Tuesday

I would have raced home to do some more unpacking this afternoon, but I had a dental appointment instead. I know which I would have preferred! But it didn't take as long as expected and I only looked a little like I had been in a cage fight … and lost. Da did a good job though and once my lip goes down I'll have a better look at what they've done.

Work was busy again today - End of Month continues - but the hard slog needs to be finished by lunchtime tomorrow so I'm planning to go in a bit early to make some headway - and make up some of the time I lost this afternoon.

Sooz had a busy day at Jannie - she is starting to get it organised - lining the shelves. sorting out the cupboards and the kitchen, unpacking boxes, thinking about which pictures will go on which walls. There's still lots to do though but we just need to keep plugging away. I was pretty impressed I have been able to find some things as I have needed them - like my healthcare card for the dentist. I can't help but wonder where a lot of other things are but I know they will safely tucked away in one of the boxes. Hours of fun!

Sooz and I went to Sharks Club last night - as an alternative to going in to Southport RSL where Trivia wasn't on. I'd like to say it was a wonderful experience but it was full of folk and very noisy. The food wasn't that good either - Sooz suggested it was on a par with Southport. I think she was being a little generous.

But it was good in that after dinner we lingered for a few moments to have a little play on the machines - and Sooz ended up paying for dinner with the winnings. Good job!

There is birdsong in the mornings here but I am missing the sound of the cows and the horses - and, of course, the Latimers furries.

Monday

It was a good drive in to work this morning save for the roadworks and the oversize vehicle - but still I managed to get to Zarraffas at Nerang in around 20 minutes. I had thought it would take a bit longer and it probably will if I don't leave ridiculously early (that was this morning) or go another way.
I was pleased though because as I drove along the Motorway I could see the balloons and picture where they were over Nerang - skirting Latimers as they often do.

I had time to eat my toast at Zarraffas this morning - something I haven't done for a good while, and because of that I had time to check my mail - and see the invitation to watch Co and Mi renew their vows (barely just over two weeks old) at the Elvis Chapel in Las Vegas via Webcam. So I did - on the iPhone as I sat at my desk working. There was singing (by the Elvis impersonator/celebrant) and dancing (by Co and Mi), and the exchanging of rings… and there was kissing… I'm still not sure if Co was actually trying to kiss Elvis. But they both (well, all) looked just fabulous.l popped into Latimers this afternoon to collect more boxes and the clothes from M's wardrobe, and the gear from the back of (Bertha) the 4-Wheel Drive. - there's still a little more but that should be finished this week.I made it home for a mini-rest before we set off for Trivia… that was the plan anyway - until An rang from the Club to say they were having a function (and expecting around a thousand folk) so Trivia was cancelled. I was very disappointed: I'd been looking forward to seeing St and him shepherding us back onto that podium!

Sunday

There was no call with Tr this morning; I had deferred it until next week until I have Jannie's broadband under control.

Markets were a go though and we were almost back up to our usual complement again ... it's been a while! Ni and St are back from France although it was Ni and Ca (visiting from Melbourne) who came to the Markets today. Et and his family were there as well - and he was saying that he didn't understand why we come to the Markets for Sunday mornings as we are actually nowhere near them - sitting up the back as we do. But it was a good day - before they start back on Daylight Savings time next weekend. That came around awfully fast.

Em's cousin is still visiting so she and Em were there although Ba had called off because he is not feeling 100% and had slept in.

We were almost the first to leave today: we had some errands to do: We even had a list which we actually stuck to. And believe it or not everything we picked up did actually fit into Billi - although for a moment there it did appear that it wouldn't. There was a lesson there though - if you have your head in the car packing/repacking you cannot hear Sooz telling you that your trolley is making a run for it. She told me three times and I only heard the last one - and it was indeed on its way down the hill passed the parked cars. I managed to catch it before it hit the second one ... when I say "hit" I actually mean "glanced" ... there was no damage ... huge sighs of relief in order!

Back at Jannie, there was some car unpacking before our attention turned to an afternoon nap - and then an early night.

Hmmm ... I wonder how those furries are - at least Pearl and Tinka deigned to say hello to us yesterday when Syl and I were out there - nor like the silent treatment (with backs turned) they gave me on Friday.

Saturday

Today was our first day of waking up at Jannie - if you don't count the short naps we had on Thursday - Sooz on the couch and me on the table (actually "at" the table). It was great ... and not just because I was able to sleep in because I wasn't planning to go shooting. Instead, we were off to breakfast at Daniel Stuart's again - we're going to start exploring other breakfast venues soon! From there, Syl and I did end up going shooting - Service Pistol - and while it was good to be shooting, it wasn't the best match we've been to. The targets for Service Pistol are all black - which means that when you're shooting from 50m away (we didn't) it's all but impossible to see where your bullets have hit ... making it very difficult to correct your shots as you go. And it seemed almost impossible from 7m away to hit the target - Syl did much better than I - because you shoot 2 mags (5 bullets each) at the targets without "sighting" - you hold your gun at waist level and fire them off. It's hard to see the target even at that distance so 10 shots later I managed to get one - yes one only - bullet (yes, and just by luck me thinks) into the target.

Service Pistol

But the day wasn't all about fun ... Syl was on board with some more moving - taking things off to the dump and another load of things still at Latimers - to Jannie. And I'm not quite finished yet - I think there's another one or two loads - not counting the things I had put straight from Lars boot (remember Lars?) into Bertha's boot. I had been meaning to take them out before now but have been ... well ... slack.

