It seems to be the month for medical procedures - or testing at least. After S's latest forays into the medical zone over the last couple of weeks, it was my turn today - but for a different body part. It is amazing how you can fool yourself that you're not concerned about having tests done, until you are actually having the tests done and they come at you with a needle which would not be out of place for injecting a horse, or perhaps an elephant. But it's all good as none of the catastrophic things they mentioned "might" happen in the pre-procedure briefing actually came to pass. It's probably a good thing they don't give you that particular piece of paper to bring home and, luckily, if others are anything like me, we quickly forget the possibility of a punctured lung (seriously - I told you the needle was "huge") or ... and see, how good is that, I've forgotten the other things already.
Who knew that so few places are open for breakfast in the Southport precinct before 7am. Even Ferry Road Markets are closed then, which is a shame since they do a decent coffee. But, if they had been opened, I wouldn't have made it to Daniel Stuart's - and they do a great coffee and the atmosphere, and food, is fantastic.
On my journeys - I drove around for a while looking for a breakfast venue and trying to replicate the car's "stuttering" - I saw a baobab tree and told myself to remember it so I could quiz S and M on where there is one (or an Australian version of one if it isn't actually the African version).
The roadworks in and around Southport for the coming of the light rail are still in full swing and I was very lucky to have cars to follow through the chicanes that are now the road.
It's still fairly hot here which may be why the car actually did repeat its "stutter" this morning and I was able to document it for discussion with the mechanic this afternoon. He thinks he knows what the problem is and on the basis of that I will now give the Volvo mechanic that S recommended a call and see if he can be any more "definite" about the problem and suggest if it is a "known" issue. I'll also ask him about the timing belt and whether it does need to be replaced at 100,000km on Volvos as I've heard. Ah Lars ...
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday
Well, T must either have been delayed on their return from the Great Hawaii 5-0 trip or they're home but jet-lagged because our usual Skype call didn't happen. I was there and ready in case she came on-line - I think I knew that there was a chance it may not happen - from 7:30 to 8:30 and when the time was up, I had fruit salad breakfast with S and M (thanks M) and we set off for the Markets.
It feels like ages since we've been to the Markets - was it only last week that we missed while we were in Brisbane? No, there was also the week before when we were at The Big House wasn't there? And were we there the week before that? I really do have to keep better notes in my calendar! Ah yes, that's right, the week before The Big House was when M and A came back from overseas!
They were there this morning and A was trying not to look too excited at the thought of N moving back up To Brisbane - in less than a fortnight now. it appears that she is going to drive her car up now, rather than having it transported, and her friend Cat is going to make the trip up with her. When A was telling us this, M was assuring her that it is a great drive up now and that they could easily do it in a day. I was listening intently and trying to believe her because that's the drive S and I will be making in a month's time.
After the Markets (a particularly good session we thought) we went off to Robina for some air-conditioned shopping comfort. It was just a pity I left the pedometer at home because it would have been good to know how many steps we did because we managed to do quite a few. And for a while it looked as though we would be doing a good few more because the parking lot was absolutely jam-packed full - and, quite disappointingly, the parking lights (green for a vacant space) were working "Big House"-style - as in not working properly at all. In the end, we stalked a family who were walking back to their car - they seemed laden down with what had to be the majority of their shopping - and since they were all going back, rather than just one or two ferrying goods - we felt it was a fair bet to follow them. And it paid off!
We were back at Latimers by mid-afternoon and despite my best intentions to work on my tax, I found myself watching (through one eye which is almost ironic given what happens to one of the characters) one of the Final Destination movies. But there's still time to knuckle down and do that tax - so I'd better get to it.
It feels like ages since we've been to the Markets - was it only last week that we missed while we were in Brisbane? No, there was also the week before when we were at The Big House wasn't there? And were we there the week before that? I really do have to keep better notes in my calendar! Ah yes, that's right, the week before The Big House was when M and A came back from overseas!
They were there this morning and A was trying not to look too excited at the thought of N moving back up To Brisbane - in less than a fortnight now. it appears that she is going to drive her car up now, rather than having it transported, and her friend Cat is going to make the trip up with her. When A was telling us this, M was assuring her that it is a great drive up now and that they could easily do it in a day. I was listening intently and trying to believe her because that's the drive S and I will be making in a month's time.
