As I was putting Mim's socks on, she asked where her heel was. So I pointed it out to her.
She then asked where her knuckles where. I made a fist and pointed out the knuckles.
Mim said "Naomi (a girl from daycare) said that wasn't my knuckles! Am I going to have to show her?"
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Friday, 11 July 2008
Dreamworld .... What was I thinking!
Caitlin wanted to go to Dreamworld one last time to use up her Max Action Pass. I agreed to take her and her friend Hope (Mim was still sick so didn't take her). I even agreed to go on some of the rides with them.
Big Mistake!!
They conned me into agreeing to try the Big Five Thrill Rides. I was able to get out of the WipeOut as I'd been on it before (when Caitlin was about 6) and didn't like the way it jerked your neck around. But I went on the Cyclone, the rollercoaster that loops the loop and has a very steep drop and the Claw. Did not like the feeling at all! Wooshing up and down and being upside down. Could feel both my stomach muscles and throat muscles clenching.
We went on the River Rapids and the Log Ride. Got very wet as Hope insisted that Caitlin and I sit in the front of the log! Yep, not a good idea to put the two heaviest people in front!
The girls headed off to do their own thing and I settled down to watch the tigers and dry out. I was happy sitting in the cafe, sipping a (hideously expensive) hot chocolate and watching the big cats play. Also got to see the tiger cubs that were about 4weeks old, very cute.
We had lunch early and had fun paying out on the Dora the Explorer that was wandering around. Michael's theory is that Dora looks like a younger version of Ugly Betty. This one just looked like a 6 foot tall overweight kid. "Geez", said Hope, "what's with the Map. Hasn't she heard of GPS yet!"
The girls then decided that we had to do the other Thrill Rides. The Tower of Terror was okay, the worst part was being flattened into your seat as the ride hit 160km/h in 7 seconds.
Then they took me on the Giant Drop. Know why it's called the Giant Drop? Because you shit yourself at 120m up in the air!
You get strapped into a seat and winched up into the air. You think, we must almost be at the top, but no, you keep going further up. The view is spectacular ... but there is no way that you can enjoy it with your feet dangling in empty air. You can see the rain coming in over the mountains in the distance, you can see McDonalds a number of kilometres away (so Caitlin tells me), but all you can think about is how you are getting back to the ground. The seat lingers there, giving you plenty of time to think "what happens if the motors controlling this break now, what happens if the safety harness comes off, how quickly will I die...". And then the seats drop about an inch. And you think Oh Shit!
And then you free fall most of the way down. And you think (or yell) FFFFUUUUUUUU....AR OUT! And you lose control of all bowel and bladder functions. And you leave fingernail marks in the safety harness. When the ride slows and you finally get back to ground, you can barely get out of the seat. And then, if you are under 25 you laugh maniacally , say what fun that was and line up again. If you are over 25, you say WTF WAS I THINKING!!!!!
After being subjected to this nutcase form of entertainment, I decided that I'd spend the rest of the day just walking around.
After we had gotten home, I told Michael that my feet were hurting from walking around all day. In usual Michael-lack-of-sympathy style, he replied "Well , your bum was be sore too, it's all swollen."
I can safely say that I never want to go skydiving!!!!!
Big Mistake!!
They conned me into agreeing to try the Big Five Thrill Rides. I was able to get out of the WipeOut as I'd been on it before (when Caitlin was about 6) and didn't like the way it jerked your neck around. But I went on the Cyclone, the rollercoaster that loops the loop and has a very steep drop and the Claw. Did not like the feeling at all! Wooshing up and down and being upside down. Could feel both my stomach muscles and throat muscles clenching.
We went on the River Rapids and the Log Ride. Got very wet as Hope insisted that Caitlin and I sit in the front of the log! Yep, not a good idea to put the two heaviest people in front!
