Playing at Awoonga

Friday we took the girls out to Awoonga dam for a play on the water and brunch BBQ.
The weather was perfect - slightly overcast and not madly hot. Better still - the park was pretty much vacant and we were left to play by ourselves.

The scenery was gorgeous.

The amenities wonderful, ranger's help freely and cheerily given and to complain about anything - would only be other careless (read revolting) previous visitors who had left all their plastic and rubbish under our shelter.


The kookaburras cackled until we fed them. It is always amusing to watch them "kill" the already dead food. (Click on the photo to see it larger)
However nature and family fun isn't quite what it used to be.... Anna complained bitterly about the lack of cell phone reception...
This bird nest caught my attention.


The new motor happily pulls all four of us along at speeds suitable for Christian's desires. I never minded our gentle meanders... however it is different horses for different courses?

Cant see it working - however kudos if someone can pull it off!

Interesting development within the Labor Party ladies this week - starting with Julia Gillard -

"Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Gillard has expressed doubt that a mother could reach the office of prime minister.
In an interview with the Bulletin magazine, Ms Gillard has spoken about her decision not to have children and the likelihood of a woman becoming prime minister.

She says it would be difficult for a mother to juggle the responsibilities of a senior government position with raising children.

"Peter Costello and John Howard should reflect on whether or not it would've been possible for them to have been born women and to have done everything in their lives that they've done, how they would've balanced being mothers and being politicians," she said."

I read that with mild interest and then found this morning that Tanya Plibersek had a different perspective.

"... I certainly don't think that there will never be a prime minister who's got a young family, who's a woman."

She attributes this to the possibility of having a suitable partner.

I have been trying to imagine a woman being Prime Minister or Treasurer with small children. I am picturing her during important meetings saying the things I have had to say at not so important meetings.

"Sorry folks - childcare problem this week - I have to be out of here NOW" and "I cant come to work Thursday afternoon because my girls are singing Abba and Kylie Monogue and my son is seaweed in the school pageant. Seaweed costumes can be such a BITCH to get on right you know."

Our high profile female politician will have children that excrete nothing - because all us mothers know how dreadful it feels when you realise your toddler has wiped his/her nose up your jacket sleeve as you handed him to the carer. The old leaky nappy thing isn't good either. Never mind the bits of weetbix and stuff than can accidentally get stuck to your person without you knowing.

I am thinking she is going to be an absolute riot when measles, mumps and chicken pox happen isn't she.

The poor woman is gunna have HUGE expectations at the three legged races - the sack race gets pretty darn competitive at the best of times - imagine knowing your competing against the PM or Treasurer? Not to mention tuck shop duty - let alone the fundraising at P & C.... mannnnnnn will she have to perform at the chocolate fund raising drives!

Or what about the horrible times us mothers discover HEAD LICE... oh wow is she gunna feel the heat.

I am thinking this "suitable partner" is a very good investment for potential cloning? He is gunna be marvellous at dealing with situations like... the time daughter No 3 told all the kids at school that daughter No 2 had red feathers in her private regions.

Don't get me wrong - if that woman does exist I will be in absolute awe and wish her nothing but easy times.

But... there are so many scenario's we go through that just make this sound like a fantastic situation for a comedy sitcom?

Hey - that kids gunna have a ball at show and tell! Take Mummy! Too easy. The rest of us poor sods have to catch cane toads or bundle up the family pet.... Oh wait - nah kids like the toads, rats etc better than a politician anyway. Maybe she could borrow something extra cool.

Oh - and what about when the poor woman FORGETS stuff. Like she is meant to be at the end of school thingo an hour early to get a decent seat where her child can see her? Or will police go shove all the other parents out of the way? Or with boarding school and you have to book the free weekends in advance to let the kids come home or go to friends houses... imagine if the press gets wind of her forgetfulness! I don't care how fantastic your spouse is - mothers always get the blame.

When a woman does - I want to bake for her family once a month to say thanks for being so great. But I think mothers already do a fantastic job without extra pressures like a job like that. I am wondering why any woman would want to encourage another woman to take on huge pressures when she already has taken on a huge responsibility.

Maybe some peoples kids don't get sick, have nightmares, like having mum attend everything, get in any trouble at school, break bones, hate dentist appointments and require bribes and hand holding.

I think aside from having one hell of a great woman and supportive husband - that woman better have amazing children.

Hooray - Freedom again

My car is all fixed! Although - there had to be extra drama. (Just call me Camille).

The replacing the radiator became a new water pump and timer belt added $$$... and on the telephone I assumed the mechanic meant it became a total of $790.

He meant it was $790 on TOP of the original quote.

A million post dated cheques and I have my car back.

Ok - sometimes I take poetic license way too far.

Disaster averted - for now anyway...

Our little drama went from bad to worse - but slightly ashamed or embarrassed I waffled so badly and for so long last post - I will try to keep it all short.

My car was still in the shop Monday - and I needed to be in Agnes Waters Monday afternoon for work - so I had to call Christian's boss and tell him I needed the ford that afternoon.

Christian was so - fed up? with work - he decided to come with me. Now - this pleases me because I hate driving the ford. I cant tell if it is on petrol or gas - I get alarmed when it backfires and start pushing the button that makes it go from one to the other and have occasionally stalled it...and not having a gauge in front of me to tell me if I am going to run out of either freaks me out. (The gauge is in the boot/trunk)It steers like the back end is fighting the front end. But Christian has unbelievable faith in this beast. I like my car. But its getting a new radiator and water pump and some other thingy.(Picking it up this morning hooray!)



And - he can work too because I was given my choice of workers and was just going to use my daughters. Jane stayed home to babysit the dogs.

We were stocktaking at a small supermarket - and we finished the job at 2.15am. Hour and a bit drive home. I was contented - pleased at how both Christian and Anna worked, and felt we got the job done well. (But I guess anyone can count and call out numbers huh? Oh well)

On the drive home Christian said "That is the first time in my life I have worked in airconditioning."

Shit huh. I never thought of that. I SIT and type or punch numbers ... and whinge! With airconditioners, and computers to access the net and read stuff when I am bored, earphones to listen to music and I STILL WHINGE!

What a shame I don't get more of that kind of work huh?

When Christian woke up - he decided quite firmly he was quiting his job. His resume was (is) still in shambles, and he is being no help at putting it together and really - I don't know the names of the machinery they drive/operate whatever... But I respect the fact he cant stay if he is miserable - at the same time TERRIFIED... we live week to week on his pay - mines just for extras! Telling myself it will all be OK.... and off he goes to resign.

His boss rang back, I had no idea where Christian was (he was lining up the exact same job with another employer that we know pays less)... and I didn't comment on what was going on...

I was practising incredible self control - applying my lipstick and attending to housework, children and dogs but FEELING insane and terrified and SICK. I didn't want Christian to see my fear because I wanted to support him. But I had to apologise to the girls a couple of times for lashing at them unnecessarily.

When I returned he was so upset. He telephoned the other employer and accepted the job - but his voice broke down when he said "I love my family, and I cant keep bringing my work home and taking it out on them"...In twelve years I have only seen him cry three times previously...once at the death of my mother-in-law (not his mum - the sperm donors - but we both loved her, at the diagnoses of William's first tumours when we were all a bit insane, and once when I was leaving.... this was BIG for him. He doesn't even cry when a dog dies - I on the other hand have taken to my bed for a week to mourn the loss of my dogs and cried until it hurts all over.

Of course timing can never be kind to us - and just as he broke down... his boss arrived here. I told Christian to bring him inside because his face was red and obviously crying .. but they spoke on the verandah. I poured myself a wine and it was only 3 pm and I had no girlfriends visiting. I resisted the urge to eavesdrop and the girls and I hid in Anna's room until we couldn't anymore - Anna had to go to work.

His boss told him to take the rest of the week off.. paid and to go fishing. His boss promised to get him the tickets as soon as practical. His boss told him he was just feeling the heat and that he didn't mean to get so cranky and say such awful things and that it was the fault of the other worker... and that he would be gone.

But - it doesn't solve the real issues. Christian cant work forever in the sun. He doesn't want to be visiting the skin cancer clinics every other week when he is the bosses age. He has no idea what he wants to do... and my shoving the tafe course list under his nose isn't any help.

