Just for something different we drove up to Toowoomba for the weekend and managed to get there (after a drive of only 2 hours and 17 minutes) in daylight! It was good to know we didn't have to make an early start tomorrow and run the risk of being delayed by traffic around Brisbane. We didn't want to be late for M's second birthday party - the main reason for our visit this weekend - and to catch up with Mum and other rellies of course.
It was also good because, with M giving Emma her insulin shot this evening, it did mean that we could get away fairly early. I don't think I mentioned but Beazley was out in the yard this morning before it was time for his shot - and he managed to get himself back inside in time for me to give it to him. I think this means he has a sense of time and/or he realises that the insulin is doing him some good.
It was a nice way to end the day - having a cup of tea with Mum and her ex-sister-in-law-now-friend and catching up with all the family goings-on. Like most families, there's most always something happening with someone and our family is no exception - but the good news is is that there are no major catastrophes knocking on anyone's doors - it's just life, and its vissitudes, as usual.
One reason we didn't mind driving up to Toowoomba this evening is that there was no FNF (Family and Friends) dinner planned for this evening. We are going back to once-a-fortnight to see how that goes and to allow people to fit other things in ... we don't know why but Friday night seems to roll around awfully quickly these days. (Not all of us are entirely happy about this turn of events - but we will see how we go - and whether a kind of alternate Friday night starts happening instead.)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thursday
I went over to see Mi and F after work to see if I could help with the changeover of their iPhones - and it was a reasonable success given I wanted to leave in time to get home to go out to dinner with S. By the time I took my leave F's new phone was up and running - although he still needed lessons with Siri (I'm not sure what Siri stands for or does). Mi was upgrading F's old phone to iOS5 and had instructions on how to restore his phone with the data from hers.
It must have been the day for new iPhones because J from work also called about her new iPhone 4Sand how to transfer her data between her old and new iPhones.
We were in time for the start of - and stayed until the end of - Advancetown Hotel Trivia Night. The woman running the Trivia always greets us like long-lost friends and encourages us to take part in the bonus rounds - where the first person to reach her with the correct answer but it must be written down - wins a six-pack of beer. We won ours by correctly guessing that most people in the US live within 50 km of where they were born. Who knew?
Of course, there was one question that S could have blitzed if we had been playing "name 5 one-word title James Bond films":exactly the question she and M had at The Big House trivia night a short while ago.
It must have been the day for new iPhones because J from work also called about her new iPhone 4Sand how to transfer her data between her old and new iPhones.
We were in time for the start of - and stayed until the end of - Advancetown Hotel Trivia Night. The woman running the Trivia always greets us like long-lost friends and encourages us to take part in the bonus rounds - where the first person to reach her with the correct answer but it must be written down - wins a six-pack of beer. We won ours by correctly guessing that most people in the US live within 50 km of where they were born. Who knew?
Of course, there was one question that S could have blitzed if we had been playing "name 5 one-word title James Bond films":exactly the question she and M had at The Big House trivia night a short while ago.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday
M threw herself into the mowing today and did a very good job of it ... definitely the territory of Colorbond Moments. It has been a while since the whole lawn has been mowed at the same time so it was a sterling effort - and she even managed to do some of Hermes' yard as well. I know this because as we were having dinner in at The Big House she remembered that she had left the side gate open - and it would need to be closed before the horses went back into the paddock in the morning. I have often seen that gate while I have been mowing on this side of it - but never actually went that extra step to think that it might open and that ROM might fit through there to allow that pesky corner grass to be effectively cut - which it would be if you mowed through the gate-way. Live and learn . . . live and learn.
It wasn't surprising that I did remember that it needed to be done when I got home ... that's what reminders on the iPhone are for ... but the girls did seem surprised that I went out and did it (as S will tell you, I am the one who is not keen to go over to the garbage bins at night because I would be entering "Yowie Country" - but this is on the other side of the house - and I had the lights on - and the torch! ) Just as well that M had mentioned that the electric fence does go all the way up there otherwise I may not have been careful enough with it!
The Jackpot at CSP has not gone off yet - but I thought it was closer tonight when I looked at one of my first hands and had 4 out of the 5 cards needed for a Royal Flush (in Hearts) ... very exciting - especially since the almost-RF was in the first four cards I looked at.
S was called to Court today - but was challenged and excused from the case. She was saying that it seemed to be financial in nature and she wasn't particularly displeased that she wasn't empanelled. But this does mean that she is still "on call" and will keep checking the website (and phone number provided) in the afternoons to see if she is required the next day. Her "summons" runs out at the end of next week and if she is empanelled during that time, she will stay on the case until it concludes.
