Tuesday

The Choir ... moments away.

How could I have got it so wrong? Who knew that a lovely evening out listening to Kings College Choir would turn pear-shaped even before we left the house. It was my fault (sorry Sooz) but right from the start when I booked the tickets I just couldn't get it into my head when the concert was on. At first I thought it was on on 27 July but in the middle of July Sooz said to me ... was I sure? I checked - yes, I was sure, but the concert was on the 29th. Okay, at least we hadn't missed it. But, that didn't mean the possibility wasn't there. I had prepared Sooz for a 5:45 leave from home, we'd do the drive to Brisbane (in no-name-car), have a leisurely dinner and be in our seats for when the concert started at 8:30. Luckily I checked the tickets when I arrived home ... the concert started at 7 - and it was already just after 5. Panic? Panic? Yes, of course I went into a panic. It takes an hour to drive to Brisbane at the best of times, and if there was any kind of traffic blockage, there was a good chance we wouldn't make it in time. Especially when I grabbed the GPS from Lars and then realised there wasn't a cigarette lighter in the car - so nowhere to plug in the flat GPS. Sooz did find one likely candidate but I was fairly sure (and wrong as it turns out) that it wasn't it. Anyway, I had my iPhone and Siri (and Sooz) came to the rescue. We made it to QPAC, parked the car, and were in our seats with three (yes, only three) minutes to spare.

The concert was amazing ... they sang Faure's Requim - which Me and Be had at their wedding ... it is an amazingly wonderful piece and those voices just carried it to the sky.

We did manage to have supper at the little place outside QPAC before we drove home. And because the concert wasn't as late as I thought it would be, we were home well before midnight. But it was totally amazing and wonderful ... and I can't imagine how much better it would have been had I managed to get the details right.

 

Monday

The Prius!

Well ... the day is finally here ... time to pick up the new car. I wonder how long it will take before it has a name. It is a thing of beauty and I have not a jot of buyer's remorse. I was worried that I would have because it isn't often that I make a decision so quickly! Anyway, there she was, waiting for me when I arrived at the dealership this afternoon ... replete with big red bow. And the bow was big ... massive ... which is just another way of me trying to say that it is a "big" car ... although we all know that the Prius isn't really. But it is roomy and as soon as I sat in it (again) I felt as though I have been driving it forever. It's not often I feel like that when I first get into a vehicle ... there's always the tension of thinking it is a "different" vehicle and the worry associated with it. Mind you, I think there may have been a bit of that had I not made sure it was fully insured before it left the showroom!

Trivia tonight and Fl rang later in the afternoon to say that he wouldn't be able to make it. That left we three - Sooz, An and me. Thank goodness we picked up our game in the second half otherwise it could have been rather embarrassing to show our faces there again next week - and we would have had to think of something to tell the other team members!

We arrived home just as MasterChef was finishing - literally - because when Sooz turned on the television,, the final score was being shown - and the winner was known! I didn't see it - and at that stage, knowing we are having a late night tomorrow, I decided I would ask Sooz. Come to think of it, I went to bed last night before we knew who had made it through to the Final!

Night night car with no name (yet).

 

Sunday

We met the others (sans boys) at the Isle of Capri markets today fir a catch-up this morning. It is the first time Sooz and I have seen Mouse since she returned from overseas - and the first time we have seen Mi and Em for a few weeks. Everyone was looking good but, based on the price of the coffee (thanks Mouse for shouting) everyone agreed that our usual Markets are much better value for money. We couldn't stay chatting though as Sooz, Syl, An and I - and M as well as it turned out - were off to the property inspection. As it turned out An and Syl were as concerned about the stairs as I, and they had another couple of issues, so it was a thumbs-down from them. Sooz, who had fallen in love with the setting and that it was a Harry Seidler-designed complex, was disappointed (palpably so) but on speaking with the agent it appears that there may be ground floor units becoming available in the complex soon. In the meantime, the agent knew of another property near Bundall Road so Sooz and I did a drive past this afternoon and Sooz is going to go for a look with M on Wednesday morning on the way to Aqua.

It was a shame Az wasn't able to make it to coffee this morning because by this time next week, she and Mi will be well on their way to the other side of the world. I cannot believe home quickly time passes. It sometimes seems that no sooner has one lot of travellers has returned than another lot is on the way. Did I mention that Nu and Va are overseas already - and have been for a few weeks now.

It was the MasterChef Semi-Final this evening and we crowded round the television set to cheer on our favourites ... which they almost all are at the moment. It's sad that tomorrow night is Trivia because that means we won't be able to watch the final in real time ... but Sooz will tape it so we'll be able to watch it later. And it won't matter if we know who wins ... it's the journey that will be important.

Saturday

Syl was saying she felt underdressed today at the Pistol Club. She had stumbled in on a scene where everyone (except her) was dressed in gear from the American old west - bodices, chaps, holsters. Welcome to the Wild West shooting competition - the same competition that had closed the Pistol Club for the weekend. I had already decided not to go to shooting today - I had thought tomorrow might be a possibility - but not to be. Which is probably good because we're meeting Mouse and others at the Isle of Capri as the Markets are not happening at the Turf Club tomorrow as the Camping and Caravan Show is on.

M came home with news last night that The Big House was having a breakfast special today - half price - so we met there after she'd been to Deep Water Running. It was a good breakfast - their toast is definitely the best - before Sooz and I went off to have a look at a property in Broadbeach (not for us) and then at a Harry Seidler-designed property in Broadbeach Waters. That wasn't too bad - M came to have a look as well - and we're going back tomorrow to have another look - taking Syl and An with us this time.

This afternoon was fairly quiet. We spent it at home with the furries. S hadn't slept well last night so she had a nap while I pretended to myself that I was being productive. I did catch up with some reading though so I was fairly pleased with that.

No surprise that we didn't go out this evening ... it is Saturday night afterall.

Friday

There was more car stuff today, this time organising payment. Quite naively, I had thought it would just be a matter of transferring money from our account to the car folk - but the computer said no. Well the bank's website said no. So, a quick call later and I was off to Robina in search of a bank cheque. It took a little longer than expected - and it would have been longer had I stayed on the Motorway taking my chances with the roadworks traffic ... but I know better than that.

Cockatoos!

This afternoon after work, I dropped back into the Car Folk and handed over the cheque - so I wouldn't have to mind it over the weekend. So, it's all done - paid for, insurance organised - and we just have to wait to pick it up on Monday after the windows have been tinted, the fabric treated, the paintwork protected ... and the gift from M added.

Thank goodness work isn't going to get ultra busy again until, next week - it's been good to have the chance and space to be distracted by the car this week without doing it at EOM.

The house was quiet again this morning as I left except for Pearl who was hoping there would be more breakfast cookies for her. That wasn't going to happen of course, but that doesn't stop her from asking - and she wpuldn't be Pearl if she didn't ask. That Tinka was a bit naughty this. morning. She ate all the broth out of Maggie's breakfast before Maggie even saw it. This is the second time she has done that this week ... and still she hasn't found her way back into the bedroom!