One solution would be that I go and get a full time job. When I work full time it is just so difficult at school holidays etc. I KNOW other women manage it perfectly well. I get phone calls (always when someone is around me) from the girls trying to kill each other. "Put down the knife!" is so not a good thing to be saying on the telephone at work. It also isnt good when Will and three mates arrive at my work covered in mud, carrying a fish they have just caught and telling me they are starving and his sisters wont let him in the house. This is not childcare age children - this is kids born in 1992-1992 and 1994.

Alright - maybe this time the kids will just have to learn how to cope.

But how does Christian find what he wants to do?

Ok - so the drama is hopefully over. It is just... boiling underneath again. My fingers and toes are crossed.

Never IF I am in the shit - always simply the depth...

I assisted a girlfriend today with updating her resume and attending to the selection criteria for a position I mentioned previously.

Anyway - circumstances meant it was a full on 8 hour session... much of it me simply waiting for her to put together her examples of experiences to address the selection criteria... and for her to read what I had typed and see if she liked it....Or for me to highlight stuff I thought no sense etc etc. It is a long drawn out process.

I don't mind doing it - especially for this friend - because I know she really does care about her clients.

I am horrid.. I couldn't do the jobs she can because I have... a nastier disposition. And that can bother me because I hate thinking I am nasty. But I can make resumes look real real pretty. And I can answer selection criteria's for anyone I vaguely like ...

I have done this three times in the past four years for this same friend. And she got all the jobs I have done this for. I.. have not been so lucky in the job thingy. Could have a bit to do with the fact I don't apply - and when I do if I get rejected I don't put myself back in the situation to go threw that shit again. I always figure if people need me they can find me..

Hey it worked when I was young and thin etc? I have quit (or been fired) from legal secretary jobs and got home to find the answering machine had choices for me to go to work at...... Prospective employers knew I was available before it had even sunk in myself. Hell - I used to have solicitors clients try poach me and it was fun to tease them. (I am waffling - there is no way I want to work there again)

My partner/lover/person who farts in my bed etc... has been unhappy with his job - lack of money (HELLO we are broke because we bought the boat motor because HE wanted it?!!!) just general unhappiness... I guess... I am not unhappy... I was PLEASED he went back to work... I find my routine gets too upset with long bloody holidays... Once your broke - it is just dull - my friends stop visiting because they think they are intruding, I can't decide to just go visit someone or something... and even if I want to draw or paint I decide not too because he might want my attention ...

I really sound horrid now ... don't I? Oh well - that is how it is. I always feel like too many things want my attention. It is why I adore my dogs. Ok - they always want my attention too - and they certainly do sulk.... chew up my shoes even.. the new TELEPHONE wasn't a brilliant idea... But they cant sulk long... and they don't seem to remember stuff for ever. (Rocky still gives any dog who visits or who we visit my shoes to encourage them to chew them up.. he knows I will smack them....)

Waffling again... shit...

My car is in the shop. And I needed Christian to taxi daughter No 3 today to and from work. So he pouted and sulked and I.. wondered why he didn't just go fishing or go visit his mate or something?

About hour 6 after girlfriend and I sat working on the awful selection criteria etc... He started throwing little tantrums. I sat and typed and spaced, bolded and italiced... amended the table of contents, reworded and adjusted the settings on the tables and columns. The tantrums included my lack of preparing the kebabs for dinner... that pay tv was boring him and I should cancel it the minute the contract ran out (he loves it most),that I had neglected to feed the finches today and that I had ran out of seaweed extract to feed the garden. that we had the boat motor and I wont go fishing (I do do this - have done it forever.. Sometimes I actually say I don't want to go fishing); small stuff... stuff I was just ignoring.

But my girlfriend is employed in counselling. She assists the long time unemployed in rejoining the workforce. And she cant resist offering him advice.

Wave a red flag to a bull why don't you.

I have many times told my partner... if you don't like your job - let's put together a resume and find another. We did try the work for ourselves thing - it didn't work. These are my kids - and my worries, and if I don't go - he wont go. I would stay awake till mad hours... fretting about Will's tumours - and wake at 10 or 11 to him sitting next to me ready for work saying "I was waiting for you!"

He is younger than me.

We are like chalk and cheese really. But he makes me happy usually. He amuses me.

My girlfriend didn't seem to notice how annoyed he was. I did - but decided to just... play it cool. I asked him when she left why he carried on like that... (He even told her... she gets you jobs and wont work herself) In the same conversation my friend asks him what he needs to earn to compensate losing his current job... and he replies... "How would I know what I earn - she never tells me!"

I probably don't you know. I really don't discuss money with him. He makes it hard for us.. wont do Internet banking because people can rob you (of what?) ditto for phone banking, will not ask his boss for a payslip or ask his boss why his superannuation seems to be completely wrong... If I say... this isn't right you worked away this week and earnt less money than normal... he WILL NOT ask his boss why....

Righto - it is starting to get ugly and time for damage control. I print out all 26 pages... and tell my friend to take it home and scribble all over it. We can resume it in the morning. Somewhere in between me sorting out the mechanics bill, transporting the kids issues, I really should enroll myself in something, booking the motor service because tomorrow is the last day to keep within the warranty, finding three black shirts for work tomorrow night (whole other story.. bloody waffling),

I time out for a minute or so with my daughters. They are funny. Even Sara rang tonight to.. make it easier to time out.

Remember when the kids were toddlers and would do anything to get your attention? Smear shit all over the place, swear in front of relatives or a church member, write "Mum suks" on the wall? That is exactly how I felt.

Many times I have offered to write his resume etc. And always he refuses it. So - I offer again tonight. After a thirty minute lecture on how I should of done this years ago - and would do it for anyone but him.... I wrote the words "use necessary machinery" on one of his previous jobs.. and he went OFF HIS NUT. Threw the drink over the floor, slammed the door and told me I was unreasonable and being stupid and treating him badly.

He did say he was jealous I spent all that time with my girlfriend and not him. And I do know he doesn't need to work for such a bastard etc...

But the other half of the time he comes home from work all excited telling terrible stories of how they made the bucket on the front loader bunny hop down the hill etc (OWH&S people don't read here please)

I KNOW he has a hard time. I KNOW I should get a real job. Being casual at a large engineering firm isn't good enough. I cant do anything other than administration and referral. I will never be a counsellor and I don't want to work with children. I feel I have spent 21 year working for children, and its been hard and enjoyable work. But I have served my time surely. And I am no longer thin and ambitious. I am not pretty or cute anymore. My biggest ambition right now is just making sure my kids complete school - are happy, and have a work ethic. I don't want my kids to spend their first earnings on board etc. I understand that my doing this makes Christian mad... because he feels he was short sheeted on his first earnings. I don't try to say I understand his feeling on family. Because they are not the same as mine.

But - I cant help you if you cant help yourself. And I don't help myself because I decided I loved being mother and lover to this family - even with all the shit it came with. Take away the years of fretting and being scared... it was all fine.

I made my own bed... but tonight i wont sleep in it. I am really mad at him. But I understand if he feels its too hard.

Hell - I always told him to flee. I sure as hell would of.

Small things amuse small minds I guess?

Ok - it is pretty ghastly. But it amuses me. I found this both at Beerli and at Trundling Grunt's sites. Oddly enough I found them one after the other as I went threw my list of stuff to read in favourites...

The males I know are even easier to amuse than I am. I KNOW what they would do with this if I was so stupid as to buy one.

But you know - there just isnt any room in this house to have a fish tank like we used to have.... You have to give kudo's for space saving huh?