Chicken and mat!

Best chair ever!

Mouse and M dropped in (M phoned first) this afternoon - and Mouse bought a housewarming gift with her ... which will remind us of her every time we arrive home - as will the chicken that M gave Sooz some time ago which sits out the front as well.

I think I have been remiss to this point but not yet having mentioned that M was absolutely wonderful helping with the move - including the "first day" and food boxes she sent over with us and the work she did packing up our goodies from the kitchen ... and loaning us a kettle until we get another one (yes, yes, I may have been too rash in throwing out our old one when I found it in the shed the other day). Not to mention how helpful she was in driving Sooz around to look at places before we found Jannie, and then, once we had, helping Sooz to keep various appointments and such. Thank you ... thank you ... thank you.

 

Friday

Morning came way too soon!

I went off to work (and I'm really not quite how that happened) while Sooz stayed at The Big House to spend the day relaxing at The Big House (thanks again M).

Even though I had wanted to leave work early, I ended up staying until day's end and actually managed to get a fair bit done. It's a jump on the load that we'll have on Monday and Tuesday.

The good news is that we had a dinner invitation from Mouse so after work, and a quick trip in to Latimers to pick up some of the things that were still there, I dropped in to The Big House to pick-up Sooz, and do the Great SwipeStakes (yay! $25 Casino Dollars) and head off for Mouse's. Fl was a non-starter - he was tired at the end of the week - and probably sleepy after P&P afternoon. It was good though because Mi is back from NZ - and she had much to say about a few things.

Then, well fed, and a little on the tired side ourselves, we were off to Jannie - for our first night there.

Thursday

Fridge in

Morning came too soon! I managed to get myself to bed around midnight moderately confident that we were ready for morning - as long as I was up early enough to do some last-minute things because today was Moving Day!

Moving times

The movers arrived on time at 7am (truly … what was I thinking when I booked in for first appointment of the day?) and they were fantastic. The only hiccough was at first when they weren't sure everything was going to fit on to their truck but through masterful packing (was that the music from Tetris that I kept hearing) and a realisation that they weren't taking all the furniture and other goodies from Latimers.

Moving in

The guys were great … they carried all the boxes to and into the truck - and out again - by hand, saying that it was faster … and they certainly did move along at a rate of knots.

I ended up leaving Latimers much earlier than planned - as soon as I received a call from Harvey Norman saying they were on the way with the couches and would arrive in about half an hour. So I left Sooz (and M) to it and drove at a hasty but within the speed limit pace to Jannie - just beating the delivery folk there so I had time to open up the side doors to allow easy access.

It wasn't long before Sooz rang to say that Tony and Zane were on their way with the truck - and during that time I had calls with the guys delivering the other appliances. Everything came as planned - and by early afternoon, everyone had been and gone and I had staged the house so the boxes for unpacking (but not immediately) were stored in the office area, the second bedroom and the garage. The "important" boxes were in the master bedroom or the bathrooms.

Well done Syl!

Syl came around this afternoon to put the bed back together again and help us move the mattress on … voila … done and ready! Of course, we weren't using it tonight. M had offered us a night at The Big House and we happily took her up on that … it meant Sooz would be able to stay there tomorrow and just have a big rest post-move!

 

Wednesday

Morning came too soon! I was up late packing last night - later than I should have - but we're working to a deadline now … and while we just have to make sure the big stuff is ready to take - it would be good if the small stuff was ready as well. Who knew there were so many things to put in so many boxes (I did get some more … and some more packing tape). Sooz has been hard at it as well, working on getting the bedroom in order while I've been working out in the shed trying to make sure we know where "things" are. I have been labelling the boxes - on all four sides (thanks for the tip M) and hopefully we will be able to direct them into where they need to go in Jannie when the time comes.

End of Month continues at the office but they will need to go out without me tomorrow. I had been thinking I would just take the morning to do the move, but I've decided to take the whole day and not put the extra pressure on.

The furries are still being a bit distant … we haven't had Tinka back in with us yet, but at least she's still letting us pat her … and feed her and give her those special cookies.

Wednesday

Morning came too soon! I was up late packing last night - later than I should have - but we're working to a deadline now ... and while we just have to make sure the big stuff is ready to take - it would be good if the small stuff was ready as well. Who knew there were so many things to put in so many boxes (I did get some more ... and some more packing tape). Sooz has been hard at it as well, working on getting the bedroom in order while I've been working out in the shed trying to make sure we know where "things" are. I have been labelling the boxes - on all four sides (thanks for the tip M) and hopefully we will be able to direct them into where they need to go in Jannie when the time comes.

End of Month continues at the office but they will need to go out without me tomorrow. I had been thinking I would just take the morning to do the move, but I've decided to take the whole day and not put the extra pressure on.

The furries are still being a bit distant ... we haven't had Tinka back in with us yet, but at least she's still letting us pat her ... and feed her and give her those special cookies.

Tuesday

M was up incredibly early this morning to take the rubbish and recycling up to the road for collection. It was actually very impressive - but also a bit sad because if she had been up a few minutes earlier she could have seen one of the prettiest sunrises we've had in a while.

The big news in the valley is that Choo Choo is back with her foal - she is a chestnut cutie. They are sticking pretty close together - as you would hope - and there were both under the shelter at one point - but hopefully Choo Choo was not sharing her windsucking habit with the foal.

The not so big news is that there was more packing today. We are getting closer but there is still a bit to do. Hopefully we are going to be ready for when the removalists show up on Thursday morning.

