We were watching a promo for Better Homes and Gardens, the episode where Dr Harry releases a sea turtle on a beach.
Jemima "Would the shell of a turtle knock you out? You know, if you swam into it or hit your head on it?"
Me "Yes, it would....if someone threw the turtle at your head or you dove into it!!!!!!"
Who the hell would think of that!
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Sunday, 29 April 2012
My Little Hockeyroo
I hope she really enjoys this sport, it suits her walking around with a stick!
Friday, 23 March 2012
Lambs to the Slaughter
Last year our ovine ladies enjoyed the company of Cecil the ugly ram for a few weeks. He was on loan from the Millards. He seemed happy enough escorting our ladies around.....until he decided the grass was greener on the other side of the fence, literally. He managed to get out, cross the highway and go courting the neighbour's ewes. Needless to say the neighbour was NOT happy and Cecil had to return to his owner. I didn't think he had been successful with our ladies, three were maidens and the other four were getting on in years.
The sheep got fat. As they do every winter with plentiful green feed. So I still couldn't tell for certain if they were pregnant.....until I finally got to see one of the udders, it was larger than normal. Alan Millard came over in June and confirmed that all the ladies were expecting!
It was the end of July when I was doing a head count and noticed Lulu was not with the others. I went for a walk to the top of the paddock and saw her there. "Watcha doin', Lul... omygodohmygodohmygod! We have TWINS!!!!"
It was extremely exciting! I was then checking on the others three times a day to see if they were birthing....but nothing. For two weeks.
Then bam, bam, bam! One after another they all started lambing.
Emma had twin boys, Ethel had a boy and a girl, Blacky I had twin stillborns, Blacky II had a boy and girl, Whitey I had two stillborns and Whitey II had a single stillborn. It was a stressful week! First there were Blacky I's stillborns, she didn't want to leave them lying under the tree. Then Blacky II's little boy wasn't thriving, I sat outside in the freezing weather for an hour one night, nursing him and trying to get him to take some milk. He was dead by morning though, which was upsetting for someone who was pregnant! But the most stressful was Whitey I.
I went outside early one morning and saw a white blob in the paddock. Whitey had lain down and couldn't get up. Upon closer inspection, she had a lamb's head and legs hanging out of her ass. Michael yelled up at me, "you are going to have to pull it out!" It was a slippery sucker, and very dead. Then Michael yells "you are going to have to put your hand in and see if there's a twin!" I WHAT!!! So I did. And there was a hoof. Ewwwwwwww! I wasn't able to pull the lamb out so I had to call my knight in shining...flanno. Alan Millard arrived in a flash, he was able to get the lamb out but had to push it back up the birth canal first. It couldn't be birthed because the head was lying backwards, not along the front legs so it was stuck. Obviously, it was dead.
So our flock grew very quickly from seven to fourteen, but then down to thirteen. Whitey I didn't cope too well with people's hands up her clacker, she had difficulty in walking over the following week so we made the decision to send her to the great paddock in the sky. My KISF (knight in shining flanno) came over and collected her and gave her a feed of metal, quick and sweet. He also marked all the lambs and vaccinated them. Love seeing how the professionals do it!
We decided that the female lambs would be replacement stock and the (ex) male lambs would be slaughtered.
It wasn't until March that we finally got two of the lambs slaughtered, Rammy (one of Lulu's) and another male. Alan dropped them off at the butcher's in Casterton, who took them to abbatoir in Edenhope. A week later I picked up two heavy plastic bags from the butchers for the grand sum of $66!
Monday, 6 February 2012
Special Moments
Had a special moment with Louisa this morning. Thought we could both use a nana nap, so curled up on the bed with her in my arms, under the covers. Instead of fighting sleep, like usual, she lay staring at me sucking on her dummy and murmering sweet nothings. Even when the eyelids drooped and closed, she was still murmering away. It's moments like these that I savour.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Last day of leave...
Tomorrow I'm off to work again. I view it with mixed feelings, I can't wait to get back to the people and work.....but I'm sad to be leaving Louisa, even though it's only for 6 hours a day, two days a week AND I get to visit her during my lunch break.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Hello Louisa
The most important, and most positive, thing that has happened to our family over the last year is the introduction of another member.
Louisa Susannah Kay was born on 14 September last year. She is now exactly 4 months old. I love her dearly!
Her conception was unplanned, the pregnancy had a few (non-health related) issues and the birth was not quite what I had anticipated but that's Louisa for you!
