Category: Uncategorized

Thought I’d add that my throat is all prickly today, its hard to swallow and I have a headache 😦

Its beautiful outside – I did have a wander around early on but came back inside as it may be sunny and dry out there but its really cold.

DH is at golf so there’s no-one to annoy me

Take care

With all the terrible things going on in the world, radio and print news headlines are often graphic and morbid. My faith in the way we look at things sometimes here in Australia has been renewed.

These are overseas papers but ours are the same

Roger Federer loses his Wimbledon crown to Rafael Nadal!! I fell asleep and didn’t watch the match. Boo Hoo my loss as they are saying it was the best final for many a year.

Nicole Kidman gives birth to a lovely girl and her name is Sunday!! I suppose babies have been called Tuesday in the past so maybe it’s not that bad a name

And this morning’s beauty – It’s snowing in and around Melbourne. I believe it as after a weekend of brisk cold but dry weather today is really cold here and its been raining. The sky is very cloudy and grey and at lunchtime still looks as if it’s full of cold rain. .

I realise now why I have been feeling off, blaming the weather has been a cop out – I should have ignored the climate and just got on with life. Being outside on Saturday and Sunday wrapped up warmly and doing what I enjoy was just what I needed and at the end of the day I really felt good

This past summer was so hot and dry I’m ashamed to say that for the first time in years I did very little in the garden ‘cept water the green beans and the tomatoes I grew and then returned to the shade bemoaning the state of things (heat and lack of rain) and my inability to do anything about it. Even tho’ I knew it had to be done so we could use every drop we drew from the tap bucketing shower water and the odd bath load got on my nerves. It was easier to use it on the plants closest to the front door and that’s who benefited the most.

When the water restrictions were upped and the times reduced I was annoyed – why did we have to be outside by 6am to start watering yet my neighbour a year older than dh could wait till a couple of hours later. Over 70s have that exemption – the government didn’t want them falling over in the dark.

Now with the miserable weather we have had so far this winter I still couldn’t bolster up the enthusiasm to tidy up the garden so I’m glad I took the time to get outside over the past weekend and give the roses their winter haircut as well as dig around in the dirt.

After pruning, turning the soil and weeding underneath all the 30 odd bushes I then set to watering in some diluted worm pee and also dug in some of that horse poo and the coffee grounds I get given. As it’s all nice and loose and weed free now I’ll allow more rain (hopefully we’ll get some) to soak in before I mulch. The mulching will have to be done before we go away to help contain the moisture in the soil in case it’s dry while we are away during August and September. I need to spray with Seasol too but that’s going to have to wait till another dry day.

Tell you what tho’ yesterday I was walking around like an ‘old woman’ stiff in the hands from using the secateurs and stiff in the back from crouching. The comfrey cream worked a treat on the hands and a nice hot bath with washing soda helped the muscles in the back.

Today sitting here in front of the fire I feel like a new woman – well a warm one at least :))

Feeling fed up last night (Thursday) I did what is almost the unthinkable here and I had a bath. Almost unheard of here ‘cose of the water situation and the need to conserve what we have.

A big bath of hot water – almost to the top – the warning beep on the hot water system told me I’d reached what it considered to be the most I could get in the bath – so I lay back and relaxed for at least an hour and listened to the radio.

Derek Guille is on 774 (the old 3LO) during the evening and as well as some informative segments he also has some fun ones as well. Last night he had what was called a Dad’s segment, all those Ugh things Dads are famous for.

Dad: Have you had enough to eat?
Child: I’m full
Dad: Hello Master Full, do you want some more dinner?

Dad’s jokes

What do you call the cemetery

The dead centre of town
The place everyone’s dying to get into

What do you call a man in a raincoat?
Mac
What do you call a man in two raincoats?
Max
What do you call a man in two raincoats walking past a cemetery?
Max Bygraves an old English singer

Corny jokes

An Irishman goes into a pub and asks for 3 pints of Guinness and then drinks them one after the other.
The bartender suggests he buys them separately and drinks them slowly.
No, say the man, there not all mine.
One is for my brother in Australia and the other’s for my brother in Canada.
He comes in for months and goes through the same thing – downs 3 Guinness one after the other.
Then one night he only orders 2.
The barman thinks ‘Oh dear, something has happened to one of the brothers’ and goes over to offer his condolences.
Oh there’s nothing wrong says the Irishman.