After the Markets (a particularly good session we thought) we went off to Robina for some air-conditioned shopping comfort. It was just a pity I left the pedometer at home because it would have been good to know how many steps we did because we managed to do quite a few. And for a while it looked as though we would be doing a good few more because the parking lot was absolutely jam-packed full - and, quite disappointingly, the parking lights (green for a vacant space) were working "Big House"-style - as in not working properly at all. In the end, we stalked a family who were walking back to their car - they seemed laden down with what had to be the majority of their shopping - and since they were all going back, rather than just one or two ferrying goods - we felt it was a fair bet to follow them. And it paid off!
We were back at Latimers by mid-afternoon and despite my best intentions to work on my tax, I found myself watching (through one eye which is almost ironic given what happens to one of the characters) one of the Final Destination movies. But there's still time to knuckle down and do that tax - so I'd better get to it.
Saturday
How does Pearl know it's Saturday? Does she have advanced consciousness as suggested by one of the "Two of Us" interviewed in today's The Sydney Morning Herald's The Good Weekend? Or does she secretly keep a calendar and mark off the days waiting for the end of the week (a bit like some workers)? However she does it, she does know - and is always excited when Saturday rolls around. Breakfast out day! Walk in the park day! And that's just me - I can't imagine what else she thinks about - maybe the possibility of slipping into the dog park lake for a quick swim, making herself drink out of the common water bowls dotted around the walking track, meeting other furries, trying not to get motion sick in the back of the car, where else she might go to on the way there or back?
I wonder if the cats enjoy Saturday as well? Knowing they can do what they like because Pearl hasn't been left in charge - I'm guilty of that, I don't ever tell one of the cats they're in charge when we're leaving - it's always Pearl - which I think is because I think she's taller she's older, but that isn't actually true! Do they spend the week planning what they'll do while Pearl's gone: while the dog's away the cats will play?
We took ourselves to Bunnings today in search of a wind machine for S as the weather is starting to get hotter and she is starting to feel very uncomfortable in the heat. It was good management and clever thinking on the part of Bunnings that they had a good selection of the fans set up so people could try them before going home, assembling the fan (if required) and finding out it was either too big, not big enough, too blowy or not blowy enough - or that they couldn't actually use it for blowing the furniture around the room.
S is incredibly happy with our purchase and spent the afternoon with it - and so effective was it that at one point when she was having a nap, she had to pull up the covers because she was too cool. I'm sure we are going to have many wonderful hours with it - and I'm now just wondering if we are going to make room for it in the car when we go off to Sydney over the Christmas-New Year Break!
There was a draw at The Big House this afternoon and I'm sure the winner is going to be very happy with the cash or the holiday to Los Angeles - there was so much general hubbub and noise happening when the winner picked the correct envelope we didn't actually get to hear whether they chose the money or the cash - oops, holiday - I think we probably now know what I would have chosen!
I wonder if the cats enjoy Saturday as well? Knowing they can do what they like because Pearl hasn't been left in charge - I'm guilty of that, I don't ever tell one of the cats they're in charge when we're leaving - it's always Pearl - which I think is because I think she's taller she's older, but that isn't actually true! Do they spend the week planning what they'll do while Pearl's gone: while the dog's away the cats will play?
We took ourselves to Bunnings today in search of a wind machine for S as the weather is starting to get hotter and she is starting to feel very uncomfortable in the heat. It was good management and clever thinking on the part of Bunnings that they had a good selection of the fans set up so people could try them before going home, assembling the fan (if required) and finding out it was either too big, not big enough, too blowy or not blowy enough - or that they couldn't actually use it for blowing the furniture around the room.
S is incredibly happy with our purchase and spent the afternoon with it - and so effective was it that at one point when she was having a nap, she had to pull up the covers because she was too cool. I'm sure we are going to have many wonderful hours with it - and I'm now just wondering if we are going to make room for it in the car when we go off to Sydney over the Christmas-New Year Break!
There was a draw at The Big House this afternoon and I'm sure the winner is going to be very happy with the cash or the holiday to Los Angeles - there was so much general hubbub and noise happening when the winner picked the correct envelope we didn't actually get to hear whether they chose the money or the cash - oops, holiday - I think we probably now know what I would have chosen!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday
Little Emma is a tad unwell again so we are monitoring her closely and trying to figure out what it might be. We have also taken her off insulin until she is able to keep all her food down because we don't want to run the risk of her having a hypo, especially when we are out. If S or I are around it's not so bad because we know that we can always give her some sugar water (or a little honey around the mouth) but if we weren't here to notice and act then the consequences are something we would rather not think about.
And on the subject of insulin, M had Beazley back to the vet this afternoon for another BGL check and his readings were pretty good - so good, in fact, that they have now dropped him back to 2 units morning and night. M says he is getting much better about going to the vet (he used to hate it) and she settles him in the car by telling him his story and about his mother and how he went to live first at Country Crescent and then at Latimers. It's important for people, even furry ones, to know their story or in Beazley's case, history.