By five months gestation, Louisa had the nickname Ellis (LS, short for Little Shit). I'd gone for my 20 week ultrasound but they couldn't get a clear view of the heart because baby was lying on its stomach. I had four attempts at the ultrasound, each time LS was lying facedown so they had to send me to Melbourne to the RCH to do the fifth attempt to see that the heart was formed correctly. The Hamilton Hospital was concerned, because of Caitlin's malformation, that if LS was similar they wouldn't have the ability to deal with it in Hamilton and I've have to go to Melbourne for the birth/treatment. I had no doubts that there was nothing wrong with LS. The sonographer (and two cardiac specialists) were able to have a look at LS and see that all was perfectly normal.... before LS flipped onto her stomach AGAIN.
Then, around the 32 week check up, LS decided to lie breech. The next check up she was fine. Then she was breech again. Then back to head down. Then breech again. I referred to her as my 'chicken in a rotisserie' baby! So the doctor wasn't sure whether I needed to be booked in for a caesar or not, as they don't do breech births in Hamilton. Luckily, at 39 weeks she was head down again... but not engaged. Then at 40 weeks she still wasn't engaged. Dr Robey Joyce was concerned that my waters could break whilst she was still sitting high and there was the possibility of a cord prolapse, so he arranged for an induction on Wednesday 14 Sept.
(this was late August)
We arranged for Mim to be dropped off at a friend's place early on Wednesday morning and the rest of us drove into town (well I drove as I wouldn't go in Michael's Pug). I got dropped at the hospital and then Caitlin got dropped at school.
Whilst Michael was out, I had a catheter put into my arm. The first attempt by Sarah (the midwife) failed badly and I ended up puking up the one piece of toast I'd had for breakfast. So they called in the surgical registrar. Not a good sign when he took one look at the catheter and his eyes went round (bit of a feat for an Asian) and said 'you are trying to put that into her?! Don't you use anything smaller??' But he managed to get the horse needle into my elbow (the only place left) without any incident, he had the magical touch!
Then I had the relaxing and wonderful experience of an attempt to push baby down into the pelvis and break the waters. NOT. Picture this. I'm lying on the bed with two midwives helping to keep me still, whilst the obstetrician/asshole Cloete has both hands and an amnihook (oversized crochet hook) up me and Dr Joyce pushing down on my stomach to push the baby into the pelvis. Didn't work. Cloete had started the procedure by saying "I'm sorry, but you are going to hate me by the end of this". Didn't have the heart to tell him that I hated him already, arrogant prick. I just hated him more by the end. And he didn't even have the courtesy of doing a bit of foreplay first to get me in the mood! After what felt like hours of this pain, he thought he had nicked the waters and hoped that would bring on labour. I was hooked up to a drip of Sintocin which was quickly bumped up to the maximum levels and had fetal monitors attached around my belly. Contractions started, slowly and lightly, and didn't progress any further. Neither did any waters leaking. So around 11am, we tried the procedure again. NOT my idea!!! This time around I used the copulatory expletive a few times.
Michael had been in and out a few times, doing stuff up at the school but he'd managed to miss all the 'fun' times. By midday, I pretty much knew that baby was not going to play nicely and come out naturally so I wasn't surprised when Dr Joyce voiced the dreaded "C" word at his next check up half an hour later. He said he'd call Cloete and get his opinion but it looked like theatre was the go.
The midwives gave me the day spa treatment: I got lovely lingerie (paper knickers, open back gown and anti-embolism stockings), had a bikini wax (surgical spot shaved), relaxing massage (urinary catheter inserted) and cleansing fast (no lunch or food of any description). I was ready for theatre by 2.30pm, just waiting on Cloete to call Dr Joyce back and authorise theatre. Just waiting. Just waiting. Just waiting.........
Theatre staff had gone home. Cloete wasn't answering his phone, nor was his girlfriend. Poor Dr Joyce had to wait until 5.30pm and then call the Warnambool obstetrician to get authorisation to call back the theatre staff and do the caesarean! He was not happy. I was not happy. The midwives were not happy.
I could not fault the theatre staff. Dr Perry was the anaethetist, he talked me through the procedure...not that I wanted to know the details. I figured the less I knew the less I'd freak out. When he started talking about the sensations I would feel during the caesar I said that I'd heard I would feel a tugging sensation as the baby was pulled out. He looked at me calmly and said "It's more like someone is doing dirty dishes inside your abdomen." Gee, thanks! So he has me sitting in the prep room hunched over and breathing deeply so he can insert the epidural. One theatre nurse has hold of my shoulders to keep me still. I felt the local anaesthetic and then much pressure from the other needle. Finally it finished and I breathed a sigh of relief.....until Dr Perry said drily "I'll have to have another attempt at that, your ligaments are so tight they bent the needle". Oh, god, this day was getting better and better!