The week that was... Absolute waffling - no pictures

• Giggles, wine, cake (I hate cake there is a story in that alone!) and laughter with girlfriends. An awful "foot in mouth" situation wherein I accidentally described the camels foot orchid tree (otherwise known as the Bauhinia purpurea) as the camel's toe tree.... after a few wines... and naturally my girlfriends spat wine all over the table and roared laughing. I am still kinda thinking had Hope not laughed so outrageously first no one would of even noticed my.... regular fuck ups.
• I found an employment vacancy advertisement for a local community service agency , and was compelled to contact a girlfriend I only see occasionally (due to her living an entire 20 minutes away - if I was my own friend I would dump me too).... crap.. waffling... where was I? Right - well I knew she wasn't so happy at her current job and I read this job description as perfect for her. So - I pushed it towards her and asked what did she think. And gorgeous as always, she wants to apply - and was pleased as punch that I had thought of her when I read it... as she too had thought of it.. but had allowed her insecurities to dismiss it. She has no time to apply for it - and I have no problem writing other peoples selection criterias ... and I tell her I will fiddle it until she can look at it...AND..
• I ring the contact details on the advertisement. This advertisment is in the local paper and on the internet... and it says ring a particular woman on a particular number... for the position description and employment package. I ring for a day and a half and the phone rings out. Eventually I ring head office and explain my dilemna... and they say... Oh... particular person is ON HOLIDAYS STILL. I am thinking... well WHY would you put her as the contact person? This is not rocket science..... It is not.. oh blah. It just frustrates the crap out of me. It frustrates me maybe more nowdays. I have resisted for years telling people what I think within workplace type.... oh wait thats complete crap. Ha-ha. Start again.
• Righto - let's just stick to .. I get really annoyed at absolute stupidity when your being paid to do something sometimes. Surely when deciding to place an advertisement for employment someone would of noticed that "particular person" was still on holidays until the end of the due date for applications?
• My partner/lover ... whatever we call him... is feeling despondent in his employment.. and powerless to get out of the situation. And whilst I listen attentively (or I stare at his drink wondering if he is going to finish it..or watch the corners of his mouth and get completely distracted... whateva) I do become aware I don't make the situation easier by being completely happy working in a casual job and simply being the mother.
• My girls are hilariously funny. And so very beautiful. Anna is hanging around with people who dont make her sad at the moment... and all is good. Oh .. no wait. Anna is mad at me for making the "looser" sign at a boy who visits her regularly now. I was simply being very very funny.
• The sperm donor races in town tomorrow - and Will is going to go back to Rockhampton with him tomorrow after the races. Will asked me to find the form guide and explain it to him for tomorrow... so he could impress his father. I did the best I could... which wasnt too bad when you consider it has been 11 years since I had anything to do with any form of racing. I find it odd Will is ... suddenly concerned with knowing his father and what he does. I used to have to talk the kids into visiting him. Maybe I am jealous?
• My Mama was upset over a slight by my sibling this week... and I am sure my sibling wouldnt MEAN to hurt her.. but it still hurts that they hurt.
• My radiator problem became a .. water pump problem and .. other car thingy problem and... I have bugga all savings after holidays to fix it easily... and I am meant to be worrying about that too...and now the car is at the shop until Monday.... (I work Monday night so let's hope something happens before then?)
• Something always does happen. Surely they will take a postdated cheque for next Wednesday?
• The lovely Lish turned 30 this week. I drank bubbles for her. Hope she appreciated that. (Oh wait - I drank the bubbles with Hope... gets so damned confusing!)

Right - so tomorrow I might find something interesting to post. Or not. I will be taxi to the kids... horseraces and all...Anna is attending a party with a theme of "pimps and ho's" (how do you spell ho?) and we have argued plenty this week about her outfit... (let alone when I ... errr... do her looser sign to her new... beau? (he is completely ghastly - junior school drop out, already messed around with her best friend, Anna MET his mother asking the 16 year old kids for a light for her aparatus for smoking cannabis and he and his mate arrived here intoxicated one night... Anna for the life of her cannot understand why we are MEAN to him and make him go home when we go to bed... )

I know - go figure? Parents and caregivers are inserted with nasty computer chips that make us be difficult.

I swear I was just being funny when I made the "looser" sign at him. Ha ha.

Ok... I have to do morning again tomorrow.... I so love bubbles! What a shame I cant do them in the mornings!

Fishing today

These signs are everywhere. Funny but - I have never seen one ever. I think I have seen everything else.

It was still windy today. Even in the estuaries - the water is choppy and not as pleasant to be on.

Especially after I had just watched some bloody program on tv called "Rogue Waves" and I am not really fond of water I cant see what is in it.

We caught nothing but tiddlers. I so wish the wind would go away. It was still fun - and I got awfully wet on the way home.. reminding me of a wonderful dog we owned - Suzie (ok my Mama will tell you Suzie wasn't all that wonderful - but we loved her... she was just a little dirty)...

Suzie used to insist on sitting at the front to "bite" the waves .... and it was funny. Today the waves... where perfect for Suzie to bite. My current beloved dogs are ... not boat dogs.

The weather is lovely really.. the wind keeps it a cool maybe 26 C?... so its nice on the water. But I just want the still waters that will mean we can go where we want.

Saw a beautiful sea snake today... of course forgot to get the camera out. I always do that. I washed my fingers beside the boat..and threw the prawn heads into the water and up popped a lovely green/yellow with brown marks on its back snake to look at me... took me ages to stick my fingers back in the water....

Better luck tomorrow huh? Or thank heavens we dont have to rely on fishing to feed ourselves?

Can anyone help me with this movie title please?

Ok - we must of watched this movie around C 2000... we would of watched it on Pay TV - and for the life of me I cannot remember the title... and Googling it hasn't been successful. Maybe I just am using the wrong keywords.

Be patient with me - Christian thought I was browsing for porn and got... over excited and is trying to drive me nuts. (The dogs were most upset with me this afternoon too because I smelt of my girlfriends dog)

I was not searching for porn... I was reading PC's blog with interest and watched the videos including the couple and the egg... found the girl in the oyster shot way too young... and that.. put me off... and then the octopus thing... (funny how I decide to watch things the wrong way around huh?)... and reading the comments on erotica ....and being comfortable with sexuality etc etc...

MAYBE - sharing stuff with your lovers mouth is fun. But.. I really dont find egg yolks MY thing. (Does this mean I have the delicacy of a sumo wrestler... probably....)

And I remembered this wonderful movie that I found very sexy, very moving and erotic... and heck it had adultery and murder and .. all kinds of ghastly stuff too (see I am not only a Disney fan)....

And I WANTED to mention the fish filleting scene and find it and say... no I find this erotic... but egg yolk is always simply messy....

Right - the scenerio was a fish shop .. in a place wet and usually grey with those lovely cobblestone pavements and they lived on top of the shop. "They" were a middle aged couple - him the fishmonger and her a volumptious and sexy mother of a bloke.. and they employed a drifter type... about the same age as the son... and the mother accidently fell into an affair with him. The father... showed the young man the tricks of his trade including how to fillet correctly a very difficult fish...and as the father became aware... and the son...etc etc...

A beautiful scene wherein the young man touches the fish fillet and the father realises... and the tension is fantastic...

And the whole family is thrown into chaos and someone got murdered at the end. And everyone lives unhappily every after. And really they were all pretty miserable in the beginning and only happy when they were all together and not aware of their... stuff.

Movie reviewing is never going to be a career option for me either, huh?

Anyway what was the bloody name of that movie? The son walks in on her receiving oral sex in one scene too...

It was a really good movie. I just seem to forget stuff I guess.

Weekend anticipations

Nah - Rox I am not moving from Blogger - here I stay. Blogger simply had an update thingo - and I was reluctant to switch because normally changes mean... headaches etc.

I am perfectly capeable of giving myself headaches and confusions ... and it took me a while to make the "switch" - nothing abnormal I am always the most reluctant to change ...

The weather here for the past three weeks has been WINDY - which means that our boating activities are limited to within the estuaries and creeks. Of course - that is all lovely too... it is just I had hoped to do some island sightseeing.....

Another plus of windy is that the weather has been so much cooler than in the past. We really havent had a madly hot day wherein we could go out to Lake Awoonga and have a family day swimming and playing.

Jane and I walked around Spinnaker Park with Dotti this afternoon - and I felt disappointed at the white topped waves and wind attacking Jane's skirt.... I want a dead still day so that the harbour drive will be pleasant out to the islands.

Doesn't look like it is going to happen - so crabbing it will have to be. The talk of the town lately has been the complete lack of suitable crabs... So - bloody good thing I like just bobbing around on the boat sightseeing.

Last night K & M and all the kids came around for a "seafood cooking night". This translates to ... we all drink way too many bubbles; make a ferocious amount of mess and noise; and we eat (or waste/drop/burn/etc) enough expensive food... that we should feel really guilty ... but we don't.

M found a recipe for black mussels that looked (and tasted) just wonderful - but I didn't buy them. Normally around $4 a kilo they were $13 a kilo... so I bought prawns, fish and smoked salmon. But K was not feeling as miserly as I was.. and did buy them! It was beautiful - but anyone who doesnt like ginger hated it. Indeed she was feeling wealthy enough to buy scallops...

