The next stalking victim

On Thursday night, we had the honour of having one of Michael's ex-students come to stay for the night.



Lucky Mim, she has found a new stalking victim! He started out as "the Man" before being called Uncle Peter Rice (wrong person) and finally "Weiss" (Rhys).

On Friday, we drove into Hamilton and had a very disappointing late lunch at the Black Bull. Rhys had a problem with a premature ejaculation of his tomato sauce sachet, resulting in a non-bloody mess on his jacket (told you we'd mileage from that, Rhys)!

After lunch, we checked out the disposal store. Michael came across two of his current students of the female variety ....but Mim ensured that "Weiss" was not able to be a contender for their affections, she was clutching his hand very tightly the whole time.



"Weiss" now understands that Michael was not treating his students badly at school - he treats his family even worse!

The Hen Hilton

Whilst in town on Friday, we popped into Hamilton Carpets and asked for old lino tiles for the chook house. The bloke took me out to the shed and gave me a 3m roll of brown wood look lino, and charged me nothing!

So my girls will have a beautiful wood look floor to crap all over - nothing but the best for my girls!



This is it to date, just have to nail down the roofing and add a gutter, and move it into position .... and presto, the Hen Hilton!

Local competitions

We've been getting the photocopied, double sided pieces of paper that constitutes the local Community News. It makes for interesting reading sometime. I'm pleased to know that the local women's cricket team did really well two weeks ago, and the results of the bowling club. And the Poet's Corner from 11th March that called on persons to choose any Irish poet from the 13th century onwards .

But best of all, I've enjoyed reading about the Flock Ewe Weaner competition.

That's right, folks, the Flock Ewe Weaner competition. No, it's not an Asian insult to size, it's an actual sheep judging competition in the local area.

If you're Friendly and you know it....

Before term broke up last week, Mim had a Easter Hat Party at Kindy. Merryn, the long suffering teacher, invited all kids to the front, two at a time, and introduced them to the crowd of parents. The kids got to stand on two wooden boxes and show off their hats. As Merryn helped one little boy off the box, the little girl overbalanced - box went forward and she went backwards - all in slow motion. There was a second of silence before she started crying silently, the kind that looks like a screaming child has had the mute button hit. The mute button didn't work for long. Mother came running forward and grabbed her and took her off to the kitchen. Nothing hurt, just shock, she was back with the group in a few minutes. Her little partner, in the silence that followed, yelled "Don't smile Dad, it wasn't funny!!" Almost burst out laughing at that!

Anyway, the kids sat in their chairs up the front and put on a little concert of songs. There was Baa Baa Green Sheep, Mummy Fish in the Dam and the old time favourite "If you're happy and you know it". They got to verse three "If you're friendly and you know it, say Hello" when Mim stood up (in the middle of the song), walked over to Merryn who was playing the guitar and in a loud voice said "Merryn, my sister Caitlin says to watch out for Stranger Danger!"

I just sank down in shame as Merryn encouraged Mim to continue singing and all the parents started laughing. Mim sat down and waved at me "Hi Mummy!"

Well, the whole town knows who are now!!!

The Chook House

As I've been promising everyone, here is the blog on the progress of the chook house. Our bevy of three girls will arrive next Wednesday, so I have to have it ready by then.

The house is my design and made mostly by bits of wood, iron and netting that I have found on scrap heaps around the property. I am vary proud of it (so far). And lets bear in mind that one of the posts was warped so I had to work around that!


The framework


The end and inside done


The interior almost finished



I still have to finalise the interior (put some lino squares on the ply for the nesting area - makes for easier cleaning), drag a larger piece of tin over for the roof (the current bit is a temp measure to stop the rain getting in until then) and put the doors on for easy access to all those eggs the girls will lay! The tin roof is supposed to slope so that I can put some guttering down one end and harvest the rain water for their drinking water.

Now we need some names for the girls. Caitlin wants Henny, Penny and LucyLoo (she wanted to name the white chook LucyLoo (Lui)!)
I'm thinking Miriam, Esther and Rachel - Jewish chickens.
Michael has suggested Henrietta, Harriet and Honoria ... or Keziah, Jemima and Keren-Happuch (Job's Daughters)

Give me some ideas, folks.

