Yesterday was the Winery Tour, a fundraising event for the Kindy. Numbers were small, only about 26, a victim of the Dunkeld Races, Casterton Show and the hot weather but it was a great bunch of people.
Caitlin and Mim stayed home alone, with strict instructions for Mim not to annoy her sister.
We left the Kindy all stocked up with a couple of eskies containing water, UDLs and some beer. Morning tea was at Penola - coffee and cake, and some of the girls went wandering around hte main street and found the lolly shop.
At 11, we boarded the bus again, ably driven by our hero, Bazza (husband of the Kindy mum organising the whole thing). Next stop was Rymill's winery, where we were greeted by Andrew Rymill and invited inside to taste the wines. There were some lovely drops there, so I bought the Traminer (a sweet dessert wine that wasn't sickly sweet) and the MC2, a red blend. Andrew and the lady helping were very friendly and it was a positive experience. We got a big discount on the wines purchased, even though the prices were reasonable anyway!
After Rymill's, we went to the Poplars for another testing and lunch. They also had cheese testing, so Michael and I partook of that ...mmmm, goat's cheese! The wine tasting wasn't as nice as Rymill's, with the man (owner?) insisting that the wines be tasted in a certain order, and how dare you skip a wine (even if you didn't like a particular variety). They were pushy and wine-snobby, which didn't help for their sales. Lunch was delicious though, a choice of an open steak sandwich, battered fish or caesar salad. Michael and I sat with Annie (the lady we'd bought this house off) and her friend Jane. We had lots of laughs over lunch, then it was back on the bus.
Next stop was Katnook. It was a smaller tasting area, so it was a bit crowded and we were pushed through the tasting quite quickly. It felt like you had to scull the wines to keep up! Still, the lady was pleasant enough. We didn't stay long, and I didn't like the wines enough to buy any of them.
We had a bit of time left before we were due at the last winery, so we headed back to Penola (after an hilarious three point turn on the highway after going in the wrong direction - I don't think we hit any of the grapevines!) so some more of the ladies could hit the lolly shop - purely to buy lollies for their mothers/classes /kids etc. The boys (all five of them) hit the pub for a beer and I wandered down the street, had a look in the lolly shop (lovely) without purchasing, and then wandered through the secondhand store. Lots of lovely things in there as well.
Then back on the bus and out to Patrick T for afternoon tea and yet another tasting. Everyone was merry by this stage and having lots of laughs. Patrick T had set up an afternoon tea for us, cheeses, dry biscuits, dips, chocolate cake, strawberries and honey biscuits - as well as tea and coffee. It was a lovely area, very friendly staff (Jane was trying to pick up the bloke) and somewhere I'd be happy to go back to. The wines were okay and Michael bought one, but I ended up buying some dukkah and lime-infused olive oil. They had basil-infused, blood orange-infused (very nice) and chilli-infused oils as well.
We finally got everyone back on the bus and Bazza headed for home. One last stop at Casterton, for a much needed toilet stop and to sample the wines from the Kindy range. We drew the raffle, first prize of a magnum (the large wine bottle, not the ice-cream) was won by.... the drunkest lady on the trip! Then back on the bus we went...... and this time Janelle got her wish and got to listen to ABBA on the way home. It was very naughty (and slightly illegal) but it amusing to watch some of the ladies dancing in the aisle, against the backdrop of the rolling hills between Casterton and Coleraine.
Bazza pulled the bus over at our driveway and Mim and Caitlin jumped aboard so we could all eat at the pub. The other pub, not our usual pub. Food was good, smaller serves than Julie gives but was still very nice. The kids played outside on the skates, trampoline and other toys until well after dark, then came inside and had a game of pool. It was very funny seeing four five year olds standing around the pool table, barely able to see over it, all holding their pool cues! Michael and I had a discussion with Tracey and Grant about the lack of service from Hamilton City Motors - they had a Pug disaster story to tell as well.
I drove us home at 10.30, having consumed plenty of water throughout the day I figured I was just fine. It really was a great day - and we raised about $600 for the Kindy!
Sunday 15 November 2009
Swimming at the Creek
We discovered the local waterhole a week ago. It's a section of the creek that is deep enough to dive in, with overhanging trees that kids have attached rope swings to.
I took the girls down there one day, and they had a ball. The dogs enjoyed it as well. Sarah is happy to swim, but Jess just wants to get in the water and be held by someone, or sit over their shoulder.
