "that screaming show" 'about a maternity ward/hospital - and there'a UK and a US version! (If Beazley wants to watch television with me - although it has been a while - he knows it will be thriller, horror or science fiction - just a different type of lifestyle program really!)

The foal seems to be managing in the wet. You have to wonder what she thinks of i. - especially as this is probably her first big rain.  She does look more the one colour while she's wet so it's not that hard a stretch to see her as the black L says she will be. Now I'm just trying to work out how old she is. How does the I August birthday for all horses work - if a horse is born on 30 July, does it turn 1 on August 1?  And if it does, doesn't that mean that when it races against other two-year-olds (when it's 2), theoretically it could be racing against a horse born on 2 August the year before it was born. To the interweb! (Slight pause.) Okay, so breeders aim as close as possible to the birthday, and it is a common date (1 January in the US) to even out the competition! 

Sunday

Because of Magic Millions taking over the Racecourse and grounds and pushing the Markets into the carpark, an executive decision was made (hopefully by them) to do our usual Markets coffee at Mi and F's.  It was pretty good too - and a full house again. Mi did serving after serving of Albanian tea for those who wanted; A had done some muffins, V had made some spinach and cheese savoury doovers, Mi her usual cheese crescents (I know they have a name but it escapes me at the moment) and she had been to the Markets for croissants and apple pie. All very yum. The usual Markets crowd was in attendance including a friend of Mi's (visiting from Melbourne), E (who's not leaving for another two weeks), L, and young N who was down from Brisbane.  S and I (and L) left first as we were trying to catch the new Chipmunks movie - and I dropped them off in good time - although any later and they would have needed to do a "tuck and roll" to make it.   

I was proud of L after the movie - as we were leaving we saw a man (wearing thongs in the rain - a sure way to slip) tumble and she wasted no time in going over to ask if he was okay.  The two women with him and I helped him to his feet once we were sure he hadn't damaged himself except for a grazed hand and a broken nail.  He was a lucky man because he fell quite heavily.   

Next stop was lunch at Spinners at The Big House.  We had originally thought about going to Bite but realised that this is inside the Casino boundary and L would, at 13,  definitely not be allowed through.  (She seemed unsettled by the whole notion of gambling and was asking if bets between she and her friends were legal, and said she was glad she was not near the bright lights and the betting!) 

When S's brother M arrived, we handed L over - but not before she suggested she would be back again before the end of the school holidays.

Tired but happy we waved them off and then settled in for a nap at the Hotel (thanks M) before I took myself home,  leaving S in for the night and a big rest - and maybe a swim and/or spa in the morning if the weather improves.  This is an option only because it appears that no-one has mentioned to management that S was thinking of staying the night so the pool is not closed for the Pool Party or maintenance or because S was expected!   

Saturday

Is it really nearly halfway through January. The year is Just going way too fast. Before we know it, it will be Australia Day, and then February, and then Christmas again. Time flies!

We took L to SeaWorld today - using our season pass for the third time, meaning it has now paid for itself. While it's usually the same mostly, there are often new attractions or variations to the existing shows, and today was no exception.  The Extreme Jetski show was our second stop after the penguins - and it was the first time for seeing either of those. It must be a truly incredible thing to ride a jetski for a living - and it is a living for the guys we saw as they are mostly world champion riders.   I wonder if they have to muck out the stables - or the equivalent in an aquarium environment - when they're not performing or rehearsing. 

We knew Mi,  E and the kids were planning to visit SeaWorld today as well,  and we bumped them as we were leaving Shark Bay and they were in their way in.   Mi posted some great pics of their visit on FaceBook. 

After the Dolphin show - and they had a new trick there as well with one of the trainers propelled across the Cove on the noses of two dolphins,  we took ourselves off for a very late lunch at Peter's SeaFood on the Spit.   That place never seems to be not busy - understandably because they do such a good job.   It was another new experience for L - who does a great job of being helpful - taking the drinks out to the table with S,  then coming back to let me know where they're sitting,  and helping clear the table of rubbish after we were finished.  

And while we were off at SeaWorld and the furries were holding the fort back at Latimers,  M had gone off to a Magic Millions Lunch at The Big House with Mouse and A.   It was fantastic (had to be with a dessert called "Death by Chocolate") and there is a photograph of the three of them posing with a horse (not a real one).   Mouse looked fabulous in her new hat,  which I think had been purchased especially for the occasion.   She chose not to go in the fashion competition at the lunch - which is a shame because she would have had a good chance of winning - more than the woman who had the hat which made her look like a ram (that's what A suggested anyway) when you saw it/her from the front.  