It’s just that I’ve given up the drink but my brothers haven’t!!

Boom Boom !!!

Later after 10pm Nightlife with Tony Delroy had Dr Karl Kruszelnicki on, great to listen to and always really informative in a fun way.

He wanted to know why when you are making tea with a tea bag and you put the hot water in the cup and then the tea bag, the tea bag sinks but when the tea bag is in the cup and the hot water poured onto it the tea bag rises

Anyone out there have the answer I have no idea – I dropped off to sleep before I heard any talk back.

It’s been a week that seems to have been filled with hurrying days if that makes sense to anyone. I seemed to have been running around trying to get things finished sooner than I started them.

After I put the washing machine on the other day it started to rain so instead of line drying the clothes they had to be put on the clotheshorse or on coat hangers that are hung on the wood surround of the laundry door. The laundry is not a walk through room so there’s not a lot of traffic in and out of the door, which by the way isn’t even there.

We removed it years ago as it opened inwards and there was wasted space behind it – this way we can just walk in and out without the door being in the way – so the shirts and other things can hang there and dry overnight without being seen or in the way.

Well as I was saying the rain meant I had to take a lot more time and effort to hang the clothes indoors before I went out and I was rushing and tripped over the old clothes horse and then one of the coat hangers got caught in my shirt and so it went on.

The hangers I use for this job are those old wire drycleaners type that seem to reproduce overnight all by themselves – when we had the wardrobe refitted the other month I treated us to new coat hangers (best thing I ever did in there) as its stayed wonderfully tidy – so after ditching a lot (well I actually gave them to an op shop to use) the remainder had a new job. They are handy but if you aren’t careful the hanger piece will catch in things – like the front of the shirt I was wearing:(

My aunt had a fall in her unit the other day and the ambulance came out and that meant I have been here there and everywhere taking her to Dr’s appointments to be ‘checked out’, I had to miss some time I’d planned at the gym and stupidly was annoyed at that – if she’d only use her wheeled walker she’d be lot better on her feet – she is an absolute darling but can you tell I’m not too happy with her this week 😦

Anyway I did a bit of retail therapy that seemed to sooth the cluttered mind

Apart from food shopping I haven’t done much spending at all recently, so when my 20 year old food processor died a death last weekend and I found out the Good Guys had an End of Financial Year Stocktake Sale on I assured myself it was alright to spend some of the Seniors Bonus the Federal government had given us last month.

I gave DH the choice of coming along or sitting by the fire reading and he chose the latter so I tootled off by myself down to Bayswater Road to see what I could find. You can tell I haven’t done any white goods or electrical shopping for quite a few years as I just walked round and round in amazement looking at all the things one can buy nowadays. Just kidding but who would want a coffee machine that costs over $1000. Someone obviously as there were a couple of them walking out the door while I was there lol

Contrary to the opinions held in my household that Mum doesn’t like cooking I do use my processor – for all sorts of things (one of the most recent uses being munching up all the peelings for the worms) so in the end I chose a Kenwood Multipro that does all the same things as my old General Electric one and also has a blender. Juicer we have at home – Blender not but now we do 🙂

Now I’m sure all of you will find this next part interesting;
I was approached by one salesman who found what he said was ‘the best price available’ so I said thank you I want to look at other brands I’ll come back to you. Later after checking all the other things on the floor I couldn’t find him so when another salesman spoke to me I asked the same question and was flabbergasted when he quoted me $20 less.

So from a list price of over $200, to a sale price of $185, to 1st best available $170 and then to the price paid of $150 I began to wonder what they actually pay for the goods from the wholesaler to be able to drop that much for a sale.

Yesterday I popped into a local op shop/thrift shop and found these books to take away to read in the car while we are travelling next month. Bargain bin prices of 50c each :))

I have read some Jacqueline Mitchard and enjoyed them so hope this one is ok.

This one is called The Cruise and has been written by several authors –

– a bit like the games we play on fun nights at home, one author wrote the first chapter and it was passed on to another so each of them followed on and did a chapter which I think is a novel (sorry about that) idea and it was sold to aid the Dyslexia Institute in England. Its about a murder on a cruise ship and Ken Follett wrote the last chapter tieing up all the loose ends. I wonder if all the different styles will be apparent?

