Sunday

Air power

FI is still in Malaysia so, after offering Mick the opportunity to take control of the murse (aka kitty), and a no from him, I stepped in to do the coffee orders. I should have trusted my memory rather than pulling out my stylus to write the list on my iPhone - as soon as I had finished, and as I stood waiting for the coffee people to serve me, I realised I no longer had the screw-on cap for the stylus. D'oh. You really need the cap to protect the plastic tip that snaps onto the "nib"and allows the stylus to register on iDevice screens. M, Ner and Az joined the hunt and it was Az who finally found it ... it had rolled (as I had suspected it would) and come to rest up against the post near where we were sitting. Phew! I didn't want to have to replace yet another stylus! Afterwards, Ner pulled out his iPhone to show me that rather than using the stylus, you can just tap the order into the Notes application using your finger on the keyboard ... and that way there was absolutely no chance of losing the stylus! But ... where's the fun in that?

Beach erosion

Sooz and I had lunch at Main Beach, at the Southport Surf Life Saving Club. It was a good idea - because we soon found out that lots of people had had it. It turns out that there was a big bike race in the area (lots of bikes that is, rather than "big bikes"), and lots of them had met us with significant others and loved ones for lunch there! We ended up at a table inside with a huge seafood platter for 2. It's not often that both of us feel like seafood at the same time, but today was one of those days.

Afterwards we sat near the beach - the erosion is quite noticeable - and watched the ocean, and the surfers, and the seagulls, and the motorised parachute making its way up the beach.

I settled in to do some more work on An's presentation this afternoon. I am taking it round to try on their televisions tomorrow to make sure the format is right ... and I wanted to take around a complete section which will, at this point, be "The Army Years".

 

Saturday

Sooz and I had breakfast without M this morning - even though it is a Saturday. She thought S and I were having "date day" so she'd arranged to meet Mouse at Marina Mirage for breakfast after M had been Deep Water Running. It was meant to be though because just as Mouse was leaving home she received a call from San and Sar and they met Mouse and M for breakfast there. Sar would have been working but the weather conditions were too rough for him to take the boat out. They had a good time though, and M has now identified a new breakfast venue.

Sooz and I went to Daniel Stuart's which was open this morning unlike last time (the holiday weekend) when they were closed on the Saturday and, since we were already in Southport by the time we found out, we went to 42Fifteen instead. That didn't happen today though ... finally I had my favourite bacon and eggs again - and an excellent cup of coffee ... okay, okay, we all know it was a mug of coffee - but only the one!

Just as I was paying the bill, a woman started chatting with me. She'll be having breakfast there on Thursday ... her first time ever even though she has been availing herself of their coffee for some time. She is a "westie" and proud of it. She says that being from the other side of the tracks gives you a bit more character. I wasn't about to argue with her.

Then Sooz and I went off to Ferry Road to get bread and other provisions. I couldn't believe our luck when we were able to park right at the front door. While S was shopping, I, of course, fell into the Greenhouse shop again. Contrary to the name, it has nothing to do with gardening ... it is an upmarket curio shop of sorts - with loads of nice things to give as gifts - or to pamper yourself with.

Next stop ... Target at Southport Park to get someone to take out the anti-theft tags that were still firmly attached (two of them) in the pyjamas that Sooz had brought me for a present yesterday. That done, we did a spot of looking before Sooz took a call from M and we arranged to meet her for a coffee there.

The afternoon is a blur ... maybe because I spent so much time looking at the computer screen as I started work on An's birthday presentation. It is great fun, and with Sooz's help, I was able to find music for most of the "sections". There's some good stuff there ... and hopefully An and Syl will like it as well!

The furries are good!

Friday

I was sure the alarm had gone off earlier than usual this morning ... when I opened my eyes it seemed like it was much darker outside than it should have been. The sound of rain soon after cleared up that particular mystery ... but a light rain wasn't any reason not to go for the lane walk - although I think Pearl thought it definitely was. Luckily it only sprinkled gently as we walked down to B's shed and back.