The girls headed off to do their own thing and I settled down to watch the tigers and dry out. I was happy sitting in the cafe, sipping a (hideously expensive) hot chocolate and watching the big cats play. Also got to see the tiger cubs that were about 4weeks old, very cute.
We had lunch early and had fun paying out on the Dora the Explorer that was wandering around. Michael's theory is that Dora looks like a younger version of Ugly Betty. This one just looked like a 6 foot tall overweight kid. "Geez", said Hope, "what's with the Map. Hasn't she heard of GPS yet!"
The girls then decided that we had to do the other Thrill Rides. The Tower of Terror was okay, the worst part was being flattened into your seat as the ride hit 160km/h in 7 seconds.
Then they took me on the Giant Drop. Know why it's called the Giant Drop? Because you shit yourself at 120m up in the air!
You get strapped into a seat and winched up into the air. You think, we must almost be at the top, but no, you keep going further up. The view is spectacular ... but there is no way that you can enjoy it with your feet dangling in empty air. You can see the rain coming in over the mountains in the distance, you can see McDonalds a number of kilometres away (so Caitlin tells me), but all you can think about is how you are getting back to the ground. The seat lingers there, giving you plenty of time to think "what happens if the motors controlling this break now, what happens if the safety harness comes off, how quickly will I die...". And then the seats drop about an inch. And you think Oh Shit!
And then you free fall most of the way down. And you think (or yell) FFFFUUUUUUUU....AR OUT! And you lose control of all bowel and bladder functions. And you leave fingernail marks in the safety harness. When the ride slows and you finally get back to ground, you can barely get out of the seat. And then, if you are under 25 you laugh maniacally , say what fun that was and line up again. If you are over 25, you say WTF WAS I THINKING!!!!!
After being subjected to this nutcase form of entertainment, I decided that I'd spend the rest of the day just walking around.
After we had gotten home, I told Michael that my feet were hurting from walking around all day. In usual Michael-lack-of-sympathy style, he replied "Well , your bum was be sore too, it's all swollen."
I can safely say that I never want to go skydiving!!!!!
Home again at last
Home at last, thank goodness, after our long drive to Brisbane and back.
We left home at 4.30pm on the Friday afternoon and drove to Echuca, arriving just after 9pm, dining in the not so fine establishment of McDonalds. We had been lucky enough to be given directions by Wazza which allowed us to avoid Bendigo, thus shaving about 40mins off the trek.
Mim and her i-podge 
We stayed at Echuca/Moama Holiday Villas. They were simple, clean and the service was wonderful and friendly. Would definitely recommend them to anybody wanting an overnight stay or base point in the area. Gomez slept in the car quite happily, after I'd walked him around the block.
We left Echuca at 4.30am Saturday morning and drove, and drove, and drove.
Sunrise near Jerilderie 
Stopped for fuel in Jerilderie, breakfast (Maccas) in Forbes and a very late lunch (KFC) in Moree. Stopped for fuel again in Bogabilla, just shy of Goondiwindi. Pulled into Margaret's driveway just shy of 10pm on Saturday. Not a bad drive, and the girls and Gomez were very well behaved.
Spent Sunday celebrating Michael's birthday. Mum and Dad came over for a BBQ lunch.
a very scary birthday boy
Caught up with people from PT on Tuesday morning, whilst Caitlin and her friend Hope did some window shopping in town.
Spent time with Carla, catching up her life whilst the girls played. Caitlin (and Mim) learnt how to play Carla's new Wii, and now Caitlin wants one for her birthday. Mim is quite good at the balancing games, and Caitlin likes the ski jump game.
little angels 
Grand Central kitchen
Had dentist appointment on Wednesday morning, Caitlin needs a mouthguard for sleeping to stop grinding her front teeth. Went to optometrist on Thursday, need to change the lens of my glasses. So spent Thursday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon wearing contacts full time. Yuck.
Took Caitlin to Dreamworld on Sunday, but will blog that one separately!