And lastly this one is for fun.

Seems debutante Violet Harcourt has subversive looks – her vitality and sensuality have a powerful effect in men – she meets a handsome Australian …………………..and then realises how innocent she is.

Bye for now, will talk again another day

There’s another blog on my blog list I’d like you to visit, a list that incidentally I don’t have in the side bar but is stored in my favourites. I love clicking through other people’s blogrolls but I can’t bring myself to advertise mine, as for some reason I tend to look on it as favouritism.

I know I’m strange and it may not be in the spirit of blogging but having said that I’m hoping you will click on this link and pay this person a visit.

Many of you are involved with the birth of animals and I’m sure will be interested in what she writes about. She lives in Perth on the other side of the country to me and works – well you will need to open her blog to find out what she does.

Do pay Jane a visit and after reading this entry (Great Beginnings) go to this, her next one in July ( Teaching Tools) and read that as well. They are longish posts but I’m sure each of you will feel well worth the effort.

Theres one thing that gardeners relish and thats supplies of fertiliser – doesn’t matter what form it takes – lots of stuff to help nourish the soil and give plants a good feed.

I often see signs on the road side and in front of peoples properties around this this area offering manure for sale. Not very expensive often a couple of dollars a bag. More often than not I’m in hurry or there’s a car up my rear end and I can’t stop or theres another reason why I can’t put smelly poo in my car so it never seems to come home with me.

I usually end up buying bags of it from Bunnings. Horse, poultry or cow, I bring it all home by the ton or at least it seems like it as I drag the bags from the car and into the wheelbarrow to move to the shed.

Well today I was given the chance to have bucket loads of horse manure for FREE – all I want at no cost. Straight from the paddock for me to do whatever with it. Its not even really smelly as its lain on the ground for a while and has weathered a bit.

Of course I said ‘yes’ who wouldn’t. lol

The owner wants to clear the paddock underfoot before the hot weather comes round again and is willing to pick it up slowly day by day, bucket it for me and all I have to do is bring it home and return the buckets for refilling the next day.

It can lie here in a spare spot till we get home from the trip and then be ready to add to the ground when I start preparing for this summers veggies. Of course my roses will be haappy with some of it as well.

Now how good is that :)))

Some observations from this week just gone.

Out of the blue a bright sunny windy day on Wednesday mean’t I could open windows and hang the washing on the line. It also showed me that some corners inside the house have grown cobwebs and will need attention. Not sure when tho 🙂

Hearing test on Thursday and was told me my hearing is no worse now than it was 20 years ago when I first had it tested. Was having trouble with the switchboard at work – when the whole system was updated my problems disappeared. I am no more deaf now than I was then even tho others, (Dh) may think otherwise. He turns the sound up as well as I do.

Learnt I should chop veg much smaller as Dh can still detect the taste of celery amongst six different vegetables – potato, parsnip, carrot, swede and turnip as well as onion – in a winter stew! Loathes celery (unless he is unaware its actaully in the dish) and remarks that he thinks I’m trying to poison him.

During winter it appears my cats’ love for me is ruled by their needs at the time. Job description seems to include – Fire Stoker, Cook, Doorman, Housemaid, Masseur and Groomer. soemhow that sounds like nothing new there what ever season it is

I realised I have no idea what is going on in my Aunts mind when this 85-year old ladie had a paddy tantrum that would rival any my children ever had and acted spoilt when she thought the lunch we had all planned for her actual birthday has been postponed to another day because one niece actually had to go to a funeral. Kept saying it’s not a party if not in the correct day.

She did calm down later when she realised she would still be going out to lunch on the day only with one person short and also with everybody on another day.

Driving along I discovered once again that no matter how late you are and no matter how much you rant and rave and heave shoulders up and down traffic lights have a mind of their own and will change when they are good and ready and not when you want them to do so.

Last but not least even if you are out shopping and starving hungry ‘cose you didn’t eat before going out Hot Chips doused in vinegar just the way I like them don’t taste the same after months of being good and not buying them when out shopping.

Angry at money wasted – could of bought chocolate instead and really enjoyed it lol

I’ve just popped by to edit this :

Guess what I just found hiding beside a rose bush – yes, that clear plastic bowl I misplaced the other week. Now the roses have dropped their leaves things are visible again lol

Heres another of DH’s (sometimes lame) jokes. Open mind please

Pay Rise requested

A Mexican maid asked for a pay increase.