It was TuckShop Friday at work again today - except with a difference. The nightshift boys had a BBQ last night - actually a sausage sizzle with some burger patties thrown in - and there was heaps of protein - and buns - left over ... so that's what we had. And it was wonderful. You just can't beat a cold sausage ... and then that's been gently reheated in the microwave!

Come to think of it ... it was a excellent food day ... because we had dinner at Mouse's. Fl is still away, and Mi was in Brisbane, so it was just Mouse, M, Sooz and I to enjoy Mouse's Pumpkin Soup with a Twist, Vereneki with special salad, and fresh fruit to follow.

Since it was only the four of us, we watched some television with dinner ... it's still easy enough to chat with it on when we're that few. "House & Garden" was on - and they're already showing Christmas Fare ... which I suppose is okay because the festive season is now only a couple of months away. The year is just flying!

Both Sooz and M had hair appointments this morning and seem very happy with their results - which they should because their respective people did good jobs. Sooz was persuaded to buy some "product" which, she said, at least did cost less than her appointment. Hours of fun ... as long as she likes it!

On the way home (thanks from driving M!), we thought we saw Mi's boys, until we remembered that they are overseas with Fl and Et. There is still no ETA for their return ... it seems they only bought one-way tickets. Let's hope they're having a great time!

Thursday

I sometimes think I don't hang out with women enough. We had one of the reps from one of our tradie providers drop in on us in the office today (bearing cups of coffee ... and home-made bikkies!!!) and talk turned to the pre-start meetings and how our boys seemed to be leaving the Site Office later than they used to. Finally, it was decided it might just have something to do with the new smoko van and it's driver ... the curvaeous brunette with the short shorts and ... well, you get the idea. The rep then talked about the smoko van that goes to another site she visits ... where the young woman is dressed much the same but has something called "hooker heels" (which I'm now trying not to think about) - and how the crew on site have a pool on how long it will be before she mis-steps on the gravel in their car park. Hopefully when it does happen - and they are sure it will - she doesn't injure herself. Nope, give me good old fashioned work boots any day! I was surprised how different are things are with the boots too. I tend to drive faster with them - they're a bit heavier than my runners and just resting them on the pedals tends to give a faster drive ... the police can just call me "boot foot" if/when they pull me over. Also, it's further to reach the floor to pick things up ... who would have thought they would make a person taller!

I'm sure things happened at Latimers today but I'm not sure what they were because I didn't have the opportunity to catch up with Sooz or M. I know Sooz watered the garden because she was doing that when I arrived home; and I know that M and Pearl did some tree-trimming, but that's about it. Oh wait, the technician (not our usual one - he's on holidays at the moment) dropped in to fix the Ratings box which hasn't been transmitting results back to base for a while. Hopefully that will work now and they'll be able to track our viewing habits again ... so we can help shape what the Australian public sees on their television sets!

The Cabaret ad was back on television this morning - this time with revised dates. The show goes on - for another week or so at least.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Nerang, Lars was off with the mechanics. It has been a while but Frank and Billy welcomed him back with open arms ... and gave him a service, new front brake pads, an oil change, and hopefully an additivie that will stop him from blowing smoke while he idles ... this is caused by hardening of the piston stem seals and will require a new head to completely fix the problem. I'll also have to do something about the whosey-whats at the front (I think my eyes did glaze over) but that's not urgent. And, said Billy, you'll have to be careful "not to over-capitalize". But we love Lars, I said, he has sentimental value ... so does my fridge, he replied, but when it stops keeping the beer cold, it has to go! You never know where life's lIttle nuggets are going to come from, do you?

Wednesday

Well, today's the day where I always have problems working out spelling. Our Muslim friends are celebrating Eid Mubarak today and one wants to wish them happy "something" but it's hard to know the spelling. I go through this every year so today, I thought, let's just ask someone and since I was at work at the time, I did. "Buy rum" said K1 helpfully - she had never heard of it so I took the opportunity to fill her in ... and then went off to the interweb which gave the same answer on the first three hits so ... Happy Bajram! M went off to breakfast at the Sheraton with the family and they must have had a good time because they were apparently still there at lunchtime!