Monday

I gave the furries dinner - and they all had a very nice time indeed. The cats really loved their "Purr" and were determined to finish it with their heads buried in their bowls and not budging even when Pearl came sniffing around after she had bolted down her mince and cookies. It is a wonder that dog doesn't get indigestion the way she vacuums up her food sometimes. But she is a dog ... and that's what we all love about her.

Road wood

The Pest People came to Jannie today and Sooz was over there (thanks Syl and An) to let them in. It was only when she was there that she realised that she didn't have the key to the garage (d'oh, that would be my fault) but they said they would come back to do that another day.

I can not believe we are getting worse at Trivia or that it all seems to be getting a little harder with mosl Scores tonight being under 60. We were as well and managed a third.until we pointed out they had somehow managed to add ten points to our score ... so no equal third for us - but a good honest maybe fifth I think.

You can never be too careful when you're out and about driving these days. I was glad I was coming from Zarraffas rather than Maccas when I saw a guy who had lost his load of wood at the traffic lights. Now I'm not into investigative forensics but I would say that when he stopped at the lights - perhaps a little too quickly, his load of planks kept travelling. Thankfully there was no-one in front of him otherwise he, his mate from the truck behind him, and the bicyclist who had stopped to help may have been faced with a decidedly different proposition.

Tinka knows something is up - she is no longer sleeping in the bedroom with us.

 

Sunday

Swell again - this time with Sooz. I was very impressed when she was up and in the shower before me this morning … but I would have been happier if that had been for any reason other than that she had had a bad night.

But she was still more than happy to go… and was very pleased she had.

She very much liked the Octopus - and the bats! I was amazed by how different some of them looked in the different light this morning. Even though the time wasn't much different from yesterday, the sun was out this morning and that made a big difference in some of the artworks. I just sorry I didn't make time to see them in the late afternoon light. Next year!

Then we were off to the Markets - and we were the first of our crew there today. We kept ourselves busy by having breakfast - spicy knackwurst, sauerkraut and onion - and German mustard - on a crunchy roll. It was wonderful … and I think not just because we had done a bit before then.

We had secured the table and some chairs by the time the others arrived. As predicted, Mouse was the first, followed by Fl - or was it Mi and Az?

We hadn't planned to stay long but we were still there at 12 before we set off for home so I could do more shed packing and sorting so I'd be ready for when Syl came for the tip run. In the end she and M did it (thank you) while I continued in the shed. This moving jag can be a tad upsetting - especially when you come across things that haven't been sighted in a few years.

Dinner tonight was Pizza - and it was only a little bit wet when I drove in to collect it.

 

 

Saturday

Swell. I was up and out of the house early - which surprised me as I was up a bit later than I had planned packing miscellaneous papers and other goodies in the desk area.Even though I was there early … just before 7, the area was already packed … and I was pleased of that .. especially since I was able to get a park. It was going to get much harder later in the day. The sculptures were amazing. There are some really amazing people in the world - and the places their minds go, what they visualise and then bring to fruition is truly incredible. I had my favourites … which you can tell from the number of photographs I took of them.

It's Swell!

I wasn't the only one taking photographs today … it seems to bring out lots of photographers with lots of really big cameras! Who knew there were so many people into photography?And then it was off to breakfast with M and An, collecting Sooz on the way. We were back at Daniel Stuart's. Loved it!The rest of the day was given over to errands and activities related to next week's move. Refrigerator - check. Washing machine - check. Some more done in the shed - check!As a reward we went out to dinner at The Big House - finally catching up with Mi and Az. They both look well following their holiday!

 

 

 

 

Friday

Settlement Day plus one - which means the entrance cleaners came today. They were good - arriving on time and going through with me what they were going to do and then I was able to leave them to it. When I came back two hours later (I never did find Chirn Park - on the way there or back) they had finished and Debbie was waving the door back and forwards trying to get the drying to finish. Still, I think I left footprints on the white floor in the laundry when I went in there to check that the back screen door was locked. We'll know for sure when Sooz goes over there tomorrow to let the pest people in.

I'd left work early to be at Jannie for the cleaners and I enjoyed the early mark. It was good too because I met Chris, the neighbour at No. 1.

Tonight was not so much fun ... it was time for some more packing and I made a good start on my office area. I haven't thrown that much out yet but I have jettisoned some. I have also managed to find the camera I have been missing for a while ... in a place I would never have thought to look for it ... so it's just as well I was clearing out the office - otherwise I wouldn't have had it for tomorrow - and Swell.

Thursday

Well, it's finally here .. Settlement Day ... but it did take a while until the call came through that the deal had been done ... and dusted. Not that it took long after the actual settlement time ... it was just waiting for 2:30 to roll around.

Other big news of the day .. Mi and Az have returned and M went up to the airport to collect them and bring them home. I thought they might have gone via Mouse's to pick up Prince as well ... but it appears that he will have at least another day's holiday until his parents collect him.

Congratulations

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Gold Coast (and thanks M for collecting Sooz and taking her to Maccas so I could collect her there) Sooz and I were off to the real estate agents to pick up the keys for Jannie. Of course, we didn't ask "which" so we ended up at Maggie's office rather than their other branch which is actually where the keys were. Luckily the right branch wasn't far away and within 10 minutes we had swung by, picked up the keys and were on the way to visit Jannie by ourself for the very first time.

It still seems small compared to the memories of our first visit ... but it is plenty big enough.