It wasn't surprising that I did remember that it needed to be done when I got home ... that's what reminders on the iPhone are for ... but the girls did seem surprised that I went out and did it (as S will tell you, I am the one who is not keen to go over to the garbage bins at night because I would be entering "Yowie Country" - but this is on the other side of the house - and I had the lights on - and the torch! ) Just as well that M had mentioned that the electric fence does go all the way up there otherwise I may not have been careful enough with it!
The Jackpot at CSP has not gone off yet - but I thought it was closer tonight when I looked at one of my first hands and had 4 out of the 5 cards needed for a Royal Flush (in Hearts) ... very exciting - especially since the almost-RF was in the first four cards I looked at.
S was called to Court today - but was challenged and excused from the case. She was saying that it seemed to be financial in nature and she wasn't particularly displeased that she wasn't empanelled. But this does mean that she is still "on call" and will keep checking the website (and phone number provided) in the afternoons to see if she is required the next day. Her "summons" runs out at the end of next week and if she is empanelled during that time, she will stay on the case until it concludes.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday
Loyal, loving, capable - these are just a few of the words that could be used to describe M who lost her battle with cancer today. It was a short illness but one which has rocked the valley. It cannot be the same here knowing that as we drive out at any time of the day M won't be tending the horses, trying to get that feisty dog Spot under control, or gardening in what we affectionately called her MWC (mad woman clothes) and exchanging a wave or a chat. Our thoughts are with her, L and the family, and her friends, for the loss of such an amazing woman who simply lived life - giving it and those around her all she could.
Vale Maureen. You are missed.
Vale Maureen. You are missed.
Monday
The rain had all but disappeared by the time I rose and was ready to go off to Community Day at Mudgeeraba. I had been worried last night because it had looked as though the rain had set in - and the wind (which apparently had nothing to do with the caravan that has appeared out the front of the next-doors)! And the day - actually morning - was great for being outside and doing yard work - not too hot, not too cold, not too sunny, not raining. It was a good day and the Kindergarten grounds took much better after the 'blitz'!
When we finished - early - there was some small discussion about whether a return to work was in order and apparently it wasn't so we all went our separate ways! Me. of course, to Zaraffas where I had my second coffee of the day (luxury) and tried to decide how best to spend the bonus time. High on the list was visiting all the Zarraffas outlets on the Coast and having a coffee at each. In r etrospect I'm glad I met Mouse, S and M at The Coffee Club at the Q Super Centre instead because now that I think about it there are a lot of Zarraffas outlets on the coast - stretching from Helensvale to Currumbin! The Helensvale one is supposed to be the best one - followed by Crestwood Plaza. I could do both of them tomorrow.
The case on which S was sitting as a juror has now concluded and it seems that justice has been done. But will she be called for another case? She is still on the active call list and will need to go back to checking the Court's website or phone-in line each day to check.
When we finished - early - there was some small discussion about whether a return to work was in order and apparently it wasn't so we all went our separate ways! Me. of course, to Zaraffas where I had my second coffee of the day (luxury) and tried to decide how best to spend the bonus time. High on the list was visiting all the Zarraffas outlets on the Coast and having a coffee at each. In r etrospect I'm glad I met Mouse, S and M at The Coffee Club at the Q Super Centre instead because now that I think about it there are a lot of Zarraffas outlets on the coast - stretching from Helensvale to Currumbin! The Helensvale one is supposed to be the best one - followed by Crestwood Plaza. I could do both of them tomorrow.
The case on which S was sitting as a juror has now concluded and it seems that justice has been done. But will she be called for another case? She is still on the active call list and will need to go back to checking the Court's website or phone-in line each day to check.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday
M was just about to switch the water over from tank to bore but given the amount of rain that's been falling in the last little while, we may be on tank for a bit longer.
The weather bureau had predicted storms and the thunder and lightening (very very frightening) and the rain happening outside at the moment certainly fits the bill. This goes a long way to explaining the humidity and general mugginess of the day. It would have been okay if we hadn't been locked out of the Turf Club for this morning's Markets and had to congregate in the car park. It was fine up to a point - when the sun came out - and then it was unbearable and, almost as one, we got up to leave.
We needed another plan of action though, because N was due to arrive in time for lunch and we had decided that we would have a group lunch - somewhere near water - so while Mi and F went off in one direction, S and I followed Mouse home and settled in to wait with her - filling in time chatting and doing some of her puzzles (getting a jump on next week's while still leaving those due this week undone on the kitchen bench ... we had spent some time this morning trying to work out a fairly elusive one - which M finally managed to crack).
Bumbles at Budd's Beach was great - although we all noticed the service wasn't up to its usual high standard. "No tip" said Mi almost right from the start, and nothing happened during taking of orders or service, for her mantra to change. And, she told M, you're not to give them a tip on the side. But service notwithstanding, it was a great meal and the food was up to its usual high standard. I'd like to say we all spent some time looking at the water, and while the others may have before Mi drove E home, we didn't as we wanted to get back to Mouse's to drop her off and for M to get her car so she could go off to her next appointment.