We decided to have a quiet night in and watch a video (the last in the Harry Potter franchise) this evening - well,  S and L were watching the video, while I downloaded and culled the photographs from the SeaWorld visit.  

And it was nice when the rain started this evening and we were glad we were inside as the rain was just bucketing down.  It's good because we need the water.  Our showers this morning proved the water pressure from the pump to be fairly weak - as M said, the shower head is called "rain" or something like that, and it was certainly living up to its name - although,  to be fair,  the actual rain outside was much heavier!  

Friday

 The new pump is in but M is concerned about the pressure.  The test will be when we have showers!  

Dinner at F and Mi's was good; and we finally met Mi's sister E who is currently visiting with her two boys.  You have to love Mi - because she knows that I'm not a big fan of cous cous,  and because cous cous was on the menu for this evening,  they had prepared some jacket potatoes in foil for me - and they were absolutely scrumptious with the babaganoush Mi had whipped up.  

L was a bit nervous about coming with us - meeting new people including young boys - and once there she kept wanting to know the time. She had to ask S and the others as I was travelling sans watch: my swatch band is about to break and I don't want to run the risk of losing it.  She was good though, helping M keep the boys entertained before dinner or so S reports because before dinner I was doing some setup on F's new Mac computer.   (Did I hear correctly that F wants to swap it for Mi's?)

Holly's foal is still as cute as ever although more mottled than Sweetie was/is.  But that won't last according to L - the foal will end up black with a white blaze on its forehead!  

Thursday

 I had planned to manage a visit to 101 Eat Well today but I made it to the laundromat before me. I had planned to do the washing and have a 101 coffee while it was on because even though I would just love to go to the 101 for a coffee after work, my allegiance lies with Zarraffas! Is it the air-conditioning, the comfortable seats, the ability to sit inside, the loyalty card? Perhaps a little bit of each. But I'll keep asking about the laundry, and the bakery, chemist, cinema and newsagent because one day one of them will need a visit!

L arrived as planned - and didn't I feel like a goose when S pointed out that the white four-wheel drive I had moved aside for on the lane was her brother M and I hadn't recognised him or his Kluger.  That I am not able to recognise cars is no surprise. While at University, studying psychology, we had to do an experiment (did we choose it or was it assigned to us?) where we would stop at traffic lights and then not move on when the lights changed ... and then measure how long it was before the person in the car behind blew their horn - and whether they took longer to do so based on what type of car we were in (Mini or Mercedes) and what type of car they were in. That was when I knew I could not recognise car makes or models - once beeped we would have to pull to the side as soon as possible so the car could pass and we could read its rear to see what type it was. Of course this was a good few years ago and given people's impatience and propensity to Road Rage today,  I doubt the experiment would yield the same results today.   The hypothesis supported: If the following driver perceives you as "better", they will give you more leeway aka idiosyncracy credit (the same thing that is given to "famous" people). 

Pearl has finally returned from Nana's. Before she came in, S, L and I discussed who she would go to first. I don't think we actually said it out loud but I think we were all hoping it would be us. Pearl did not disappoint -she made a beeline straight to her cookie bowl, and then, and only then, S, L and , leaving the best to last... me! I hope she's happy to be home. 

L was happy to see her - she loves animals - which is why she's disappointed the cats won't just not come to her but actively avoid her. Tink's the only one who's co-operating at present.   

It looked though it might rain this afternoon and replenish the tank - but not so. The weather remains dry - which means there's an excellent chance that the track will be good for Saturday's Magic Millions race day. 

 

Wednesday

Yesterday must have given Spot a bit of a start because he backed right away from the car as Lars and I approached he and L on the laneway this morning. Has he finally gotten some road sense or is he concerned that I am going to scoop him into the vehicle and take him home again or perhaps somewhere else?  

S was saying that one of L's horses has had a couple of starts recently and done very well - and because it was No. 11 at Barrier 1 (or was that the other way around) when it won, they were sure that M (who passed away on 1 November last year) may have had something to do with it.  There's no denying that the world works in stranger ways than we know or understand! 