We met M at the Big House afterwards for Dinner at Zen (thanks for the food and beverage voucher swipings M.) and while Sooz had a flutter on her favourite poker machine M and I went upstairs for a quick game of Numbers.. It was not the night for winning fortunes but it was fun.

When we arrived home, we found Flowers and presents from M to congratulate us on the settlement.

 

Wednesday

Settlement is tomorrow but the day is just dragging. Just as well there was shooting tonight - air pistol. Syl did really well; me not so much at the start but by the end of the session I was starting to get my eye in. Was the sight on my pistol really listing to the right or did I just think it did. It was interesting to Vanessa (one of the other shooters of indeterminate gender) talking with the guy next to me. It was one of the most politically-incorrect conversations I have ever heard but well worth eavesdropping on because I never knew where it was headed next. I think they may have been doing it partly for my benefit - I suppose it doesn't do to tell people how funny their conversation is if you are pretending not to be listening. I wish I could claim that as the reason for my poor performance on the range, but I don't think so,

M has recovered very well from her spill the other day. You can barely tell she's limping now and she doesn't seem to be protective of her shoulder at all.

Tuesday

Will there ever be a time when I can put down a piece of paper and then find it again without having to turn the house upside down looking for it? It certainly wasn't today... but I should be thankful that I did eventually find the three receipts I was looking for. Huge sigh of relief since I need them all tomorrow to arrange the deliveries!

M was much better today: a very quick healer and fairly determined to boot (''fairly" being an understatement of course!)

Rainbow

I wasn't game enough to check the shed and the snake situation this afternoon - especially as it wasn't far off dark by the time I arrived back at Latimers.. Well, that's what I'd like to think but it's not so. I just didn't feel like tackling shed things this afternoon. Especially since I had plenty of inside jobs to do - like finding those receipts!

It rained this afternoon but not as much as yesterday (just in time to water M's new plants) or with such a spectacular rainbow.

The furries are their usual wonderful selves and Pearl seems to be responding well to her new "potions" including one which comes with what I've heard M at least twice describe as "the smallest scoop in the world'!

Sooz is doing a fantastic job packing up her half of the bedroom; I'll have to attack mine soon otherwise it will seem like I'm not doing it! But I am making progress with the office - thanks to those hiding receipts.

Sooz cooked spaghetti bolognese tonight and there are leftovers - either for lunch or dinner tomorrow - depending on whether I'm going to Air Pistol.

I managed to make it to bed at a much more reasonable hour tonight - directly relatable to having banished Peggle and Frozen - both highly addictive games - from the iPad. I miss them.

We still haven't told Tinka we're about to be non-roommates - or perhaps Sooz has and just hasn't mentioned it to me.

 

Monday

Tinka had a two-course breakfast this morning - three if you count both lots of cookies! She doesn't often ask for cookies as well as her broth - but she seemed to enjoy them both - or should that be "all"?

Drums, palings and fog

Maggie was funny this morning. When I woke up she was already prowling around the bedroom looking for a way out - and she followed me down to the front door (okay, she actually beat me there) and scooted outside as soon as it was opened. When Pearl ambled down, hoping to score some leftover cat brekkie, I ushered her outside (she knows the rules) only to have Maggie Bolt back in. She then tried to move Tinka on from her food bowl but, uncharacteristically, Tinka was not budging!

Snake thumper

And if only we could have said the same about M today. She was a little worse for wear this afternoon following her run-in with something on the floor in one of the Ferry Road Market shops. she skidded and went flying, hurting her shoulder and knee on the way down and across the rooms. Sooz was with her to prevent her from bouncing up before she'd had a chance to assess the damage. Thankfully, there wasn't much - as confirmed by a visit to the Docs although you could tell by the way she walked and held her arm that there was soreness involved.

Trivia - equal third until the tie-break and then we were fourth. There's nothing like having a consistent record of failure on those tie-breaks. I think though that we have managed to win one along the way at some point, but that's not enough! And I think we're all missing those bistro and beverage vouchers! Hurry back St and Ni is all I can say; we have a feeling they may be able to save us from ourselves!

M has moved one of the snake thumpers up to outside the shed. I'd thought of doing it but been frozen to inaction when I thought about where to place one: would any snakes already in there be trapped - and come tumbling out as soon as the door opened to escape whatever it is the thumpers do? I'll see if I'm game to go in there tomorrow!

 

Sunday

We were late to the Markets today - and it was a shame because today was not the day for it. The Markets venue had charged from the Turf Club to the Magic Millions Car Park. That meant there was no shade for the seating - which Mouse found out the hard way ... she was there on time and did her best to save the table and seats for the rest of us. We could tell from the car park behaviour that people were "hot and bothered" - because they were surprised by the change of venue, including the smaller car park and all the changed stall locations - and they were less than nice when it came to their "table manners". Poor Mouse - having to defend our "patch" from ... people ... and out in the sun as well. She was a bit shaken up by it, but she seemed to be okay once she'd had some waters and settled in to our alternate location ... Zarraffa's at Benowa where, and we were a bit surprised by this, it was okay to bring our own food ... so we were able to have our Markets breakfast anyway.

So that will be the last time we are late for the Markets ... none of us wants Mouse to have to go through that again! She is so good that sometimes I think some of us (including me) can forget that she is our "elder".

New venue

We called in to JB HiFi on the way home to have a look at the refrigerator I found yesterday, and the good news is that Sooz likes it too. Now all we have to do is measure the space to make sure it's going to fit (just a formality ... M is certain it will fit into the alcove already there) and then we'll see what kind of deal we can get buying both the washing machine and refrigerator from them.