Sooz had a quiet day at home - doing washing and other house stuff and letting thr furries keep her company. Meanwhile, M was back at JPs - her first time since she and Mouse arrived back. Afterwards, she met Mouse and Az for lunch ... and at some point the car was mentioned because I had a text from Az saying she was driving behind a Prius "Nice. Congrats".

Nothing like a good square meal!

It was a bit disappointing MasterChef wasn't on tonight but at least Sooz was able to watch The Living Room while I caught up with some of my series. It's nice to have a quiet Friday evening in.

I still haven't decided whether I will go off shooting in the morning ... but that is a decision I can make in the morning.

Did I mention the cockatoos have been back? They've been having a feed of lemons straight off the tree - I say that because the last year when I saw them at the tree, a couple would fly into the tree a d snip the stem so the lemon would fall to the ground and then others would take a bite ... but this time the lemon, with a bite taken out of it is still on the tree. And something, hopefully besides Pearl, has been taking bites off the avocados. That might be the cockatoos as well.

 

Thursday

Some of the best things Sooz and I do happen on an 11 day. One of us is a 4 (numerically) and the other is a 7 so together we make 11. Today was an 11 day and it's no surprise then that we bought a car! Yes, I went from stalking parking lots over the last couple of days, peering into the windows of vehicles to see what their interior/consoles were like, to deciding last night that I wanted a Prius. I rang the Toyota Dealership today - to find out that yes, they did have a Prius in stock - and, even better, they were in the middle of a four-day sale. Excellent!

I went for a test drive at lunchtime - was very pleased, and put a deposit down before I left the showroom ... purchase conditional on Sooz and the passenger seat - she has to feel comfortable in it and to be able to get in and out of the vehicle easily. She was off at work with Jen today, with M picking her up around 4, so we arranged for Sooz to meet me at Maccas - just across the lane from the Toyota dealership.

I was already there, getting insurance quotes, when they arrived, and all three of us went over to see the Prius C ... which had a "sold" sign on it by that stage. I hadn't mentioned to Sooz that I'd put a deposit on but she couldn't have been happier! She and M had a test seat in it (and was that a breathing in of new car smell I saw happening in there as well?) and once Sooz agreed that it was "good", I sent them over to Maccas to have a celebratory coffee while I did the doings. Purchase car ... tick.

It was the last night of MasterChef for the night and Sooz and I sat down to watch it ... and M joined us later when she took a break from cleaning out her wardrobe. She says she still has a way to go ... but she seems to have made a good start.

I had to coax Pearl out of M's room this morning. Cookies did the trick ... just holding them outside the room and letting them fall back into the bowl. Pearl was out like a flash. I hate having to do that to her ... but she does know she will get a treat when we get back from our walk ... and she wasn't disappointed.

Blaze and his paddock mate were horsing around again this morning - but not landing any bites this time. They seem to hang around down near the fence a lot ... they must like the company.

Wednesday

The whole house was asleep when I crept out this morning. I think I managed to do that quietly ... although nothing much else could have been described as that. Why is it that the more you try to do things quietly, the more noise you make. Throw the deodorant can on the floor ... don't mind if I do. Slam the bathroom door ... okay! I felt much better once I was out of the house and making my noise somewhere else. I shouldn't have worried though because no-one seemed to have been roused.

I was glad the morning routine was in tact this morning ... let Maggie out, let Pearl out, feed Tinka and give her her shot, let Pearl in to eat the leftovers (if there are any), put Maggie's little broth breakfast down the back for when she comes in, watch Tinka lick the broth off Maggie's breakfast, let Maggie in.

It was business as usual for Sooz and M today - Ferry Road, Aqua, lunch with Mouse ... or it would have been if Mouse hadn't slept in ... she didn't have a good nap yesterday afternoon - so they had lunch with Mi - at a cafe across the road from Fl's new office. Fl didn't join them - and when Mi had phoned to check the girls were still coming, I could hear him in the background saying he knew what it was like - to miss out on lunch too.

Still (and don't tell them this) I didn't mind because I was comparison shopping for cars ... ie walking around the Worongary Town Centre car park looking at the different cars I have been researching on the net. I have it down to a possible five so far ... and once I have knocked a couple off the list I will be ready to start organising test drives for me ... and test passengering for Sooz. Both very important!

It was MasterChef again tonight - this time to see who would progress straight into the semi-finals ... and who would be in the elimination tomorrow night - with the other two going straight into the semi-finals. That leaves three for the semi-finals ... so it doesn't seem as though it will be the traditional play-offs with winners battling it out. It will be interesting to see if the one we love to "hate" will make it through to the semis.

Day 2 of M's return and Maggie has moved into her bedroom. We may never see her again in the evenings ... once she's holed up in there, she doesn't seem to want to move. She had the bed to herself a bit longer tonight though ... Sooz and M were watching one of the final episodes of Offspring for this season ... ever, actually, because word is that it hasn't been renewed. Sad days ... because it will be a while until the next season of Last Tango in Halifax comes back on Australian screens.

Tuesday

The travellers are back! They touched down just before 7:30 this morning and FI went up to collect them and drop them off at Mouse's. From there, Mi collected M and brought her back to Latimer's where Pearl, Sooz, Maggie (and Tinka) welcomed her home with a nice cup of tea.

Blaze and Pearl

M must have been tired from the trip because she went for a nap and woke some hours later - when it was dark - thinking she had slept round the clock (can you still say that and have it make sense in this digital age?). Sooz was cooking dinner when M came out and for just a moment, M thought Sooz was cooking breakfast for me before I went off to work. Hmmm ... we all know there's no time for that in the morning ... especially now that I have trained the folk at Zarraffas to put two butters in with my toast. And they manage to get it in there with the hot toast without it melting. Now I just have to train myself to have only half of the second butter and put the rest in the fridge for the next day. It's just about getting the ratios right.

But poor M was a bit concerned that she had slept through ... but she hadn't so she was able to have dinner with us (Sooz had made a yummy spaghetti) and watch MasterChef - and see just how much one of this year's contestants is not liked by Sooz!

The furries seem very happy to have their mother back and there was no question of Maggie coming into our room tonight - even though we have the Electric Blanket to offer ... seems the heater in M's room beats that hands-down.

It was music to my ears too when M officially released me from cat tray duty ... in the time that I've been doing it, there have only been three times when the cats hadn't used the tray by when it was time to clean it out ... and yes, I had worked out a scoring system for them to keep myself seeing it as "a game". But I was happy to do it ... and it's only one of the reasons we're pleased to have M back.

 

Monday

Who knew it could go from triple-layer weather to quite warm within the space of a day or two. When Pearl and I set off down the lane this morning, after a quick hello with Blaze, I was in shirt sleeves and Pearl was naked! And we weren't frozen or even with chattering teeth when we returned. I managed to keep my next layer off until I was settled at work... I don't know what it is about the configuration of that building but some days it just gets cooler and cooler! But I'm not complaining! We have night works on at the moment and the guys were saying this afternoon how bitterly cold it was at 2am this morning - and they would have been outside as well!

It was all hands on deck today - the last day before the travellers arrive home - and there were a few of last-minute things to see to. Je came as planned, and Syl popped in as well, so it was a regular hive of activity at Latimers.