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol was certainly action-packed and action-driven ... and good fun.  Even though S had been dubious - because Tom Cruise "can't act'' (but he didn't need to) - she enjoyed it and, as M suggested, she could now be a starter for previous movies in the franchise. I'm thinking she certainly will if they have as much of a travelogue as MI:GP (who would have thought those initials could be rearranged to make GIMP ie to walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury - which those who have seen it will know is appropriate at one point in the film!) 

The weather remains warm - some would, and do, say hot - here! And long cold showers are out as the pump (although now replaced) is still to be wired in although it's possible that the electrician may have come and gone without announcing his presence - it happened earlier this week with the pump man!  

Pearl continues to be an urban dog as she is still on sleepover with Nana.  It's good because Sox loves having her there too.   I just hope Pearl is more settled than she was last Saturday - she appeared agitated and couldn't quite decide what to do,  especially when S was swimming in the pool.  A couple of times there it looked as though Pearl would jump in with her but she didn't - just continued to go around the pool and climbed down two steps in the pool to the water,  took a couple of laps (as in licks not laps of the pool) before getting out, asking to be let inside, then asking to come out and doing it all again.  Maybe it was just that S was swimming and Pearl is turning into a (life) guard dog.   

I wonder if Pearl will be home in time for when niece L comes to visit tomorrow.   Her brother P is currently away on air cadet camp and this is a way of giving her something special to do over the holidays as well. I could be wrong but me thinks there may be a trip to one of the Worlds in our near future!  

Tuesday

Back to work:  Day 2.  People talk about bringing the working week back to 4 days and at the moment that seems like a good idea.  The only problem with that would be that there would be no "Hump Day" (Wednesday) - the one in the middle, where two days have been worked,  and two days remain.   I'm looking forward to Hump Day this week! 

Pearl is still off visiting Nana and hopefully she isn't missing Latimers as much as I'm missing her - I'm sure we all are but I can really only talk for myself.  

The magpie larks have a nest in the three out the front and even though Tink is out there - is she really keeping an eye out for them and looking after their best interests - they don't seem to be bothering each other.

Spot came for a ride in Lars today. L was off on a walk as part of his Kokoda Challenge training and Spot was following him up the lane but L didn't appear to be aware of this. After I passed (telling Spot to "go home" but he doesn't seem to understand that) I kept watch in the rearview mirror and Spot just wasn't turning back. This wouldn't be a worry except Spot has the road sense of ...  well, he has none. I debated what to do as I drove down the lane to Latimers and finally decided the safest thing to do was to take him completely out of harm's way - so I turned around in the driveway at home,  drove back up the lane and bundled Spot into Lars and drove him home.   Even though I could tell he wanted to,  I wouldn't let him drive.   C took charge of him when I let him off at his place but even if she hadn't I thought he would be okay as L was well out of sight and unlikely to be followed.  

S and I went out for dinner at the Advancetown Hotel - and Tuesday is still Poker Night.   We didn't play - although I could have as we aren't doing the usual CSP night tomorrow - we're all off to the movies instead to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.  

Monday

Back to work.   And it's a big of a shock to the system to be leaving Latimers knowing that the rest of the household has not yet risen,  and may not for a. little while yet.  When the alarm went off at half-past-five I was glad I had taken the decision to not sleep in over the holidays (except for yesterday) so I was only getting up half an hour earlier.  

It was good to be back at Crestwood Zarraffas - while I like the Nerang outlet, I'm more used to Crestwood - it's a bit like the Cheers (tv series) theme song ... where everyone knows your name - and your order!  

S was busy back at Latimers today - taking down the Christmas decorations for another year.   It somehow wasn't quite as festive when I arrived home and I am going to miss the little Christmas tree on the table, and the baubles strung from the handles of the built-in bookcase/cupboard.  She did a great job of capturing the Christmas spirit with a minimum of props this year - well done S! 

Pearl is still visiting Nana and I'm not sure when she is coming home.   But she better not be too long because Tink is learning how to come over and greet me when I arrive home - especially appreciated on the first day back of work - although she has to move out of the way of the car first because she's usually lying in the driveway at that time of day - having worked her way around the house and yard in her various positions based on where the sun's shining, or not. 