Well, 1 year, 7 months and 10 days after arriving here I have finally done it ... applied for a local driving licence. I'm not quite sure why the delay but yesterday I just knew it was time - and I was very pleased to find that my licence number numbers added up to 33 (my lucky number - one of them anyway). They took my old licence and gave me a letter to carry until my new smart-chip photo licence arrives in the post! Very exciting!
While it was off for part of the week, by the time we arrived to today, Friday Night Family and Friends Dinner was back on again. It was M's turn - and everyone loves M's turn - and tonight was at Zen. It could have been me but I thought everyone was just a bit low-key - Mouse was as quiet as, F's eyes were sore and irritated after watching The Immortals in 3D, and Mi was debriefing after her translator exam - but nevertheless the company was great (as always) - as was the food. Mmmm ... noodles.
It was still quite early by the time we arrived back at Latimers so Beazley and I settled on the couch - and we would have watched a movie but there wasn't anything we were both interested in - so he tolerated an episode of "Family Guy" and then when it was his turn to choose what to watch next - he was fast asleep. I guess going to the vet takes it out of him!
And on the subject of insulin, M had Beazley back to the vet this afternoon for another BGL check and his readings were pretty good - so good, in fact, that they have now dropped him back to 2 units morning and night. M says he is getting much better about going to the vet (he used to hate it) and she settles him in the car by telling him his story and about his mother and how he went to live first at Country Crescent and then at Latimers. It's important for people, even furry ones, to know their story or in Beazley's case, history.
Well, 1 year, 7 months and 10 days after arriving here I have finally done it ... applied for a local driving licence. I'm not quite sure why the delay but yesterday I just knew it was time - and I was very pleased to find that my licence number numbers added up to 33 (my lucky number - one of them anyway). They took my old licence and gave me a letter to carry until my new smart-chip photo licence arrives in the post! Very exciting!
While it was off for part of the week, by the time we arrived to today, Friday Night Family and Friends Dinner was back on again. It was M's turn - and everyone loves M's turn - and tonight was at Zen. It could have been me but I thought everyone was just a bit low-key - Mouse was as quiet as, F's eyes were sore and irritated after watching The Immortals in 3D, and Mi was debriefing after her translator exam - but nevertheless the company was great (as always) - as was the food. Mmmm ... noodles.
It was still quite early by the time we arrived back at Latimers so Beazley and I settled on the couch - and we would have watched a movie but there wasn't anything we were both interested in - so he tolerated an episode of "Family Guy" and then when it was his turn to choose what to watch next - he was fast asleep. I guess going to the vet takes it out of him!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday
We were up bright and early and out of the house by 5:45am (it really does seem early when you put it like that!) so we had S to the Hospital in good time for her procedure. The folk there were lovely and, as I walked away, I knew she was in good hands! It was worth a small chuckle to know she was being booked in via the Rear Reception - especially given the nature of the procedure. I'm not sure if she was expecting to get a new wardrobe to wear when she arrived - entirely made of paper except for the terry towelling robe worn over the top of everything else including the "one size fits all" (really?) gown.
The said they would need her for between 3 and 4 hours - the preparation (some forms and talking with the anaesthetist), the procedure, and the recovery where she gets to have tea and sandwiches - and to talk with the doctor about what they found (if anything), and then waiting for someone to come pick her up (thank you M!). And they were spot on - she was out of there and tucked up at a room at The Big House (thanks again M) not long after 10 - where she then followed the instructions and slept for the rest of the day. I met her in there this afternoon for coffee, Cheeseland and dinner - and, for me, a bath ... a lovely end to a Thursday. Also ending tonight - The Slap - and while I didn't watch it, I could hear S's comments and it seemed to end well - although I'm not sure if the characters thought so.
In the end I had to carry Tink in at lockdown. She had settled into one of the chairs out the back and ignored all calls and whistles- and while I could have rattled the cookie packet to bring her in, I think that's a bad habit for both of us to get into.
Well, S and I have actually started to think about the Christmas break and S will ring her brother tomorrow to discuss the options.(Thank goodness for the iPad, being able to take a screenshot of the calendar and then being able to make notes on the image - and do different versions of the plan.) and once we know about that part of the family, we'll start liaising with other family and friends.
The rain continues - which is good news. We really do want it to keep up until the tank is full! And the grass is green! Of course, it's a nice change from the hot weather we've been having recently - and gives S time to do some research on the most effective and efficient cooling methods for the coming summer months.
