Oh The headache



So much fun

Oh the pain!!!

Christmas day today

Cassie sat up till late last night wrapping santa presents for Esch.
She then carefully hid them in Kirsten's bedroom and various places around the house so Esch couldnt find them.
I was sound asleep in bed this morning when I was woken by a little girl jumping into bed and bouncing up and down on me yelling "Merry Christmas Grandma"
I sleepily said it isnt christmas yet Esch go back to sleep when I got jumped on and told "wake up"
Dragging myself up into a sitting position getting ready to explain that today is NOT Christmas day I saw them.

Boxes on top of boxes all neatly wrapped with Special little Pre Printed tags saying "To Escher love Santa" (Cassie paid to have them printed because Esch now recognises hand writing) all packed onto the end of me bed waiting to be opened.
Deciding that I have done enough fast talking over Christmas and santa, Easter and the Easter Bunny I woke Cassie to dealwith the situation LMAO.
It turns out Esch heard the next door neighbours testing their Santa and Slegh decoration after setting it up in the front yard.. The bells jingle and Santa yells out "Ho Ho Ho Merry CHristmas" woke up and went on a treasure hunt to find her Santa presents.

WOW did she hit the Jackpot.

Cassie seemed to do well with the fast talking telling Esch because Santa and the elves are so busy this time of year he asked Great Nanna (Who is a close friend of Santa's) to tell Cassie to wrap the presents and post them to him. They are now safely packed into the boot of my car ready to go to Great Nanna's house who then has the extra special job of posting them all the way to the South Pole to Santa. ie: into her back shed.

Mice, feet and other things.

Well it has been a busy week. So much has happened yet it seems so little now I am writing about it.
I had some good news from my blood tests, the 3rd test in a row shows my sugar levels have reduced and stayed at a normal level. Not sure why as I didnt change my diet but wont complain.
My surgery spot on the bottom of my leg still hasn't healed and is now being cleaned daily twice a day because of infection :-(.

But the highlight or low spot of the week is the mice. I should never let Cassie go shopping alone she walked in with a loud bang, all excited and yelling "Guess what I got". Then she flopped down on a chair beside me and placed a box with holes poked through it in front of me. I heard a scampering and she said MICE Mum. I got them for Esch.
Cassie set up the super duper space station mouse house with special wheels, slides and loops of all kinds. Put the mice in and we went and got Esch from pre school.
She walked in seen the mouse house and got all excited.
Esch spent time with the mice, I spent time telling her they get out they meet my mouse traps.
When she went to bed and all was quiet the Mice decided it was noise time as all nocturnals do. The squeeking got worse over the next half hour and I told Cassie stop them or they get poison in their food.
You have probably gathered I dont like mice lol
Escher Named them Mouse1 and Mouse2
Anyway Cassie watched to see why they were gettng so noisy.
It turned out that Cassie thinking ahead bought two males. She forgot to think about the fight for dominance. It turns out mouse1 a lot older and stronger than mouse2 was trying to kill mouse2.
Mouse1 as soon as he thought he was alone would get mouse2 down and was gnawing at his throat, hence the squeeking and lots of it.
I felt sorry for mouse2 and agreed to let it sleep in my bedroom for the night on the condition mouse1 was gone from the house the next day. So we have mouse2 with a huge cage and happy as can be.
So now we have 1 dog named Max, 1 budgie named Birdy-yumyum, 1 male rabbit named Snowball, 4 remaining goldfish all named fishy, One mouse named Mouse2 and on order 2 Guinea Pigs for Christmas. Plus the 30 or so pond fish that are swimming in my pond out the back and a couple of frogs that live in the bird bath out front.

Esch tells me 34 sleeps till xmas

Womans Dream Day


Ooops Mistake
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Phone found

Well I finally got a phone. The only way I could get the same as mine was buy a second hand or pre loved as some call it.
I was lucky to come across a second hand one in my travels.

Shopping only for a phone I came home with a new tablecloth, material, some odds and ends for sewing and a trolley full of groceries I didnt plan on getting or need but they were handing out sample tastings of new products everywhere so someeone just had to buy a few of them.

The temperature has dropped a lot and it is quite cool outside to a point of shivering 68f at the moment.

Arrrggghh Shopping.

Geesh anyone would think christmas is close with all those insane people at the shops in this heat.
I have decided to do my shopping today in waves.. I have just finished one shopping centre, so many RUDE people out there and they are all over 60.
I have had the back of my leg run into so many times I have lost count. I am sure the bruises will give me an indication later today.
Standing in line waiting to be served and an elderly not so much of a gentlman walked in front of me pushing me out of the way and demanded to be served. He didn't count on what was about to happen though.