Sunday

The last day of the holidays dawned fine and sunny but that wasn't enough to keep me up the first time (open the door for the furries) or even the second time (give Beazley and Emma their insulin shots). Each time I checked/reset the alarm and climbed back into bed - leaving the narrowest margin before I needed to be up for the weekly Skype call with T who did "show and tell" now that her "bobblehead" has arrived from the States/China. She was planning to dress like her bobblehead (all in black) when she takes it in to work tomorrow at the Gallery. She was saying that her partner,  T,  is sorry that she didn't order one at the time as well - but,  as an artist,  I wouldn't be surprised if she had a go at making herself one ... and saw if there was enough interest at the Gallery to warrant her going into business producing them. Hmmm, I must suggest that to them - perhaps I could be their first customer - not for me ... there are a couple of important birthdays coming up this year (ending in "0") and the bobbleheads might make a nice gift - especially if they were crafted as "younger" selves.  

The "almost-Markets" at Fi and M's were good and we had our choice of different teas and coffees,  and (thanks!) M even made a run from Zarraffas with the usual Markets coffee order for those who wanted it - as well as a spare for refills.   A was in good form and had brought along her new camera for us to have another play on - and we were just getting into it when the battery went flat - which isn't bad seeing she has been using it a lot since she bought it two weeks ago.   I wish my camera batteries would last that long!  

After brunch some of us settled in to the air-conditioned TV area to watch the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  S, M and I have seen it before and were able to let them know that it is very violent and there would be places where they would want to fast-forward through it (and they did!)  S and I didn't stay till the end of the movie as we wanted to make it to The Big House for High Tea.  They have been doing it in Spinners for the last week to coincide with the Vintage Fair they've been having.   It was nice - although not as nice as the High Tea we'd had at Versace for Mouse's birthday at the end of last year.  But it was a lovely way to mark the ending of the holidays (and to note that a Straight Flush must have gone off at CSP as the pot has dropped by 10% since Thursday). 

The icing on the cake, though, was that we made it back to Latimers in time for me to jump on ROM and mow around the house yard.  We've been a bit worried about snakes of late, and quite rightly as, by all reports, the Gold Coast is having a bumper season for venomous  and non-venomous but still scary (if you happen upon one when you're not expecting it) snakes.   

Saturday

Pearl was in the car as we drove away from Latimers this morning! It must be Saturday - and not raining. It was just a pity that both S and M had given her some cookies already this morning because she does tend to get a little motion sick and was definitely looking a bit off-colour.   M drove very gently around corners,  bends and roundabouts though so she did make it intact. 

We were off to Mouse's to have pancakes in memory of L (it was the third anniversary of her passing today).   It is always sad to remember the life that might have been if she hadn't been taken by cancer so young - and definitely not long enough after she and M had settled at Latimers and the flat paddocks that L had wanted for so long for the horses. 

The usual crowd were there and because they were,  we had thought that we would be missing out on the Markets tomorrow - but as Mi pointed out,  there were other folk we meet at the Markets who we still needed to see.  But because the Markets are being held in the car parks tomorrow,  rather than undercover, the social part of the Markets is being moved to Mi and F's - but a little later so anyone who still wants to do fruit and vegetable shopping at the Markets can still fit that in beforehand. 

Next was Budds Beach where M,  S and I sat and maybe had a little snooze under the trees.   While we were there,  M recognised the man who had given young H his surfing lessons while he was out here.  He was taking a group of teenagers out in the very placid waters of the canals - well,  as long as the jet skis weren't roaring past at well above the knots allowed there.  I can't fathom what makes some drivers think to act responsively and others not! It's the same with drivers of motor vehicles including the man who was roaring down Mouse's street and came quite close to collecting us as we reversed out of Mouse's driveway.  Or the children on the Highway at Surfers Paradise who looked to be a hairsbreadth from toppling into the traffic. luckily she and her little friend did not - and that M is such a good driver! 

It was actually quite a full day, We also fitted in a swim for S,  lunch at the Saigon Palace in Southport, and a walk with Pearl at the Spit - before dropping Pearl back to Mouse's so she could have a sleepover with Nana.  They both like that! And, added bonus,  even though we miss her while she's away, Beazley's food can be left on the floor without fear of Pearl wolfing it down - she is a dog afterall and must follow her instincts! 

Friday

It is getting perilously close to the end of the holidays but there are still three days left and we are going to make the most of them!   I have yet to spend a couple of days with my feet up,  relaxing, but I think I will squeeze in another half a day at some point - but it has been great!  