M had taken Sooz off to research at Currumbin before she went to breakfast, so that made for a relatively early start for them both. It was a busy day for M, come to think of it, I'd only just arrived home after work, had a chance to say a quick hello, before she was on the phone and then, as I took the opportunity to take Pearl for a walk up to B's (steps, steps, steps) she was in the car and on her way out again.

Fin! Game over.

That left Pearl and the other furries on their own for the evening as Sooz and I were off to Syl and Anita's for dinner. Anita's birthday is coming up in a minute and I have agreed to put photos onto a video loop for them for display on the day. They were going to go M.O.S. (aka "silent") but they have now agreed that I can set it to music ... and we all know that that leaves the option of turning the sound down if they want to! Then, photo transfer and dinner out of the way, Anita brought out the Scrabble Board and we settled in for a game ... which turned into a surprisingly quick game so we were still away by 9:30 so I could still make my 10pm bedtime ... it is a school night afterall.

Well, those noodles from yesterday never did make it out of the fridge and into the car to come to work with me. I'd been looking forward to them though so when it turned into "Tuckshop Wednesday", they weren't getting any complaints from me! I've saved half of my lunch from today for tomorrow, and it's in the fridge at work, so as long as I remember it's there, it's all good.

Kathy came today - our first (professional) clean at Latimers for a couple of weeks - both Kathy and Jenny had, for various reasons, had to cancel their visits. M had stepped into the breach though and given the floors (and probably something else which I didn't notice) a good going over last week.

There was an ad for the (new) Cabaret show at Jupiters on television this morning - and even though it's the 15th today, the dates on the ad had it finishing 4 days ago. I wonder if they've extended the season and not updated the ad. Do people read the small print ... besides me that is, I read it because I was fairly sure the show was having a really short run and that it should have been well and truly over by now. It is supposed to be spectacular though so I might check it out and see if Sooz wants to go.

Fl is off to Malaysia today with "the boys" - his brother, his brother's older son, and Fl's two boys. That's going to leave Mi on her lonesome but I somehow don't think she's going to be at home crying into her pillow for the duration of their excursion. Fl wasn't sure how long they were going to be away but hopefully he won't be away too long ... Trivia's on Monday night and we need his help if there's a "facial recognition" round. The last time he was away and there was one, we managed four between the rest of us; we MMS'd him the photos after the round was done (no phones/iPad during play) and he just reeled them off - 8 of the 10 - just looking at them. We had to agonise over our four!! And he's pretty good at general knowledge too. He will be missed if he doesn't get back in time. And he'll be missed at the Markets ... we've been spoiled by him doing the coffee runs there (as well as at Trivia)!

 

Tuesday

Well, I was wrong. Pearl was home yesterday morning - M brought her home on Sunday night but I didn't see her. She must have been in M's room, probably sleeping still, after the excitement of being at Mouse's for the weekend. I think it was a late night on Sunday night as well ... Sooz was saying that after the Movie on Sunday night, M did an errand for David which involved going out to Mudgeeraba, then calling in to see Mi and Fl to have some scanning done, and then taking Mouse home (she went along for the ride) and then, finally, back to Latimers.

Pens ... and more pens

It was nice to arrive home this afternoon and for Pearl to come out to greet me, followed soon after by Tinka.

I finally made it to the new OfficeWorks in Nerang today ... I called in there on the way home this afternoon. It is amazing ... and the first time I have had a store (almost) between work and home. I have a feeling I am going to be a regular visit - if only to admire the "great wall of pens". Actually, there are three - and they have set it up so you can try the pens out ... which is how I came to buy two pens that I hadn't seen before. They are 1.0mm tips and ... oh, there are no words to describe the joy of how it feels when they lay down ink! I am looking forward to using them when I take the Minutes of a meeting at work tomorrow ... and I was even looking forward to doing paperwork at home this evening so I could use them ... even it was to write 'CANCELLED' on something.

Storm?