Fiorst of all I said very loudly and politely
"excuse me sir"
Man - What?
Me- Are you in the habit of pushing woman about?
Man - What are you talking about?
Me - showing him my leg with bandages and stating I was in front of you along with all these other people behind me. You almost made me lose balance and fall over.
Man - Humphhhh
Me - If I could balance on my left leg I would kick you with my right.
Man - Do you always treat the elderly this way?
Me - Only rude pricks like you.
Man - Walked away mumbling something under his breath about rude young uns having no respect.
Me I got applauded by the people behind me who were held up with my attack on him and served. As I was leaving the store the Man and his daughter walked in.

As she approached I knew what was about to happen and so did the security LOL
To cut a long story short we were both asked to leave the store. So here I sit no phone yet but feeling quite happy LOL.
I need to add that I dont normally talk to elderly this way. This one just was extremly rude , stood right on my foot and as he did so scraped his foot over my stitches so the pain was great and the mouth just started.

Temp update

Punkn.. Yes I have been to the simpson Desert and it is very beautiful even though it is so hot your clothes stick to you.
The changing colours of the sand during the day is amazing.

I am sitting here and is almost 10am wondering if I should climb into the oven to cool down. It is 102.2 F out already and rising.
I am trying to work out the easiest way to do my shopping today and stay cool. I have the most air conditioned shops on my list as last to go to so that I can sit down and have a drink while I decide which mobile or as you call them cell phone to buy.
Esch spilled a glass of coke over mine it worked for 2 days then just stopped. The problem is they dont make that phone anymore so I am going ot have to try and find one with the same features. The bonus is all the christmas sales have come out so I am hoping for a decent deal.

Speaking of christmas it is only 42 sleeps until Ho ho ho as Esch keeps telling me(something her mother taught her when she couldnt say christmas, doesnt go well when you have a lot of females walking past and Esch yells out look grandma Ho ho ho).

As Christmas tends to bring so much extra rubbish to the house we decided this year to have a huge cleanout beforehand so that we would have a clean slate christmas morning. We forgot to take into consideration how hot it gets around here now and the back yard is like a furnace to work in but we will get it done between many breaks in the pool LOL..

Last night when the sun set I decided to pull out all my pool rubbish and found a floating drink stand that I bought last year during the sales and promptly forgot about.
Fill the base with ice, slip it into the pool, climb on the sun lounge and just soak.
I think I paid around $40 for it. Anyway with excitement I showed it to Cassie, that was my downfall lol.
She asked me how I was going to keep it upright while I climbed into the pool and onto my floating sun lounge? I decided to prove to her that the drink stand would have been designed to stay upright. So we filled it with ice, I poured a glass of wine, placed it into the slot on the stand, slipped my dress off and slipped into the pool. The stand stayed afloat of course the movement made my lounge float to the other side so I waded over and grabbed it then back to my stand..I slipped onto the lounge and got myself steady to Cassie's roar of laughter ( I thought she was laughing at my elegant way of getting on the sun lounge) reached for the drink stand and missed. When I looked, there was my drink glass and drink stand sitting on the BOTTOM of the pool, so much for the word FLOATING on the box. Several words escaped my mouth and the drink stand is now sitting on top of the shed roof (where it got thrown in anger). We noticed this morning that a few birds have taken a liking to it so I guess I will add some water for them to have a drink or splash around in during summer.

Simpson Desert Closed

Desert sands turn a firey red as the sun sets in the Simpson Desert.



Australia's harsh Simpson Desert conservation park will be closed during the southern hemisphere summer to prevent tourists dying in the outback, authorities said on Tuesday.

Temperatures in the Simpson Desert are forecast to reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (104-122 Fahrenheit) and authorities said it would be too dangerous for people to try and cross the desert.

The Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve, covering more than 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) in the middle of Australia, will be closed from December 1 to March 15, said the South Australia state department for environment.

"During this period, dunes are soft and constantly changing shape, increasing the chance of vehicles becoming bogged and people becoming stranded. High temperatures also lead to an increased chance of vehicle failure," said Trevor Naismith.

The Simpson Desert has no official roads, just tracks which criss-cross some of the world's longest sand dunes.

feet

Hi so much is happening around here I guess christmas is looming.
Congratulations America on your new president now we need a new Prime Minister (preferably a female) and things will be good.

