Mim entered the school Talent Show.... and won a prize for her year level. It was a tough competition, between her and a boy on a pogo stick. She did a rendition of Justin Beiber's Baby Baby and gained a block of chocolate for her efforts.
Frankly I think they should have awarded me a block of chocolate for having to listen to Beiber on repeat for the previous week!
Sunday 22 August 2010
What the???
Jemima did this drawing the other week.
I had grave concerns over what it was meant to be!!!! Until she advised me, it was a mermaid! Doh!
I had grave concerns over what it was meant to be!!!! Until she advised me, it was a mermaid! Doh!
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Randoms
Because I've been slack at blogging over the last few months, here are just some random shots taken:
Sarah, ready to run after Jess
Jess, on the lookout
Sarah, vegeing on the couch with Caitlin
Mim has a new bed
Mim being a doogan
Lulu, hiding from the rain that was blowing horizontally
Sarah, ready to run after Jess
Jess, on the lookout
Sarah, vegeing on the couch with Caitlin
Mim has a new bed
Mim being a doogan
Lulu, hiding from the rain that was blowing horizontally
Sunday 1 August 2010
A Summer(y) Holiday
Michael, and the girls flew up to Queensland for a few days to visit family and friends. They left early on the Saturday morning, having to be at the Hamilton airport by 8.30am to be bused down to the Portland airport as the fog was too thick to land in Hamilton. Jemima was very excited to be going on TWO airplanes in the one day. She especially liked the bigger plane as Daddy swiped his card and she got to watch Scooby Doo on the little TV in the headrest in front!
They really enjoyed the warm weather, it was a fair contrast to the cold weather we've had here. Jemima spent Saturday afternoon soaking up the sunshine. Michael caught up with his friends at the Breakfast Creek and the girls stayed overnight at Nana's. Caitlin and Jemima went shopping with Nana at Chermside (OMG, a shopping centre, people, traffic lights.. Caitlin must have been orgasmic!) Caitlin went to the movies with her godmother and saw Karate Kid. And an immense amount of junk food was consumed!
I'd received a phone call from Janelle a few days before, asking a favour. Her husband had just rescued an almost orphaned lamb but they were going away for a week, could I possibly feed it until Barrie got home on the Tuesday. Of course I said yes. So on the Friday morning Jimmy arrived. He was wearing a dog collar! At first, he could barely manage the 300mls of milk and it would take many attempts to get him to drink it, he'd become easily distracted. Two days later, he was scoffing almost 500mls of warm milk (heated for one minute) without a break. The dogs loved him (and cleaned up his backside very quickly).
introducing Jimmy
who had the time of his life!
On the Saturday, I finally installed two light shades on Mim's and our bedrooms. I'd been sick of the bare globe for ages. I was also going to try and clean the ceiling of the green goo, but had a slight problem. I thought I'd locked the clips down on the ladder, but when I got to the top, the ladder opened out underneath me and we slid down together. It was almost like surfing, and I'm sure I could hear Hawaii 5-0 playing somewhere as I slid to ground level. (No, Mum, I'm fine, I didn't hurt myself, although there are two small gouges out of the wooden floor, grrr)
It was so quiet without them in the house. I had originally planned to paint Mim's bedroom or the loungeroom, but that budget was scrapped when the water pump shat itself!
I picked them up from Mt Gambier airport on the Thursday. The dogs were so excited to have them back, as was I. Jemima is now a seasoned little traveller!
They really enjoyed the warm weather, it was a fair contrast to the cold weather we've had here. Jemima spent Saturday afternoon soaking up the sunshine. Michael caught up with his friends at the Breakfast Creek and the girls stayed overnight at Nana's. Caitlin and Jemima went shopping with Nana at Chermside (OMG, a shopping centre, people, traffic lights.. Caitlin must have been orgasmic!) Caitlin went to the movies with her godmother and saw Karate Kid. And an immense amount of junk food was consumed!
I'd received a phone call from Janelle a few days before, asking a favour. Her husband had just rescued an almost orphaned lamb but they were going away for a week, could I possibly feed it until Barrie got home on the Tuesday. Of course I said yes. So on the Friday morning Jimmy arrived. He was wearing a dog collar! At first, he could barely manage the 300mls of milk and it would take many attempts to get him to drink it, he'd become easily distracted. Two days later, he was scoffing almost 500mls of warm milk (heated for one minute) without a break. The dogs loved him (and cleaned up his backside very quickly).
introducing Jimmy
who had the time of his life!On the Saturday, I finally installed two light shades on Mim's and our bedrooms. I'd been sick of the bare globe for ages. I was also going to try and clean the ceiling of the green goo, but had a slight problem. I thought I'd locked the clips down on the ladder, but when I got to the top, the ladder opened out underneath me and we slid down together. It was almost like surfing, and I'm sure I could hear Hawaii 5-0 playing somewhere as I slid to ground level. (No, Mum, I'm fine, I didn't hurt myself, although there are two small gouges out of the wooden floor, grrr)
It was so quiet without them in the house. I had originally planned to paint Mim's bedroom or the loungeroom, but that budget was scrapped when the water pump shat itself!