The said they would need her for between 3 and 4 hours - the preparation (some forms and talking with the anaesthetist), the procedure, and the recovery where she gets to have tea and sandwiches - and to talk with the doctor about what they found (if anything), and then waiting for someone to come pick her up (thank you M!). And they were spot on - she was out of there and tucked up at a room at The Big House (thanks again M) not long after 10 - where she then followed the instructions and slept for the rest of the day. I met her in there this afternoon for coffee, Cheeseland and dinner - and, for me, a bath ... a lovely end to a Thursday. Also ending tonight - The Slap - and while I didn't watch it, I could hear S's comments and it seemed to end well - although I'm not sure if the characters thought so.
In the end I had to carry Tink in at lockdown. She had settled into one of the chairs out the back and ignored all calls and whistles- and while I could have rattled the cookie packet to bring her in, I think that's a bad habit for both of us to get into.
Well, S and I have actually started to think about the Christmas break and S will ring her brother tomorrow to discuss the options.(Thank goodness for the iPad, being able to take a screenshot of the calendar and then being able to make notes on the image - and do different versions of the plan.) and once we know about that part of the family, we'll start liaising with other family and friends.
The rain continues - which is good news. We really do want it to keep up until the tank is full! And the grass is green! Of course, it's a nice change from the hot weather we've been having recently - and gives S time to do some research on the most effective and efficient cooling methods for the coming summer months.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday
Cow! Cow! Cow! This is not a greeting to someone who has behaved badly but rather my exclamation as I came around one of the corners on the way to the main road this morning. I'm always watchful for kangaroos on this section but have never given any thought to finding a cow on the road - although given the number of them in the area, it's strange that I haven't.
So what do you do if/when you find a cow on the road? Who do you ring? It's not a life-threatening emergency but if a car came around the corner, going too fast to stop in time, it could be. In the end, the resolution was quite simple ... a man stopped in his panel van, put on his hazard lights, left his driver's door open and chased the protesting cow off the road and into the paddock.- I couldn't see whether it was through the downed fence, or a gate. It was a good job and as soon as he'd done it, I felt the situation was under control enough to drive off - away from the position where I could flash approaching cars to warn them to slow down because there was livestock on the road - so it didn't become, as R would put it - dead stock.
It was another hot day here today - which means there has to be rain coming soon - it has been forecast - and they were right, it started this evening and we're hoping it will go on for a couple of days and fill the tank.
S is deep in the preparations for her procedure tomorrow but seems to be in good spirits - no doubt helped along by watching more episodes of RPA and that screaming show - and tonight's final of Junior MasterChef. We were both saying that we prefer the Junior version to the usual version and not just because the kids cry way less than the adults! It is great to see them being nice to each other and helping each other where they can - rather than plotting and scheming their way to the "top". In the end, S (I don't know why you argue with me) was right and Greta took out the title. Jack put on a brave face and said all the right things during the competition but I was just a bit disappointed with the way they had edited his comments about how he was feeling so positive about winning into the show. There were no similar comments from Greta and it either portrayed him as cocky and overconfident or was a (deliberate?) attempt to throw viewers off track.
The furries were feeling the heat this evening and were very low key. At one stage while S and I were sitting out the back folding washing (well, one of us was!) we had Pearl, Beazley and Maggie with us enjoying, as much as we were, the cool breeze that had sprung up.
So what do you do if/when you find a cow on the road? Who do you ring? It's not a life-threatening emergency but if a car came around the corner, going too fast to stop in time, it could be. In the end, the resolution was quite simple ... a man stopped in his panel van, put on his hazard lights, left his driver's door open and chased the protesting cow off the road and into the paddock.- I couldn't see whether it was through the downed fence, or a gate. It was a good job and as soon as he'd done it, I felt the situation was under control enough to drive off - away from the position where I could flash approaching cars to warn them to slow down because there was livestock on the road - so it didn't become, as R would put it - dead stock.
It was another hot day here today - which means there has to be rain coming soon - it has been forecast - and they were right, it started this evening and we're hoping it will go on for a couple of days and fill the tank.
S is deep in the preparations for her procedure tomorrow but seems to be in good spirits - no doubt helped along by watching more episodes of RPA and that screaming show - and tonight's final of Junior MasterChef. We were both saying that we prefer the Junior version to the usual version and not just because the kids cry way less than the adults! It is great to see them being nice to each other and helping each other where they can - rather than plotting and scheming their way to the "top". In the end, S (I don't know why you argue with me) was right and Greta took out the title. Jack put on a brave face and said all the right things during the competition but I was just a bit disappointed with the way they had edited his comments about how he was feeling so positive about winning into the show. There were no similar comments from Greta and it either portrayed him as cocky and overconfident or was a (deliberate?) attempt to throw viewers off track.