Today we were off to Robina for a bit of a shop and a look around the stores.   Of course, I usually go to just the two stores - JB Hi-Fi and the Apple Store - unless there is something else I am after but today was not one of those days - oh wait,  I did go to Extreme - to see if they had any mic-ed headphones for the iPhone ...  I lost my last set in Toowoomba and have been using the set I ran over with my chair at work (not working incredibly well in the left ear-piece these days unless you jiggle the jack into exactly the right position). They did - for $20 but I wasn't sure what the quality would be at that price - ah to be more of a gambler!  

Then it was time to join Mouse and M for a movie - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.  We loved it! Even more than the first one.  I was a bit surprised when the critic in one of the local papers totally panned it but luckily we had already seen it by then so we weren't influenced by the bad press. We couldn't believe we had missed one of the very obvious clues in the movie though but take some comfort in knowing it was probably better that we hadn't realised. 

Thursday

Sometimes you just have to prise people out of bed for their own good - and this morning was one of those days.  When the alarm went off at the agreed 7am, S wanted to roll over and go back to sleep but we were at The Big House and the pool was downstairs, and even though she couldn't hear it calling (her), I could.  She loves a swim and since this was one of the rare occasions when the pool was open (it's usually closed when we stay there - and it was due to close this afternoon at 3pm so they can get ready for this weekend's Pool Party),  it seemed a shame to miss out due to a small dose of ... I was going to say lethargy but that's not fair given S was awake for a few hours during the night - but that's even more reason to jump into the pool for an invigorating swim.

She did succumb and she first spa-ed with Atticus and Ajax and their father. It's good to have young ones to go across to press the Spa button when it goes off - and I really didn't mind that it did me (reading the Courier Mail on the iPad) out of a job.  Then it was time for a dip in the pool and she really seemed to enjoy it although the water must have been "bracing" because she didn't linger in there.  

And just as well,  because unbeknownst to us,  M was waiting at Spinners to have breakfast with us.  She had sent a text message to tell us but even though it showed as "delivered" on her iPhone,  it hadn't been.   So it was lucky that S had felt like a raisin toast before we left The Big House otherwise M might still be there. 

I didn't have toast because I was saving myself for Yum Cha with the Banks Family at Mandarin Court,  Mermaid Beach. We haven't seen them for a bit and the kids,  one boy,  one girl,  have grown - and are very cute.   This obviously wasn't their first Yum Cha because N,  the younger one,  just 3,  did a very good job of wielding - and eating with - chopsticks.   Admittedly there was a bit of stab and skewer movement happening but he was still doing it.  They had to be off at 11 so the kids would have a sleep in the car and set them in non-cranky mode for the rest of the day.   

And that seemed like a good enough strategy for us too.   We took ourselves off to Budds Beach and stretched out the picnic rug for S to have a lie-down and,  as it turned out,  a very nice sleep. 

My doughnut obsession is cured - after I was fed to one today.  Of course, it wasn't really a doughnut,  it was an MRI (just to be on the safe side).   I remember joking with the person when I made the appointment when she asked if I was claustrophobic:   "No,  but I do get nervous in small spaces."  That's the problem with jokes ... "many a true word said in jest".   And surprisingly,  it's a waste of energy to have a "fight or flight" response when you're "trapped" in an MRI machine.  All my efforts to mentally put myself in another, happy place failed,  especially when she injected the dye (part of the diagnostic procedure) and told me there was a chance I would get a slight metallic taste in my mouth - what she didn't tell me is that it would be just like the taste I get in my mouth before I throw up.   Joy,  oh joy:  don't hyperventilate, don't scream, don't vomit and try to convince yourself that even with all that cold air, you don't really need to go to the bathroom! It was fantastic when it was over and I really hope that's the only one of those I ever have to have.   While I was in there,  though,  I couldn't help but think of everyone we know (and those we don't) who have been MRI-ed and how difficult it must have been for them,  but that it is fantastic that we have the technology to be able to do such amazing diagnositc imaging. 

Just as we were coming down the drive past N and B's, S received M's text about her being able to feed the cats if we wanted to go and sit near water (it always calms me - hence Budds Beach this morning).  We didn't respond - except for waving as we came in through the gate! 

The CSP jackpot is up to over $ 410,000 now and,  predictably,  it is getting harder,  especially as we are still on holiday break, to get a seat at the table.   The decision to change the  second table to a $15 minimum bet does thin out some of the punters,  but not many,  and given they have been forced to do manual dealing on the other table  - which takes considerably longer (read: forever) than the dealing "machine" - some people seem happy to choose the $ 15 table instead. 