Trivia was a good antidote although it would have been a little better had we been within cooee of that Podium. The scores overall were quite low - nothing in the 70's at all, and we did less than splendidly in both our bonus rounds and in the definitely non-bonus "All things sport". Where are St and Ni when you need them?

Furries at rest

The girls filling in for Craig moved the game along at a lively and compelling pace which was good because we had MasterChef to watch when we arrived home - and by then it was already nudging 9:30.

The good news was that the travellers had landed safely in Hong Kong and had only a few hours if waiting (and thanks for the shopping efforts M!) before they could board their flight for the last leg home.

We think the animals know they are on the way - especially now that M's bed has been made up with flannelette sheets (hopefully that will make it warm enough.

 

Sunday

Sooz insisted on watching "60 Minutes" tonight - which gave an unbiased report on convicted wife killer Gerard Baden-Clay. - from the viewpoint of women he had come into contact with - like his mistress and a woman he had had dealings with on the Gold Coast and who he had apparently told he was after someone to kill his wife.

It made quite sombre viewing after MasterChef - where it is the start of Finals week and one of the contestants has already gone home. Only six (or five) to go now. Only Tinka and Pearl saw that though, Maggie was already tucked up in bed. Is it possible she has reached her MasterChef limit?

This was where everyone was when I went off to shooting this morning. I'd already had the Skype call with Tr and waved to Sooz as she went back into the bedroom with Maggie.

I think this was Wild West.

It was "Steel Challenge" this morning; something neither Syl nor I have done before. Steel plates were involved - arranged around the stage as per the official instructions. We all helped set up - carrying the target stands (a bit like mobile basketball hoop holders) from the shed to the range. As this was the first Steel Challenge for us, we now have a benchmark. And I think we both went quite well. Syl was amazing in the second round - 25 shots, 25 hits. Bravo! She'd have to be happy with that!

And Sooz was very happy with Ferry Road for lunch. She had Lemon Butter Fish and a taste of my Calamari; we finished with a coffee and cake. Then it was home for a quiet afternoon* and the possibility of a phone call from M. The call didn't come but we did get to see the photograph of the Family Lunch she posted on FaceBook with the caption "Enjoying lunch with all of the family before returning to winter!!!" Here's hoping they have a speedy and trouble-free journey home.

* Who knew there could be so much research, comparison shopping and consternation involved with something like shopping for a car. I know its a first-world problem and I should be happy to have it but when I think about it, my other cars have just "been there" and this (and yes, that would be making the decision) is a whole new Territory! The good news is that I think I am going to do a bit better on the car questions at Trivia now.

 

Saturday

Syl was out and about doing "support" things for a mate who is doing an overnight endurance run today. Initially she was going to be free for shooting but a fire in the area where the "run" is happening meant there had been some changes to the course so to be on the safe side, Syl and An were going to be available all day to go where they were needed with soup and other supplies.

Whale

So, I decided not to do shooting today - especially as there is an NRA "Steel Challenge" (whatever that is) on tomorrow morning … and without the Market on, I can make it without that feeling of missing out.

This morning, for a change then, there was time for a later start - after the early morning furry patrol that is … and that was very nice for a change. If I had thought on it for a moment longer when I got up, I would have left my electric blanket on … but that was okay since Maggie had warmed up my spot by the time I went back. Sooz asked me if I had any plans for the day … and then when I said "no", she asked, a few beats later, if there was anything I wanted to do today. I said I thought that was the same thing. Totally unrelated to this, it turns out that Sooz had decided that she wanted to see "Gardening for Soul" again at 9:45 and while it was a bit of a rush, we did manage to get there. I dropped Sooz off and went to Harvey Norman for a little impromptu whale sighting. It was funny, Sooz and I had only been talking about whale-watching on the way in. The whale I saw wasn’t a real whale. It was a wire/chain link sculpture on the back of a small truck -definitely not something I had expected to see in the car park.

Sooz thoroughly enjoyed her movie again - even though she did go to sleep for a little bit in there. She wasn't sure how long she was asleep for but it didn't matter because she was still cross with herself. I'm familiar with that feeling - where you are trying to stay awake but regardless of how hard you try, you're not able to.

We swung by the Post Office on the way home and there was more mail from "the friends" for M; it looks as though she has an invitation to something ... anyway that's what we're thinking that big gold envelope means.

Whale

I'm not saying it is cold tonight, but after watching "New Tricks" with us while we had our dinner Tinka decided to go out. She took only a couple of steps though before turning around and coming back - obviously deciding there was nothing she had to do that was that pressing. By that time Maggie had already been in bed for some time and was starting to get impatient waitiing for the blankets to be turned on!

Sooz and I can definitely take a hint so we called it an early night - quite strange for us on a Saturday night ... no, wait, who am I kidding ... The strange thing would be if we did go out or stay up late on a Saturday!

 

Friday -

Well, you don't go fo Maccas for a couple of weeks and things change ... a lot. Where there used to be one drive thru lane, there are now two! It seems so cramped driving around the building now - and I can't help wonder if it going to increase or decrease the speed of service.

I wonder if the morning crew are still around - it's been ages since I was there on the way to work! And, definitely, Jo and Lynn do make the best coffee: the fare this afternoon, while passable, is nothing to write home (or on the blog) about!

When I woke this morning it occurred to me that it would be a great opportunity for a mental health day - work has calmed down a bit and while we are doing MOM reconciliation, there's nothing there that can't wait until after the weekend. The sticking point, though, was we were having a meet with someone from Head Office. D'oh ... so off to work I went. I suppose it says something about the nature of life, the universe and everything that the meet didn't happen, but that Chan was not well and didn't come in today, and as AC wasn't in because she is with her mother (who is about to have reconstructive face surgery after a tumour removal some months back) ... I was the only one in Admin! Would Admin be any competition for StableLand in the "happiest kindgom of them all"? Computer says no!

It was gorgeous weatherwise today. At halftime, I ate my lunch in the car, reading "Doctor Sleep", and soaking up the warmth of the sun beating through the windscreen. Mmmmmm. Nice. I could have sat at the tables outside the office, but there had been a bit of a wind about all morning ... and, besides, we all know that when Bridgette ate her lunch outside on her first day, she was bitten by something and was in hospital overnight for observation. Yep, better to be in the car.

OfficeWorks has missed me but I called in there this afternoon to drop off some empty toner cartridges, in their Planet Ark program, and to see what new things they've stocked since my last big walk around there. Suffice to say, I didn't need to buy a bag to take my things home ... although I did manage to find an iPad cover for Sooz at a very good price. That was her "surprise" for the day ... although for a moment there it looked like it might be a chicken - and who knew that chickens are the most common bird in the world? (We would have been wrong with our answer of "pigeons", but I don't think that would have been a bad guess.)

Pearl had held on to her Musical Chairs from last night, and today, as Sooz was having her lunch, Pearl took up her position on the other couch. It's good to see her moving a bit more freely because after she's been lying on the cold tiles at night - and she moves there herself from her bed - she is obviously stiff and has a little trouble walking until she frees up again.