It was good to come home though, to check that Tinker was still okay, and to spend some time with Pearl and the other furries. It seems that we do spend some time away from them on the weekend and I think (although it may just be projection) that they must get a bit lonely.
It was also good to have the opportunity to sit down and do some more work on my tax - and to get some figures for S who is going to lodge her return electronically tomorrow - as long as I have given her all the figures I need to from our joint dealings.
The animals must have heard the storm coming before us because when I started looking around for them once the thunder started - they were either nowhere to be found, or they could be found only if you were looking in the right places for them. Pearl had put herself down in the linen area, Beazley was hovering (not literally) near his food bowl (and no that water on the floor was not from him!!! It was from the leak above the hall cupboard), Maggie was hiding down the back between the book case and the boards leaning against them .... and Tink ... well, I know Tink is somewhere but I still haven't found her. I have a feeling she might be in the shed or in the carport (under one of the cars) but I'm not going out to check until the rain slows a little.
I hope it's not so wet that they cancel our work Community Day project tomorrow - I was quite looking forward to spending the day taking photographs of our team at work landscaping the yards of a local kindergarten - rather than driving a computer for the day.
The weather bureau had predicted storms and the thunder and lightening (very very frightening) and the rain happening outside at the moment certainly fits the bill. This goes a long way to explaining the humidity and general mugginess of the day. It would have been okay if we hadn't been locked out of the Turf Club for this morning's Markets and had to congregate in the car park. It was fine up to a point - when the sun came out - and then it was unbearable and, almost as one, we got up to leave.
We needed another plan of action though, because N was due to arrive in time for lunch and we had decided that we would have a group lunch - somewhere near water - so while Mi and F went off in one direction, S and I followed Mouse home and settled in to wait with her - filling in time chatting and doing some of her puzzles (getting a jump on next week's while still leaving those due this week undone on the kitchen bench ... we had spent some time this morning trying to work out a fairly elusive one - which M finally managed to crack).
Bumbles at Budd's Beach was great - although we all noticed the service wasn't up to its usual high standard. "No tip" said Mi almost right from the start, and nothing happened during taking of orders or service, for her mantra to change. And, she told M, you're not to give them a tip on the side. But service notwithstanding, it was a great meal and the food was up to its usual high standard. I'd like to say we all spent some time looking at the water, and while the others may have before Mi drove E home, we didn't as we wanted to get back to Mouse's to drop her off and for M to get her car so she could go off to her next appointment.
It was good to come home though, to check that Tinker was still okay, and to spend some time with Pearl and the other furries. It seems that we do spend some time away from them on the weekend and I think (although it may just be projection) that they must get a bit lonely.
It was also good to have the opportunity to sit down and do some more work on my tax - and to get some figures for S who is going to lodge her return electronically tomorrow - as long as I have given her all the figures I need to from our joint dealings.
The animals must have heard the storm coming before us because when I started looking around for them once the thunder started - they were either nowhere to be found, or they could be found only if you were looking in the right places for them. Pearl had put herself down in the linen area, Beazley was hovering (not literally) near his food bowl (and no that water on the floor was not from him!!! It was from the leak above the hall cupboard), Maggie was hiding down the back between the book case and the boards leaning against them .... and Tink ... well, I know Tink is somewhere but I still haven't found her. I have a feeling she might be in the shed or in the carport (under one of the cars) but I'm not going out to check until the rain slows a little.
I hope it's not so wet that they cancel our work Community Day project tomorrow - I was quite looking forward to spending the day taking photographs of our team at work landscaping the yards of a local kindergarten - rather than driving a computer for the day.
Saturday
There was an old Australian movie called Sunday Too Far Away and even though it was only yesterday, Saturday really seems as though it is now "too far away" to remember. This is one of the problems of fitting in quite a few things in the one day - for some of us, anyway, it does all tend to meld into one and seem to shift to different days. But no, everything we fitted in to yesterday, including several hours at The Big House when we tried to win, but failed dismally, the $40,000 on offer in the all-members draw.
Of course, some of us had bigger days than others - including M who was up half the night with Tinker - the same Tinker who had helped her cut down the surplus banana trees yesterday afternoon long after Pearl had made her way back down to the house. We think it was while she was helping that Tink picked up the tick that caused her to be very unwell last night. Just as well she was inside - and sleeping in the same room as M so that she heard it when Tink started to be sick. M spent the next few hours tending to her - finding and taking the tick out and then monitoring her until she drank water on her own again - a sign that she was starting to recover. Tink is nothing if not feisty and it is a real puzzle as to how M could have been chasing her around the house, turning on all the lights, calling the emergency vet, and then sitting up with Tink and the other animals until nearly 5 o'clock this morning without S or I having heard a thing.