M had a case of yawns in the car on the way home - which she was kind enough to share - and we pondered what causes yawns - because no-one yet seems to have come up with the definitive answer.  Is the brain too hot?  Is it a social phenomenon? Is it boredom (possibly not because parachuting folk have been known to yawn before their first jump). We are no closer to knowing . . .  but we can say that the hares are still about on Gilston Road - or at least "a" hare, as sighted on the way back to Latimers.   

Wednesday

B-I-N-G-O! On a Wednesday, M, S and Mouse take themselves off to one of the local RSL clubs to play Bingo - and because I am still on holidays I was able to go today.   I have been once before but this time I was able to play with one of the PET machines - which basically is an electronic bingo card - but better - because you play 6 games at once and it marks off the numbers - all you have to do is mark off on the machine that the number has been called.   It lets you know when you are one number away from the bingo - regardless of whether it's a Noah's Ark or an Ice Cream or the Full House.   Pretty clever stuff - and it costs no more to play with a PET than it does to play the normal games.   The only additional outlay is 50 cents for the plastic pencil/stylus you use for pushing the button numbers - but you get to keep that so you only need to buy it once,  unless you lose it.   I reckon that if you did,  you could just use the end of a normal biro.   

Winners are grinners ...  but we were doing none of that today as no-one on our table took out any games.  Both M and I were one-off a couple of times (the PETs beeped) but we couldn't convert.  Ah well,  it was as I remembered it,  and while it's good to go from time to time,  I think I would be disappointed if I went weeks without a win.   Luckily,  when the girls play,  they often take home something.   Mouse had a better offer today (Mahjong in Broadbeach) so she didn't play with us ...  maybe she took the table luck with her.  

Lunch was at Daniel Stuart in Southport and that was very yummy.  We were careful not to fill up though because we were due at J's for a BBQ at four this afternoon.   That was good too - and on the way when we stopped at her local supermarket to pick up some sausage and chops,  we found some of Emma's cat tinnies at a fairly reduced price - so we stocked up on them - the 40 odd-tins we had for her before Christmas is starting to dwindle so it was time! 

The BBQ was great - including the new offering from Coles - Flava Sticks - basically minced lamb and beef with some herbs mixed in - on a stick!  And they weren't too bad.  But what is an Aussie BBQ without pavlova - and a taste of that, with ice cream, made a ripper dessert!  

We then headed in to The Big House where M was letting us have her room for the night.  It was wonderful and I finally managed to have the bath I've been wanting since the holidays started - and, probably more surprisingly, to not get sucked into watching late night television from bed.   

M had been thinking about coming back in after feeding the furries and giving Emma and Beazley their insulin, but in the end she was so comfortable she stayed at Latimers and enjoyed the company of Pearl and the cats. 

Tuesday

It's always nice to start the day with a Zarraffas' coffee and a read of the papers and while I do that most days,  it is especially sweet on a day when I don't have to rush off to work afterwards.  This morning rather than reading the papers,  I was working on the puzzles which need to get away today if they are going to make the competition entry deadline.   It's quite different doing more puzzles in the books - and having the chance to do lots of neat writing (almost as invigorating as solving the puzzles for some people!).

M had already left by the time I arrived home - she was going in early to help Mouse prepare for lunch today.  D, J and daughter A who moved to Melbourne last year were back for a visit so Mouse was hosting lunch for them, J's mother and sister, Mi and F,  and us - and A came along too!   It was great to catch-up and to find out that they are settling into life in Melbourne.   They are lucky enough to a tram stop a few doors away from them - convenient but not noisy.   J has recently changed jobs - and has gone from working in a private practice to taking on a role in a single company.  He finds it quite strange not to have to track time (the charging unit in private firms) and to have moved from a walled office environment into open plan.   S was trying to remember what the theory behind open plan offices was but neither she nor the rest of us could. Was it supposed to foster better communication and teamwork? It's certainly more economical - you don't need to put up as many walls,  and wiring communications is probably cheaper as well.  

We had taken our togs/cossies/swimmers with us and after lunch S was the only one to take the opportunity to jump into M's pool for a dip. It did look wonderful and she seemed to enjoy it very much.  At this stage,  we'll get to have a swim tomorrow as well (we're going up to J's for a BBQ in the afternoon) - and maybe on Thursday as well when D and C come down from Brisbane to play in the ocean - which they've been doing a bit over the Christmas break.  