I put in more shed time this afternoon - and I feel that I am starting to accomplish something. It was a hive of activity out here at Latimers this afternoon: Sid came over to replace some of the planks in M's fence; M moved three 44-gallon drums from the stables and brought them around to the gate for pick-up; and then spent some time cleaning out a box or two from the shed; Sooz was still in the bedroom working her way through that - and making good progess as well.

Swallows about to ... swallow

The Swallow parents were busy as well - running a yum cha service for the chicks. It was reassuring to watch ... and a good chance to try out M's camera again. Yes, I still like it.

M went out to Mouse's for dinner this evening while Sooz and I had a quiet night in. I was not playing Peggle or Frozen tonight - because I finally succumbed to my guilt about spending so much time playing them and, knowing I have the willpower of a not very willpowery thing, deleted both from the iPad. I went to play a couple of times today and had actually turned on the iPad before I realised that these games are now FORBIDDEN.

 

Saturday

What an exciting day all round: shooting, the opening of the new Aquatic Centre; looking at refrigerators and washing machines ... and, of course, more packing.

Pistol Club

I met Syl at the Pistol Club ... and she was quite excited. She was going to shoot her new gun today ... and as it turned out, I was able to shoot it as well. We were doing NRA Kindy - Steel Plate Challenge ... where you shoot 8" plates down from various distances. When they do Steel Plate Challenge, they usually do a higher calibre - but if you hit the plate in the right spot with the .22 it does fall over ... and if it doesn't fall over, you can hear the ping and see where it hits.

Syl's gun is a thing of beauty ... it feels wonderful in the hand, is a perfect fit for me, and the sights are lined up so what you aim at is what you hit (generally speaking ... of course there were some exceptions).

B's burn

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Gold Coast, M and An were at the Official Opening of the new Aquatic Centre. They were among many others ... those who went were asked to take part in a Guiness World Record attempt ... most people gathered in the one place wearing swimming caps - which they got to keep. (And yes, there is a truth to the rumour that M was able to secure one of the commemorative caps for Sooz.) An wasn't able to stay for the record attempt, but M did.

The Aquatic Complex is amazing with lots of pools and one not-pool. M was telling us about it ... it is a room where they practice diving off boards - but they don't dive into water - they dive onto trampolines and mattress-like padding. As she said, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense that they would practice this way.

More NRA ...

Meanwhile, even elsewhere on the Gold Coast, Sooz was out at Latimers doing packing stuff. As an encouragement, I picked her up some lunch after I had dropped by the shops to look at refrigerators and washing machines. That is something I don't want to do by myself again ... the decision about what to take photos of to take home is enormous! But I did find one refrigerator that I liked - and hopefully Sooz will like it too. We'll find out tomorrow.

When I arrived back from the looking, Syl was already here and after a quick lunch, she and I went to the tip with the first load of rubbish from the shed. She put the trailer back near the shed when we arrived home so I can continue to load it up.

As we arrived back at Latimers, we saw smoke - and Syl correctly identified it would be B burning the pile down the back ... and it was.

Sooz and I had a quiet night in this evening ... with the furries ... and with M who was planning to go out but, in the end, didn't.

 

Friday

It was great to hear today that Mouse had had her licence renewed for five years yesterday, I think she had been a little nervous about it ... as most independent 88 year-olds would be ... but she passed with flying colours ... and the only thing they wanted to know was how she managed to not look her age! And, Mouse had gone off by herself to do it - even though M had offered to take her.

M was having her own adventures of course. She had JP detail this morning and at some point on one of walks through the Australia Fair centre she had chanced upon a ticket seller. He was selling raffle tickets ... or was he asking for donations? It was a bit unclear ... but M could have know that from the start when she asked what the charity was ... and he pointed to his ears ... ahhh, for the deaf. But whether he was deaf or not was unclear ... was the price of the $50 ticket tax deductible, did the tickets come in lesser denominations ... the questions could have gone on. In the end M made her donation/investment/ticket purchase and ... we know this because in the car on the way home from dinner at Mouse's she pulled it out of her pocket. Hmmm, I thought, there is a short story in that!

Breathe innnnn ..

Dinner at Mouse's was fantastic ... borscht and cabbage rolls, mashed potato, coleslaw and mushroom sauce ... followed by rhubarb crumble and ice cream. We were seven tonight ... Syl, An, Fl, Mouse, M, Sooz and I ... and of course, Number Eight was Prince who has still another week's holiday with Mouse before his parents come home.

I was pretty happy too today because Ma gave Ch and I an early mark* ... in preparation of what are going to be a few busy weeks since EOM is almost upon us yet again. I do not know where the time goes! Except possibly on packing ... Sooz is in the thick of the bedroom now and ... I had to admit it ... but I haven't been in the shed again yet this week!

* Yes, and no early mark is complete without a trip to OfficeWorks, this time to pick up packing tape, storage boxes, and a small Lego wall to house my DVD collection. It wasn't as happy a visit as it could have been though, when I was ready to leave I found that I was parked in ... which was quite amazing since we were about the only two cars in the more than 50-space lot.