I picked them up from Mt Gambier airport on the Thursday. The dogs were so excited to have them back, as was I. Jemima is now a seasoned little traveller!
Tuesday 13 July 2010
It's just not fair
Caitlin invited a few girlfriends over last week for a Horror Movieathon. Michael took Jemima to the movies while the girls arrived and brought her back at 9pm.
Of course, it's so hard for a little girl when she sees her big sister and the big girls getting to watch movies and have popcorn when she's being sent to bed.
It's even harder for her mother to keep a straight face when Mim is wailing, "but Caitlin is having more junk food than I had!!!!"
Of course, it's so hard for a little girl when she sees her big sister and the big girls getting to watch movies and have popcorn when she's being sent to bed.
It's even harder for her mother to keep a straight face when Mim is wailing, "but Caitlin is having more junk food than I had!!!!"
Friday 9 July 2010
What else can go wrong???
We've had a long run of things going wrong lately. We had the vomiting bug go through the family, the dogs escapade into the neighbour's paddock, the dryer stopped working (during a wet winter), the water pump kerfut itself (not noticed for 36 hrs and almost half a tank of water lost)..... did I break a mirror????
Wednesday 30 June 2010
It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times....
At long last, MokMok, Oklok and Moklok managed a trip down south to visit their country cousins. They arrived on a wet Wednesday afternoon, after a wet and windy trip along the Great Ocean Road. They'd spent a few days on the road, touring the countryside of NSW and Victoria. Olivia has started throwing up one day into the trip, followed by Michelle 24 hrs later, and Mark shortly after that. By the time they arrived in Coleraine, they appeared to be over the bug. Or so we thought.
"does my bum look big in this?"
On the Thursday, the weather had cleared enough to be somewhat pleasant. Whilst Michael had to work and the girls had to go to school, I had the day off to take them over to the Coonawarra winery region. We had lunch at a cafe in Penola. Lunch was very yummy.... until Olivia did a Poonami! Mark was holding her at the time, and commented on the smell. When the after effects started seeping through her onesie, he quickly passed her over to Michelle for changing. It had leaked down her legs and out the top. Michelle had to use the boot of the Renault as a change table. It was hilarious watching the expressions of horror, distaste and frustration on her face as she dealt with the nuclear holocaust from Olivia's bowels.
After the lunchtime movie, we visited Wynn's Estate and Mark bought himself a bottle of wine. We drove up and down the main highway, but I couldn't find Rymill's so we went back to Penola and checked out the lolly shop and antique store. Then it was back on the highway home. We were held up slightly by a farmer droving his sheep across the road but still made it back to Coleraine in time to pick Jemima up from school.
Got home in time to dump the passengers, say a quick hello to Mick, a boarder from Monivae who was spending the weekend with us as well, and drive Caitlin into Hamilton for her music lesson.
Michelle making friends with the sheep
Friday was pupil free day for the girls so they got to spend time with their cousin. We all (bar Caitlin and Mick) went into Hamilton to have lunch with Michael. We had a quick look at the Botanical Gardens and got caught by a shower. We also caught up with Jenny and Wazzie, Michael and Mark chose to spend the afternoon with them whilst Michelle, Mim, Olivia and I went home via a friend's so Michelle could see a proper sheep farm. We hadn't been at the Tooley's long before Jemima puked in the yard. I put it down to her eating too much at lunch, as she had no temperature and was fine up until 5 mins before puking. Janelle's husband Barrie offered to look after her while Janelle took us for a drive around the paddock and to show Michelle the Highland cattle. When we returned, poor Mim had puked again and was feeling very ordinary so we went straight home and put her to bed. It wasn't too much longer after that that Caitlin puked as well. The disease was amongst us!
Dinner that night was Arni Lemonato, rather delicious if I do say so myself. We were two down on dinner so there was plenty to go around. Mark decided that it would be prudent after dinner to see just how potent the electric dog collar was. He strapped it around his bare leg and Michael fired it at level 4. Mark groaned “oh, f^&%!” as his leg jerked around. He then requested it be ramped up so Michael upped it to 10 and fired. “Oh, F&^*!” was the response and he almost hit the floor. We couldn't stop laughing! And then he asked it to be maxed, so up it went to 15 and fire! Mark was rolling on the floor in agony and I had to race into the toilet before I literally pissed myself laughing. Michelle was putting Olivia to bed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Saturday morning dawned fine (thank goodness) as we headed over to Casterton for the Kelpie Festival. Michael stayed at home with the girls who were still recovering from their evening of upchucking. Mick Wheaton declined the invitation to join us as well.