M also found a recipe on how to completely make calamari taste disgusting. Calamari is so easy to make taste nice - but chinese five spice and calamari is just WRONG people.

I should of taken photographs. But indeed when the first bottle of bubbles is popped at 4 pm - and K arrived in a taxi - a pretty good indication the night was headed for rediculous intoxication....

I had over celebrated by only 8 pm... and being such a terrible host.. I crept off to bed.

Anna (my angel) magically had "fixed" most of the mess by the time morning came.

Right - so this weekend I chase the elusive crabs again in the creeks and rivers. The wind will mean less sandflies in the mangroves. Batteries charged and camera ready!

Ok - I switched... the new blogger

Ok - a few more options in the toolbar. Doesn't look too scarey.

I have accidently screwed up heaps of comments I meant to make on other blogs... and that isnt just with new blogger - I do it with old blogger.

Ok - and only two or three (six) madly drunk - making comments so not appropriate....

It should be ok. Blah I have travelled WordPerfect to Word 2003 - Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel etc... I can do this too.

Odd - I still feel nervous huh?

The sadness of those ... who have none...

William is trying to look sad too. She does look sad doesnt she? (She got some later I promise)

The simple pleasures of life...

Like icecream - so simple ... so delicious....

Quilting - A Gift made with love.

The quilt my mother made me arrived today! Have a look at this....



I can't decide which side to show off?

I am going to hang it on a wall. My dogs are too naughty to stay off anything like this. And my kids. Heck - I am not sure I can be trusted either.

But - Lucky me lucky me!

And Thank You and Bravo to my clever Mama.

Resonating Resolutions... or the lack thereof

So glad we pushed Anna (daughter No 2) out the door last night to attend the party with her friends. She had a lovely time - and managed to go to work at 7am this morning with only a few hours sleep and smile during her shift.

I couldnt help myself and went over (full knowing the ques would be insane) and checked myself. Her eyes looked like those fake contact lenses with the red crazy lines on them... and she was paler than pale... but I found her just gorgeous....

Or was I just amazed that she had the good sense not to call in sick today? Who cares - I am happy and she is happy. All is good. As she, her sister and my nearest friend walked back from the supermarket all attempting to over-talk the next person - it was clear that Anna going to the party was the best thing to do. (Ok - so sulking at home with us was not an option. I was watching Pride and Prejudice... and I love pretty pictures and anything old... I spoilt the movie for Jane cause I wouldnt shut up during it - and she retired to her sisters room to watch it on that television without my commentary)

William was delivered this morning by my favourite ex-brother in law. Sometimes, there are just people who are so EASY to be with. So - my house is full of kids again and the dogs and I are happier. Besides - I just so can't cook for only 2-3 people. I have to keep delivering left overs to people...and so many of our friends are away. (Well the ones who like to receive ... when I overcook and the dogs refuse to eat anymore)

Christian returns to work tomorrow. It would of been nice if he could of had another week off - but with our recent purchases and the expense of Christmas and the very untimely demise of my radiator - the hard fact is.. we are out of money and work - he has too.

I am grateful for what we have - but then again... it would be so much nicer if we could have a holiday JUST ONCE where we didnt have to either go without or.. make the breadwinner return to work.

So - if I do have a New Years Resolution - it is for next years holidays.. not to spend all our bloody money in the first few days. No matter how much fun it is.

I did start a list and had - lose 5- 10 kilos. That sounded way too hard and way too like me giving up something. I considered chucking in the cigarettes again. I read someone elses blog... (sorry I forget whose?someone nice anyway) and they expressed that really a resolution could be interpreted as a plan.

Well - if its a plan I need longer than the time I get to myself playing on the pc. So best I procrastinate on that too.

And I wasted heaps of time remembering friends and family that I miss. The lovely smells, the sounds, the wonderful times (or the times they put up with my miseries.. whateva) the tastes..the laughter and the oh too quickly how the sun comes up!How satin pillowcases, t-shirt material sheets, sunlight soap, furniture polish (weird but true)awful 80's music and fishing tackle.....

I love wasting time.

It will be a lovely year.

I am a brilliant time waster.

Happy New Year

My beautiful daughter No 2 was involved in her own melodrama's over the last week - and I have tried hard - yet not too successfully to keep my sarcastic (read really funny fantastically witty brilliant)comments to myself.

She looks beautiful red faced, strewn with tears in the tiniest bits of clothing... that are not purchased from an adult shop. Really - someone should put that girl in the movies. She attended a party after a bit of prodding from us - her misery at some nasty teenage girl/boy stuff was about to provoke her to the entire "Camille" performance and ... who the hell wants to hang around with that all night?

She works at 7 am tomorrow morning. She will be absolutely unbearable when she gets home. Maybe the rest of us can manage to be out.

Daughter No 3 is loving her work - albeit at a fast food store - but it is the financial independence,her excitement at the kiddies birthday parties and her tales of the customers that frighten her.... that make me so proud of her. She helped me make dinner tonight with a lovely togetherness and happiness.

Except - I suspect I could be one of the customers that scare her.

Oh well.

William rang from his Dads - he and his uncle Paul will be home tomorrow morning. It has been a long time since I have seen Paul - and I always enjoyed his company.

I considered writing a New Years Resolution List. But when I sat and thought about it... it usually entails me giving up something. So buggar that.

I made daughter No 2 walk with me and the dogs uptown today. No real reason - just to get us off the sofa. I hate holidays - I get so bored. Christian doesnt think too far past food, adult entertainment, boating and fishing. My taxi duties are multiplied by ten. Daughter No 2 duly points out if we are walking all the way uptown to ring Christian to pick us up - why cant we just drive up town and save the walk. SHE MISSED THE WHOLE POINT.

Rocky (wonderdog No 1) was a complete bastard for the first 25 minutes. He pulls so hard - passerbys must want to ring the RSPCA to report us. He makes non stop CHOKING noises and it takes both arms and constant restraint to hold him. Dotti climbed into the fountain at the Yacht Club. I had fun - but I had to keep telling Jane she was having fun too.

I will too! Tomorrow when I make her come with me again!

Happy New Year!

Saddam

WITHOUT wanting to join any arguements on who or what Saddam was... I was still astounded at the joy my friend announced his death (I cant figure out how to make the free tv channels come on - the kids are away and I just mess remote controls up)... My friend is a reluctant barmaid who doesnt like people much anyway... why the glee at his death? People are always good at shocking me... but something so remote from us/her and her pleasure at the EXECUTION of another human being. Watch the related video... and it seems to me.. rather... alarming.

The whole "weapons of mass destruction" and the execution before the trials had even finished...the figures of the deaths he caused versus the figures that amass daily in our war for freedom.... freedom against weapons of mass destruction... and .. err ok it just all seems so rediculous to me.

Hey - it is just me.

And hanging? We had to put down a puppy a few years ago .. and it was so so quick with the injection at the vets. It was still quite horrid... but so quick it.. became bearable for our memories?

I dont feel any joy at this execution. I was surprised my friend did. I felt nothing but sadness. I felt sorrow at the memories of when I was at Uni and we did debate and discuss such topics. I particularly remember watching footage of the United Nations talks and thinking.. no one is listening to this man... I felt a little pang of guilt that all I really give a hoot about is my kids, spouse, family, friends and dogs. Not necessarily in that order either.

I felt shocked she felt it such an occasion that we should celebrate. But I have NEVER knocked a reason to drink alcohol.

I think it is unlikely I would ever feel joy at any execution of a human. Maybe Martin Bryant excluded.. but he too could have the digntity of the injection we gave that little puppy.

I also made the mistake AGAIN of looking at Tim Blairs blog. Thank heavens I have never felt ... anywhere connected to these people.

Christmas Meme

It is strangely quiet now the little kids have gone. I have already seemed to run out of things to read on the internet. I found the Christmas Meme over at PC's... (Her trifle recipe ingredients could buy us a four stroke motor I am sure! Sounds wonderful... HAVE I BECAME MY FATHER AND THE SCROOGIEST PERSON ON EARTH?)

Anyway - on with the meme.

1) Do you have a tree, and if so what is hanging on it?