Another Easter

Easter has come and gone again. And we've seen the last of the hot weather - it's ugg boots and jumpers from now on.





On Easter Sunday, a certain Bunny was out of bed early, in the freezing cold, to ensure that eggs were distributed outside. Although the sun wasn't up yet, (it was only 6.30) I was able to see perfectly in the full moonlight!

On the Monday, we went to the Coleraine Pub Social Club bbq, held at the historic train station. Historic, because there haven't been train tracks there for a long long time! We took some fold up chairs, they had an Easter egg hunt and went fishing in the small lake. And in true country fashion, someone turned up in their ute, with a couch on the back of it! The girls played with other kids and all had a good time. We watched some black clouds start appearing over the hills, and then the downpour occurred!

Got home too late to get the clothes off the line, everything had to go back in the washing machine to be spun and then put through the dryer.

Another Glowplug moment

It was very hot again today. I arranged for Caitlin to go straight to the pool after catching the bus home from school.

Mim and I met her down there at 5pm (when it was still 37 degrees).

Caitlin bounded up very excited. "I spoke with Annie (previous owner) and she used to have chickens. She said the foxes ate them all. She said that McDonalds does orders of chicken every couple of weeks, so we can order ours through Maccas."

"Huh?"

"And can we get some Rhode Island Red roosters, cos they lay the best eggs!"

HUH???????

Turns out she meant the MacDonalds Rural Services, not the Golden Arches. And I told her that if our Rhode Island Red roosters are laying eggs, it's a scientific miracle!!!!

Legal limits for Canines

Michael and I shared a bottle of wine with dinner last night.

Mim had about three bites of food and then decided that she "was too tired to eat". We warned her that if she left the table, she'd have to go straight to bed, there was no dessert, no playing on her computer, no watching TV etc. She slunk off to her room. I followed her and turned off her computer.

Five minutes later... "mmmmuuuuuuummmmmmyyyyyyy". She complained that she couldn't sleep with the loud noise we were making (yeah, right) and wanted her door closed (not in this lifetime, baby, I know what you want to do!). I compromised by partially closing it.

Five minutes later, all was still quiet so I decided to check on her and see what mischief she was getting into (it was only 8pm, not even dark yet). She was out cold!

So, we finished off our dinner and wine in peace.

Afterwards, I decided to have a little fun. I finished a mouthful of wine and then breathed into the dog's mouth (narrowly avoiding his tongue). And then I breathalaysed him with our digital breathalyser (an excellent investment!). He read 0.01!

Caitlin: "But the limit is .05 isn't it, so he's still under the limit."
Me: "Yes Caitlin, he is, so if we needed to drive somewhere, he could legally do it ... oh, wait HE'S A FRIGGIN DOG!!!!!!!"

We all got the giggles after that.

Computer Desk

Our computer desk was delivered this afternoon, after we got home from the show.

The guy we'd ordered it through called to see it had arrived and when we wanted it. He came up within half an hour and assembled it, and then said that we could drop the money in to him sometime during the week.

There's a story behind this desk. A few weeks ago, we went down to Portland and looked for computer desks. Found one we liked on sale but didn't really want to buy it then and there as they didn't have any in stock and the lady couldn't tell us when the next lot was coming in. She was a very pushy salesperson and kept telling us that it wouldn't take long to put a deposit on one. We walked away empty handed. The next week, I checked with our local furniture guy. He could get the same desk from Melbourne but wouldn't be getting it for a couple of weeks. I asked how much, the price he quoted me was cheaper than the sale price in Portland (by $14). That made it over $200 cheaper than the original price on the item in Portland! So, he got the business (so far that's two wardrobes, one computer desk.... and we'll eventually get some more bookcases).

Michael had fun using our new drill and bits to drill holes in the side of it for the cables to go through.



Take a good look at how neat it is now, because it'll never be this way again.