Michelle was amazed. We had never seen so many inbreds coming out of the hills! And where else can you go and see a “Grand Parade” featuring the oldies in their electric scooters! There was a large crowd there, which made it difficult to see the novelty events, like the sheep racing and the 'dog most like its owner'.
"Giddyup!"
"Round em up"
Mark and I managed to get up front to see the Dog High Jump, but Michelle had to feed Olivia so she couldn't squeeze through the crowd later. I watched it for a while then joined Michelle in the wonderful game of people watching, and a game of “husband, brother or both?” We watched a bit of the Horse and Dog Trials and a few of the Hill Climb before Olivia decided it was time to call it quits for the day.
determination! He finally got himself over!
We decided to dine at the pub, to let the Sydney siders see the local wildlife. Michael convinced Mark that he had to try the crumbed scotch fillet which of course filled the plate. Poor Mark couldn't eat it, only a person possessed of a superhuman digestive tract could consume that amount of beef, bread and eggs in one sitting! After Olivia had been admired by a few of the locals, we went home to a roaring fire.
"not quite sure about Casterton"
Trees near the Glenelg River
It was about 2am Sunday morning when I woke up feeling uncomfortable. Not nauseous, just uncomfortable. After lying in bed for half an hour, I thought I might feel better if I made myself throw up. And then it started. I felt like I'd lost half my body weight in puke, and my ribs/back were so sore from throwing up.
That morning the dogs also managed to escape the confines of the houseyard. I'd only just noticed them gone (missing less than 10mins) when the neighbour rang. They were 'harassing' his sheep. Michael and I went to collect them, me still in my pjs with no glasses. The neighbour's wife abused me as I was wading barefoot through ankle deep icy muddy water to shut their gate.... I just turned around and puked in their paddock. They hadn't killed any sheep (they weren't interested in that, only chasing the moving ones), luckily but if he catches them in his paddock again, he'll have no option but to shoot them. Needless to say, the dogs spent the rest of the day in the bitches box, and I spent the rest of the day in bed.
Michael took Mark and Michelle and the girls to the Millard's property, to show them a mixed cattle/sheep farm. By all accounts, it was a bit cold on the back of the ute!
Mark and Michelle left on Monday morning, just as Michael started puking. They had come, they had saw, they had spread disease (moohaahhhaaaaa evil laugh). I spent the day gradually recovering, Michael spent it in bed, and Jemima challenged Mick to various Wii games. I drove Mick back to the boarding house late afternoon, and discovered that his wallet was lost. We searched all through the house...... only to discover that it had fallen down beside the B pillar in the car, five weeks later!
So, all up it was a great visit, but marred by sickness and dog escapades. Please come back again!
"does my bum look big in this?"On the Thursday, the weather had cleared enough to be somewhat pleasant. Whilst Michael had to work and the girls had to go to school, I had the day off to take them over to the Coonawarra winery region. We had lunch at a cafe in Penola. Lunch was very yummy.... until Olivia did a Poonami! Mark was holding her at the time, and commented on the smell. When the after effects started seeping through her onesie, he quickly passed her over to Michelle for changing. It had leaked down her legs and out the top. Michelle had to use the boot of the Renault as a change table. It was hilarious watching the expressions of horror, distaste and frustration on her face as she dealt with the nuclear holocaust from Olivia's bowels.
After the lunchtime movie, we visited Wynn's Estate and Mark bought himself a bottle of wine. We drove up and down the main highway, but I couldn't find Rymill's so we went back to Penola and checked out the lolly shop and antique store. Then it was back on the highway home. We were held up slightly by a farmer droving his sheep across the road but still made it back to Coleraine in time to pick Jemima up from school.
Got home in time to dump the passengers, say a quick hello to Mick, a boarder from Monivae who was spending the weekend with us as well, and drive Caitlin into Hamilton for her music lesson.
Michelle making friends with the sheepFriday was pupil free day for the girls so they got to spend time with their cousin. We all (bar Caitlin and Mick) went into Hamilton to have lunch with Michael. We had a quick look at the Botanical Gardens and got caught by a shower. We also caught up with Jenny and Wazzie, Michael and Mark chose to spend the afternoon with them whilst Michelle, Mim, Olivia and I went home via a friend's so Michelle could see a proper sheep farm. We hadn't been at the Tooley's long before Jemima puked in the yard. I put it down to her eating too much at lunch, as she had no temperature and was fine up until 5 mins before puking. Janelle's husband Barrie offered to look after her while Janelle took us for a drive around the paddock and to show Michelle the Highland cattle. When we returned, poor Mim had puked again and was feeling very ordinary so we went straight home and put her to bed. It wasn't too much longer after that that Caitlin puked as well. The disease was amongst us!