Tinka's bloods came back. Her glucose reading on the day was high (as we all expected) but her fructosamine was with the "fair control range" (although towards the bottom end of it). There also looked to be some evidence of dehydration on the day (Sooz has no idea how this can be the case as all the furries could "drink for Australia") which may necessitate a urine test in the next little while. Otherwise, no issues. The Tev is going to have a chat with Son on Monday to see if she thinks Tinka should be put up to 12 ... given the 11 dose seems to have made some difference.

There was no MasterChef tonight - they'll be back on Sunday night - so we had to make do with "The Living Room" - although lots of the stations were having extended news programs with coverage of the air tragedy in the Ukraine. Very sad and utterly unfathomable.

Thursday - Play Misty for Me

It was a magic morning at Latimers this morning with a heavy but perfect mist hanging over the Valley. It makes for a chance to see the world differently and to truly appreciate things… even the seemingly tiniest things like being able to see where you're going. How hard would it be to take Pearl for a walk if we didn't know which way home was? And it gives the imagination a chance to run free (possibly even "wild") for a while - and to again wonder why author Stephen King had agreed to change the ending of "The Mist" the movie from the original story - perhaps not for the better.

The mist had burned off by the time I made it into Nerang - mostly. The sun rise behind what was left though was sensational - and just another reason I need a handsfree camera in the car - you can't be taking photographs while driving, cresting a hill and being dazzled by nature's beauty - and the glare of the rising sun. But, as I said … magic.

Not much can ruin a day that starts like that.

Gerni Girl!

Sooz had an industrious and fruitful day and even though she initially didn't want to pose with her handiwork, she acquiesced making sure she and the Gerni were showing their good sides. She did an amazing job on the back area … but I was surprised she didn't mention whether she had seen the very large spider we had relocated there last night. (While we now know that there are, at least in America, some folk who chase spiders with aerosol spray cans and fire - burning down their homes in the process - we take the gentler approach with the spider-catcher and taking them away from the living areas.)

The gerni patrol had happened in part while Je was busy inside with the cleaning, and while Syl was up the back playing in StableLand. While some people may believe that Disneyland (which opened 59 years ago this month - possibly even today) is the happiest kingdom of them all - StableLand could give it a run for its money if the choice were Syl's!

Sooz, very concerned that her hair has taken on a life of its own, went for a trim in Nerang this evening. It is hard for her when she has to rely on other folk to get her around and while everyone has been pitching in, it does get to her sometimes. But it's a great haircut - and to celebrate (read: avoid cooking and washing up on a Thursday night), it was off to the Advancetown Hotel for dinner; a decision helped by it being "Roast Night"! Alas, the varieties only spread to beef and "meat", so both Sooz and I went with the Crumbed Cutlets.

Musical chairs

Thursday night Trivia was on and we listened and played with the answers rather than actually entering the competition. One of my favourites questions was another anagrams question - this time: what other two seven letter words can you get from MARINES. Sooz pounced on the first word quite quickly, but then it took a bit longer to come up with the second one … it is definitely there! We didn't stay until the end of Trivia as it was the last elimination round of MasterChef and we knew the furries would want to watch it - although we had hoped it wouldn't be in real time - because the only thing there's more of in MasterChef than cooking is … ads. To keep us busy during those ads, we played a quick round or two of Musical Chairs. Pearl has lost a bit of confidence but she is still able to make it on to the couch - much to Tinka's surprise when she went to reclaim her seat … and there was Pearl! Thank goodness there was plenty of room for both of them!

 

 

Wednesday

It was another gloriously warm morning at Latimers - something to do with the continuing cloud cover no doubt. And the cloud wasn't leaving us - we had a fair bit of rain during the day - with each fresh shower preceded but a several degrees drop in temperature.

I spoke with Sooz this morning (taking a break from the accounts) just as she was getting in to An's car to go to Aqua. So we didn't chat for long and I swear I was dragging my feet as I went back in to the office. I could think of a whole heap of things I would rather have been doing today rather than accounts - especially since we are hard at work on the MOM* now - and it just seems that we haven't really had time to draw breath since the EOM.

I had thought Je might come today but as far as anyone knows, it looks like tomorrow now.

Tinka went to the Tevs this afternoon for her fructosamine test and her annual vaccination. She was very good - hardly crying on the way in - but she really couldn't get a word in edgeways with me prattling on. She has put on weight - .03 kg - and her temperature seemed to be fine. The Tev did ask me if Tinka always made a noise when breathing - she apparently has a slight wheeze - but she didn't seem concerned especially when I suggested she check with Tinka's real mother when she gets back next week. Tinka did her trick again tonight though - and I always love it when she does - when the Tev has their back turned writing up their notes on the computer, Tinka climbs back into her box - making no noise at all - so when the Tev turns around she is ready to go! It still seems to surprise them - since she has to step on the edge of the cage to get in - not making a noise and not tipping the cage over either!

The Tev will give a call when the bloods are back: and that will be the full bloods not just the fructosamine.

MasterChef is in its second last week and we've been watching the final lot playing with Heston all week. It has been a truly amazing experience for them - some exceptional learning opportunities with an emotional roller coaster ride for some of them. The great thing about this year's contestants is that, for the most part, they are all nice folk - personally and in company.

The furries are still watching with us ... and the only one who is constant with her viewing position is Tinka. She seems to have forgiven me the Tev visit and jumped up on the couch with me this evening for her "special time".

*Middle of Month.

Tuesday

It rained overnight and a little bit as I was waking up but it had stopped sufficiently so Pearl and I could go for our walk. The boy horses were waiting by the fence as usual and I thought about giving the more friendly (now there's a bit of anthropomorphism!) one a name - and even as I thought "Blaze" I realised that I was almost living that "why do you ask two dogs" joke.

The rain has kept the temperature up a little and I'm curious to see how long it will be before I need my jumper again.

Grande with seven sugars! It is incredible what you hear at Zarraffas. It was a bit busier this morning - I must have mistimed my visit because a group of six young-ish people flowed through the door just before me - which would have been okay had I not been juggling wallet, thermo, change and ZCard - and if the young man relaying his order to his "woman" (in front of me) had actually had at least a tiny clue as to what he wanted! Still, it gives folk a chance to practice tolerance! And some of us need all the help we can get!

There was a fantastic sunset this evening! All big and pink and amazing - helped by some cloud cover - so no moon viewing for us this evening - well not until much later anyway!

Big numbers

Syl was out at the ranch again today - she was up the back and on mowing down the bottom yard I think I heard S say. - or was that Monday? Again, it was dark when I arrived back at Latimers (finally managed to get to the grooming station) so I couldn't really see the changes.

There's a big new sign out where the lane meets the road - I am curious as to why it needs to be quite so big but it will serve as a useful landmark for anyone coming to Earth … oops, I meant to the Valley. I have to keep a watch out so I can check to see if it is reflective at night … and it was good to see it's far enough back not to be in harm's way if we have another person losing control on the corner (not that it's happened more than the once but it doesn't hurt to be cautious).

Monday

Can anyone smell something burning? That would be me after leaving the electric blanket on 3 (it's top setting) as I fell asleep last night. I'm not sure what time it was when I woke up - turning off the blanket, and thinking about moving to another bed until my side cooled down.