The wife was very upset about this.

Wife: Now Maria, why do you want a pay increase?

Maria: Well Señora, there are three reasons why I want an increase.

The first is that I iron better than you.

Wife: Who said you iron better than me?

Maria: Your husband said so.

Wife: Oh.

Maria: The second reason is that I am a better cook thanYou.

Wife: Nonsense, who said you were a better cook than me?

Maria: Your husband did.

Wife:Oh.

Maria: My third reason is that I am a better lover than you.

Wife (really furious now): Did my husband say that as well?

Maria: No Señora, the gardener did.
.
.
.
.
.

SHE GOT THE RAISE

I like to read about people’s lives that are a little different to mine but who still have similar ideas on how life should be lived. I’m going to mention some of the blogs I read and see if you get the picture.

I’m not a wanna be farmer’s wife but there’ve been times I’d liked to have given rural living a try ‘cept we seem to be destined to always live in Suburbia – not in the city but outer eastern suburbs where it’s quite green and leafy and where there are still quite a few blocks of vacant land. There are some large land blocks close by where horses are agisted but in the main chickens would be the most visible livestock around, apart from cats and dogs that is.

Look at Peggy at Hidden Haven Farm – her life revolves around her animals and a love of family. I really enjoy her blog, the way she talks about self-sufficiency and her passion for her beautiful Nubian goats. Now the only goat I have ever been close to was on a spit at a Greek wedding in Cyprus – yes I know too much information – so its interesting to see that there is as much interest in special breeds of goats as there is cats and dogs.

Theres a blog I have read for quite a while now that I’m sure many of you would be interested in. It belongs to Stonehead a very plucky and determined man who along with his young family live on a small croft (farm) in rural Scotland and raise pigs. Not just any ol’ pig but a breed called Berkshire, he writes about living their way and the trials and tribulations of trying to promote and better the breed.

You must have a look at Jan and Fiona blogs – like many others they have chickens but they also have chickens that raise ducklings. For some animals/birds the mothering instinct is so hard to stiffle and we often read of odd combinations so their tales of these different yet similar birds have kept me in suspense and also fits of laughter for the past few weeks. Most days their pages are filled with thoughts on gardening, family, craft and cooking as well as the coming and goings of the poultry yard.

Click on the links and look in on them as I’m sure you will enjoy seeing how all these people live with love in their lives and also a desire to live ‘simply’ and to the best of their ability.

Up early this morning for an early start with a drive of an hour and half to Werribee to meet with DH ‘s air force friends at one of their gatherings. This time for the benefit of the engine type and not the admin ones as they were going to visit a place thats restoring a B–24 Liberator Bomber. Anyone vaguely interested can look at this site.

Knowing 9.30am would come round quite quickly I snaffled the bathroom after breakfast while he was busy on the computer. Good move Catherine.

My bad move was giving it up half way through drying my hair so he could get what I thought was going to be a quick shower (when will I learn never to assume thats going to happen) while I ironed again the shirt I’d ironed not long ago but had what I call wardrobe creases. After five minutes in the car with the seat belt on it loooked the same as when it came out of the wardrobe.

Hair done and finally ready to go and find the cats to pen outside. This way they are in the fresh air but safe as we will be away for the best part of the day.

Realised I should have cut one Chocolate Burmese claws as they are gripping into my top as I carry him down the garden. Battle of the species as I try to get them unhooked without damaging my clothes.

Realised I should have groomed one Brown Burmese last night when I see all the dark brown hairs on my top as I walk back up the garden after putting her in the pen.

I suppose it would have a been a better move to pen them while I was still in my dressing gown but I am soft that way and they go in at the last minute just as we are leaving.

We had to leave earlier than planned as the ‘organiser’ rang to say he was running late and could DH takeover and start the tour.

In my hurry to get out the door I left the second pair of knitting needles and the tape measure behind and after I’d been knitting for while I realised the white wool is moulting all over the black trousers I’m wearing and there isn’t a clothes brush in the glove compartment.

Then the sunshine turns to rain – heavy at times – and everyone on the Western Ring Road thinks its Grand Prix week and they are on the racetrack at Albert Park.