We have an old, cheap, plastic tree that has serviced us for the last five years. Before that we used to use real trees and spend the three months still vacuuming up the pine cones. And Australian “real trees” don’t look anything like our Northern Hemisphere friends tree. (Or on the tv – whateva)

The kids and I went to hang our stuff on the tree – but Anna (almost 16) was disgusted at their age, their lack of sparkle, the handmade pieces (INCLUDING the ones she had made for me) and in the end – I was only allowed to keep two. Anna said she would buy new ones – but then her trip to see Robbie Williams and her desire to be extravagant for family members (who deserve jack chit) – DELAYED this purchase. And – yep – this year the poor tree only had the tinsel and one green bauble that William made for me from pre-school (Will and I both begged for it to be saved) and the crocheted snow crystal my friend Carrie sent me years ago adorned our tree.

I didn’t sit the beautiful angel B sent me from Canada on the tree – deciding instead to show her off on the sideboard because she looked rather.. strange alone on top of a tree no one can see.

And I swear I looked for two days – and I couldn’t find our lights. And I KNOW we have heaps of them. Dotti the wonderdog managed to find old baubles and .. redecorate them.

This house is the same size as a postage stamp (I can use poetic license – I have scotch too!) and the tree is on a hall table not built for a hall this small. There is absolutely no other place it could of fit. Actually, too many of the things I have cant be used for what they are designed to be simply because of the space issue.

I suggested we string popcorn up at least… and my girls were horrified. Even when I told them we have done it many times before. I did tell them we wont eat the stuff… fly poop and all considered….

2) What's the most successful bit of Christmas cooking you've done so far?
I kept this year really simple and am so glad I did. No stress moments.

Christmas Eve we had oysters Kilpatrick and natural – and a cob loaf with banana prawns, smoked salmon, every cheese I found in the fridge, cream, garlic, coriander, cumin, parsley and onion (I was too mean to pay $4 for a bunch of shallots) and a few finely chopped left over vegetables. It was delicious and messy. No one – even William – even spotted the vegetables.

Christmas breakfast was French toast, leg ham grilled, the boys had eggs, mangoes and corn on the cob. My mother started the corn on the cob for Christmas breakfast years ago… and I just love being able to get all buttery and messy for breakfast.

And lunch was just roast turkey thigh fillet and leg of lamb – all the condiments and five roast veggies. I even forgot to put anything green on. No one complained. I didn’t even worry about an entrée this year either. Dessert was just parfait glasses with jelly, strawberry mousse and when I said I will make some banana custard… everyone said.. “Don’t bother with the custard – we will just eat the banana’s” (Good comes from bad – Cyclone Larry saved me a bit of cooking?)

3) And the least successful?
I am hoping this is just for this year – cause in past years I could go on forever. Like ditching my own idea of Christmas lunch for families – to find they served day or more old cold chicken, sliced ham from the deli and salads. Ex-sister in law and I once starved ourselves for three days thinking Christmas dinner was going to be the full roast thing – and arrived to find spinach leaves with lemon dressing with cold grilled fish. Fine for a lunch with your girlfriends.. but not Christmas day!

This year the lamb was too rare for Anna’s taste – but ok for mine. I didn’t put it on the table so it would offend her.

4) Which bit of your Christmas shopping are you happiest with?

It is so very hard shopping for teenagers. I felt like I should of provided more expensive presents in accordance with what they tell me their peers are receiving. But I simply couldn’t. And I also suspect that if I could – I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t buy myself an $800 phone. I do not have the $ and am not sure I want Will to have a $3k motor bike. IF he did we would need much more because Christian would need one too to go with him. And that sounds all like yet another worry for me.

The competitiveness is so awful – and yet I still cringed when I heard any of the kids asked what they received for Christmas and felt a bit like a “loser” (I hang around teenagers sorry) as I cringed as they replied.

I bought my mother a digital camera that I think she will love. But I am so used to our cameras – the camera thing is something I will blog about later. I KNOW my mother will get a kick out of being able to show me her latest rose bloom or bird visitor in her garden. But I bought it off eBay and it arrived to late to get to her on time….

The boat motor is KINDA Christians’ present. And that – at least – I know he not only deserves but will use to the best of its.. usefulness. And he loves.

5) Have you opened any of your presents yet? What was it / were they?

The BBQ was my present to me, and Anna bought me the oysters and prawns. My mother has been making me a patchwork quilt and that will arrive soonish. My closest two friends gave me wine – and I gave them exactly the same thing. Shades of my life – I actually didn’t receive any gifts. But I also spend 365 days a year telling anyone and everyone not to give me things.

6) Do you have any bad Christmas associations that will have to be tackled?
None that I want to tackle again. My own ISSUE over Christmas in a divorced family situation is that children should be able to have access to both sets of families. I can’t change the past – all I can do is make sure I don’t make those mistakes. And hell – sometimes being nice/civil to the “other side” is so damn hard. I bit my tongue every single time my three children purchased lovely gifts for their family. (Usually with my money – excepting Anna who has her own money)

Bloody wonder I managed to eat so much at all really.

7) What's your favourite carol? Why?
I am always a crier. But “The Little Drummer Boy” just chokes me up no end.

As a kid we sang this at the Opera House – and I felt like a bit of an orphan the night that should have been a wonderful night…

I love listening to carols. I always think the malls are so lucky they play them because otherwise I would get in a worse temper.

8) Which part of your Christmas plans is most likely to go awry?

I am so glad I kept this year simple. There was nothing that could go wrong this year. I didn’t expect my mothers present to take so long to get here. That certainly went awry. I have always had easy transactions on eBay.

9) What's your most favourite thing about Christmas?
Wow – it is family and friends. Even though this year I deliberately kept it at just my kids and us. Although I didn’t put myself threw the huge paces of being nice to the ex’s and visiting friends etc… I did spend many moments remembering the NICE times about when we have done this. I guess there wont be all that many times left I will have just the kids home …and heaven knows some of my girlfriends are simply better at celebrating for 24 hours plus than me…. (Yes Robyn you!) I love the big feast – but hell I can make any excuse for one of them if I want to.

10) What's your least favourite thing about it?Being so far away from family and friends so that I can’t just rock up and visit them when I do have my little nostalgic moments about them. I also hate mince pies and fruit cake.

11) What Christmassy thing have you seen or heard in the street or on the teeve or in the blogosphere that has
(a) touched your heartI got all teary at the front page of Saturdays “The Courier Mail” with the picture of Terry, Bindy and Bob Irwin. But it doesn’t take a lot to get tears from me.

And last week on the Christmas Harbour Cruise when I finally met people Christian knows from work who foster up to 12 children at a time and the two beautiful girls they had with them that night.

(b) hit a nerve

My nerves were hit raw with my kids desire to purchase their “other family” wonderful presents. Ten hours of shopping for people that do jack chit for them.. seemed senseless to me.

or (c) made you want to barf?

William walked past Anna’s plate after eating his breakfast mostly with his hands (corn cobs require this – but eggs and ham do not) and pulled pieces from her mango off…. I felt her pain at that.

12) Who do you wish you had contacted to say Happy Christmas but haven't so far?
We were pretty slack and didn’t do cards or many calls. Tough – I love so many people it would of taken me too damn long. And lets face it.. it is such a hectic time of year. I don’t like to bother people. Or I hate to be bothered myself.

Merry Christmas from Dotti and Rocky. (Or is it - my owner sucks when she thinks its cute to make us wear this shit?)

You thought they were discussing the fact they only got a Smacko Stocking with a ball and some treats in it?


Nope - Rocky took on a Christmas toffee and had a buggar of a time eating it.


Dotti says - "Table is set! This must be my seat in front of the airconditioner!"


Rocky waits for us girls to leave the table and trys his luck with the boys.


"Can I have a toffee?"

My dogs remember NOTHING! But they had a marvellous day. As I type - they are both lying belly up at my feet.It was nice with no stress of travel and visiting! But then again - Christmas with friends and family is nice too - I just cant take my dogs and chose them this year.

It was just us - until the ex-brother and sister in law came to pick up the younger kids to take to Rockhampton to stay with their Dad until Friday. Now it is just Anna and us. Anna has some pleasant new friends - and a walk around the beach is a good idea shortly to.. compensate from some of the excesses of lunch.

But - a very simple Christmas here - that was just lovely. And I am hoping everyone else had a lovely one too. I thought of many friends and family today... And even the reminiscing was lovely.

Cheerio! A bottle of scotch is calling me!

Quick post on the Jackeroo Tuscany BBQ - AGAIN!