 

Thursday

M has been busy with the Swipestakes at TBH and thanks to her, Sooz and I had enough Food and Beverage Vouchers to be able to shout dinner at Zen this evening. Sooz came too for a change because she felt like eating Zen tonight, rather than having the leftovers for lunch tomorrow - although we did order well, which meant there were leftovers too. What did we have? The usual ... there were no substitutions allowed ... and Sooz was able to choose a dish she wanted ... which turned out to be Lemon Chicken. Of course, a substitution would have been considered but as M and I told Sooz, there was really no need because the Sichuan Chilli Beef is different every time!

For planting ...

After dinner, Sooz went off to play the machines while M and I went upstairs for some Numbers. In the time we were there, they had three separate dealers, each working at varying speeds. One there was going so quickly it was hard to find time to put a bet on. It's probably okay if you play a lot and have all your number combinations mapped out, but for me who does it "on the spot", it was a bit hurried for me.

It was earlyish by the time we arrived home, although I had a late-ish night. A little while I downloaded two games: Peggle and Frozen, both of which are very addictive. At this rate, I'm going to have to delete them off the iPad so I have a chance to catch-up with "life".

I don't think I mentioned that M did plantings yesterday ... I'm not quite sure where she's put them ... I'll have a proper look on the weekend) but she seemed to be enjoying putting them in. They're nice looking plants too!

 

Wednesday

Shooting: air pistol. It was a different night tonight as Rob coached Syl and I on how not to grip our air pistols, where to aim on the target, and how to squeeze rather than pull the trigger. Consistently though I kept getting my hits in the top right quadrant of the target ... until I started aiming more bottom left - and then, and only then, did I start getting some decent results. Otherwise, it really wasn't worth saying I was there for the competition ... and even though there is some talk of handicap ... no handicap could be that great as to make up for what I considered to be fairly poor shooting. Ah well, there's always next week!

It was Aqua day for the Sooz and M - An is still waiting for her shoulder to heal properly before she goes back. Did she join them for lunch? I think so (but since I'm writing this on Sunday ... and I didn't take notes through the week ... it's a bit hard to be sure).

There have been no Plover sightings again yet ... although, I should say there have been no Plover chick sightings ... I did spot a couple of adult birds up the lane near B's but try as I might, and even though they were doing misdirecting behaviour, I couldn't see if they had any chicks.

The shed contents still remain a mystery as I haven't managed to get back in there since Sunday. I'm not sure why that is ... although someone with an interest in psychology and/or human behavious might say it's because there are some mixed feeling about the move ... or that I'm just being lazy preferring to be cerebral rather than packing and/or repacking.

Tuesday

It was another wonderful start to the day at Latimers. There was a soft mist blanketing the valley as I took Pearl for a walk but that had disappeared by the time I drove out - no photo op this morning! I'll just have to get up earlier ... or go to bed much much later!

I've had word from An and Na. An has started a business course that clashes with Tallai Trivia on a Wednesday night so we are going to have to work out other options for catching up with them. It's doable.

Sooz and I sat out the back as the sun set - and Sooz folded laundry. We did the SMH Trivia quiz and talked as we waited to catch a glimpse of the September full moon; it was magnificent last night and we're hoping it will be as wonderful tonight. And when we did see it, it was ... and I remembered the scene from King Kong where the Moon shines between two skyscrapers and seems to remind the giant ape of his home on the island. At least I think it was a he.

Dinner tonight was leftover pizza from the other night - not too bad at all. M had arrived home with Subway - a fitting reward (not really) given that she ordered her car today!

Monday

The girls had Aqua this morning - but not An as she is still recovering from her shoulder surgery and won't be allowed back in the pool until it heals. That meant there were just four of them there ... I'm not sure how long such a low number will be sustainable for the class, but hopefully now that Spring is here, more people will start going back. One of their number, So, sent out an email recently checking when people would prefer to have their Christmas Lunch. I cannot believe that Christmas is within cooee ... it seems like just a minute ago it was ... well, much earlier in the year.

Fl was at Trivia tonight even though Mi sets off for New Zealand again tomorrow morning. But even Fl being there wasn't enough to get us back on that winner's podium. We were a bit further away tonight ... and, thinking about it, I think it's because we don't have St there to make us question our answers more closely. It will be good when they get back - but at this stage no-one seems to know when that is going to be!

Vi and So were back with An and Syl for just a moment - they returned from Broome yesterday, stayed overnight, and then set off back to Sydney this morning, taking Jesse (who truly had come out of her shell while she was staying with Max and Coco) with them. They were overnighting in Coffs Harbour tonight and had texted An at one stage during Trivia to let her know the subject of tonight's Australian Story - a now-politician who had served in the military.

Sunday

I think the Plovers have moved on. I haven't seen them for a couple of days now. But we do still have chicks - Sooz heard them this morning - and I had suspected as much because the parent bird has been on the nest "differently'! So ... more swallows!

The Jam Queen

Syl came out after shooting today to help with The Shed - Phase I. The big stuff that is destined for the tip has now made it into her trailer ready to go - once a few more items join them. But at last it feels a start has been made - and now the job has started it should get easier to force myself into the shed to do the next part - repacking boxes and sending the things we no longer want or need off to other homes.

The Markets were good this morning - a small crowd bu`t entertaining. Mouse had her usual selection of jams (and then some) ... prompting Mi to say that Mouse was "The Jam Queen" - which was definitely worth a photograph, and then posting that photo on FaceBook for the Turkish contingent (and others) to see.

It's always good to support local business and we had Pizza for dinner tonight. The trainee there almost nailed the order ... there were anchovies on only one half of the Supreme Pizza, and there was pineapple on the Vegetarian Pizza, but both were large which in one way is good because it meant there are leftovers for later in the week when we don't feel like cooking. (I use that as a very loose "we" because we know I don't.)