Dinner that night was Arni Lemonato, rather delicious if I do say so myself. We were two down on dinner so there was plenty to go around. Mark decided that it would be prudent after dinner to see just how potent the electric dog collar was. He strapped it around his bare leg and Michael fired it at level 4. Mark groaned “oh, f^&%!” as his leg jerked around. He then requested it be ramped up so Michael upped it to 10 and fired. “Oh, F&^*!” was the response and he almost hit the floor. We couldn't stop laughing! And then he asked it to be maxed, so up it went to 15 and fire! Mark was rolling on the floor in agony and I had to race into the toilet before I literally pissed myself laughing. Michelle was putting Olivia to bed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Saturday morning dawned fine (thank goodness) as we headed over to Casterton for the Kelpie Festival. Michael stayed at home with the girls who were still recovering from their evening of upchucking. Mick Wheaton declined the invitation to join us as well.
Michelle was amazed. We had never seen so many inbreds coming out of the hills! And where else can you go and see a “Grand Parade” featuring the oldies in their electric scooters! There was a large crowd there, which made it difficult to see the novelty events, like the sheep racing and the 'dog most like its owner'.
"Giddyup!"
"Round em up"Mark and I managed to get up front to see the Dog High Jump, but Michelle had to feed Olivia so she couldn't squeeze through the crowd later. I watched it for a while then joined Michelle in the wonderful game of people watching, and a game of “husband, brother or both?” We watched a bit of the Horse and Dog Trials and a few of the Hill Climb before Olivia decided it was time to call it quits for the day.
determination! He finally got himself over!We decided to dine at the pub, to let the Sydney siders see the local wildlife. Michael convinced Mark that he had to try the crumbed scotch fillet which of course filled the plate. Poor Mark couldn't eat it, only a person possessed of a superhuman digestive tract could consume that amount of beef, bread and eggs in one sitting! After Olivia had been admired by a few of the locals, we went home to a roaring fire.
"not quite sure about Casterton"
Trees near the Glenelg RiverIt was about 2am Sunday morning when I woke up feeling uncomfortable. Not nauseous, just uncomfortable. After lying in bed for half an hour, I thought I might feel better if I made myself throw up. And then it started. I felt like I'd lost half my body weight in puke, and my ribs/back were so sore from throwing up.
That morning the dogs also managed to escape the confines of the houseyard. I'd only just noticed them gone (missing less than 10mins) when the neighbour rang. They were 'harassing' his sheep. Michael and I went to collect them, me still in my pjs with no glasses. The neighbour's wife abused me as I was wading barefoot through ankle deep icy muddy water to shut their gate.... I just turned around and puked in their paddock. They hadn't killed any sheep (they weren't interested in that, only chasing the moving ones), luckily but if he catches them in his paddock again, he'll have no option but to shoot them. Needless to say, the dogs spent the rest of the day in the bitches box, and I spent the rest of the day in bed.
Michael took Mark and Michelle and the girls to the Millard's property, to show them a mixed cattle/sheep farm. By all accounts, it was a bit cold on the back of the ute!
Mark and Michelle left on Monday morning, just as Michael started puking. They had come, they had saw, they had spread disease (moohaahhhaaaaa evil laugh). I spent the day gradually recovering, Michael spent it in bed, and Jemima challenged Mick to various Wii games. I drove Mick back to the boarding house late afternoon, and discovered that his wallet was lost. We searched all through the house...... only to discover that it had fallen down beside the B pillar in the car, five weeks later!
So, all up it was a great visit, but marred by sickness and dog escapades. Please come back again!
Sunday 30 May 2010
Dinner Date
Last Friday night, we went over to Caitlin's friends house for a dinner. Caitlin and Emma had been working on their Media assignment, a movie written, directed, filmed by and starring them.
Last time the Millards had come over to us for dinner, Emma had made a fantastic carrot cake for dessert. This time, I attempted some petit fours to have with coffee after dinner.
I thought they worked quite well, although Michael said he was disturbed by the blue ones. I thought they might be too sickly sweet to actually eat, but all bar one was eaten by the end of the evening. I think Jemima had about five, and Michael managed to shove one whole one in his mouth while the girls madly scrambled to get the video camera to record it. They were too slow.
We were a bit late getting there, five minutes before we attempted to leave home, the heavens opened up. I got slightly wet just putting the dogs in the dog box. We made it over the Merino hills, despite the tailgater and took the Grassdale Rd. We only had Emma's directions to go on - five houses on the left, opposite X lane and with a white mail box. We traveled about two kilometres up the road, not able to count houses in the dark and rain. Then we turned around and went back to the start, not sure if the first house we'd come across was the right one or not. Then back along the road, for another five kilometres, unsure if we'd missed it or not. We were just looking for a place to pull over and ring when, hey presto, we saw the white letterbox opposite X Lane.