Local kids have set up a couple of couches for sitting in, and an ex freezer is buried in the ground for keeping drinks in.
Michael and I took the girls and dogs down again a day later, and spent a few hours there.
I thought it would be a wonderful place over summer to go to when the pool isn't open.... until I read a recent article in the local paper warning people about snakes near lakes and creeks, as a dog had recently died in the space of a few minutes after being bitten.
Hmmmm, might have to rethink it.
I took the girls down there one day, and they had a ball. The dogs enjoyed it as well. Sarah is happy to swim, but Jess just wants to get in the water and be held by someone, or sit over their shoulder.
Local kids have set up a couple of couches for sitting in, and an ex freezer is buried in the ground for keeping drinks in.
Michael and I took the girls and dogs down again a day later, and spent a few hours there.
I thought it would be a wonderful place over summer to go to when the pool isn't open.... until I read a recent article in the local paper warning people about snakes near lakes and creeks, as a dog had recently died in the space of a few minutes after being bitten.
Hmmmm, might have to rethink it.
Thursday 12 November 2009
My Little Ballerina
Mim had her first ballet concert last weekend. She had three performances, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon.
It was the Nutcracker Suite and she played a child with a teddy (all the beginners did). I think she showed more natural grace than most of her class..... but that may just be mother's bias!
I dropped her in town on Friday and Saturday nights, all made up and waited around til first interval to collect her.
We all went and watched the whole performance on Sunday. I dropped her round the back, got her in the costume and then joined Michael and Caitlin. We went inside and sat down, third row back. In front of us were some ex students of Michael. The lights dimmed, the narrator told the story of the Nutcracker, the music started..... and the girl in front of us threw up! Luckily it was a water barf as it wasn't cleaned up until the first interval.
The concert went off well, Mim was perfect (of course). I didn't like the 'pirate crumping' but most of the dancing was good.
She wants to do another concert very soon.
It was the Nutcracker Suite and she played a child with a teddy (all the beginners did). I think she showed more natural grace than most of her class..... but that may just be mother's bias!
I dropped her in town on Friday and Saturday nights, all made up and waited around til first interval to collect her.
We all went and watched the whole performance on Sunday. I dropped her round the back, got her in the costume and then joined Michael and Caitlin. We went inside and sat down, third row back. In front of us were some ex students of Michael. The lights dimmed, the narrator told the story of the Nutcracker, the music started..... and the girl in front of us threw up! Luckily it was a water barf as it wasn't cleaned up until the first interval.
The concert went off well, Mim was perfect (of course). I didn't like the 'pirate crumping' but most of the dancing was good.
She wants to do another concert very soon.
A Busy Weekend
Last Friday, Caitlin had her annual heart check up in Ballarat. We left by 7am and arrived in Ballarat two and a half hours later. There was a light frost on the side of the road as we left Coleraine, but it had warmed up quite considerably by the time we got to Ballarat.
The check up was good. She's due for another one in two years, at which time Dr Weintraub will organise a MRI for her.
After the checkup, we headed into the city to do some shopping. Long live Big W! The girls ended up with new bathers and some summer clothing.
Then it was out of town and back to Beaufort for some lunch at a lovely little bakery. And then high tail it to home.
We arrived home in time for Jemima to jump through a shower, put her leotard on, have her hair tied up in a bun and makeup put on, then I drove her into town for her ballet performance. Afterwards, she had dinner at Maccas and came home to shower and wash hair and go straight to bed!
On Saturday morning, I had to be down at the showgrounds by 8.30am to help out at the Kindy stall for the Coleraine Show. We made lots of sandwiches, but because it was a hot day it was a very slow start. The cordial and jelly sold well early on but by the end of the day, all of the sandwiches had been sold and most of the slices/cakes.
Michael brought the girls down around 2 and we wandered around the exhibits and the animals. Michael came across one of his ex Casterton students who was exhibiting cow/bullies (as Mim calls them) so we chatted to them for half an hour. Then had a ride in one of the horse and carts that you can hire for weddings. Mim sat beside the driver and chatted to him, while Michael, Caitlin and I sat in the carriage. We were halfway around a lap when we were stopped and asked if we wanted to go in the Grand Parade.
And what an experience that was! The Grand Parade consisted of five old tractors (one of which had broken down, so had to be pulled by another), the firetruck, two horse-and-carriages and about six cattle. We did two laps of the main oval. Woo hoo!!! As Michael said "grand" and "coleraine" should not be used in the same sentence.