Balmoral Show

Went to the Balmoral Show yesterday - the Ekka it isn't!
(a cool country kid)

For a start, we spent under $40 on a family admission, two drinks, Mim's admission on the jumping castle, face painting and a ride on the Cobb & Co coach.

We saw sheep judging, and more sheep, and more sheep. We even saw a few cows! And lots of horses. They had horse and rider judging in the oval.



Mim got her face painted like a butterfly.



The Cobb & Co coach looked great. Was only $1/head for a trip around the perimeter of the showground (about 5 mins). We choose to sit up the front, near the driver (Andrew). Andrew has judged horses and stuff at the Gatton showgrounds, so Michael found out. Anyway, we mounted up (and pushed/hauled Mim up) and went on our merry way. Poor Andrew, sitting so close to Mim. The whole way around he had "scuse me, scuse me.... Welll.........." and some titbit of useless information, including "my dad's evil".



It certainly gives you a finer appreciation for people who travelled by coach, and even more for the drivers of the coaches. It's not like the roads were straight and flat, we got to go down inclines and up hills and travel over rutted dirt tracks. At one stage, one of the horses stumbled going down hill. All I could think of was "christ, the coach is going to go over the top of it!" But Andrew kept his foot on the brake and navigated the wheels through the ruts.



As we drove past the pony judging, the announcer called for the "Owner who most looks like their horse" event. "Hmmm" said Andrew, "does that mean the person with the biggest arse wins?"

After a few hours at the show, we headed into Balmoral to have a meal at the pub. OMG! The steak sandwiches are the best I have tasted anywhere. And the publican's 2yo son was riding his electric police bike around the public bar, whilst another child played with the toys in the corner and occasionally rode a tricycle (Mum was doing the cooking in the kitchen). Mim joined in and the three kids under 4 had a ball. There were no customers giving them dirty looks, the kids went from public bar to dining room and down the hallway to the accommodation quarters, and back again. Parents just let em go. It was great!! Definitely recommend this pub as a kid friendly place!



Took a back road on the way home, and this is the view we got.

Early morning frog

Mim cuddled up in bed with us yesterday morning.

"Mum, why is my voice funny?"

"It's just an early morning frog in your throat"

(Look of consternation) "Is it a real frog?"

(Trying not to giggle) "No, sweetie, it's just an expression. It means you have a croaky voice early in the morning"

Snapshots over the past week

The road to Casterton, as seen from the western boundary fence.




Scabbing iceblock off Dad!




Where's that cat? I know she went up this tree!




Having fun in twilight.




Saying hello to the neighbours cows, after a refreshing swim in the local pool.




A relaxing bath (in under 2 inches of water - no deep baths until the rains set in)

Hot, hot, hot!

It's hot today - got to a top of 40 degrees this afternoon. Now, at 9.30pm, it has sunk to 30 degrees. Michael and Mim are curled up in the loungeroom with the air con going and Caitlin is lying in bed with her fan on, hopefully cooling her down somewhat.

Mim and I went over to the Mount today and did the shopping for the chook pen. Hopefully I'll get some of it cut out and prepped tomorrow and Michael can help on Saturday morning.

At Bunnings, Mim was at her worst. She was on the trolley, she was off the trolley, she was on the trolley and pushing it into displays, she was off the trolley and running around without shoes. I had a few words with her about putting her shoes on (18 words in fact, "If you don't put your shoes on, I'm going to smack you in front of everyone ... one.... two....") Grudgingly she put them on, looked up at me with hand on hip and said snidely "Happy?" (thanks, Caitlin). She was almost told to start walking home!

I'm sick and tired of putting Mim to bed, and having her get out of bed and disturb Caitlin, and come into the lounge room for the next 2 hours. So, last night, I put her in her room at 8.30, left the light on and told her that I didn't care if she slept, read, played or twiddled her fingers ... as long as she didn't leave her room. Only took her 10 minutes before she was out disturbing Caitlin again. Put her back in her room and shut the door. Checked on her at 10.30, she had Barbie shite everywhere and was reading a book. By 11pm, she had finally crashed!

Happy 21st Alice!