It continued warm generally though ... it was so warm this morning I felt silly putting on my Sydney coat to take Pearl down the lane. But there was a bit of a wind blowing so I thought it was better to be safe than sorry ... or cold! I didn't keep the coat on much longer than the walk though - and even though it is usually freezing in the office, there were no coats - okay a couple of vests - but most of us were just in our oranges.

Ms Windsucker - UniP - was at it again this morning as Pearl and I walked by. It really is an amazing noise she makes - and I definitely wouldn't want to be alone, in the dark, late and night, when I heard it not knowing what it was! Scary stuff!

Trivia was good tonight. 19 teams and 91 people I think Craig said. We managed only a fourth with 71 points! But it was a good game ... especially since Ni was back, however briefly, from France. She's heading back over there on Thursday ... so it's really a flying visit. So, all up we were five, with the only one of the usual team missing being St who is still in France and, according to Ni, is living the dream - cycling, golf and good food!

She came carrying goodies too - French cheese - and some French gingerbread ... and we are still working out what to do about the next bit ... as she unwrapped the cheese and Sooz and An were each having a slice, someone on staff at the Southport RSL Club came over and said "you can't do that" - meaning, as he went on to say, that you can't bring food into the club. Ni tried to say that it was a treat she had just brought back from France - but he was adamant that if he let us, everyone would want to do it. He would not even listen when we tried to explain that we weren't depriving the Club of any revenue ... four of the five of us were having Club meals. It just wasn't good enough really ... and Sooz and I are talking about whether to and how to take it further. At this rate, I said to Sooz, it means you wouldn't be able to bring your own birthday cake into the Club! Well, you could but you wouldn't be able to eat it there!

And just back onto Trivia ... Murray Grey is a type of cattle; the MX5 and CX5 are types of Mazda ... and even though we could go on, I'm not going to.

Broadbeach Sink hole

The big news on the Gold Coast yesterday was that a huge sinkhole has opened on (and closed) the Highway at Broadbeach. It may be three days before it is fixed! We missed it completely, even though we were about a stone's throw from it when we were at The Big House yesterday. Thank goodness we had gone the back way! And that we hadn't chosen to go to the GCAC via the main highway!

We now have a copy of M's and Mouses' itineraries for their trip home - and it won't be long before they're back. It was great to get a letter with the itinerary too (thanks M!).

 

Sunday

Top Twins

I was suitably impressed with the Top Twins the other night and as well as their act itself, one of the reasons was the staging. It was incredibly simple but allowed for them to do costume changes right there on the stage as we all watched on. Their changes were done behind a screen - lit from behind so all we saw was their shadows. As Sooz said later, it would have been good if they had done something "more" with this, and by "more" we know she meant "naughty". Having seen their act and the amount of naughtiness in it, I definitely think it was a missed opportunity!

We had a quiet morning at home - not missing the Markets really until we received a call mid-morning-ish from Mi letting us know she had just had a call from the newly-returned from Fr Ni who was sitting with Ca out in the sun at an empty table at the Markets with a plate of French cheese and no-one to share it with. There is a definition of sadness!

Sad French people with cheese

We were at The Big House for lunch. Sooz had the Osso Bucco Spinners Special; I had the All Day Breakfast. The place was packed too and, even though I had thought there might be, there were no "missing gamers'' posters to be seen. The Swipestakes, due to end an 7 July, has now been extended to month-end and there is a new promotion running on Sundays in July where punters have a chance to win a new car or take the cash ($20,000) instead.

Sooz made it to her movie this afternoon - this is the one she would have seen yesterday morning had it not been too cold to get out of bed. "Gardening with Soul" is a movie-length documentary, with very good reviews, about a 90 year old Nun who ... gardens - and gardening as we know can be a metaphor for many things. Sooz loved it!

Tasted nicer than it looks!

We're still getting used to looking out the front gate and seeing horses there! The boys seem to like hanging out just near the fence, no doubt wanting to keep an eye on the girls over in the next paddock, and share any excitement the Latimers' furries have to offer.

It was a bit cooler when we left the Arts Centre this afternoon - and the furries were just a little hungry (we were running just a bit behind their schedule) by the time we arrived home. They were good though - we survived getting into the house with our lower extremities intact. After their dinner, the kids gathered with Sooz to watch the news and get ready for MasterChef where the special guest chef for this week is Heston B.

We're not sure if Syl came out today or not - it was too dark by the time we arrived home to be able to check for changes ... I think she may have still been a bit tender from her Friday - helping Mauz with her trees ... it was a full-on day apparently and she only had time to finish helping, drive home, shower and then jump in the car for the drive down to Twin Towns for the Top Twins.

 

Saturday

Sooz poked one toe out of the bed this morning and decided it wasn't for her. Not that I could blame her - it was pretty cold - the coldest morning we've had all week (and about 103 years apparently) And people don't just have to take my word for it ... Lars saw it too ... or 2! I wonder if he shows negative temperatures as well? That would be one reason to visit Toowoomba - according to the Weather app, it was -5 there this morning!

Lars ... 2!!!

If Sooz had been with me she might have seen the hot air balloon drift to earth and then the balloon crumple slowly in on itself. Magnificent from a distance... I can't imagine what it would have been like up close, and with a view uninterrupted by trees.

Shooting was great! We did NRA Kindy again - with Rob. It is such a safe, well-run session that you would be hard-pressed to find anything better. Now that we have done NRA a couple of times, I am feeling way more confident about doing "gun talk" - and today I correctly identified a Derringer in the gun display case - although it had an extended barrel and a lady could find this one difficult to conceal in a delicate little clutch or in a silk garter.

The focus for me today, thanks to my Safety Officer, was trigger control. We were shooting double-action revolvers (again) and the trick is keeping the gun steady while you aim and shoot. If you "pull" as opposed to "squeeze" the trigger, it can have a dramatic effect on whether where you aim is where the bullets hit. I was pleased with my impromptu coaching - and out of 48 rounds, managed to hit an X (the black circle in the middle of the target) 14 times (17 if you could the three which penetrated on the line) - and this was from a variety of stances (left hand, right hand, both hands - and thank you but, no, I won't be lying down) and distances!

I saw something printed with a 3D printer for the first time today. It was a "doover" for fitting to a gun to ... well, I think I heard them say what it was for but I am none-the-wiser. It goes near the breach.

There was a recipe on the net this morning for slow-cooker Apricot Chicken. AMc (whose birthday it is tomorrow) and I, when we shared the flat in Double Bay, would call it AC/DC Chicken - because it was cooked two ways - how we did it anyway. And that's what Sooz and I had for dinner tonight. It was definitely way better than we used to make!

Sooz resisted all efforts to get her out of the house today - she did washing and pottering, while I did computer stuff and then had a nap. It was good Mi phoned, otherwise I would probably still be asleep - I had already slept through two alarms. She rang to say she couldn't meet us at the Markets in the morning, so it looks like we're not going again. We are missing it - the ambiance and catching up with folk. It's a nice way to starHerd the week.

M Skyped this afternoon. All is well over there and she is looking forward to coming home. We caught a glimpse of Mouse too and she is looking much better.