The epidural took effect quite quickly, that lovely warm tingly feeling in my legs and then nothing. When I mentioned to the nurse that Michael wanted to stand at the business end and watch what was happening (which i really didn't want), she looked at me and said "he'll be standing next to you where he belongs!" It didn't take them long to set up the theatre, the curtain, the bright lights, then Michael was there in his attractive garb, sitting at my head where he belonged...... Not sure exactly when they started cutting, I could feel the swabbing down of the skin and then some sensations but no pain. And Dr Perry was right, it was like someone was doing dishes inside me. At one point I felt extremely nauseous but Dr Perry was right onto it and adjusted the anaesthetic so that passed. I can't remember if I threw up or not, but had nothing to throw up! Then I felt like I couldn't breathe, that someone was lying on my ribs! It was just Dr Joyce, pushing the baby down into the pelvis so Mr Tung could pull it out. I felt the baby being removed and it was like a large physical weight had been lifted from me. Then I heard the crying and I started sobbing. With joy of course. She had lots of dark hair and was very vocal. She got to be with Michael and I whilst they did the removal of the placenta and then stitched me up. There was a lot of suctioning going on....I was going to ask if they were giving me liposuction as well :) I would have been happy if they had!
I didn't spend long in recovery, was back onto the ward within half an hour of the operation finishing. I loved the conversation that occured about my pain relief, I was on self administered morphine drip for the night and the midwives wanted me to have a Voltaren pessary. But two theatre nurses and Dr Perry refused. "She can take the tablets, there's nothing wrong with her mouth! Why would you shove something up an ass when you don't need to!" God I loved them right then!!!
Michael didn't stay long when I was moved to the ward, he took off pretty quickly (and spent the night in the company of a bottle of scotch)!
And I finally got fed about 9pm!!!!!!!!!!
So, Louisa Susannah Kay, that is the story of your birth.
(smarmy bastard)
(you know you've finally become a local when the local pub displays this)
(this was late August)We arranged for Mim to be dropped off at a friend's place early on Wednesday morning and the rest of us drove into town (well I drove as I wouldn't go in Michael's Pug). I got dropped at the hospital and then Caitlin got dropped at school.
Whilst Michael was out, I had a catheter put into my arm. The first attempt by Sarah (the midwife) failed badly and I ended up puking up the one piece of toast I'd had for breakfast. So they called in the surgical registrar. Not a good sign when he took one look at the catheter and his eyes went round (bit of a feat for an Asian) and said 'you are trying to put that into her?! Don't you use anything smaller??' But he managed to get the horse needle into my elbow (the only place left) without any incident, he had the magical touch!
Then I had the relaxing and wonderful experience of an attempt to push baby down into the pelvis and break the waters. NOT. Picture this. I'm lying on the bed with two midwives helping to keep me still, whilst the obstetrician/asshole Cloete has both hands and an amnihook (oversized crochet hook) up me and Dr Joyce pushing down on my stomach to push the baby into the pelvis. Didn't work. Cloete had started the procedure by saying "I'm sorry, but you are going to hate me by the end of this". Didn't have the heart to tell him that I hated him already, arrogant prick. I just hated him more by the end. And he didn't even have the courtesy of doing a bit of foreplay first to get me in the mood! After what felt like hours of this pain, he thought he had nicked the waters and hoped that would bring on labour. I was hooked up to a drip of Sintocin which was quickly bumped up to the maximum levels and had fetal monitors attached around my belly. Contractions started, slowly and lightly, and didn't progress any further. Neither did any waters leaking. So around 11am, we tried the procedure again. NOT my idea!!! This time around I used the copulatory expletive a few times.
Michael had been in and out a few times, doing stuff up at the school but he'd managed to miss all the 'fun' times. By midday, I pretty much knew that baby was not going to play nicely and come out naturally so I wasn't surprised when Dr Joyce voiced the dreaded "C" word at his next check up half an hour later. He said he'd call Cloete and get his opinion but it looked like theatre was the go.
The midwives gave me the day spa treatment: I got lovely lingerie (paper knickers, open back gown and anti-embolism stockings), had a bikini wax (surgical spot shaved), relaxing massage (urinary catheter inserted) and cleansing fast (no lunch or food of any description). I was ready for theatre by 2.30pm, just waiting on Cloete to call Dr Joyce back and authorise theatre. Just waiting. Just waiting. Just waiting.........
Theatre staff had gone home. Cloete wasn't answering his phone, nor was his girlfriend. Poor Dr Joyce had to wait until 5.30pm and then call the Warnambool obstetrician to get authorisation to call back the theatre staff and do the caesarean! He was not happy. I was not happy. The midwives were not happy.
I could not fault the theatre staff. Dr Perry was the anaethetist, he talked me through the procedure...not that I wanted to know the details. I figured the less I knew the less I'd freak out. When he started talking about the sensations I would feel during the caesar I said that I'd heard I would feel a tugging sensation as the baby was pulled out. He looked at me calmly and said "It's more like someone is doing dirty dishes inside your abdomen." Gee, thanks! So he has me sitting in the prep room hunched over and breathing deeply so he can insert the epidural. One theatre nurse has hold of my shoulders to keep me still. I felt the local anaesthetic and then much pressure from the other needle. Finally it finished and I breathed a sigh of relief.....until Dr Perry said drily "I'll have to have another attempt at that, your ligaments are so tight they bent the needle". Oh, god, this day was getting better and better!