The furries were feeling the heat this evening and were very low key. At one stage while S and I were sitting out the back folding washing (well, one of us was!) we had Pearl, Beazley and Maggie with us enjoying, as much as we were, the cool breeze that had sprung up.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday
Well, no getting off work today and I was up early to give Beazley his shot - athough I noticed that someone had been up before me and had opened the back door for the furries to come and go as they pleased. It may have been S who said later today that she had a-not-very-well Tink out. It may therefore have been Tink who had been just a little ill on the big mat near the front door. The cause seemed to be too many cookies too quickly - but the worry is that this isn't the first time this has happened this week -although we still don't know who it was last time - or really who it was this morning.
When I rang home at lunchtime, S was okay and M was on ROM doing the yard - which is a bit of shame because I had been looking forward to doing it some time this week to surprise her. I almost did it yesterday while I was home but I thought it was a bit warm (and it was a bit warm!) - so thanks to her for doing it. And there's no doubt about it - it does look better - and decidedly snake-free - when it's just been mowed. I will have to have the Colorbond moment for her tomorrow morning because she is in Brisbane this evening going to the KD Lang concert, and staying overnight. Not quite sure what time she's coming back, but it won't have to be in time for Bingo because S has decided that she won't go tomorrow.
I was a bit disappointed on the way in to work this morning because the car started hiccuping a bit. Mind you, it wasn't as bad as it was in Brisbane - but I was worried that it was going to be. I arrived at work okay but determined that I would give it a workout this afternoon - take it through stop-start traffic with the air-conditioner on - to see if I could get it to heat up enough to fail - making sure that I was in the vicinity of the mechanics so I could show them the problem as it was happening. That was the plan anyway and even though it did stutter when pulling away from the stop, just giving it some more accelerator fixed it. I'll keep an eye on it over the coming days - particularly as I'm planning to do the two-hour drive to Kyogle next weekend.
But doing the test drive this afternoon meant I was at the CostCutters (a couple of buildings up the street from the mechanics) and was able to have a look in there. It looks as though the stock depends on what they get in - but there appear to be some good bargains to be had - including Streets ice-cream products - which will be handy if the Summer turns out to be hotter than expected.
F dropped in to borrow the four-wheel-drive this afternoon. L's broke down this morning and he needs one to be able to pick up a load of sand for a job he's doing tomorrow. That four-wheel-drive has come in very handy the last couple of days.
It's about time to call the furries in because it's just about time for lockdown - and it wouldn't do to let them break the rules just because their mother isn't here! Tinker! Maggie! Beazley!
When I rang home at lunchtime, S was okay and M was on ROM doing the yard - which is a bit of shame because I had been looking forward to doing it some time this week to surprise her. I almost did it yesterday while I was home but I thought it was a bit warm (and it was a bit warm!) - so thanks to her for doing it. And there's no doubt about it - it does look better - and decidedly snake-free - when it's just been mowed. I will have to have the Colorbond moment for her tomorrow morning because she is in Brisbane this evening going to the KD Lang concert, and staying overnight. Not quite sure what time she's coming back, but it won't have to be in time for Bingo because S has decided that she won't go tomorrow.
I was a bit disappointed on the way in to work this morning because the car started hiccuping a bit. Mind you, it wasn't as bad as it was in Brisbane - but I was worried that it was going to be. I arrived at work okay but determined that I would give it a workout this afternoon - take it through stop-start traffic with the air-conditioner on - to see if I could get it to heat up enough to fail - making sure that I was in the vicinity of the mechanics so I could show them the problem as it was happening. That was the plan anyway and even though it did stutter when pulling away from the stop, just giving it some more accelerator fixed it. I'll keep an eye on it over the coming days - particularly as I'm planning to do the two-hour drive to Kyogle next weekend.
But doing the test drive this afternoon meant I was at the CostCutters (a couple of buildings up the street from the mechanics) and was able to have a look in there. It looks as though the stock depends on what they get in - but there appear to be some good bargains to be had - including Streets ice-cream products - which will be handy if the Summer turns out to be hotter than expected.
F dropped in to borrow the four-wheel-drive this afternoon. L's broke down this morning and he needs one to be able to pick up a load of sand for a job he's doing tomorrow. That four-wheel-drive has come in very handy the last couple of days.
It's about time to call the furries in because it's just about time for lockdown - and it wouldn't do to let them break the rules just because their mother isn't here! Tinker! Maggie! Beazley!
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