Debbie had made a lovely lamb casserole, a absolutely divine honey mustard chicken dish and a scrumptious potato bake. It was a fun night, Jemima enjoyed stalking Emma, when she wasn't playing Super Mario on the 54inch plasma TV screen or playing with Emma's iPad. For dessert, we had a chocolicious rocky road cheesecake.
It was after 11.30pm when we finally left their Merino property. At least the rain had stopped... for a while anyway.
Last time the Millards had come over to us for dinner, Emma had made a fantastic carrot cake for dessert. This time, I attempted some petit fours to have with coffee after dinner.
I thought they worked quite well, although Michael said he was disturbed by the blue ones. I thought they might be too sickly sweet to actually eat, but all bar one was eaten by the end of the evening. I think Jemima had about five, and Michael managed to shove one whole one in his mouth while the girls madly scrambled to get the video camera to record it. They were too slow.
We were a bit late getting there, five minutes before we attempted to leave home, the heavens opened up. I got slightly wet just putting the dogs in the dog box. We made it over the Merino hills, despite the tailgater and took the Grassdale Rd. We only had Emma's directions to go on - five houses on the left, opposite X lane and with a white mail box. We traveled about two kilometres up the road, not able to count houses in the dark and rain. Then we turned around and went back to the start, not sure if the first house we'd come across was the right one or not. Then back along the road, for another five kilometres, unsure if we'd missed it or not. We were just looking for a place to pull over and ring when, hey presto, we saw the white letterbox opposite X Lane.
Debbie had made a lovely lamb casserole, a absolutely divine honey mustard chicken dish and a scrumptious potato bake. It was a fun night, Jemima enjoyed stalking Emma, when she wasn't playing Super Mario on the 54inch plasma TV screen or playing with Emma's iPad. For dessert, we had a chocolicious rocky road cheesecake.
It was after 11.30pm when we finally left their Merino property. At least the rain had stopped... for a while anyway.
A Beautiful Present
Mim received a wooden jewellery making kit from her Aunty Meegan and Aunty Carla. She loves it, and made a beautiful necklace for both Caitlin and me.
She presented me with my necklace this morning with the words, "I wanted to give you this for Mother's Day, but my present hadn't arrived yet." LOL
I guess she must be gifted with a bit of ESP, Meegs and Carls?
She presented me with my necklace this morning with the words, "I wanted to give you this for Mother's Day, but my present hadn't arrived yet." LOL
I guess she must be gifted with a bit of ESP, Meegs and Carls?
Her gaydar is working!
Last night, Caitlin was watching St Trinians, whilst Jemima was doing crafty things and not really paying any attention to the movie. During one of the last scenes, where Colin Firth ends up in the bed of 'Camilla' (aka Rupert Everett in drag), Jemima looked up and said "They're gay".
"Pardon?!"
"They're gay"
I still couldn't believe my ears! "What did you say?" I asked yet again.
She looked at me. "Those men are gay"
I'm hoping she means 'gay' in the teenage vernicular, meaning silly not homosexual! I dared not question any further! And she's pretty observant, recognizing a man in women's clothing.
"Pardon?!"
"They're gay"
I still couldn't believe my ears! "What did you say?" I asked yet again.
She looked at me. "Those men are gay"
I'm hoping she means 'gay' in the teenage vernicular, meaning silly not homosexual! I dared not question any further! And she's pretty observant, recognizing a man in women's clothing.
Run Rabbit Run
The weather today has been 'indoor weather', horizontal rain hitting all the windows and doors. It stopped raining for half an hour and I took that opportunity to go outside, letting the dogs out for a pee and the chooks out of their muddy enclosure.
Gomez took off down the driveway and was ignoring my calls, so Sarah and I went for a walk to get him. By the time I'd gotten to the bottom of the drive, he was all the way up the service road and sniffing around the tree that marks the entrance to the highway. He understood that he was in trouble when I screamed at him "GET! IN! SIDE!" Sarah cowered at my feet, probably thinking 'Christ, I hope she's not talking to me'. He came trotting back, tail between legs and Sarah started up the drive. Hadn't gotten five metres up the driveway when a rabbit streaked past us in the front paddock and tried to squeeze out through the fence. Gomez started whimpering with excitement but Sarah didn't initially notice. As the rabbit (which was twice the size of Gomez) managed to get through the fence and across the bottom of the driveway and under the birch pines, Sarah noticed and was about to take off in pursuit. Luckily, she was well trained enough now that I could call her back, otherwise she'd be over the hills and far away! Still, if she had caught it, we could have had rabbit pie for dinner (for the next five nights)!