We went to our first party last night. It was Alice's 21st. (She's Tim the Cyril shearer's partner). Michael suggested two options of presents - a Tshirt saying Tim's a Stud Muffin or one saying Tim likes his roots shorn. She said no to both, surprisingly.

On Friday, I took Alice and Dani (her mum) to the Mount (Mount Gambier) to do shopping for the party. We also had lunch with her sister, Jo. Michael taught Jo last time he was working in Casterton. Mim dropped me like a hot potato and only wanted to talk to Alice and hold her hand. We got to meet Alice's third dog (we'd already met Max and Chloe). This dog was a Kelpie cross who had a genetic problem which meant that she constantly shook. They called her Parker!

As we were leaving, both Caitlin and I noticed a grey thing in the front paddock. I turned the car around and shone the headlights on it. It was a rabbit! It hopped through the fence and toward the road, obviously wants to be roadkill!

It was a 1940s theme and was held at the Racecourse, starting at 8pm. We were half an hour late so it was just getting dark when we were heading there. Go through the small town, turn right, go down a country lane, through the large gates saying racecourse (meanwhile not a house or light in sight - are you sure we're at the right place, Michael?), travel down the dirt track for 500m, see bunch of balloons on stick beside another dirt track (oh, we must turn here, still can't see any buildings or lights), go up dirt track for a few hundred metres, over a rise and Bingo! Large hall with music blaring.

It was a good party, very laid back. Mim immediately deserted us and went to stalk Tim. Alice had put butchers paper over the tables and left crayons out, so everyone could doodle, write best wishes and various other things. She was going to save the best stuff for a scrapbook. Mim and John (Alice's little brother and Caitlin's classmate) had fun with balloons and crayons.

Michael and I talked to Jo, who is 6mths pregnant. Her other half has suggested that if the baby is a boy, he'd like him to be called River. Nice name, but as Jo keeps pointing out, with a last name like Reed, it's not an option!!!!!!!

By 11.30, Caitlin was in the car having a sleep whilst Mim danced with the parents of one of Michael's students to Minnie the Moocher. And with Tim, and with Alice, and by herself.... She's very big on expressionist dancing! We finally left just after 1am.

It's very different driving home with only the stars for company. Not another car in sight on the half hour journey home. Mim feel asleep 5 minutes before home.

New nicknames

We've come up with new nicknames for the girls.

Caitlin is Glowplug - because, like a diesel, it takes her a little while to get started, and sometimes the engine just doesn't kick over.

Mim, on the other hand, is Turbo - feed her two raspberry lemonades and by God, she goes off!

Another year older

...but still no wiser!

My birthday was a quiet day, spent with Mim continually asking who I was inviting to my birthday. It's very hard for a child to understand that birthday does not equal party. We had a quiet dinner at the local pub, where I had to wear a birthday tiara and look like a complete dick. Michael got the barmaid, Emily, to take our photo as Mim needed a family photo for Kindy. Poor Emily, she almost wet herself when Michael said "say the magic word, multiple orgasm!" Of course, we all laughed at her so the shot turned out quite well.



On Friday, I asked Mim to amuse herself. She wanted her little bus set up - no problem there. I set it up in the lounge room and went to hang out some washing. When I came in 10 minutes later, I found her nice and quiet. She'd stolen the DVD player from her sister's room, plus some DVDs and was watching them.



Friday night, Mim helped me make tuna rissoles. She does such a good job squeezing them into balls. And yes, it was freezing - hence me wearing the jumper, but she just doesn't feel the cold.



On Saturday, we drove to Ballarat to do some shopping. Michael needed a DVD for school and we needed chairs for the study, so we trundled off to Officeworks and JB HiFi. Michael found a men's clothing store, by chance, that sold tweed jackets and so bought one for himself (damn, I thought we were in a tweed-free zone!) We also discussed Ray's Outdoor Store, and found Jemima and Caitlin some wet weather gear. They look very, ummmm, Man From Snowy Riverish. Very cute!

Got home 8.30 on Saturday night, the dog and cat were very glad to see us. And we got home just in time to see a beautiful sunset!