Full moon comes around quickly and there was another fantastic Super Moon this evening. It was or would have been a great hunting moon... if it wasn't so cold! The furries were all tucked up early... together with the humans!

 

Friday

I don't know what it is about that paddock (the one Choo Choo Ma Ma was in) but of the two horses in there now - one of them (not Admirealady) is a windsucker. It was biting onto the fence and taking long, quite noisy, sucks I guess you would call them. I hope it's not teaching the other one bad habits.

Meanwhile, closer to home, in the paddock next to La's, the two boy horses were engaging in ... horse play. It seemed a bit rough but I don't think any of the bites or hooves actually landed.

Based on earlier this week, we had near tropical weather this morning but Lars wasn't having a bar of it. He said 2 and was sticking to it. You can't trust the weather reports on radio either!

Sooz commented tonight that it wasn't like us to be out on a Saturday night - and she was quite right except for the part where it was Saturday ... given it was still Friday! It as been a good while since Sooz and I have been to Twin Towns - we couldn't remember when and who with - just that it had been good. I would go so far as to say that the Club has had a major refurbishment since last we were there. Syl and An beat us to the venue by a couple of minutes - not bad since the Motorway was like a parking lot from Mudgeeraba to the Burleigh exit where we finally came off. deciding to take our chances with the Highway traffic instead.

Sooz had given the Top Twins a tremendous wrap - they are a favourite from way back when - and both she and Syl were very much looking forward to catching their show again. I wanted to go because they are supposed to be funny - and I never want to pass up the chance for a good laugh.

So after dinner (very nice - An and I had some of the best steaks we had had for a long time, Sooz had ... lamb cutlets, and Syl had fish) the rest of us trooped upstairs leaving An to find something to amuse herself with in the rest of the club. The general consensus was that she would find enough to keep her busy!

While there was much good about the show, Sooz and An had been right about not getting seats right up the front and certainly about not volunteering for any kind of audience participation. It pays to be with people in the know!

By the time we arrived back at Latimers it was almost midnight and the furries seemed very pleased to have us home... someone has to turn the electric blanket on!

Horse play

 

Thursday

She can read! She can read! Tinka can read! She ate the cookies that said "eat me"! I would do it again, but this time spell out "don't eat me" but we all know that even though Tinka might understand it, she wouldn't take any notice ... she would just eat them anyway.

Tinka: Reading

How is it that I can reset the alarm for 20 minutes later and still leave the house 10 minutes earlier (than 6:30 - I'm not usually able to leave by a quarter past these days).

I don't know if I would have heard Tinka and Maggie having a heartfelt discussion about who should be on the bed at 2:45 this morning had I not already been awake. And had I not been trying to fall back to sleep quickly I may even had had words with them saying there had to be a way to work it out so the could both be on the bed and not have to see the other! But they sorted it out amongst themselves - without resorting to fisticuffs but I fear it is a discussion we will need to have to tide us over until M returns - at which point our bed won't be anywhere as near attractive to the furries anymore!

The smoke from yesterday's fire was still hanging over Nerang this morning. It seems to have spread overnight and there was a distinct smell of smoke in the air.

I was home later this afternoon - we have moved on from EOM to preparing for the coming month's end when the financial package we can't get good reports out of more often than not becomes the corporate reporting and forecasting tool. So, until then, and working as fast as we can, we're working on"cleaning up" the double-ups, duplicate reversals and other idiosyncracy issues we've found since the cutover to the system.

It was a night of "half-wild" winds tonight - so I did finally close that kitchen window. We went into lockdown early too - there was no way anyone was going outside unless they really had to! And ... just for a change, it was an early night for everyone at Latimers!

 

Wednesday

Hump day! It has come around quite quickly this week although when I spoke with Mum yesterday I remember I mentioned I was glad it was the end of the week - and then I realised it wasn't. Talk about wishful thinking! Still, only two days to go now - and yes, there is a bit more that needs to be done.

Advancetown Hotel

There have been a few fires around lately - and the biggest so far was today - just on the hill over from Zarraffas. There was a huge pall of smoke visible at lunchtime and it was still there this afternoon. It may be that it is a controlled burn-off but there's really no way of knowing for sure.

Fire

What I didn't mention was that as part of setting up the new iPad (which still doesn't have a name) I put on a new screen protector - the one I was given for my birthday. It is absolutely fantastic! As advertised, it went on without a hitch - not a single bubble. And it is wonderful to write on - a real pleasure! I'm just hoping it's resilient and able to withstand the stylus wear and tear. So - thanks guys - it is a fantastic gift - even better than the putty! And we all know that's saying a lot!

I was thinking about Big Housing tonight - but by the time I had had a wind-down at Zarraffas (where they are getting to know me again ☕️😀) I didn't feel like driving in so I called Sooz and coaxed her into another round of Lamb Cutlets at the Advancetown Hotel. She wasn't hard to convince. I had the roast again - and while I expected it would not be as utterly fantastic as last week, I was still disappointed when it wasn't. We'll have to try again another night .

At some point, Sooz has opened the kitchen window. I'm not sure I'm a fan of that but I'm not going to interfere with it unless it turns windy. Fingers crossed.

It was Aqua for Sooz again today and An kindly came out to collect her. Surprisingly An is still determined not to come to the Top Twins with us later in the week. I'm amazed Syl hasn't managed to talk her around - but that may not be the way they do things.

Invitation to Tinka

TimKa is still watching MasterChef with us; Maggie's now running straight into the bedroom after dinner to reserve her space! I would just like someone to explain to me why her spot is on my side! And, no, we don't turn the electric blanket for her until just before we're ready to go to bed ourselves.

Pearl hasn't forgotten her "high fives" - she gave me some this evening as I was giving her her supper cookie.

There's new research out that suggests that cats can differentiate between two spoken languages. This raises enough questions in my mind to send me off to the research rather than just reading about it in other press pieces. In the meantime, I'm checking to see if Tinka can read - we'll know if the cookies disappear!

 

Tuesday

I can't believe I have fallen so far behind with the blog ... it's not as though I haven't been making notes and trying to get to it ... just that I've been doing a couple of other things. Sooz's iPad is now mostly set up with all her information and required applications, and mine is getting closer although it still has a little while to go yet.

Maggie - enjoying the Electric Blanket

This evening, though, was given over to the last episode of "Breaking Bad". I would have finished it this afternoon but I wanted to do a "Lucky Dog" run for Pearl's treat/supper cookies ... and there were a couple of other things we needed too - and I don't think the walk around the supermarket did me any harm at all. It's been so busy at work and I've been so knackered at the end of the day that I have let my 10,000 steps slip (yes, yes ... and the blog).

There was a decent frost at Latimers this morning and I couldn't help but worry about all the furry creatures who live out this way and how they cope with the cold. Not to mention the horses ... I can't see how they don't get cold! And how the frost is going to be cutting down on their available grass! I was also thinking about the big red hare Sooz saw in the driveway, that's a couple of years ago now, and what ever became of it.

MasterChef continues and they are now down to the Final 10 - actually it was the Final 10 - now they are down to the Final 8. It's amazing that people have their favourites - and this year Sooz has three - which is based on their ability to pull out all stops when it's needed. One of the judges last night called it "resilience", Sooz called it "guts". (House Rules is finally over ... Sooz's favourites didn't win it ... d'oh.)