I noticed I got a quite a few “hits” to my little waffling blog from referrals searching about the Jackeroo Tuscany BBQ. So – if that is what you are looking for I have mentioned it here and here. I love my BBQ - and therefore feel quite happy to sing the praise it deserves... to the tune of Falalalalaa la la la la...

I have cooked everything I could think of in it. Indeed – the very first week I used an entire 8.5 kilo gas cylinder up. I have been a little more moderate with it since then. I haven’t yet bought the rotisserie – but will along the track.

I find it does roasts just fine. I do always place roast meats on top of bread. I have to keep an eye on it… the temperature so easily gets so hot. The side burner holds the huge pots necessary for crabs. (Of which we have only caught ONE LEGAL SIZE one – and so tomorrow will be smoked salmon and banana prawns.)

BUT… tomorrow our Christmas lunch will be a turkey thigh roast and a leg of lamb. Everything will be done out on the BBQ – and no cooking inside the house. Previous years the oven competed with the air conditioners… and the oven wins.

Regarding how I originally lost the instructions manual? Christian FOUND* me another one, and we decided that the manual would not of been a terrible lot of help with the assembly ANYWAY. So - if anyone also searches for the instruction manual and cant find it.. I would be happy to scan it and send to them.

For big celebrations – I will drag it out the back. But because we live so close to the ocean I worry about the effects – and the front porch is more protected.

Yep – I really do love my new bbq.

And it so smells like Christmas - but cooler! We havent even turned the air conditioners on yet! The mangoes make the room smell so lovely. The kids are still excited about presents under the tree. The dogs have chewed up as many things as they could - the baubles from the trees look sad actually. For some reason I like them better this way. Righto - I best set the jelly and walk up the supermarket to see if any last minute specials are to be had!

*Found – he walked out of the shop we bought the BBQ from with the manual on display.You can take the boy out of the 'Didge - but you can't take the 'Didge out of the boy.

Best Wishes for Christmas

Television Meme

Television meme - pinched from Elsewhere.

1. Earliest remembered television?

Playschool and Sesame Street. We were the last people to get a colour TV in our neighbourhood – but the very first to get a vcr. In my mind – Jemima, Big Ted, The Cookie Monster and others were completely different colours. I imagined them - hell these guys were my idols... and then! Cookie Monster was BLUE? Sheesh an adjustment and it took me a while to get used too. I also felt I related better to the colours from the Australian and UK TV shows and that there was something odd about the ones from the USA. I wonder if that was imagined? Or are the colours really different?

2. TV series you would want on a desert island

Would I want to watch TV on a desert island? Ok so it is a very dull island and the fishing absolutely stinks? And I am not enjoying no telephone, no errands, no money to think about, no washing to do and no need for a vaccum cleaner? There are no seed pods to examine or rocks to count all the colours I can see in them. The water is not making wonderful ripples and the sun is not playing with the colours on the water either. I still roar laughing at Absolutely Fabulous? Oh no – question is too hard. Can I have a book instead maybe?

Anna just said “Lost” so she could figure out how to survive. That would do maybe. Besides I fell asleep threw so many of those episodes and I do mean to try watch it again.

3. TV that made you laugh

Woops I already answered that! But – I am easy to amuse. I loved The Young Ones also. Faulty Towers and Allo Allo. There is probably something messed up with my brain that it is so easy to amuse me.

4. TV that made you cry

My second daughter and me are born criers. We cry at the NEWS. Tears wouldn’t stop for me as I watched the Cronulla riots and the miners freed…. Lassie ! Oh my goodness… House and Greys Anatomy … I cry at the documentaries on the Discovery Home and Health documentaries all the time. The plastic surgery that corrects a deformity, babies first steps, the fat person gets skinny! The makeovers!

5. TV crap that you enjoy

Will & Grace! We love it. How embarrassing!In the privacy of our home we mimic Karen too. Sad, but true. And we think ourselves terribly funny. And we like Gilmore Girls too. Until this year – I was an absolute Big Brother fan too. In the past I have even left a full trolley of groceries because I have looked at the time and decided if I didn’t leave now I wouldn’t make it home by 7pm. Tragic – but true. (Sorry to anyone who works in a supermarket!) But this year I was cured.

6. TV you'll never forget.

9/11 coverage of the World Trade Centre. I don’t think it is meant to be news stuff. Ok. Umm… Molly from A Country Practice dying. Man that was a lot of crying! And! Anna wasn’t even alive then! Imagining how she would of cried is pretty fantastic too!

I loved I, Claudius. And Nancy Astor.

7. Favourite TV adaptation.

I loved Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. And Day of the Triffids. But I was a teenager then. And I watched them with my Dad. There wasn’t a lot a teenager and my Dad had in common – so watching the tv together was our time.

7. Favourite nerdish program

(Elsewhere said DR WHO was nerdish. Damn and buggar I am a nerd through and through then. Maybe I have the wrong definition of nerd? Doesn’t everybody love Dr Who?) I watch heaps of shows on the How To channel. I think how they make Twisties and Peanut butter at the factories is absolutely fascinating. And Lifestyle Food channel too. Tragic I guess. I just adore Two Fat ladies .. still. You know their food will kill you – but man it looks and sounds so good! Wrap the already fatty meat in more fat.. cover with pastry and baste with fat…from the fattest ducks or pigs in the world… Cook it in butter – and then add more butter. Add more wine. It is just fantastic.

8. One TV program you are currently watching

For the past week all I have done is flick threw all the bloody channels – find nothing – or of course recognize I already watched that last week and give the remote to someone else. And then remember I have stuff to do.

The Worst Jobs in History. I don’t miss that one. And I recently really enjoyed Thank God you’re here!

9. One TV show/series you have been meaning to watch

Well – I will have to get hold of Six feet Under now I guess.

10. Now tag five people:

No – you can do it if you want too. Or remind me of all the fantastic tv shows I forgot to mention.

My hunter - and my BBQ

William is becoming my little legend. Second morning in a row he has caught my brunch! A 37 cm Grunter was his catch today.

Dotti - as always - was impressed!


Placed in a washed banana leaf, marinade of coriander, basil, garlic, sweet chilli sauce and a dash of oyster sauce prepared....


Basted and baked for ten minutes...


And a perfect meal.

Still no sign of those crabs though....

Crabbing - or the lack thereof?

Our first day on the water - we caught one blue swimmer crab. This created an anticipation of magnificent crabbing to be had! Such excitement and salivation.. I was planning my Christmas menu around them. However - in our haste to consume the unfortunate bugga... we rushed home to cook it! And yes it was delicious. Fresh crab is always best. But maybe he warned his mates or something.......

Thankfully I do have some Ingham Turkey Thigh Roasts in the freezer for backup/alternative. (Cheap, impossible to ruin and DELICIOUS)

Three days later and many hours out on the water - and not one sighting even. An undersize cod gave us a brief moment of excitement - before we realised what it was.


Christian is blaming the bait. I guess we have just been unlucky. Other fisherman seem a little coy about the amount they are catching. We did watch two lucky blokes haul in a large mud crab not 100 metres from where we fished and waited for crabs to enter our pots.

Because I whinge about the sun and the heat - under bridges is just the perfect place to fish sometimes. I took Anna's MP3 player thing yesterday - and strangely enough the "Harry Potter soundtrack" that I had curled my nose up at previously - was just lovely bobbing around on the boat waiting for the tugs. I will have to get myself one now.

Today I had to stay at home because someone has to do the washing, cleaning, pay the bills (I didn't get around to that) figure out the easiest way to figure my mothers digital camera and send it to her (yes - I am aware it will be late now no matter what), drive Jane to work etc etc (all the things that occupy my time that I never seem to get done or am always late at.)

William went instead, and proudly delivered me a 27 cm bream still swimming around in the bottom of the bucket. I am not usually fond of bream. I am also happier to be presented with fish already dead. Looking at them swimming and looking back at me has never stopped unnerving me. I hated fishing before I met Christian and I ... do have some hangups about it. I like the kindest quickest kill always and I am completely happy to "waste money" by letting a fish keep the hook if removal will hurt it. I will get pedantic and risk everyones safety insisting on climbing over the boat to find a tape measure to make sure and if I cannot identify a fish it has to go back in the water. I feel no remorse when we get home and it is proved to me it was a wonderful eating fish and perfectly legal.