I have started working out a timetable for the move, including the sequencing of some events which are dependent on other events. I am using the iPad to help, rather than a whiteboard because I fear that by the time I realised there is no "undo" on the whiteboard, it would be too late!

M is still deciding on the features of her new vehicle and I think we are now only a couple of days away from her placing an order.

 

Saturday

I went shooting with Sy while An and Sooz were "pistol widows" and had breakfast and Bingo together - joined by Mouse and M.  Their game was very exciting ... Sooz was one number off a major jackpot for quite a number of calls but it was not meant to be this time.  It's a shame though because if she had won at least someone at their table would have.  They are now talking about a game scheduled for later in September with $37k worth of prizes  - with a buy-in of $200.  It will be interesting to see if they book in for it because they are thinking that just going along on the day isn't going to guarantee them a spot. 

Syl did much better at shooting today than I and she's going to be getting in more practice because she is thinking about going off to NRA competition tomorrow.  Me? Well, it is time for me to be packing and sorting and I have some boxes from OfficeWorks which should do nicely for some of the things I want to sort in the office area.  I'll need to get some more of them at some point too.

It was a quiet afternoon other than that - just enjoying the furries who spent most of their time being them ... and they are very good at doing that ... and being cute to boot.  

Friday

There was a balloon flying low over the valley this morning - I heard it long before I saw it - the whoosh of the burners as it filled the ballon with .... appropriately enough ... hot air. I thought about following it (again) but decided that it was probably better going to work; afterall, I had last Friday off for show day. But that was good too because at about 10 minutes to three, Ch asked what I thought the boss would say if she just went into his office and said "see you Monday". As luck would have it, he walked over a few minutes later and she could find out herself ... and when Ma didn't seem averse to the idea, I put my two cents in. Result: two early marks ... gratefully received.

Of course, it was one of those days in the office when we say farewell to one of the engineers ... Aj (Ma's brother) this time. He is off to start his own business ... an electronics mega-store which will begin operations in India next month and then hopefully here in Australia not long after. It's an online store, similar to a Kogan, and Aj will be offering substantial discounts. Hmmm ... finally someone to approach regarding all the electronic gizmos we have heard about but not been able to buy at a "good" price.

Well, I did get off to air pistol this evening. I met Syl there just after 5:30 (after a brief interlude at home) and thanks to M and Mouse, Sooz wasn't a pistol widow. They all went to see "Boyhood" at the Gold Coast Arts Centre ... a movie filmed over about 12 years with the same main cast. Sooz really enjoyed it and even though it was three hours long she has said she would see it again with me if I wanted to.

I enjoyed shooting, although I would have enjoyed it more had I done a bit better. I was fine in the "lining up the sights" time but after that it seemed my aim or eye or something was absolutely right off. Ah well, I think I shot better than last time - 253 as opposed to a 170-something, so it was better but not the best I wanted to do.

After shooting, I took myself for a walk around OfficeWorks (because one does) before dropping in to Maccas for a burger and a drink ... and then home ... for an uncharacteristically early night (my first this week I think) ... because I want to be bright and alert for tomorrow's shooiing ... since Sooz and An are off to breakfast and then Bingo at the Southport RSL.

The big news is that Choo Choo Ma Ma has had her foul - a wee chestnut filly. Ca (who is now undergoing rehabilitation but is still in hospital) has posted pics on FaceBook.

 

Thursday

Maggie came for a walk down the lane with Pearl and I this morning and at one point there she was making better time than Pearl. Does this mean Pearl is more inquisitive about her surroundings - taking time to savour the scents and sights she encounters along the way - or just that she dawdles? Or a bit of both? I know she doesn't usually complain when I stop along the way to take photographs and/or look for the plovers. And speaking of the Plovers they have been staying fairly close to home - yesterday morning they were on the lawn ... and, as is usually the way, by the time I came back with the camera, the chicks had ducked in under Mum again. We think there are still three although they did have a tough night last night. M was saying she went out twice to check on them.

Sooz's homegrown lettuce

Maggie was out when I started moving around this morning - her mother had let her out her door earlier. I had thought it odd when she want hanging around the door waiting to go out - but as soon as Pearl came in, so did Maggie. I like to think she was out looking at Sooz's gardening achievements ... the lettuce is amazing!

The good news is that the reporting for EOM is done, so it's another three weeks before we have to get into that headset again.

Sooz had a quiet day today as she didn't feel absolutely well. I'm hoping she isn't coming down with something but she thinks she's okay.

Dinner at TBH tonight was good(thanks M) and Zen wasn't nearly as busy as we'd thought it would be. M made the mistake of giving me cards for the great Swipestakes. The only good news is (or is it?) that I was amazingly consistent in that my swiping. returned zip, nil, nada, nothing - you get the idea. Hopefully M has better luck tomorrow. Thankfully Roulette was a bit better and stakes are still intact.s

 

Wednesday

Billi went for his first service today. He was supposed to go last week but EOM interfered with that. It was good to finally get there though - I met the folk I speak to all the time from work when I book work's vehicles in for servicing. They are a nice bunch - efficient, friendly, able to take a joke - all essential in customer service. I was pretty stunned by the service area though - as well as providing complimentary tea and coffee, you can, if you so wish, watch your car being serviced via the televison. I cannot really fathom why you would but obviously enough people might want to for them to put up a notice letting folk know this service is available.