Had Caitlin's check up for her heart on Monday, all is doing well, she'll always have a heart murmur and we need to keep an eye on one of her valves which is in the wrong position but is working normally. Great news to hear. We were lucky to get to this appointment, there was a long saga behind it full of computer programs losing appointment details, swaps from the Prince Charles hospital to the Mater, etc. Luckily, we got a letter on the day we left for Brisbane, reminding us of an appointment for her when I'd been told on the phone weeks previously that she didn't have an appointment and there were no vacancies. Sigh. Still, we got to see the wonderful Dr Rob Justo who, with Mr Peter Pohlner, was responsible for her being alive today.
Mum gave Mim a present, her very own i-podge (well, it's just a cheapie MP3 player but Mim doesn't care). She also gave her a portable DVD player. It doubles as a present for Caitlin as well, so Mim is not "borrowing" Caitlin's i-pod or DVD player. It was a gift well received!
Mim and her DBDB
Left Brisbane around 8.30am on Wednesday morning. Stopped for petrol again at Bogabilla then again at Jerilderie. Lunch was on the run (I'd packed some breadrolls) and we reached Gilgandra around 6.30pm. Stayed at Gilgandra Motel, half the price of anything at Dubbo and would recommend it. They were happy for dogs to stay in the car or be chained up outside the room (but it was a bit too cold for Gomez to be outside overnights. The owner of the motel is a Vietnam Veteran as well as a Freemason, so Michael was in his element.
Dined at Tattersalls Hotel, Gilgandra. Excellent pub food, meal for four cost under $60. Michael's steak was melting in his mouth. Mim ordered sausages and then she and the waitress discussed what vegies it should be served with. They agreed on the carrots, corn and beans, but no peas (and of course, chips).
even truckers hate caravans!
the long paddock
Left at 4.45 Thursday morning and pushed on to Narrandera before stopping for breakfast and to dress Mim. Then a refuel at Jerilderie (again) and a horrible experience at Rotten Ronnies, Echuca for lunch. We drove into the driveway here at 6.30pm. We were back down at the pub for dinner by 7!
Somewhere between Jerilderie and Echuca, there were roadworks occuring and we had to stop at a single red light. There we sat for a few minutes before a voice piped up from the back seat, "this is boring, Dad, just go!" Michael advised her that he couldn't go until the light turned green..."so, say Change, you bastards and see if it will". She did, it did and we were on our way. Let's see if she tries it again at the one traffic light in Hamilton!
"Change, you bastards!"
The other amusing highlight was breakfast at Narrendera. We were finishing up some toasted sandwiches for breakfast and flavoured milk when Michael asked Caitlin if she needed to use the facilities: "Need to wee?" (shake of her head), "Need to poo?" (shake of her head), "Need to blow gas out of your freckle?" (she almost spat coffee flavoured milk all over the table).
All in all, whilst it was great catching up with family and friends, I'm so glad to be home. I'm very glad to be back sleeping in the king size bed rather than in Margaret's double bed. Michael was just too close for comfort in there!
changing this
for this 
We left home at 4.30pm on the Friday afternoon and drove to Echuca, arriving just after 9pm, dining in the not so fine establishment of McDonalds. We had been lucky enough to be given directions by Wazza which allowed us to avoid Bendigo, thus shaving about 40mins off the trek.
Mim and her i-podge 
We stayed at Echuca/Moama Holiday Villas. They were simple, clean and the service was wonderful and friendly. Would definitely recommend them to anybody wanting an overnight stay or base point in the area. Gomez slept in the car quite happily, after I'd walked him around the block.
We left Echuca at 4.30am Saturday morning and drove, and drove, and drove.
Sunrise near Jerilderie 
Stopped for fuel in Jerilderie, breakfast (Maccas) in Forbes and a very late lunch (KFC) in Moree. Stopped for fuel again in Bogabilla, just shy of Goondiwindi. Pulled into Margaret's driveway just shy of 10pm on Saturday. Not a bad drive, and the girls and Gomez were very well behaved.