Sooz had a call from our solicitors in Sydney today. They are putting the final touches on the calculations for the settlement so it all appears to be going ahead as planned. I can't believe that this time in a week it should all be "done and dusted". Then we'll really have to start thinking hard about what we're looking for - in a property and in a updated vehicle. Choices ... choices.

 

Monday

There's still no sign of Choo Choo Ma Ma but there are new horses - well, let's say "other" because we know that I have no facial recognition skills generally and even less so with our equine friends - how do I know if it's Hermes Sooz said the other day ... "by his feet" - in the paddock between La's and Latimers. They're quite nice looking too and I did take a photograph of them but I'm not sure I caught their best sides in the shoot, and they were being a bit manic at the time as well!

Chill mornings

I wasn't as cold on the way down to B's with Pearl this morning. When I was attending to tray business I noticed our "Sydney Winter Coats" hanging there and I popped one of them on ... toasty! I felt a bit sorry for Pearl because she still has to go with bare feet - and that fur never really has grown back on her tummy! Still she seems not to feel the cold too much ... still during the night she is moving off her bed and onto the tiles.

An came out to Latimers to pick Sooz up for Aqua today. She enjoyed it very much ... but it wore her out and by the time I arrived home, she was fast asleep - with the screen door locked. I whiled away some time by bringing the washing in off the line, having a "chuck under the chin" with Tinka, wondering how much more the frost will damage the grass, and why it is that Pearl no longer seems interested in chasing ducks off the Latimers lawn. Finally, I had to go and try to get in - through the screen door in the bedroom - and while I did wake Sooz up, she didn't mind so much. It didn't give her as big of a fright as she had the other night ... when both of us approached the front door at the same time and she looked at the door - thought it was her reflection she could see ... and when she opened the door I was standing there. She went straight into her "frightened" mode because, as she said, even though she realised it was me - she couldn't stop it. It was one of more unusual greetings!

I didn't mention that Mi had phoned yesterday and she said she might come to Trivia with Fl tonight ... and ... and this was a lovely surprise ... there she was. It was good too, because none of the rest of us had any idea who the additional judge on the dancing contest program was (Paula Abdul). I think the Club may have had a record attendance at Trivia tonight - 23 teams and 105 players! It was stiff competition as well ... and, as we all agreed, but for some very poor choices in our bonus round ... we still would not have been on the podium!!!

New horses

We were home by 9:30 and as Sooz sat down to watch Q&A in real time, I sat down to work on a document that's due tomorrow (not work-related) and catch up with yet another episode of "Breaking Bad" ... not long to go now ... and by the end of the night I had only the last episode of the last season to watch. I couldn't justify staying up past midnight to watch it, so I am saving it for tomorrow night.

 

Sunday

A body*, hand degloving** or technicolour yawns***. That was part of the conversation at breakfast this morning with Syl and Anita at a new place they have found near the Arts Centre. It's called One Fifty Public House. Max and Coco were waiting outside: all four had walked up from the house. Even so, they arrived well before us because we had unexpected car trouble .. . unexpected in that we had taken the BMW out yesterday to give it some time away from the garage - and it behaved perfectly well but today, when I went to turn it on ... nothing except a clunking noise of sorts. So, rather than call the RACQ and wait, we jumped into Lars and headed for Bundall.

New Dyson tap - washes and dries!

Syl, of course, and An, posited that the problem might be a flat battery. And it was ... as the RACQ man diagnosed. The battery, which did need changing, had done very well indeed ... it was the original battery that came with the Beamer! He was suitably impressed. Although perhaps not with the fact that the tyre/battery compartment (who knew the battery was in the boot?) lid would not stay up on its latch ... although once Syl and I had unloaded some of the things out of the boot (including the bag of "shrapnel" - and I truly was expecting to find the lost iPhone in there) there was no problem. While Mr RACQ was there, he checked Bertha as well - and one of her batteries was flat - but not in need of replacement - so Syl left it on the electric charger to charge overnight.

Mr RACQ

I did think about going into the Big House this afternoon but by the time we had finished car play and started to do the swap-over of the iPads .. there just wasn't enough time. Oh, did I not mention that ... Sooz's iPad - one of the originals - is no longer accepting some (vital to her) updates so I suggested it was time she had a new one. Yes, a whole new one all to herself - not one of my technology hand-me-downs. So we ummed and ahhed a little bit until we were actually in JB Hi-Fi and she said she would be happy for me to upgrade and then take my old one - truly ... she insisted ... so rather than being a simple exercise of swapping hers over - she has so much less on her device than me - I started to re-build mine on the new one. It isn't finished yet ... and I fear I have lost some data ... like a couple of blogs. Never mind ... I've worked out a better way to store them now ... thank you Evernote Premium!

It must have been a bit strange for the furries to have both Sooz and I, and Syl, around for most of the day. It was just a shame they didn't get a roast for dinner ... that looks like being Tuesday night now!

It's still chilly in the evenings and Maggie has definitely moved into the bedroom with us. I just don't know who likes that Electric Blanket more - Maggie, Sooz or me!

* Unfortunately, a body was found under the bridge near the Arts Centre this morning.

** Sooz had found an image of a hand without its skin and was keen to show it to Syl and An.

*** Well, they didn't call it "technicolour yawning" ... the used the "v" word which, in this instance, is definitely not Voldemort!

 

Saturday

It was fantastic to wake up this morning and remember that it's not a work day ... and, even better, that it's a shooting day! Syl and I hadn't arranged to meet at the Pistol Club but there we were, both just before 8.30. We had a range of kindy's to choose from and we opted for ISSF, hoping we would have a different instructor from last time. We didn't though, but we did have an additional one, and with only three of us turning up to do the kindy (I had originally put that as "shoot the kindy" but that seemed not the right phrasing) - it meant we had quite a good ratio - two range officers, to three shooters. We had only two pistols though, so we took turns, with Syl and I shooting at the same time. I was less than impressed with my performance today - and while I think it could have been the pistol (we don't get the same one each time) and something to do with the sights or the balance ... or anything really ... it could just have been plain psychological or physiological - Sooz reminded me that there are some times when I can't even park the car straight - so keeping front and rear sights in line with a (sometimes moving) target might have just been too much of a challenge this morning. But it was still great and I'm very much looking forward to next week too!

Cat pouches and tinnies

Sooz had wanted to go somewhere new and exciting to do the shopping today so the plan was to go to Harbourtown. As I said ... that was the plan. We ended up going to Nerang instead as Sooz wasn't feeling 100%. We did the shopping - and, no surprises here, cat food was among the items on the list - and a fair bit of it.

The day started out misty and I couldn't help but think''White out!". It wasn't too cold thiough - or maybe it was just that Pearl and I were out walking a bit later - and in the sunlight, Bonus.

Keith came looking for avocados today - there are more than a few on the tree and he offered to cut down some for us as well. So we now have six avos - which we would have been taking to the Markets if they were still on tomorrow -but since they aren't, they might just make it to breakfast with Syl and An's. Yum.