So all this time there are mixed thoughts going through my mind but upper most I’m thinking – Be nice to the driver as we are in his car and its a long way there lol

The day turned out not to be as bad as I thought.

The ‘men’ dropped the ‘ladies’ at the very nice Racecourse Hotel across the road from the hanger where we sat and chatted drinking the free coffee in the pokies room; often we go with them to ooh and aah at all the aircraft but this time as it was cold, wet and miserable we decided to let them do it by themselves today.

Lunch was great and on the way home we popped into see the son and his family who live on that side of town. Oh I must be getting old, we talk a lot on thephone but its been a while since we saw each other but they are so noisy I was glad to get away. Rained all the way home, misty and murky and quite strange to drive in.

Its marvellous what a day out does for you, I feel so much better than I have all week.

Now our longest night (last night) has been and gone from now on the days will slowly lengthen

Spring/summer here we come :))

After the lovely days earlier in the week I’m feeling a bit off, its been cold overnight, the skies have been cloudy and grey for most of the day and even tho it hasn’t rained ‘cept for a little this morning theres always been that look about the sky.

Compared with some parts of the world our winters are mild but I’m sure I suffer from a little bit of SAD on these wintery days. I realise I’m not really ‘depressed’ as that is a major illness yet I certainly feel out of sorts.

Wikipedia says:-
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, is a mood disorder whose sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter .

I like daylight and I have always been happier in houses that have had lots of windows. One of the reason we don’t have heavy curtains at the windows is that to me they always seem to cut out light on the sides so we’ve often installed venetian or vertical blinds with some sort of lace/net/terylene/ you name it curtains in front and that way I can draw the blinds open in the morning and then close them at night and yet the neighbours can’t see in. We have canvas outside blinds to keep the heat out in the summer and the house doesn’t seem to feel too bad in the winter but if it is really cold during the day I don’t open the inside blinds.

Granny decorating the kids call it but if I’m happy thats all I bother about.

If I stay at home I eat all day long and that doesn’t make me feel any better yet going out in the cold is a nuiscance ‘cose I have to bundle up which I’m not used to. By bundling up all Imean is I have to actually put a coat on lol

If I’m going to a big shopping centre with underground parking I can move quickly from the car to the entrance but outside parking means I get hot inside wearing/carrying a coat and that makes me feel all the more uncomfortable. Right misery aren’t I lol

Anyway we have finally decided we are going to have some time away and go to brighter warmer climes in a few weeks. This is usually the time of the year when we head overseas to see friends/rellies and others in Europe and Canada but theres been reasons why not this year, so we are going to go further north and visit friends and rellies in other states here ( NSW and Qld) that have a slightly warmer winter.

DS in Sydney wanted us to babysit the first weekend in August so thats sealed the date for leaving here and then we’ll take it from there. I have a nephew in Grafton so most likely will drop in on him as we head north but theres lots to think about and maybe reading road maps to plan our trip will keep me away from the cupboard and the fridge.

Oh and thank goodness theres some cash saved for a trip of some sort as the cost of petrol/gas rose to $1.70 yesterday here in Melbourne and I’m sure its higher still in other places.

After I finished publishing the last post I found this photo of my Aunt with the same GD (and brother) taken about 9 years ago.

GD would have been about 5 and a half as I remember the GS wearing that shirt when he was 2.

See how some things can change but not others.

Her looks may have changed but her love hasn’t. You will need to click on the picture to see it at its best.

Here it is the beginning of the week again – and a beautiful day this Monday is turning out to be as well.

Blue skies with not a hint of grey anywhere. And I’m so confident these sunny and dry skies will last the day out I have even hung the washing straight on to the outside line and not bothered with the clothes horse on the back deck. Lol

Last week turned out to be quite entertaining in many ways.

Tuesday evening DH and I went as we usually do to a local Folk Music Club (don’t think I’ve mentioned this before) Last year I felt we were missing something and decided we needed more music in our lives and this is what I came up with.

Not too far away from us this club meets each Tuesday, once a month there is a Performers Night with visiting guest artists but start the evening with a Pot Luck session called Blackboard appearances where anyone can write their name on the board and then use the stage.

No, we don’t take part but its great to see others get up and give a rendition of something. Lots of Aussie Bush stuff – songs, poetry and stories that have come down over the years as well as newer original works.