Post-lunch,  it was back to Latimers to feed the animals and settle in for a quiet evening at home.   I am working my way through Primeval (just starting Season 2) and S is catching up with her lifestyle programs - and an episode of Modern Family.   

I don't think I mentioned that L from next door is in training to do the Kokoda Challenge in a couple of months.   We spotted him out on one of his training walks on the way back from Mouse's today - he was making good progress along the main road and having a chat on his mobile phone as he powered along.  

We couldn't have been more pleased with the furries tonight.   S had taken herself off to bed to listen to a podcast, and as I was wandering through the house,  between little jobs,  I realized that the cats were waiting to come in - all within 10 minutes of each other - so lockdown was achieved by 9:15!  I didn't wander off to bed for a while after that, but it was good to know that the cats and Pearl were all tucked up safe and sound - and that the local wildlife is safe for another evening! 

Monday

Fruit salad for breakfast!   M made a huge batch and even though I had been planning tomstart my day with carbs,  I couldn't resist! 

Most of Australia is having a Public Holiday today (for New Years Day) but in most places - except Government Offices and most big companies - it is business as usual.   And thank goodness that was the case at the laundromat because we had two weeks worth of washing to do.   I can only just remember that it was raining before we left on the Great Trek South so we did leave some washing behind,  undone, which had to be done - along with the holiday washing - except for the towels M had done in our absence - thank you M.

We were lucky enough to find three machines available - three loads,  three machines - and had almost enough change but needn't have worried because there was a Change Machine right there - on the wall,  above the machines, and amost unreachable by vertically-challenged individuals like me. Even S couldn't reach it but luckily,  thanks to the kindness of strangers (even if the gentleman who did it for us admitted he had been having a chuckle at our predicament) notes were changed to coins and as the wash was in progress we went off for a read of the paper and a cup of coffee.  And what a cup of coffee it was ... the  quest for the coming year is to have at least a couple more that are as perfect as this one.  I'm not sure what combination of forces was at play here but from the first sip it was ... magnificent! 

I tried a new dish at lunchtime - Nasi Lemac - which was interesting but I'm not sure I would have it again.   The pickled vegetables were good, and the rendang, but I am not a big fan of rice (have to work on that) or, as S reminded me, whitebait.   

Washing done, we settled in to a relax at home and while I thought of the things I could be doing, I settled for "being" instead - and catching up on some computer stuff. 

Tink wasn't around at lockdown so I looked for her a couple of times before I followed S to bed. Just as I was about to give up - I was ready to lock the front door - I saw Tink's little face peering at me through the glass near the back door. She seemed more than happy to come in - a nice change! 

Sunday

S had offered to feed Emma and give her her shot this morning so I slept in. It was wonderful after the big drive up from Kurri Kurri and the late night last night - not entirely due to ringing in the New Year. When I climbed into bed, Emma decided she should come in too and proceeded to spend at least the next half hour trying to get comfortable on my back, my front, my side, beside me -and so on until finally I fell asleep - but not before she had left a couple of claw marks ("help me, I'm falling off") on my chest. 

Both Pearl and M were gone by the time I finally emerged  - and for a while I couldn't find S who it turned out was off making telephone calls at the other end of the house.

But what to do with the day? We decided breakfast and a good coffee was a "must" and the idea of a movie was also floated. Which is how we made it to Milan (Tedder Ave, Main Beach) to join Mouse and M for a late and very yummy breakfast - and then caught up with them again this afternoon at the Arts Centre for The Iron Lady.    The film was magnificent but I am still trying to work out some of the messages - including grief, separation, absolute power, and driving ambition - and seizing opportunities and not forgetting the folk who love you, care for you and rely on you. l am also determined to find out more about Maggie Thatcher and her tenure as British Prime Minister - and wonder about possible parallels to be drawn, now and in the future, between MT and Julia Gillard.

L was feeding the horses when we drove in - and there were two more than there were this morning when we left.   He had borrowed the four-wheel drive to bring back Holly and the (as-yet-unnamed) foal - what a cutie!   

Lockdown was achieved by 9:30 this evening and the furries didn't seem to mind, except for Maggie who did want to go out again but wasn't allowed.   Pearl is staying overnight with Mouse so there was no chance of the feline furries escaping (as they sometimes try to) when Pearl goes outside before bedtime!  Even though we do miss her, especially since she was here only last night and we had been away the previous week, it is good she is having a "sleepover with Nana".