Gomez took off down the driveway and was ignoring my calls, so Sarah and I went for a walk to get him. By the time I'd gotten to the bottom of the drive, he was all the way up the service road and sniffing around the tree that marks the entrance to the highway. He understood that he was in trouble when I screamed at him "GET! IN! SIDE!" Sarah cowered at my feet, probably thinking 'Christ, I hope she's not talking to me'. He came trotting back, tail between legs and Sarah started up the drive. Hadn't gotten five metres up the driveway when a rabbit streaked past us in the front paddock and tried to squeeze out through the fence. Gomez started whimpering with excitement but Sarah didn't initially notice. As the rabbit (which was twice the size of Gomez) managed to get through the fence and across the bottom of the driveway and under the birch pines, Sarah noticed and was about to take off in pursuit. Luckily, she was well trained enough now that I could call her back, otherwise she'd be over the hills and far away! Still, if she had caught it, we could have had rabbit pie for dinner (for the next five nights)!
Thursday 27 May 2010
Clever Pussy
Morticia brought us a present the other day.
Normally she just plays with mice. Today she decided that a decapitated rat was what we needed! This was left in the driveway.
Normally she just plays with mice. Today she decided that a decapitated rat was what we needed! This was left in the driveway.
Friday 21 May 2010
Margaret's 80th Birthday
Margaret celebrated her 80th birthday last weekend.
We had a lovely lunch, catered by Jenny Tully, for Margaret and her three remaining siblings, Gertie, Kitty and George. There was also Eric (Gertie's husband), Sylvia (George's wife) and Malcolm (Kitty's son) plus Jenny and Warren.
It was the first time the four siblings had been together for about 30 years.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Margaret's Meringue
Margaret admitted that she was partial to meringue as a dessert. This was music to my ears.
Why?
Because we have five chooks. Which lay eggs. Daily. So I like to use recipes that use eggs, as we can't consume 35 eggs per week!
So the day before her birthday, I made a meringue for dessert. It used up some eggs and some leftover strawberries and cream.
It was divine (even if I do say so myself). And it also looked, when sliced and served, like it had a a pair of breasts!
Totally boobalicious!
Why?
Because we have five chooks. Which lay eggs. Daily. So I like to use recipes that use eggs, as we can't consume 35 eggs per week!
So the day before her birthday, I made a meringue for dessert. It used up some eggs and some leftover strawberries and cream.
It was divine (even if I do say so myself). And it also looked, when sliced and served, like it had a a pair of breasts!
Totally boobalicious!
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Cadet Camp
Catitlin suffered through a week away at cadet camp, for her sins.
It was cold. It was wet. They got to sleep in swags (those that were prepared) or sleeping bags (those that weren't) under a small piece of canvas. No bathrooms, only portaloos. Lots of boring drills like marching.
She hated it!
Michael, Margaret, Jemima and I went up to the paddock that the cadets called home for a week, on the Wednesday night for the Mass. It was dark by 6pm and very very cold. They didn't fire up the generator for the spotlights, because they'd make too much noise. So instead of watching the cadets march in, we got to listen to them march in, just dark shapes rustling. The priest said the Mass by torchlight. He got to the Eucharist when somebody's mobile phone went off. In his not-so-quiet voice Michael intoned, "Christ has died, Christ is ringing, Christ will ring again". Caused some giggles over our side of the paddock.
We'd brought up a foot long sub from Subway for Caitlin, which she inhaled. I'd also brought her a block of chocolate, a bribe to keep her at the camp for the rest of the week.
Caitlin told us how one girl (a Coleraine local) had been a b#@ch the whole time. During drills, she was behind Caitlin and kept kicking her in the heel and thought she was funny. After Caitlin had turned around and told her to stop it, the young bint swung her foot back and delivered a healthy kick to the back of Caitlin's calf. When Caitlin told me this, I cornered the girl with her parents and asked her about it. She claimed it was just an accident and stormed off in a huff. (Caitlin was told later in the week that she was going to be bashed up for dobbing on the girl, luckily for the girls concerned, this never happened!) The girl continued to be a trouble maker for the rest of the camp - believing it was her mission in life to make the camp "fun" (for her cliche, at the expense of the rest)!
She survived, without washing, for a whole week and arrived home very tired and determined never to go to cadet camp again. I'm very proud of her for persisting with it, despite having to deal with a bully the whole time!
It was cold. It was wet. They got to sleep in swags (those that were prepared) or sleeping bags (those that weren't) under a small piece of canvas. No bathrooms, only portaloos. Lots of boring drills like marching.
She hated it!
Michael, Margaret, Jemima and I went up to the paddock that the cadets called home for a week, on the Wednesday night for the Mass. It was dark by 6pm and very very cold. They didn't fire up the generator for the spotlights, because they'd make too much noise. So instead of watching the cadets march in, we got to listen to them march in, just dark shapes rustling. The priest said the Mass by torchlight. He got to the Eucharist when somebody's mobile phone went off. In his not-so-quiet voice Michael intoned, "Christ has died, Christ is ringing, Christ will ring again". Caused some giggles over our side of the paddock.