Last Tuesday Phil Young was the drawcard but my favourite would have to have been Ardmore who came in March. A local group from the Dandenong’s – click the link and scroll down to see what they specialise in. They are a great band and fun for when you are feeling down.

Thursday morning I went with my Red Hat Lady Friends to see this film – . Sex in the City – talk about a chick flick. We had a fun morning, were the only ones in the small cinema, and then followed up with Lunch at a local Bistro. No the movie isn’t and the series before it wasn’t everyones cup of tea but we had a fun time. Wonder if life in New York is really like that :))

Then on to yesterday afternoon when I took my Aunt to see one of the grandchildren perform with her choir – the Victorian Girls Choir. Their winter concert was just what she needed as life is becoming a bit of a chore for her and her Dementia is becoming more of a problem each week.

Great music and not too highbrow this time – sometimes the choir masters choose weird and wonderful pieces to ‘show’ what the children are capable of. The choristers start at about 7 years old and for the girls they can continue as long as they can, their voices develop slowly but the boys in the corresponding choir will leave in their teens as ‘their’ voices can be a problem when they ‘break’ – problem for the boys that is as they get quite embarrassed if it suddenly goes all squeeky.

The concert was in the Chapel at Luther College here in the eastern suburbs and because Aunt finds stairs a problem we sat in the back at the top so I couldn’t get down to take a photo but this one shows the fabulous stained glass window there and the Girls after one of their numbers. You must click to enlarge the photo and see the beauty of the window.

Not in the best of moods today – bit short of patience. You know the virtue we are supposed to possess. The one that’s often in a woman but seldom in a man. . Lol

Well it’s been missing today because of nature.

Nature in the form of those noisy rowdy things that like to hold stomping sessions on our roof in the middle of the night.

Yes they know who I’m talking about – those little animals that sleep the day away, hiding from us humans in little holes in trees or even those little boxes some humans put in trees for them, hiding from the ones who would like to ………….well I’m not sure what I’d like to do.

I’m thinking that after my last post on Possums they are happy with the knowledge they are a protected species and like some little children ‘Try it On’ now and again to see how far they can go

Also I’ve misplaced a bowl, a plastic bowl of quite generous proportions and its all nature’s fault.

It is the largest one from a set of three that sat very nicely inside each other saving space in the cupboard. It looks quite strange seeing the other two upside down on the shelf with the biggest lid on the bottom – have to do that ‘cose the lid falls off if I have them standing up.

It’s about the size of the green Tupperware bowl and lid that we all had which was for our iceberg lettuce. Remember, the one that had that spiky thing that used to go up the middle into the heart of the lettuce and was supposed to keep them fresh and crisp. I’m sure they used to sell thousands of them ‘cose every Op-shop I go into has them in their plastic section. lol

Do you know that feeling you get when you so something and you know it was a daft thing to do?

We have a worm farm but it’s not huge. It’s a Can-O-Worms. Once a week I chop up the scraps (peelings egg shells etc) for the worms and then make them smaller in an old food processor so the scraps just lay across the top of farm and don’t form a great big heap. Now I usually take the scraps from the house to the end of the garden in an old ice cream container but this day there was a large amount and I was too lazy to get another container and pulled out my bowl.

I knew I shouldn’t have used it because as you know I can get sidetracked once I venture that far down the garden – I can even see myself emptying it out but after that it’s a mystery.

Of course to make matters worse for a while I was looking for a white one until I realised it was actually clear plastic and it’s the lids that white.

Had to go looking for the phone the other day, put it down to do something and went back inside without it. After looking for a while I had to push the ‘page’ button to locate it 😦

What a shame I can’t ‘page’ this blooming bowl.

Looking through old photos I found this one from about 1976/77. We’d gone for a drive close to home in the Dandenongs and stopped for a picnic. We lived really simply in those days.:))

The DD standing loved those shorts she’s wearing. They were an old pair of her jeans tattered and torn but cut down into shorts and as I said she loved them. She lived in them that summer. She was a mad fan of The Bay City Rollers so she’d decorated them with a tartan patch.

As you can see in those days we reused what we had – getting another life from something past its original use by date. Similar to what we are trying to encourage these days.