I have just had several small wwhat I thought was warts removed from the bottom of my legs at the ank;e. As i watched the Dr cutting them off one by one I was amazed at the depth they had grown and at one in particular when that had been really irritating me.
It had itched so much that I had scratched it hard and made it bleed. When my Dr removed it it looked the same underneath as it did on top except it had long tentacles like bits coming from it. The others were soft and roundish underneath.
As all dr's do he made the oh ah sounds and I said ok whats wrong and was told nothing look away please Amanda.
He was assisted by my regular blood sucker and she has seen me through some very bad attempts at obtaining blood over the past 5 years or so. ( I have vomited on her, feinted on her you name it I have done it to the poor woman) She spent the most part of the procedure trying to distract me and cover up what he was doing for fear I would pass out on her and fall off the table.

Anyway the end result is it looks like they are not warts but small melanoma's. Especially the large itchy one that was removed.
I had never considered that the sun would cause damage to the feet. So be careful of any spots or changes there. At the moment the ankle area of my leg looks like a patchwork quilt with stitches here there and everywhere and is quite tender. It didnt help that I had it resting on a chair as Cassie was putting the groceries away and she dropped 3 bags which fell one after the other on my foot followed by a 2 litre bottle of coke. I ended up in tears she ended up in tears.

I have a few more assignments to go and I will be finished my celebrant course. I will be glad when it is finished however I am enjoying the online study.
I do miss everyone inchat though.

48 Sleeps till Christmas!!!

Yer true blue aussie barbie

The salad's made, the sun is hot
The aussie shielas know what's what
They're sippin sherry, gettin tight
Witnesses to an ancient rite
Like gum trees full of bright rosellas
They mag - while round the barbie fellas
Poke at the steak, pretend to work
The gals laugh at this boyish lurk
This blokes' excuse to have a beer
And bond, share dinkum aussie cheer
For at the end the gals all know
Who really runs this little show

Christmas is comming soooo fast!!!

Christmas countdown has started and as Esch tells me it is only 50 sleeps until Santa has been and can I get the decorations out please Grandma. Well still too early for decorations I have only just gotten through Samhain (halloween). We had a great night except for the party next door which was fuelled with a lot of booze and they ended up fighting at the front of the house which woke Esch up and made for a sleepless night all round. The young couple still havent shown their face to me when I have been outside. Anyway I am diverting here back to Christmas.
I am proud ot say all of my Christmas shopping for the kids was done a few months ago and I only have one gift left to buy for my father, who knows what that will be I cant decide and a gift voucher is looking good.
Cassie and I have been trying to decide what to do for Christmas day this year. We arent going to any friends places and we dont have any coming here. Mum and Dad are spending it travelling and Greg and Geoff wont be about so it wil ljust be Cassie, Kirsten Escher and myself.
We cant decide if we will stay home, go to the beach or just head out bush and spend it in a nice shady spot beside whats left of the River.
I found the poem below and it just describes an Aussie Chrissie perfectly.




Fair dinkum sport, I kid ya not
Chrissie in Oz is bloody hot
Stone each and every squawking crow
This time of year we got no snow

Beach umbrellas and suntan lotion
Every bloke'n his dog in the Pacific Ocean
Big bronzed lifeguards - the birds all rave
And sunburnt Santa ridin the wave

It's gardenia time - and carols in the park
"Don't go out too far kids, yer'll be took by a shark"
Bush cicadas make a deafening racket
And every tranny's blarin cricket

Chrissie dinner's a picnic on the beach
Where the pav tastes of sand as well as of peach
Or a barbie where blowies add to yer fun
And some clueless loser's left the beer in the sun

And after the food and the heat and the booze
There's nothing to beat an afternoon snooze
And ya dream of a kid born out there back of Bourke
And put in a feed-box, drovers goin beserk

And the pub's got no beer and the angel, true blue,
Is playin Noel on a didgeridoo
And ya wake and pause fer a moment in wonder!
Happy Christmas, Folks! - from the Land Down Under.

© Pam Blower, 2000

Vegemite

When life's a royal pain in the ass
And innards seethe with nasty gas
Kiss it better, make it right
Smear yer toast with vegemite
When folk around give you the shits
And work is really mega pits
Bite the bullet, see the light
Hang in there with vegemite

This black brew puts hair on yer pex
And guarantees exotic sex
It makes ya smile, it cures the blues
Goes really great with aussie booze

And if the world goes down the toilet
You'll still be smiling - no grot will spoilet
You know that in the darkest night
There's always pots of vegemite

Add it to your life - and bliss
Will come with every salty kiss

© Pam Blower, 2000

Aussie Poem

The sun was hot already - it was only 8 o'clock
The cocky took off in his Ute, to go and check his stock.
He drove around the paddocks checking wethers, ewes and lambs,
The float valves in the water troughs, the windmills on the dams.