Spent Sunday celebrating Michael's birthday. Mum and Dad came over for a BBQ lunch.
a very scary birthday boyCaught up with people from PT on Tuesday morning, whilst Caitlin and her friend Hope did some window shopping in town.
Spent time with Carla, catching up her life whilst the girls played. Caitlin (and Mim) learnt how to play Carla's new Wii, and now Caitlin wants one for her birthday. Mim is quite good at the balancing games, and Caitlin likes the ski jump game.
little angels 
Grand Central kitchenHad dentist appointment on Wednesday morning, Caitlin needs a mouthguard for sleeping to stop grinding her front teeth. Went to optometrist on Thursday, need to change the lens of my glasses. So spent Thursday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon wearing contacts full time. Yuck.
Took Caitlin to Dreamworld on Sunday, but will blog that one separately!
Had Caitlin's check up for her heart on Monday, all is doing well, she'll always have a heart murmur and we need to keep an eye on one of her valves which is in the wrong position but is working normally. Great news to hear. We were lucky to get to this appointment, there was a long saga behind it full of computer programs losing appointment details, swaps from the Prince Charles hospital to the Mater, etc. Luckily, we got a letter on the day we left for Brisbane, reminding us of an appointment for her when I'd been told on the phone weeks previously that she didn't have an appointment and there were no vacancies. Sigh. Still, we got to see the wonderful Dr Rob Justo who, with Mr Peter Pohlner, was responsible for her being alive today.
Mum gave Mim a present, her very own i-podge (well, it's just a cheapie MP3 player but Mim doesn't care). She also gave her a portable DVD player. It doubles as a present for Caitlin as well, so Mim is not "borrowing" Caitlin's i-pod or DVD player. It was a gift well received!
Mim and her DBDBLeft Brisbane around 8.30am on Wednesday morning. Stopped for petrol again at Bogabilla then again at Jerilderie. Lunch was on the run (I'd packed some breadrolls) and we reached Gilgandra around 6.30pm. Stayed at Gilgandra Motel, half the price of anything at Dubbo and would recommend it. They were happy for dogs to stay in the car or be chained up outside the room (but it was a bit too cold for Gomez to be outside overnights. The owner of the motel is a Vietnam Veteran as well as a Freemason, so Michael was in his element.
Dined at Tattersalls Hotel, Gilgandra. Excellent pub food, meal for four cost under $60. Michael's steak was melting in his mouth. Mim ordered sausages and then she and the waitress discussed what vegies it should be served with. They agreed on the carrots, corn and beans, but no peas (and of course, chips).
even truckers hate caravans!
the long paddockLeft at 4.45 Thursday morning and pushed on to Narrandera before stopping for breakfast and to dress Mim. Then a refuel at Jerilderie (again) and a horrible experience at Rotten Ronnies, Echuca for lunch. We drove into the driveway here at 6.30pm. We were back down at the pub for dinner by 7!
Somewhere between Jerilderie and Echuca, there were roadworks occuring and we had to stop at a single red light. There we sat for a few minutes before a voice piped up from the back seat, "this is boring, Dad, just go!" Michael advised her that he couldn't go until the light turned green..."so, say Change, you bastards and see if it will". She did, it did and we were on our way. Let's see if she tries it again at the one traffic light in Hamilton!
"Change, you bastards!"The other amusing highlight was breakfast at Narrendera. We were finishing up some toasted sandwiches for breakfast and flavoured milk when Michael asked Caitlin if she needed to use the facilities: "Need to wee?" (shake of her head), "Need to poo?" (shake of her head), "Need to blow gas out of your freckle?" (she almost spat coffee flavoured milk all over the table).