Yesterday morning gave no inkling of the drama it held in store. Being Saturday, young Pearl knew that it was her day out for breakfast - but she was still excited when it was time to jump in the car and go off to Coffee Sisters - where they had entered into the spirit of the end of the month and the only-a-couple-of-days-away Halloween to dress up the cafe and themselves. The most intriguing was the Holy Cow costume - which S deciphered first.
Then off to the Dog Park for a walk with Mouse (who had also come to breakfast) - and we passed quite a large family playing there - with the female-adult looking very familiar but with my lack of recognition of facial features - we will never know who it was. M and Mouse were concentrating on their beautiful yellow labrador puppy at the time so we may never know.
Back at Latimers, M did the banana tree before setting off for The Big House to swipe our cards for the draw (a kind gesture so none of us would need to wait in line), and we followed a bit later, picking up Mouse. We met F and Mi there - so it was a bit like Friday Family n Friends dinner - but at lunchtime, and at a different location. Everyone was in good form - and we even managed to get in a few hands of CSP ($327k and climbing - but the question is whether the shemozzle that is the new parking at the Casino will deter the average punter from going and adding to The Big House coffers). We didn't manage to win the draw but the woman who did was fairly excited - it's a while since I've heard such screams of delight.
S and I came home after the draw, but M drove Mouse home and they then took Prince for a walk. Mouse is keeping up Prince's exercise program right to the end (M and A are due back on Wednesday) and while he has been looking fairly trim, taut and terrific there was a minor set-back yesterday - when young Prince climbed onto the table and proceeded to demolish some "dinners" Mouse had prepared for Pearl. Now Pearl is several times the dog Prince is - so it was a bit surprising that he managed to eat the whole container - with the equivalent of three-Pearl-suppers. It was a wonder he didn't explode on the spot - because according to Mouse and M you could see where it might happen - his girth had increased significantly in the few minutes they didn't see him as he wolfed down the "snack". Just as well Pearl won't hear about it otherwise she might be tempted to eat Prince (not really) to get her dinners back.
Of course, some of us had bigger days than others - including M who was up half the night with Tinker - the same Tinker who had helped her cut down the surplus banana trees yesterday afternoon long after Pearl had made her way back down to the house. We think it was while she was helping that Tink picked up the tick that caused her to be very unwell last night. Just as well she was inside - and sleeping in the same room as M so that she heard it when Tink started to be sick. M spent the next few hours tending to her - finding and taking the tick out and then monitoring her until she drank water on her own again - a sign that she was starting to recover. Tink is nothing if not feisty and it is a real puzzle as to how M could have been chasing her around the house, turning on all the lights, calling the emergency vet, and then sitting up with Tink and the other animals until nearly 5 o'clock this morning without S or I having heard a thing.
Yesterday morning gave no inkling of the drama it held in store. Being Saturday, young Pearl knew that it was her day out for breakfast - but she was still excited when it was time to jump in the car and go off to Coffee Sisters - where they had entered into the spirit of the end of the month and the only-a-couple-of-days-away Halloween to dress up the cafe and themselves. The most intriguing was the Holy Cow costume - which S deciphered first.
Then off to the Dog Park for a walk with Mouse (who had also come to breakfast) - and we passed quite a large family playing there - with the female-adult looking very familiar but with my lack of recognition of facial features - we will never know who it was. M and Mouse were concentrating on their beautiful yellow labrador puppy at the time so we may never know.
Back at Latimers, M did the banana tree before setting off for The Big House to swipe our cards for the draw (a kind gesture so none of us would need to wait in line), and we followed a bit later, picking up Mouse. We met F and Mi there - so it was a bit like Friday Family n Friends dinner - but at lunchtime, and at a different location. Everyone was in good form - and we even managed to get in a few hands of CSP ($327k and climbing - but the question is whether the shemozzle that is the new parking at the Casino will deter the average punter from going and adding to The Big House coffers). We didn't manage to win the draw but the woman who did was fairly excited - it's a while since I've heard such screams of delight.
S and I came home after the draw, but M drove Mouse home and they then took Prince for a walk. Mouse is keeping up Prince's exercise program right to the end (M and A are due back on Wednesday) and while he has been looking fairly trim, taut and terrific there was a minor set-back yesterday - when young Prince climbed onto the table and proceeded to demolish some "dinners" Mouse had prepared for Pearl. Now Pearl is several times the dog Prince is - so it was a bit surprising that he managed to eat the whole container - with the equivalent of three-Pearl-suppers. It was a wonder he didn't explode on the spot - because according to Mouse and M you could see where it might happen - his girth had increased significantly in the few minutes they didn't see him as he wolfed down the "snack". Just as well Pearl won't hear about it otherwise she might be tempted to eat Prince (not really) to get her dinners back.
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