The epidural took effect quite quickly, that lovely warm tingly feeling in my legs and then nothing. When I mentioned to the nurse that Michael wanted to stand at the business end and watch what was happening (which i really didn't want), she looked at me and said "he'll be standing next to you where he belongs!" It didn't take them long to set up the theatre, the curtain, the bright lights, then Michael was there in his attractive garb, sitting at my head where he belonged...... Not sure exactly when they started cutting, I could feel the swabbing down of the skin and then some sensations but no pain. And Dr Perry was right, it was like someone was doing dishes inside me. At one point I felt extremely nauseous but Dr Perry was right onto it and adjusted the anaesthetic so that passed. I can't remember if I threw up or not, but had nothing to throw up! Then I felt like I couldn't breathe, that someone was lying on my ribs! It was just Dr Joyce, pushing the baby down into the pelvis so Mr Tung could pull it out. I felt the baby being removed and it was like a large physical weight had been lifted from me. Then I heard the crying and I started sobbing. With joy of course. She had lots of dark hair and was very vocal. She got to be with Michael and I whilst they did the removal of the placenta and then stitched me up. There was a lot of suctioning going on....I was going to ask if they were giving me liposuction as well :) I would have been happy if they had!
I didn't spend long in recovery, was back onto the ward within half an hour of the operation finishing. I loved the conversation that occured about my pain relief, I was on self administered morphine drip for the night and the midwives wanted me to have a Voltaren pessary. But two theatre nurses and Dr Perry refused. "She can take the tablets, there's nothing wrong with her mouth! Why would you shove something up an ass when you don't need to!" God I loved them right then!!!
Michael didn't stay long when I was moved to the ward, he took off pretty quickly (and spent the night in the company of a bottle of scotch)!
And I finally got fed about 9pm!!!!!!!!!!
So, Louisa Susannah Kay, that is the story of your birth.
(smarmy bastard)
(you know you've finally become a local when the local pub displays this)Back to Blogging
You may have noticed that I haven't blogged for a while..... for over a year now.
A lot has happened in those months, a lot of bad and some good. I will try not to focus on the bad, try to put it behind me (as difficult as it is) and only refer to the good things that happened over that time.
It may take a while, but I will get things going again on this site...........
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Olivia's Christening - August 2010
Last August, we flew to Sydney to attend my niece's christening. Michelle and Catherine, who were best friends as children and Michelle is now Catherine's aunt, had arranged for Olivia and Erica (go figure that relationship out, lol) to have a joint christening.
We drove to Melbourne to catch a late flight, but were moved onto an earlier flight because of an approaching storm. Michelle picked us up at the airport and did a Maccas run on the way to the hotel. Mim was so excited, getting to go on the plane and eat Maccas late at night and stay in a hotel.
Saturday morning (federal election voting day) was lovely and sunny. It was only a short walk to the cathedral for a lunchtime ceremony. Olivia behaved herself (fairly well), as did Erica. It was a lovely service followed by lunch at the Mosman RSL. Olivia wore a beautiful christening gown, cleverly made for her by Aunty Jenny. It looked like the heirloom it is sure to become.
That night we retired to Mary's to eat Livio's pizza (the best in Australia!) and chat. Unfortunately various members of the 'party' decided that having the election results playing on the TV was absolutely necessary, so it killed most of the conversation.
We caught a flight home on Sunday morning, and drove home, exhausted.
We drove to Melbourne to catch a late flight, but were moved onto an earlier flight because of an approaching storm. Michelle picked us up at the airport and did a Maccas run on the way to the hotel. Mim was so excited, getting to go on the plane and eat Maccas late at night and stay in a hotel.
Saturday morning (federal election voting day) was lovely and sunny. It was only a short walk to the cathedral for a lunchtime ceremony. Olivia behaved herself (fairly well), as did Erica. It was a lovely service followed by lunch at the Mosman RSL. Olivia wore a beautiful christening gown, cleverly made for her by Aunty Jenny. It looked like the heirloom it is sure to become.
That night we retired to Mary's to eat Livio's pizza (the best in Australia!) and chat. Unfortunately various members of the 'party' decided that having the election results playing on the TV was absolutely necessary, so it killed most of the conversation.
We caught a flight home on Sunday morning, and drove home, exhausted.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Coleraine's Got Talent
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!
Frankly I think they should have awarded me a block of chocolate for having to listen to Beiber on repeat for the previous week!
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.
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