Balloons

We're not sure why the balloons were out at the entrance to the laneway (or at the turning on Gilston Road) - Sooz suggested it may be that Ca is coming home (we haven't heard anything direct from La but there has been encouraging news on FaceBook over the past weeks).

And is it coincidental that Choo Choo Ma Ma is missing from the bottom paddock?

Az phoned this evening to say hello and to see how we are going ... she was at home alone which Mo was out and she was using the time to catch up on her phone calls. It was greatly appreciated ... especially as we haven't been seeing folk at the Markets. ≥

 

Friday

The only person on their own at Zarraffas this afternoon was me. I was glad of it too: there was no way I would have wanted to be the woman/mother with three boy children - each playing on a mini-tablet - they may have been iPods. They continued to play as the woman coaxed them out of Zarraffas and as they trailed along behind her - not even looking up as they walked on the "road" with cars likely to come round the corner from the Drive Thru at any time. They survived though so she obviously did have it under control. Hmmm .... anxious .... me?

Kathleen O'Rourke's Never More

When I arrived back at Latimers, Sooz was in the middle of furry feeding - with Pearl sitting patiently on the mat - no doubt easier because she had her back to Maggie and Tinka as they ate. But they weren't the only ones she had thought of ... she had also made a chicken curry for the non-furries (that would be us) and it was good ... so good in fact that even the furries wanted some ... but we had to tell them no.

On the work front - the good news is that it is Friday and we have almost finished EOM - and that is cause for a sign of relief and just a little celebration. Of course, there will be more on Monday but that is still a whole weekend away.

Back on the home front though, Sooz had a job for me. This afternoon she saw something yellow running across the wall and going behind the "Never More" painting. She asked me to lift up the painting to see what it was. That wasn't going to happen! Ah well, it's only a couple of weeks until M gets back ... and if it's still there by then, Sooz will finally get to see.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Thursday

Somebody was busy yesterday, and I'm thinking it was Jason. All the tree/shrubs down the lane had been pruned - and their branches are still where they fell, waiting to be collected. It's amazing you can take off a tree and still have it not seem to have been touched ... I guess there is a real skill in that as the Latimers Lemon tree can attest. You can absolutely tell that it has been pruned.

Pruning down the lane

Je came today ... she had phoned on Tuesday night to see whether we would prefer her to come on Wednesday or Thursday. We decided it didn't really matter ... although I was curious about the question because I thought it had been decided that she would come on Wednesday. It doesn't matter though, especially as she has agreed to take over from Ka while she is away in Thailand.

Sooz offered to cook meat tonight (that is not a euphemism for "you know what" in this instance) but I said no, and took her out to Advancetown Hotel instead. Yes, it all had to do with me not wanting to clean the griller when she was done ... but I thought it would be nice for her to have a night off as well. She has been doing a fair bit of cooking lately and - somewhat totally altruistically - I don't want her to get sick of it.

Sooz's favourite - crumbed lamb cutlets - was on the menu and she had that. I had the roast, eschewing the "No Soup Nazi Here" signed soup and roast deal. The lamb cutlets were very much to Sooz's liking - and she, somewhat reluctantly I thought, agreed to give me a taste (a swap for some of my crunchy outside bit of the lamb) ... which I also liked. But I loved my lamb - and the vegetables - including (wait for it) peas and pumpkin. And the gravy was pretty good as well - not the thick glubby sauces we have come to know and "love" at various pub and club-type eateries.

The bonus was that Thursday night Trivia was on and we played along without actually playing. We were almost stymied by an anagram - the three word name of an American celebrity: SEEN ALIVE SORRY PAL. I would love to take credit for getting it but it was a (prolonged) joint effort by Sooz and I. I didn't tell her and I'm not sure if she noticed but I actually had a quick nana nap during the deliberations.

We've been doing the SMH Trivia quiz most days ... and we are now wondering why Trivia is so forgettable - especially since it's something we who do regular Trivia play, are keen to remember. We realised how bad it was though when we were trying to remember the Trivia questions from earlier in the night ... and sometimes we could remember the answer which (Jeopardy-style) led to the question but it was a very poor score.

Still, it's of the same ilk of my effort today. I filled Lars at lunchtime - and after I went in to the service station to pay the bill, I went to get some lunch at a shop down the way ... and it was only after I had had a sit-down lunch (at least 20 minutes) - to have a proper break from the office - and came outside to drive back to the workhouse, I realised I had left Lars parked at the pump. Definitely not like me but it is EOM and that has a way of doing odd things to a person.

Have I mentioned I love the electric blanket? Hmmm ... what happened with the electric dog bed M bought Pearl some time ago ... is it still at Latimers? I think Pearl might be just about ready to give it another try.

 

Wednesday

What a long day! It's EOM again; it's funny really because it seems like it was EOM only a moment ago. Hmm, it would have been nice to have had the chance to draw breath before diving into it all again.

Tinka is such a big purrer! She's still watching MasterChef with us of an evening. Maggie has noticed her as well now and shoots her "a look" as she walks by, as she did a couple of times tonight. But she didn't do anything -except do that look! Both she and Tinka are staying inside this evening - the only one who wants to go out is Pearl because she knows there will be a treat in her future.

Spoke too soon: there was just a bit of a cat altercation over near Sooz - just noise but Sooz has moved over to be with her. It's all calmed down though.

It was Aqua today for Sooz and she was glad they'd gone otherwise there would have only been 4 people there. Not enough!

I know we joked about the amount of cat food M had amassed for the furries while she was away and that it would last until she returned. Well. if she had been back as per the original schedule it would have. But we'll have to go shopping this week ... and I'm going to feel way more comfortable consulting the "manual" before we go to make sure we get the "right" goodies for them. We don't want a riot on our hands!

Tuesday

I'm certain of it now. The weather forecasts I get on my device are wrong. There is no way it was 11 degrees this morning, l believed Lars more - he said 3 degrees and while I know Lars is a car and not a thermometer, he does seem to have it more right at the moment.

The electric blanket is a winner too. It's only been on the bed a couple of nights and already I am in no rush to lose it. Mind you, I can't imagine what it would be like if I left it on all night tather than just turning it off when I crawl into that lovely warm bed.

Sooz has just finished watching the second season of Last Tango in Halifax and she now wants to go back and watch it from the start of Season One.

We aren't the only ones feeling the cold at the moment - as I was driving home this evening (it had just turned dark) I saw the huge fire burning off to the side of Latimers Crossing Road - on the other side of the creek near Hinde Road. You could see it from the laneway - and I tried to take a photograph of it - not very successfully I fear - but Bernie came along as I was putting the camera in the car and checked to make sure that everything was okay. That was nice of him. He had already been around, dropping the empty rubbish and recycling bins back to the house. They'll stay there until tomorrow though - it was too cold to go get them tonight - that's my excuse anyway.

I asked Sooz if she thought I'm feeling the cold more this year than last and she said yes but there is a reason for that, she continued, it's because it is colder.

Pearl is obviously feeling the cold too. She was a bit stiff tonight - but that may just be that she was on the cold tiles rather than on her bed or the mat. We'll just have to make sure she does lie on something warm from now on.