All in all, whilst it was great catching up with family and friends, I'm so glad to be home. I'm very glad to be back sleeping in the king size bed rather than in Margaret's double bed. Michael was just too close for comfort in there!
changing this
for this 
Saturday, 21 June 2008
The Casterton special
We had dinner down at the pub tonight, beautiful food as always. Michael had a mock battle with Mrs Potts, the barmaid, about the Richmond Tigers, the match being televised in the public bar. Mrs Potts is a fervent Richmond supporter, Michael is a Carlton supporter (when he can be bothered).
Mim disappeared behind the bar and then resurfaced at the table. "I ordered 5 nuggets and 5 chips and tomato sauce and gravy. Julie is going to cook them now!" Not long after this, the exact order was placed in front of her, well before our meals were served. After eating these and laughing at how she was the winner because she'd finished first, she then asked Paul for some icecream and strawberry sauce. This was promptly brought over - I swear this child has Priority One status!!!!!! After consuming all of this, she again disappeared behind the bar. I went to chase her out, but was too late. She'd ordered a hot chocolate with marshmallows from Mrs Potts!
After the meal was over, Mrs Potts grinned slyly at Michael and asked if he'd liked his Casterton Special (porterhouse, flavoured with caustic soda).
For those of you who haven't heard the recent news, four residents of the nursing home at Casterton were admitted to hospital after eating pancakes accidently laced with caustic soda. No serious injuries, luckily. Turns out that a kitchen staff member had used caustic soda to get burns off a pan and then placed it on a stove. Another staff member had assumed that it was clean and used it for pancakes. Oooopppppsssiiies. I guess Shrove Tuesday will be Soda Tuesday from now on.
Oh, and it also turns out that certain State government employees, those that have pretty lights on their cars, refer to our home town as "Sandwich City" ... because there are a lot of residents who are in bread. (read it alound).
Mim disappeared behind the bar and then resurfaced at the table. "I ordered 5 nuggets and 5 chips and tomato sauce and gravy. Julie is going to cook them now!" Not long after this, the exact order was placed in front of her, well before our meals were served. After eating these and laughing at how she was the winner because she'd finished first, she then asked Paul for some icecream and strawberry sauce. This was promptly brought over - I swear this child has Priority One status!!!!!! After consuming all of this, she again disappeared behind the bar. I went to chase her out, but was too late. She'd ordered a hot chocolate with marshmallows from Mrs Potts!
After the meal was over, Mrs Potts grinned slyly at Michael and asked if he'd liked his Casterton Special (porterhouse, flavoured with caustic soda).
For those of you who haven't heard the recent news, four residents of the nursing home at Casterton were admitted to hospital after eating pancakes accidently laced with caustic soda. No serious injuries, luckily. Turns out that a kitchen staff member had used caustic soda to get burns off a pan and then placed it on a stove. Another staff member had assumed that it was clean and used it for pancakes. Oooopppppsssiiies. I guess Shrove Tuesday will be Soda Tuesday from now on.
Oh, and it also turns out that certain State government employees, those that have pretty lights on their cars, refer to our home town as "Sandwich City" ... because there are a lot of residents who are in bread. (read it alound).
Who's your Favourite?
Mim came running up to me in the bathroom tonight. "I'm your favourite!"
"My favourite what?"
"Your favourite girl! Caitlin is a reject, so I'm your favourite!"
"Did your father put you up to this?"
"No, I'm your favourite!"
Both Michael and Caitlin claim they didn't put the words in her mouth. Michael wants to play with her head by telling her that although we love them both equally, we've loved Caitlin longer. I don't think that's a good idea. She might become destructive.... oh, that's right - she already is!!!
"My favourite what?"
"Your favourite girl! Caitlin is a reject, so I'm your favourite!"
"Did your father put you up to this?"
"No, I'm your favourite!"
Both Michael and Caitlin claim they didn't put the words in her mouth. Michael wants to play with her head by telling her that although we love them both equally, we've loved Caitlin longer. I don't think that's a good idea. She might become destructive.... oh, that's right - she already is!!!
Friday, 20 June 2008
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