We'd brought up a foot long sub from Subway for Caitlin, which she inhaled. I'd also brought her a block of chocolate, a bribe to keep her at the camp for the rest of the week.
Caitlin told us how one girl (a Coleraine local) had been a b#@ch the whole time. During drills, she was behind Caitlin and kept kicking her in the heel and thought she was funny. After Caitlin had turned around and told her to stop it, the young bint swung her foot back and delivered a healthy kick to the back of Caitlin's calf. When Caitlin told me this, I cornered the girl with her parents and asked her about it. She claimed it was just an accident and stormed off in a huff. (Caitlin was told later in the week that she was going to be bashed up for dobbing on the girl, luckily for the girls concerned, this never happened!) The girl continued to be a trouble maker for the rest of the camp - believing it was her mission in life to make the camp "fun" (for her cliche, at the expense of the rest)!
She survived, without washing, for a whole week and arrived home very tired and determined never to go to cadet camp again. I'm very proud of her for persisting with it, despite having to deal with a bully the whole time!
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Bye Bye Baby (teeth)
Mim lost her first two baby teeth last week.
She met me at the door of the daycare unit on the Wednesday afternoon absolutely besides herself with excitement. "Mac punched my tooth out" she screamed at me. Charleen, the daycare mum, looked horrified. "They were just playing and then she turned around and said her tooth had come out" she explained, "she wasn't crying or upset". I reassured her that the tooth had been very very wobbly and ready to come out for awhile.
(Mac's mum Kylie asked him later what had happened, he said it was all Jemima's fault, he was trying to punch her on the top of her head and she'd moved her head so he got her on the mouth instead!) LOL!!
We put the tooth in the glass of water over the sink and headed off for the cadet camp Mass.
The next morning, the tooth fairy had taken the tooth and placed $2 in the glass. Mim was very excited about the money. She went and told Mumma how rich she was and then, as she was coming back down the corridor, the second tooth just came out!
So two teeth in 24hrs, the tooth fairy will go broke at this rate!
She met me at the door of the daycare unit on the Wednesday afternoon absolutely besides herself with excitement. "Mac punched my tooth out" she screamed at me. Charleen, the daycare mum, looked horrified. "They were just playing and then she turned around and said her tooth had come out" she explained, "she wasn't crying or upset". I reassured her that the tooth had been very very wobbly and ready to come out for awhile.
(Mac's mum Kylie asked him later what had happened, he said it was all Jemima's fault, he was trying to punch her on the top of her head and she'd moved her head so he got her on the mouth instead!) LOL!!
We put the tooth in the glass of water over the sink and headed off for the cadet camp Mass.
The next morning, the tooth fairy had taken the tooth and placed $2 in the glass. Mim was very excited about the money. She went and told Mumma how rich she was and then, as she was coming back down the corridor, the second tooth just came out!
So two teeth in 24hrs, the tooth fairy will go broke at this rate!
Monday 10 May 2010
Happy Birthday Mim!
Mim turned six today!
Certainly doesn't feel like only six years ago that there was life without her. She is such a vibrant personality, it feels like she's always been there, getting into mischief and talking her way out of anything.
After school, Margaret and Jemima had a 'coffee' at the Milkbar whilst I finished work. I gave Mim $20 to buy Margaret a coffee and some afternoon tea, so she was happy as Larry! Michael picked them up and took them home and I got home shortly after. I'd made Arni Lemonato in my new slow cooker, that was enjoyed for dinner, followed by a birthday cake whipped up at the last minute.
On Saturday afternoon, she had a small party down at the playground. The weather held out for us, only starting to rain once the last child had left. The kids had a great time playing, including creating a large dam in the sand pit. I think they were playing Mining, Jordy and Mim were the CEOs and oversaw the operations.
Instead of baking a large birthday cake and having to transport it down there, and take a knife to cut it, and transport it back, I got smart this year and did individual cupcakes with a chocolate ganache icing. Most of the kids liked them (except the one child that flicked the icing onto the ground and ate only the cake part).
Mim loves being six, she's such a big girl now!
Certainly doesn't feel like only six years ago that there was life without her. She is such a vibrant personality, it feels like she's always been there, getting into mischief and talking her way out of anything.
After school, Margaret and Jemima had a 'coffee' at the Milkbar whilst I finished work. I gave Mim $20 to buy Margaret a coffee and some afternoon tea, so she was happy as Larry! Michael picked them up and took them home and I got home shortly after. I'd made Arni Lemonato in my new slow cooker, that was enjoyed for dinner, followed by a birthday cake whipped up at the last minute.
On Saturday afternoon, she had a small party down at the playground. The weather held out for us, only starting to rain once the last child had left. The kids had a great time playing, including creating a large dam in the sand pit. I think they were playing Mining, Jordy and Mim were the CEOs and oversaw the operations.