However - he was so pleased to present it to me I felt obliged to eat it. I cooked the hungry hunters and girls (who spend their time on the internet, out with friends, throwing clothes on the floor and parading in front of mirrors - and giving me orders on where and when to taxi them..another story but a whingy one.. I was pleased to be able to confer with a girlfriend today that I am not alone in the "my girls treat me as a servant and show me no thanks".... buggar waffling again... back to story)

.... chicken breast fillet burgers and simply wrapped my fish in foil and threw it on the bbq. I decided to eat it with just soy sauce and wasabi... and it really was wonderful. So simple, so messy but so very wonderful. I wont knock the humble bream as much anymore.

Tomorrow we will have clocked the ten hours driving time with the boat motor so it goes in for a service.

Anna bought Christian (her stepfather) the new lights for his boat today. I had a wonderful time climbing over the very expensive boats. Of course it gnawed at me for a moment that we could have one if I simply worked full time like every other person in the world.... but my natural laziness has argued with that all afternoon. I have to think of the dogs... you know!

Jane enjoyed her first shift at work and looks forward to a birthday party on Friday. No one else I know would like to dress as a clown or fairy and host a party for kids. I know we have all done it... but to actually enjoy it?

My girlfriend M found me a wonderful long sleeved shirt to wear on the boat to avoid the sun and sand flies. Christian amused me (ways not suitable for blogs and) madly soldering and cursing the new lights.

Peasant living can be so very satisfying you know. I may get frustrated about the small stuff - the state of the floors, the sofas, the socks up the hallway and power tools on the coffee table. But all in all... we are surrounded by so many wonderful things.

But not instruction manuals. They completely "suck". Not in any fun way.

Waffling again.. best I be off...

Cheerio!

Feel good Monday story? Another bow to Ms Fits

We can always count on some people to amuse us. Ms Fits never lets me down.

Today's blog she is simply using her clever wit to demonstrate the stupidity of Australia's immigration stance/history etc ... and if that is not interesting ENOUGH... one of the comments alerts us to this absolute gem.

Do not keep scrolling. Watch our esteemed treasurer of our country. He must of got bored with simply increasing the anti muslim/fear fanatics/if you don't eat meat pies, spit and are a member of a cricket or football club. He clearly indicates he understands "Australian values" and in accordance with his understanding - if anyone doesnt they should leave. Oh I know - how boring - that was Costello's PAST antics.

And then he attempts to ridicule one of our rock icons. Regardless of whether you like Garrett's anti nuclear, definately green conservationalist and look after our workers ethics........ I found using his music (I danced to this as a teenager for heavens sake)for his own political agenda TODAY... twenty years later. (Should clear this up too - I am certainly anti nuclear, anti war, anti destroying anything unless we absolutely have too and cant see why we need tax cuts for the rich any more than we already have...and am no Liberal supporter)

I think Peter Garrett mouths the word "FAG" but others have thought he mouths the word "FUCK". I guess both work?

But of course while wandering in You Tube - this one is just classic. I JUST LOVE THIS ONE. (I know people who say stuff like this and I am not allowed to laugh as loudly).

Ok - so I never said it was hard to amuse me.

Holidays - and the crabbing & fishing begins

Christian finally got his new boat motor. It is a Tohatsu 18HP and he is a contented man.

He built me a bird feeder a month or so back - and we have had many lovely late afternoons watching the finches and sipping a wine cooler admiring the little birds. He was rather miffed with them when they pooped on the brand new motor. The motor now gets a cover every night. Similar to tucking in the children I guess.

The milk bottle in the creek is attached to a rope attached to a crab pot. According with fishing regulations the pot and float have our name and address on them. Today our bait was chicken necks - however our reward was only one male blue swimmer crab. It is illegal to take the female ones.

We will be back out at sparrowfart tomorrow morning. His holidays have begun.

The odd thing is I was whinging to my friends about these holidays. I whinged about hours on the boat, and the complete changes his holidays give to my routine. And yet - after a late start this morning (I promised to get up at 5.30 but refused to budge till 7 am)- I LOVE meandering around the estuarys in a tiny tin boat. Always something wonderful too look at.


Watching dolphins play is always a plus. My camera is three years old now - a Fujifilm A330. And it has been a terrific little camera. We really have had a wonderful run with it. But - our next purchase will be a better one. (Or really I should find the manual and learn how to do the video with it? My daughters know how to do it but I don't know how.)


The amazing trees on the eroded banks, the cactus in flower, the wallabies sleeping in the grasses, the sea eagles making their catches, the splashes of the big fish; small fish and best of all the sting rays make the hours feel like minutes.


We had said we were only going out for two or three hours. Neither of us took a watch and I forgot my cell phone so we had no way to tell the time. We stayed out over five hours.


This bank made me think of chocolate? I think if you double click on the photos they will display larger.

I want to get to bed early now! We may be financially challenged these holidays but... judging from first day - we are going to have a terrible lot of fun.

The Ford can officially be called "The Beast"

The odometer proves it. The Ford is now "The Beast".

We just bathed the dogs.

The paw prints tell a story don't you think? It wouldn't of been possible for me to grab a camera when it happened. Needless to say - Christian and I are both very wet and very tired. (Rocky is the culprit really - Dotti behaves well for a bath)

I can't show the picture of the bathtub for fear that someone will ring the RSPCA to report extra disgustingly dirty dogs.

The eucalyptus wool wash works a treat on fleas though. And already they have forgotten forgiven me.

Thank heavens I didn't continue the painting today. It wouldn't of survived that ruckus.

I wonder if this is why I can never have a clean house?

Christian comes home from work like this. I need an outdoor shower next. I do sometimes ask what he was doing.

Ok - so most times I dont ask. I just ask him not to sit anywhere.

Jane's first "real" job

So – after a week of trudging though the stores in search of the suitable job interview clothes (and holiday lounging type stuff) SHE SEEMED PLEASED AS PUNCH TO DON THE UNIFORM. Another complete moment of mystification for me. All the positively gorgeous tops I showed her and she was HORRIFIED at my suggestions… and yet the uniform of the takeaway food giant thrilled her and she was trying it on before I had even put my handbag and keys away.

Best I keep my comments on the actual uniform to myself. Especially the fact it requires the horrible hot triangle thingy for flattening clothes. Arghhhhhhhh.



But – all very exciting for Jane!

This morning she was dressed for her interview without any prompting from me.

I have to take my car to the mechanic to find out the financial damage of the leaky radiator cooling thingo… but I need a “slow” day wherein I am not expected to be taxi, run errands or turn up to anything I am meant to. Wednesday is looking good.

In the meantime – I have to fill the radiator with water EVERY SINGLE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR ANYWHERE.

Anna informs me she wants a lift to the mall at 12.30. I tell her – I am taking Jane to Hungry Jacks™ at almost 10 am and she can hitch a ride. That isn’t good enough – she needs to be there at 12.30. I try to reason the car is not healthy and I don’t want to do any unnecessary trips. I ask her to check the water for me now – confident she has now seen me do it so many times that she could accomplish this minor task. Result – major argument. She did open the bonnet of the car but she didn’t check the water – and had I not double checked… car would be up the road somewhere and I would of spent the morning waiting for road service.

I made Anna come with me figuring she could at least keep me company as I tried to wait in the car. Anna and I sat in the car for.. oh five minutes maybe. I couldn’t help myself and said “We will just go in and share a burger and pretend we are just customers.” Anna responded with “I love you.. you are so hopeless.”

I think she meant that as a compliment.

So – trying not to peer and only making one gesture for Jane to sit up straight… Jane mouths to me… “I got it!” and the woman interviewing her returns to the bench seat with Jane’s uniform. Anna purchased the burger as I positioned myself as close as I could to listen. I doubt if anyone is ever going to employ me to go undercover anytime soon.

So – tonight she attended a staff training session on birthday parties and she starts her first shift next Tuesday. She has a booklet to read (I have already read it and told her most of it) the uniform to iron, the hat to wear and she is musing already on how she plans to spend her wages.

I had worried the fact she attends boarding school would be to her detriment in finding a job. But the manager told her that if she calls and lets them know when she comes home for weekends they would try include her in shifts.

Another daughter earning her own money, and another battering of adult life. She too has to learn how long an hour can take, what it pays for and the joy of being able to spend it exactly as she wants… NOW – because in years to come she will have to pay for her own living expenses.

I hope she buys cool stuff I can borrow too like Anna does. Payback for 14+ years of breaking, experimenting with, spilling, borrowing without asking etc etc may be a bitch. But I love it.