Notice under the TV

Thanks again M for giving me a lift to work from there this morning and taking me back this afternoon. I had been planning to go shooting with Syl this evening but quite early this morning I decided I would just go home instead - and that would have been totally workable had the accounts folk in Brisbane done their jobs properly. As it turned out, I needed to work back to get some reports out for morning - and my 4pm leave turned in to 7pm. Luckily Sooz had picked up some protein on her way home and she a very yummy dinner. It was just what I needed at the end of the day - and there are leftovers for lunch tomorrow or Friday.

 

 

Tuesday

We are inching closer ... and it's very real now ... we went unconditional for the purchase of Jannie today. Sooz had a call from Maggie the agent at about the same time I was in conversation with our solicitor. But it's all good ... and now there are just a few things :) we need to organise in the next two and a half weeks before settlement! We'd better get packing - literally!

Tinka slept with us for at least part of last night - I had the fur to prove it, just on one of my sleeves where I was on the cover giving her a big pat. The first I noticed it was when I was waiting in line at Zarraffa's - and by that stage all I could do was resolve to take to it with some sticky tape when I arrived at work - and while that did get some of it off, there was still a fair bit there to serve as a Tinka reminder for the rest of the day.

I have started playing Star Trek doors with Pearl. She stands in front of the front screen door and I pull it open for here while making a ... well, it's like a quiet mechanised motion sound - not unlike Billi but not quite like Billi either. Pearl is getting quite good at it - she isn't put off by it at all anymore.

 

Monday

We were a small crew at Trivia tonight. Fl rang at the last moment to let us know that he wouldn't be able to make it - something to do with the family coming around this evening for a farewell for Lu who sets off back to the US tomorrow. We could have done with him there tonight - not that we did too badly but we might have done better than a 3 (out of 10) for our worst round ... and that may have seen us on the podium ... but we do know that these things are a little hit and miss depending on the questions, the choices of bonus rounds ... such is Trivia. We did have fun though.

The rest of the day was ... well, a Monday. It wasn't too bad considering it is End of Month though.

The Plovers are still around and they still have the three chicks despite the number of predators that would like to change that. The parents are good with the chicks letting them explore their surroundings, probably letting them go further afield than some folk would. It just seems that sometimes they don't realise the world can be a dangerous place for plover chicks.

Sunday

Chairs on their way to Mi's

It was different doing the Markets at Mi's this morning. The Markets were not on at the Turf Club because they are holding the Show there - and since Lu was going to come to the Markets to say goodbye to everyone before he returns to the US on Tuesday, Mi and Fl decided to reconvene the Markets at their place. Everyone took something and Mi cooked Lokoma (I am sure that is not the spelling) and kofta ... yum, yum and triple yum. It was a great morning - good food, good conversations - and lots of photo opportunities.

Afterwards, Sooz and I were off to the stores to look at more house items. We stumbled into Matt Blanc and not just because there was a replica Velociraptor out the front - or it may have been a small T-Rex (which could make it a t-rex). They had some really cool replicas inside as well including a desk of which I was very fond.

The original Ronald McDonald

Hmmm .... for a moment there I was thinking we hadn't actually made any purchases but I was forgetting the dishwasher. Now we just have to think about getting it installed - but that will come.

This afternoon could have been given over to some type of sorting and/or packing ... but it wasn't and while there will be time for that ... I'll have to watch that that time doesn't slip away while I'm doing something else (that brings a John Lennon quote to mind - or is it a song lyric?). But I did get to do some free-time-surfing on the interweb and managed to find a picture of the newly-created Ronald McDonald. As my sister commented on FaceBook, it looked like the clown from Stephen King's "It" had a second job!

 

Saturday

It's always good to start the weekend on a Friday because when Saturday comes around it feels as though you've been on break for ages already!

Today it was back to shooting and I met Syl there just after 8. We had not decided before we went what Kindy we would do, and, in retrospect, that might have been a mistake because we ended up doing IPSC - which is the equivalent of cops and robbers and going through a course trying not to shoot the white targets aka the hostages! I'm not sure what TP stands for ... but it's not what you're aiming for (pun intended?), and I managed three of them in one round. Still, it's all good, clean, safe fun ... and I think Syl and I are both thinking that something which is straight-out target shooting might be better ... not that there's anything wrong with running with loaded weaposn!

Out on the range

Then, it was home, after stopping off along the way to take care of a couple of jobs - like dropping into the bedding place and paying the balance due on the mattress. The "bed technology" they used in store with Sooz and I last week was on "The Living Room" last night and the boys looked to be having as much fun as we did. I resisted the urge to get more cushions while I was in-store ... there will be time aplenty for that when we move in.

Even though Syl had said she wasn't planning to come out to Latimers this afternoon, she arrived not that long after I did. She had with her some plastic boxes that we can borrow for the move - and from our visit with the tape measure yesterday, we know they will fit in the garage, and out of the way, until we are ready to unpack them.

Tinka in the snake hole

The Plovers are still around - again in the paddock a couple over. The chicks were out and quite adventurous in moving away from the parents ... but there was no way those parents were letting them get too close to anything that looked dangerous - and if they couldn't chase the chicks away, they chased whatever was bothering them ... including magpies.

Max came out with Syl and had a good visit ... and Pearl enjoyed having her around too, until Max tried to assert her authority by forcing Pearl to the ground and telling her to "say Uncle". Luckily they didn't hurt each other, but Pearl was a bit subdued after.