The girls went on the dodgem cars, jumping castle and the Char-Char-Char. We left at 4.30pm to go home and get Mim ready for her concert. I took her into town and then brought her straight back after her concert. We then went back to the Show to catch the fireworks and then a few more rides on the Dodgems before heading home.
We were able to have a sleep in on Sunday before Mim's concert in the afternoon.
It was an exhausting weekend, quite hot, and Mim has been sleeping in a fair bit since.
The check up was good. She's due for another one in two years, at which time Dr Weintraub will organise a MRI for her.
After the checkup, we headed into the city to do some shopping. Long live Big W! The girls ended up with new bathers and some summer clothing.
Then it was out of town and back to Beaufort for some lunch at a lovely little bakery. And then high tail it to home.
We arrived home in time for Jemima to jump through a shower, put her leotard on, have her hair tied up in a bun and makeup put on, then I drove her into town for her ballet performance. Afterwards, she had dinner at Maccas and came home to shower and wash hair and go straight to bed!
On Saturday morning, I had to be down at the showgrounds by 8.30am to help out at the Kindy stall for the Coleraine Show. We made lots of sandwiches, but because it was a hot day it was a very slow start. The cordial and jelly sold well early on but by the end of the day, all of the sandwiches had been sold and most of the slices/cakes.
Michael brought the girls down around 2 and we wandered around the exhibits and the animals. Michael came across one of his ex Casterton students who was exhibiting cow/bullies (as Mim calls them) so we chatted to them for half an hour. Then had a ride in one of the horse and carts that you can hire for weddings. Mim sat beside the driver and chatted to him, while Michael, Caitlin and I sat in the carriage. We were halfway around a lap when we were stopped and asked if we wanted to go in the Grand Parade.
And what an experience that was! The Grand Parade consisted of five old tractors (one of which had broken down, so had to be pulled by another), the firetruck, two horse-and-carriages and about six cattle. We did two laps of the main oval. Woo hoo!!! As Michael said "grand" and "coleraine" should not be used in the same sentence.
The girls went on the dodgem cars, jumping castle and the Char-Char-Char. We left at 4.30pm to go home and get Mim ready for her concert. I took her into town and then brought her straight back after her concert. We then went back to the Show to catch the fireworks and then a few more rides on the Dodgems before heading home.
We were able to have a sleep in on Sunday before Mim's concert in the afternoon.
It was an exhausting weekend, quite hot, and Mim has been sleeping in a fair bit since.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
The Saga of the Pug
As previously blogged, we'd had Michael's car being repaired by Hamilton City Motors, the Peugeot dealers in town. After week 4, we were given a courtesy car (at our instigation). This was it!
A Jeep Cherokee that was a monster to drive. Still, it made the following five weeks bearable. Yes FIVE WEEKS!
Each time we contacted Craig Fort, owner of the dealership, we were told that the diagnostic team in Kuala Lumpar had said to try another BSI, or try this or try that.
At week 8, I'd had enough. I rang Peugeot Australia's head office in Sydney and blew a gasket. The girl said she'd get someone on it straight away. This was at lunch time on the Wednesday, I hadn't heard back by the time I'd left for work, but there was a message on the phone from Peter McIntosh at 5pm that day, saying that he was on the case and had contacted the Hamilton dealership. I managed to speak with Peter the following day and he was all apologies about our experiences with Hamilton.
You see, it appears that Peugeot have this policy that if the problem is not diagnosed within three days or five hours of diagnostic time, it needs to be escalated. And this had not happened. So for the next few days, Peter rang me each day to let me know what was happening with our car in Hamilton. He arranged for it to be escalated to France IMMEDIATELY to find out what the problem was. France requested photos of various things. Mark the mechanic had allegedly gone home with pneumonia on Friday, so Peter was waiting for Craig to call him back so Peter could take Craig through step by step the process to use to take these photos and email them to France. By Tuesday morning, France had replied that one of the wires in the BSI was faulty. It was repaired by late Wednesday and Michael could pick up his car on Friday afternoon. Not so hard now, was it Craig!!!!!!
Michael had totake the car back in on Monday because the airconditioner and vents weren't working. They'd start at a reasonable temperature, then whistle and fall to freezing, then whistle again and up to sauna level. That didn't take long to fix and he had the car back on Monday afternoon.