But – in running the girls where they needed to be in my broken car today, I amassed another 140 kms on the odometer. I accomplished about half of the things on my “to do” list. I stretched dinner for four into dinner for six. I argued with four people I love. It was necessary to have THREE heart to heart talks with my daughters.

Sara rang – she only ever rings when she is miserable…and I get the feeling she didn’t tell me all of it. She feels the pressure of her two casual jobs, her family commitments (son, aunts, recent deaths, her cousins, visiting expectations, lack of money) too overwhelming and just needed to vent a little. She is doing great really. If she stopped for a minute and thought about all the responsibilities that have been thrust on her...(or chosen whateva) it is bloody hard and why people can't just always be nice, and why no one can wipe their feet, change a loo paper roll, give thanks or credit when they are due ... and the ability of the odd person to accept our tantrums.

I interacted with a total of eight teens or pre teens. Some of this was pleasant some of it was decidedly not pleasant. I was very very pleased with William’s end of year school report. I didn’t even bother complain when William and his mates decided to play ball out the back at the risk of my new garden beds. I haven’t prepared anything for the luncheon tomorrow; my painting the trims is still no where near finished; decorating Anna’s room is at a standstill; my promise to socialize Dotti the wonderdog has not happened; the dogs haven’t even had a bath in the last week!; in short since finishing work on Friday – I have achieved buggar all.

I think if I hear one more person in my house say "But it is holidays!" I may snap. Throw another watermelon. That was a good one... shocked the buggars for weeks.

Tomorrow I must sit and feed the ducks.

Catching up - the slack blogger

School holidays started last week for both my younger girls. Jane caught the train home on Sunday after a brief stay with her Dad... and she wants a job for the holidays. The financial independence her older sister has is very inticing... and hasnt been possible so far for Jane because she is at boarding school.

I worked last week (well - four hours a day) and now my work is pretty much finished until the 8th January or thereafter. After work I taxied Jane around to put in her applications, Resume and of course the cover letters at McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, IGA etc etc. If I have whinged about writing Resume's before for beloved friends over aged 30 - writing them for 14 and a bit year olds is even more difficult.

Jane arrived with a dismal wardrobe and it was necessary to find her clothes suitable for a job interview. I wanted plain black slacks and a nice top. The black slacks because many of the aforementioned employers do require black slacks ANYWAY... and her and my idea of what constitutes a nice top took many dismal (well for me) hours and shops..... The shops are complete mayhem with all the bloody holiday shoppers and I find shopping a miserable task even if I do have money to waste. Finally Jane and I found something we both liked. Her first interview is tomorrow at 10 am - and I will (of course) take pictures and go along and try very hard to just sit in the car and not peer threw the windows making gestures for her to sit up straight and smile.

Crap! I should of asked a friend to take her I guess.

Shopping with Jane was such a miserable task that I often came home not feeling like talking or even cooking. It has been a week. I get a bit cranky too because I get home from work to find Jane still in her pjs and the house a little messy. Anna and Jane "perform" for me... they fight constantly - and sometimes I find the drama just too exhausting.

It is me.. I am getting pedantic about things that dont really matter. I guess I just have worries of my own (holiday season, Christian about to have THREE WHOLE WEEKS AT HOME UNDER MY FEET IN MY WAY, we are going to run out of money quickly and that will make him more bored, my car is overheating and I think I have cooked the radiator - or something - doesnt matter... it will cost money!Tom (the kids sperm donor) and his family have actually COMPLAINED that I said.. you are all welcome to have Christmas lunch here with us but this year I am not driving up and doing all the cooking at Tom's house.... so my tongues rather sore from holding onto it.... (Three fooking years driving up to cook at a bachelors house who couldnt even remember to buy serviettes or matching fooking plates.... and he WHINGES constantly about my dogs being in his yard?)

Anna's hours have increased with school holidays so it is necessary for me to be on standby for lunches and uniforms ready etc. She can walk home during her breaks and its cheaper and healthier if I feed her. It took her a while but she has learnt that spending $10 a day on takeaway isn't as good as having Mum provide free hot food on demand. (All those years they accused me of cruelty because I couldnt afford didn't provide them with takeaway food. 'Cause all their friends Mum's provided takeaway food... EXCEPT ME!)

Wow - I make it sound as it has been a completely awful week.

It hasn't really. I have drafted a few art options for Anna's room. I have begun the painting of the white gloss trim around our postage stamp house. I roared laughing at the girls and their dismissal of all the wonderful ornaments for Christmas they once made and presented me so proudly. And I went with their wishes and we will buy brand new ones tomorrow. (Excepting one William made me that met approval after his complaints and my interference that it did actually fit with the chosen colour scheme)

It has been lovely to have Jane home and to talk to her. (The shopping events were however extremely miserable for me) Anna and her closest friends have been wonderful with their two hours dressing for one hour at the mall...M & L have lovely manners and are always a pleasure.

My girlfriend M has made careless comments about the girls and my wieght that has led to ... tension soothing... and my girls are so delightfully FUNNY when they are being bitches. There are moments when I am really not a good example in life. I am telling myself.. "Stop laughing, make the girls stop being nasty...." but for the life of me I cant. Then I have to pull faces at them to make sure they dont say anything horrid in front of......... oh... too hard sometimes. I completely see the girls point.. but I dont want them to be as mean?

Next Saturday is the purchase of the new boat motor - so Christian has been COMPLETELY USELESS (other than a few ways not suitable for here) because he has sanded back the boat trailers and one of the boats... and ... done stuff to them. I kinda listened and was present at some of the purchases at the hardware shop. Most of the time I was looking at other far more worthy stuff... and wishing men didn't have to do this stuff. He CHOSE to .. sand/grind make dreadful noises with hand held machines NEXT TO MY NEW GARDEN... so I caused a bit of an uproar when I turned on the sprinklers.

It rained every single night this week... and I got yelled at for watering the bloody plants. Sigh. Tonight he watered the plants himself and came inside to tell me he had done that. I wonder if men ever get it? They just don't do they?

I read plenty of blogs when I could. And M gave me a wonderful stack of old magazines. Years ago - I had a business wherein I could claim magazines as a tax deduction for decorating. At the end of the financial year I found I had spent almost $4k on the darn things. I love to read and look at pretty pictures. A couple of them (the blogs not the pretty pictures) really moved me.

The new BBQ! I used a 8.5 kilo gas tank in one week! Hahaa.... I really doubt this was the sensible money saver I thought it was going to be. But in August I purchased a new fridge and freezer assuming I would save money. And the next bill confirmed I hadnt. BUT - I cook a terrible lot. And my power bill is usually around $500 a quarter. So MAYBE... the power bill will be less. Like.. $30 a week less?

Ok - nope that probably isnt going to happen. More bills and most likely I will have to find full time work next year. Which causes a headache for kids sports, lifts, kid's afternoon tea (mine prefer hot fresh food) Anna's work, dog time (they hate being alone .. or I hate them being alone.. something like that), cleaning (which I am never going to get an award for) art time, lunch time, coffee with friends and strangers and crappy wine and nibblie nights. When I work full time I have to buy crap for wine and nibblie nights. They are more fun if I can spend a few hours or days preparing the food.

We have no debts at all. Whilst renting - not even a mortgage... and that feels so odd to me. The insurance, utilities etc all come in under $300 a month. And yet occasionally I feel so anxious about it? I dont have a bank ringing me all the time torturing me about the mortgage - I dont have three vehicles and a truck to remember the registration for and I am not finding nomination money every week........ And it was so long ago that I did have that? (If I am feeling sorry for Tom for heavens sake shoot me) I am not fretting about fodder and where to buy it from... (Wait a minute we have two cars and two boats and trailers and one trailer instead.... just not as expensive.. I still have to remember to pay the damn things)


Yet I still panic about money. I do nothing to earn more. I shun jobs that people tell me about. I am happy where I am. I hate too much change. The new boat motor will do Christian good. I kinda like boating too. Sometimes. Just not when it is hot and definately not when it is dangerous. Heaven knows he deserves SOMETHING for having to feed and support us for all my little kids lives.

There are reasons why I dont post huh? The dogs and the kids amused me as always. This week I should get some time back. But I plan to sleep in till almost 9 am every morning.

Anna is going to the Robbie William's concert this week. Go figure. William went to his first ever all night huge party. Jane is just dealing with me and my crankiness.