Instead of baking a large birthday cake and having to transport it down there, and take a knife to cut it, and transport it back, I got smart this year and did individual cupcakes with a chocolate ganache icing. Most of the kids liked them (except the one child that flicked the icing onto the ground and ate only the cake part).
Mim loves being six, she's such a big girl now!
Monday 3 May 2010
Jayant Patel of the Automotive Industry?
My car wouldn't start this morning. I tried a few times to kick it over, wondering if it was just the cold weather, but all I could get out of it was a wheezy wrrrrr... wrrr... wrr.
So I rang work to let them know I'd be late, and Sue put me onto the workshop manager who offered to come out and jumpstart the car. Yah! He'd also been out this morning to jumpstart a truck, so mine wasn't the only one having issues with the sudden cold snap. He was out here 10 minutes later and I had Jemima at school just on 9am. Paul told me to leave the car in the work yard and he'd test the battery for me.
He came in at lunchtime and told me that the battery was almost empty, so he'd filled it up for me and to see if how that worked tomorrow morning. He also mentioned that he'd knocked part of the battery cap into the engine so had reached down to get it...... and found this!
W!T!F!
Seems at the last service, someone had left an oil filter wrench in my engine! How the hell can you lose something that size in an engine as small as mine! And as if you wouldn't have heard it! I've just been very lucky that it was obviously wedged tightly somewhere and hasn't put a hole in my radiator or worse!
Car is going in for a service on Thursday, and a "please explain!" As the mechanic we use is usually meticulous and has always done great work, I am wondering if this was the work of the apprentice that they had to 'let go' over six months ago.
Sunday 2 May 2010
I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay.....
Today, Michael and I participated in the Coleraine Hotel Social Club wood cutting.
A local farmer has donated a paddock to us to cut up some dead redgum. We cut up the wood for firewood and then raffle it off. He gets his paddock cleaned up (and some firewood left for him) and the Social Club raises some money)
We met at the pub at 8.30am and then travelled in convoy up to the farm.
The sheep saw the vehicles coming into the paddock and started following us. First time a Peugeot has EVER been followed by livestock!
The boys pulled out their big guns (chainsaws) and set to work. Roger brought along his wood splitter which made short work of the logs being cut.
Paul piled the crap sticks into piles and poured diesel on them and set them alight, whilst Mousie set up the bbq and started cooking snags and rissoles. We stopped briefly at 10.30 for a can of softdrink and then stopped for lunch at 12.
a watched snag never burns
We managed to fill three trailers (about 10 cubic metres) and there's still plenty left there.
Apparently this was the club's third attack at this paddock, and there's still plenty of wood to be cut. There was one massive fallen tree that was six foot high lying on its side. No-one had a chainsaw large enough to attack it so it was left. It made a great screen though as there were no toilets in the paddock!
Michael's chainsaw was playing up, so I only got to cut a few sticks. I spent most of the time hauling around cut logs and loading them onto the splitter.
Minnow (aka Heath) making short work of a gorgeous piece of wood
It was nice to sit around afterwards and enjoy a cold drink and a laugh with the blokes, and admire the sheer amount of wood that had been cut. I also collected some of the sawdust to put on the garden. Must remember to bring along more bags next time to collect more.
A local farmer has donated a paddock to us to cut up some dead redgum. We cut up the wood for firewood and then raffle it off. He gets his paddock cleaned up (and some firewood left for him) and the Social Club raises some money)
We met at the pub at 8.30am and then travelled in convoy up to the farm.
The sheep saw the vehicles coming into the paddock and started following us. First time a Peugeot has EVER been followed by livestock!
The boys pulled out their big guns (chainsaws) and set to work. Roger brought along his wood splitter which made short work of the logs being cut.
Paul piled the crap sticks into piles and poured diesel on them and set them alight, whilst Mousie set up the bbq and started cooking snags and rissoles. We stopped briefly at 10.30 for a can of softdrink and then stopped for lunch at 12.
a watched snag never burnsWe managed to fill three trailers (about 10 cubic metres) and there's still plenty left there.
Apparently this was the club's third attack at this paddock, and there's still plenty of wood to be cut. There was one massive fallen tree that was six foot high lying on its side. No-one had a chainsaw large enough to attack it so it was left. It made a great screen though as there were no toilets in the paddock!
Michael's chainsaw was playing up, so I only got to cut a few sticks. I spent most of the time hauling around cut logs and loading them onto the splitter.
Minnow (aka Heath) making short work of a gorgeous piece of woodIt was nice to sit around afterwards and enjoy a cold drink and a laugh with the blokes, and admire the sheer amount of wood that had been cut. I also collected some of the sawdust to put on the garden. Must remember to bring along more bags next time to collect more.
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