Peter McIntosh kept following up with us on a daily basis, keeping us informed on what was happening - something that Craig could never do. He also got Robert Toonen involved, the aftersales service manager for most of the country. They were most interested in how many Pug drivers we'd spoken to wouldn't go to Craig because of bad experiences.
Then came the bill. Peter said he'd spoken to Craig, who assured him that he would be very generous with the billing, but didn't give him a figure. Michael hadn't received anything in the mail after a week, so he went in to see Craig. Craig handed over the account for over $5000. Michael saw red. Craig then proceeded to say 'Oh, we're not going to charge you that full amount, only $2,900', claiming 46 hrs of labour and diagnosis. Michael almost had a stroke. Craig also said he'd never heard of or spoken to Peter.
He rang Peter McIntosh, who was disgusted. Michael came up with some figures, based on 5 hrs diagnosis, 2 hrs labour and the cost of a BSI and offered Craig $1500. Peter advised that he had advised Craig to accept that offer. We got a letter in the mail from Craig, apologising for our bad experience, blaming his staff for their lack of communication and maintaining that it was sheer coincidence that the matter was escalated on the day that I contacted head office. He would accept the $1500 if it was paid within 30 days. But still no written account for our records, despite weeks of asking!
And then, just under two weeks later, we get another letter in the mail from Hamilton City Motors. It was a reminder notice - and the actual account!!!! And the bank details on the account were wrong! They just can't get it right.
Kudos go to Peter McIntosh, for his empathy, his communication and for being a great support in fixing our dilemma!
A Jeep Cherokee that was a monster to drive. Still, it made the following five weeks bearable. Yes FIVE WEEKS!
Each time we contacted Craig Fort, owner of the dealership, we were told that the diagnostic team in Kuala Lumpar had said to try another BSI, or try this or try that.
At week 8, I'd had enough. I rang Peugeot Australia's head office in Sydney and blew a gasket. The girl said she'd get someone on it straight away. This was at lunch time on the Wednesday, I hadn't heard back by the time I'd left for work, but there was a message on the phone from Peter McIntosh at 5pm that day, saying that he was on the case and had contacted the Hamilton dealership. I managed to speak with Peter the following day and he was all apologies about our experiences with Hamilton.
You see, it appears that Peugeot have this policy that if the problem is not diagnosed within three days or five hours of diagnostic time, it needs to be escalated. And this had not happened. So for the next few days, Peter rang me each day to let me know what was happening with our car in Hamilton. He arranged for it to be escalated to France IMMEDIATELY to find out what the problem was. France requested photos of various things. Mark the mechanic had allegedly gone home with pneumonia on Friday, so Peter was waiting for Craig to call him back so Peter could take Craig through step by step the process to use to take these photos and email them to France. By Tuesday morning, France had replied that one of the wires in the BSI was faulty. It was repaired by late Wednesday and Michael could pick up his car on Friday afternoon. Not so hard now, was it Craig!!!!!!
Michael had totake the car back in on Monday because the airconditioner and vents weren't working. They'd start at a reasonable temperature, then whistle and fall to freezing, then whistle again and up to sauna level. That didn't take long to fix and he had the car back on Monday afternoon.
Peter McIntosh kept following up with us on a daily basis, keeping us informed on what was happening - something that Craig could never do. He also got Robert Toonen involved, the aftersales service manager for most of the country. They were most interested in how many Pug drivers we'd spoken to wouldn't go to Craig because of bad experiences.
Then came the bill. Peter said he'd spoken to Craig, who assured him that he would be very generous with the billing, but didn't give him a figure. Michael hadn't received anything in the mail after a week, so he went in to see Craig. Craig handed over the account for over $5000. Michael saw red. Craig then proceeded to say 'Oh, we're not going to charge you that full amount, only $2,900', claiming 46 hrs of labour and diagnosis. Michael almost had a stroke. Craig also said he'd never heard of or spoken to Peter.
He rang Peter McIntosh, who was disgusted. Michael came up with some figures, based on 5 hrs diagnosis, 2 hrs labour and the cost of a BSI and offered Craig $1500. Peter advised that he had advised Craig to accept that offer. We got a letter in the mail from Craig, apologising for our bad experience, blaming his staff for their lack of communication and maintaining that it was sheer coincidence that the matter was escalated on the day that I contacted head office. He would accept the $1500 if it was paid within 30 days. But still no written account for our records, despite weeks of asking!