The new episode of "The Blacklist" is here and I greedily gobbled it up tonight. Maggie came to bed with me and started to watch it as well ... I was just sorry that the first bit she saw had a barking dog in it, but it didn't seem to phase her too much. I did notice, though, that she lost interest not long after that. ("The Walking Dead" is back, too, but there's no way I can watch that before I go to sleep - that's nightmare territory right there!)

Sooz had another big day with Jen on the research route and was ready for a rest this evening. I picked up NoodleBox on the way home ... and I must remember to take the leftovers with me to work for lunch tomorrow.

It looked as though we would get a storm this evening but I don't think it eventuated. It looked good though ... ominous is the word they use I think.

David and his family have gone back to Sydney ... the meeting with the University has been deferred until next week and they'll be back then for it. It must be very anxiety-making for him to be in this tertiary limbo.

 

Monday

Pearl wasn't home this morning and I didn't go for a walk without her. I should have but I didn't. Hopefully she will come home soon but in the interim I'm glad she's keeping Mouse company. Although David back will be back today - he has a meeting with the University tomorrow to see "what happens next" - and he has Maria and Katherine here as well to support him.

Nicole and Pie Bag

We saw evidence of Nicole's not-so-hidden talents and definitely her tenacity when she brought a tarte aux pommes along to Trivia this evening. She'd baked it this afternoon and she carried it in in the "pie bag" she'd made. She saw the pie bag overseas and, realising we had nothing like it here in Australia, she decided to make some. Fine ... you might say ... except Nicole had not sewn anything at that point - so she went out and bought a sewing machine, learned how to use it, and took it from there. She now gives them as presents (Secret Santa etc etc). What a great idea ... and a very good indication of what you can do if you put your mind to it. There is, I think, a lesson in there for all of us.

M made it onto ROM today and has done a very fine job. I don't think the feline furries would have been paying too much attention to her though - the wagtail chicks are now testing their wings, flying around the yard, and for some reason, Maggie and Tinka are giving them a lot of their attention.

It was Aqua day for Sooz and M today - and lunch at Ferry Road afterwards. Sooz was impressed with the two Japanese girls who had bought prawns and crabs from the seafood outlet there and were eating them with great gusto (although there was no mention of seafood/cocktail sauce making an appearance).

Sooz's tomatoes

I had taken a photograph of Sooz's tomatoes yesterday and posted them on FaceBook - using the new lens on the camera (I really do have to go somewhere to learn how to use it properly) - and she was stunned when she went out to look at them in real life because they were so small ... she said they looked much, much bigger in the photograph! That's what using the macro setting on a 300mm lens will do ... athough most of the fruit was definitely not in sharp focus (hence the need for lessons).

We didn't place on the podium tonight at Trivia even though we were back to our full team. Yes, there was a post-mortem, but we can save the details of that ... "what happens at the Club stays at the Club" could be a kindness to all involved. I think we made the right bonus round choices, we just let ourselves down with some of the answers. But it's all good fun - and since I get to write neatly, I'm happy (as always).

Wagtail chicks

One of the other Site Admins at work had her 30th birthday today so we went out to lunch at the Wallaby Hotel at Mudgeeraba to celebrate. They do a $15 lunch - with quite a few options - or you can choose from the a la carte menu if you wish. It wasn't bad, although it did take a while to come ... but they are busy, said one of the other K's (there were three of us with the same name) looking around the very nearly empty dining room! It was good though although I was champing at the bit a little to get back to get through the mountain of paperwork that had been steadily growing on my desk throughout the morning. We drove along the site route on the way back to the office, to see if they had done "the switch" yet ... which they haven't - it will mean the southbound traffic is moved onto the newly renovated middle section of the road - so the crews can start working on the upgrade of the south-bound lanes. That led to some speculation as to when "the switch" will happen - and since I had booked extra police for traffic control for this evening, I speculated that tonight might be the night. On the way home from Trivia I suggested to Sooz that we could go and have a look (to see if I was right) but by that stage I was a little on the weary side and decided I would find out in the morning ... that would be soon enough!