Now recently she spoke about them and asked me how I could let her walk around in something so tattered and torn and (as she said) with what looked like her b..um hanging out. It wasn’t really, it justs looks that way.

She would never let her daughter (9) dress like that.

So I tried to get her to see that I had raised her to be an individual, the reuse had been her idea and if I had felt her clothing was harmful in any way she certainly wouldn’t have been wearing it. I also reminded her that she was 13/14 at the time and some times parents – well parents let some things happen but keep a watchful eye on what actually is happening.

I had to tell her that she is our adventurous one, the one that recently walked 100kms for charity and not content with half marathons is now in training for a marathons, the one that joined the Venturers (‘cose they did ‘cool’ things) when all her girl friends were Girl Guides, the one that rode dirt bikes and snow skied, the one that lived in London by herself for 10 years – the individual one that would have raised the roof if I’d vetoed the wearing of those shorts lol

DH says I’ve been a bit negative recently so I’ve been trying to think of quick winning things to say. Lovely day today with only a little rain and not too chilly.

The other day in Jamaica the Australia Cricket Team won the first test in this year’s series against the West Indies – who were once a force to be reckoned with – took them to the last day to do so though. The good thing about cricket is, it is played all over the world so there are high standard games going on somewhere at all times of the year so sports lovers here are able to have the best of both worlds or should I say seasons. Winter season sports and Summer season sports on TV at the same time:)

Collingwood – the AFL team everyone (‘cept their own supporters) loves to hate – brought Geelong’s winning streak to an end at the weekend. They are 2 and 7 on the ladder but as we know anything can happen in the next few weeks

But then on another note if the team I support doesn’t start to win (they are at 14 with 16 teams in the league) I’m thinking of changing my loyalty to another one –our old coach of many many years retired and this young new one is struggling. Oh dear, did I really say that – could I really do that ??

Maybe I’ll give him the benefit of time and see how he goes for the rest of the season. I think it’s going to be an early end of seasons for the Bombers:(

Had to go over to a Kmart store and after returning something and finding a book for a birthday which evened the money out I then lost the battle of the munchies. I hadn’t eaten before I went out which meant I had an empty stomach, which led to potato chips and lollies coming out of the store with me. Well and truly lost my willpower didn’t I?

While I was out I popped into the supermarket for some Vegemite that was on special at $4.98. Good price saving well over a dollar a jar. This supermarket is in a big shopping centre and the checkout girls always seem to be in a hurry, I thought the jar looked different but took no notice until unpacking at home I look at it properly and notice the jar is actually smaller – down from 450gms to 400 gms. Is that a special price or not? I’m too annoyed to work it out.

Driving along on the way home I had to manoeuvre round a long line of cars hanging out of the driveway of the local service station. Then I glanced at the price board and the penny dropped ‘cose today the cost of unleaded petrol/gas was $1.49. Not many days ago it was $1.60. Bet it goes up again overnight. OH dear negative thoughts again lol

Remember my amazement at the cost of a cup of coffee in March last year last well this morning I had my eyes opened again.

My aunt’s dog is getting on the old side and ‘leaked’ a little on the bed so she asked if I could take it to the dry cleaners.

I’ve got a similar one from the same company and knew it could be washed so she was happy with that that but when I got up this morning the sky was foggy and very damp and drizzly reminding me of England on a grey winter’s day ‘cept for one thing – it wasn’t as cold and miserable as that.

Now this is a only a cotton/polyester bedspread similar to the one at this web site and the one pictured below, the top is lightly quilted and it has a gathered skirt of the same material. So knowing it wouldn’t stand a chance of drying out on the line today I changed my mind and called into the dry cleaners on my way out.

Well was I in for a shock.

Au$30 – nearly 15 UK pounds – nearly 29 US dollars. !!

Now I realise it’s a while since I actually had anything dry cleaned – no dressy work clothes these days and I look at the labels of any new clothes to make sure they are washable – but as I say I was taken aback by the price he quoted.

So after I’d picked myself up off the floor and said no thanks I put it back in the boot of the car and went on my way thinking what a rip off that was.

Its now out on my covered back deck draped over my big clotheshorse and a couple of the garden chairs, all nice and clean after taking a turn in my washing machine. I’ll bring it in later when the heater geets turned on and I bet it will be nice and dry by the morning.