And then, just under two weeks later, we get another letter in the mail from Hamilton City Motors. It was a reminder notice - and the actual account!!!! And the bank details on the account were wrong! They just can't get it right.
Kudos go to Peter McIntosh, for his empathy, his communication and for being a great support in fixing our dilemma!
Caitlin's new Do
Caitlin had her hair cut a few weeks ago. She got to choose the style. It looks really good, and is practical.
Only problem is when she tries to straighten her hair, she can never get the short bits around the back!
Monday 9 November 2009
More Mim Moments
When I was putting Mim to bed, she asked about Tyler's cat Purr, who had just kittens. She then wanted to know if Morticia would have kittens. "No, she's been desexed".
"Can Jess and Sarah have puppies?"
"Yes, they haven't been desexed"
"Is desexed were the vet opens their heart and puts the puppies in?"
"No, desexed is were the vet opens their tummies and ties some things up so they can't have puppies"
"So babies grow in your tummy?"
"Yes they do"
"They start in your heart, and move down to your tummy."
I can't refute that statement.
Mim and I were discussing babies again, as she is excited about the imminent (well, 6 weeks away) arrival of her new cousin. She pointed to her tummy and said, "are my babies in here?"
"Um, not yet, but they will be.... when you are my age"
"Does it hurt to have a baby"
"Yes, but you won't remember the pain"
Mim started looking worried, "but what if I don't want to have a baby"
"Then you don't have to have one"
"But if I have a baby, and I don't want it, can I sell it?"
"ummmmmmmmm....NO!" Where do you go to after that!
I was putting away some a silky dressing gown when Mim asked if that was what I wore in the photo near Michael's side of the bed. It was a professional photo taken at a studio when Caitlin was a baby. I told Mim about having special photos taken when Caitlin was only six months old. "Were you the Next Top Model?" she asked. I don't bloody think so!!!!
On the way home after the ballet concert, Mim asked
"does it hurt when your tongue gets pissed?"
"???.....oh, pierced! Yes, it does hurt."
"Does it hurt when your nose gets pissed?"
"Everything hurts when it gets piss...pierced!"
Conversation from the back seat of the car between Mim and her kindy mate, Mason:
Mason: "I know who you're going to marry.... Oscar"
Mim: "Yep, 'cos he's my boyfriend"
Mason: "Gypsy's going to marry me"
Mim: "No! Portia's going to marry you. Gypsy's not the right girl for you!"
Mason: "Gypsy and I are friends now, but if I don't want to be friends with her anymore, I just have to say 'You're dumped' and then we're no longer friends"
"Can Jess and Sarah have puppies?"
"Yes, they haven't been desexed"
"Is desexed were the vet opens their heart and puts the puppies in?"
"No, desexed is were the vet opens their tummies and ties some things up so they can't have puppies"
"So babies grow in your tummy?"
"Yes they do"
"They start in your heart, and move down to your tummy."
I can't refute that statement.
Mim and I were discussing babies again, as she is excited about the imminent (well, 6 weeks away) arrival of her new cousin. She pointed to her tummy and said, "are my babies in here?"
"Um, not yet, but they will be.... when you are my age"
"Does it hurt to have a baby"
"Yes, but you won't remember the pain"
Mim started looking worried, "but what if I don't want to have a baby"
"Then you don't have to have one"
"But if I have a baby, and I don't want it, can I sell it?"
"ummmmmmmmm....NO!" Where do you go to after that!
I was putting away some a silky dressing gown when Mim asked if that was what I wore in the photo near Michael's side of the bed. It was a professional photo taken at a studio when Caitlin was a baby. I told Mim about having special photos taken when Caitlin was only six months old. "Were you the Next Top Model?" she asked. I don't bloody think so!!!!
On the way home after the ballet concert, Mim asked
"does it hurt when your tongue gets pissed?"
"???.....oh, pierced! Yes, it does hurt."
"Does it hurt when your nose gets pissed?"
"Everything hurts when it gets piss...pierced!"
Conversation from the back seat of the car between Mim and her kindy mate, Mason:
Mason: "I know who you're going to marry.... Oscar"
Mim: "Yep, 'cos he's my boyfriend"
Mason: "Gypsy's going to marry me"
Mim: "No! Portia's going to marry you. Gypsy's not the right girl for you!"
Mason: "Gypsy and I are friends now, but if I don't want to be friends with her anymore, I just have to say 'You're dumped' and then we're no longer friends"
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