He stopped and turned a windmill on to fill a water tank
And saw a ewe down in the dam, a few yards from the bank.
'Typical bloody sheep,' he thought, 'they've got no common sense,
'They won't go through a gateway but they'll jump a bloody fence.'

The ewe was stuck down in the mud, he knew without a doubt
She'd stay there 'til she carked it if he didn't get her out.
But when he reached the water's edge, the startled ewe broke free
And in her haste to get away, began a swimming spree.
He reckoned once her fleece was wet, the weight would drag her down
If he didn't rescue her, the stupid sod would drown.
Her style was unimpressive, her survival chances slim
He saw no other option, he would have to take a swim.

He peeled his shirt and singlet off, his trousers, boots and socks
And as he couldn't stand wet clothes, he also shed his jocks.
He jumped into the water and away that cocky swam
He caught up with her, somewhere near the middle of the dam

The ewe was quite evasive, she kept giving him the slip
He tried to grab her sodden fleece but couldn't get a grip.
At last he got her to the bank and stopped to catch his breath
She showed him little gratitude for saving her from death.

She took off like a Bondi tram around the other side
He swore next time he caught that ewe he'd hang her bloody hide.
Then round and round the dam they ran, although he felt quite puffed
He still thought he could run her down, she must be nearly stuffed.

The local stock rep came along, to pay a call that day.
He knew this bloke was on his own, his wife had gone away
He didn't really think he'd get fresh scones for morning tea
But nor was he prepared for what he was about to see.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief at what came into view
For running down the catchment came this frantic-looking ewe.
And on her heels in hot pursuit and wearing not a stitch
The farmer yelling wildly 'Come back here, you lousy bitch!'

The stock rep didn't hang around, he took off in his car
The cocky's reputation has been damaged near and far
So bear in mind the Work Safe rule when next you check your flocks
Spot the hazard, assess the risk, and always wear your jocks!

Catching Up with the Jones's !!!

Well I have been so busy with this course I am doing and everything else I havent had time to write much.

Lets see I went to a small town called Hopetoun a week ago and spent some time with my cousin. I had a wonderful time and even though my cousin got a little over protective I enjoyed his fussing and company.

I got back and was so tiredI couldnt be bothered working so took the week off. The luck of being a casual you can do that without losing your job.

I have booked my way to Sydeny in December and leave on the 12th but will be back for xmas. I am not sure how long I will be staying asI am headed back there in February for the birth of my first Great Nephew. I cant wait to get a hold of him and have a bog smooch. My Nephew mentioned that I wont be too interested in him anymore now the little one is almost here but he will still get his bag of treats from me which usually includes a pile of lollies for him. He has a real sweet tooth that kid or I should say man now lol.

Please take a look at my last entry was sent to me by my Brother in law and I found it amazing.

Well everyone kept telling me to get with the times and get rid of my old Video Camera and me being one who doesnt like getting rid of things have refused for years.
I pulled it out to record Esch playing about and it got sick, very untimely. Annoyed with this I placed it in it's original box and carried it gently to my car where I placed it on the floor in the front and proceeded to the camera sales/repair shop. Walking in carefully with my prized camera which I might add I paid quite a lot for back in 1987 or 88 I cant quite remember when. I stood waiting while a young woman with a small child looked over some of the new cameras they had there and marvelled at the size of them, so small and compact I thought to myself as I looked at my poor sick larger camera in its box. When they serviceman finished his sale of a very expensive camera to the young woman he walked over and offered me some help. I explained what I was doing and the noise my camera made before it stopped working. He looked puzzled and said he hadn't heard of a camera making a tape crunching noise before, I should add he was about 25 years old. Anyway when I took my prized and well loved camera out of it's box he looked amazed and asked how old the thing was. The thing?? THis was my prized camera it had spent hours recording my children and grandchildren for me. I have a very detailed library of Family Video's all thanks to my camera. Unable to help me he went and got the store owner who knew exactly what I was holding and what the noise was. Sadly even though my camera still looked reasonably new parts are hard to get for it and it needed a few new ones. I asked him how long it would take to order them in and he stated IF and only IF he could get them maybe a week or two. The cost he had no idea on because he hadn't had to order any for so long. but that combined with his time etc we were looking at around $400 maybe more. I looked at my camera laying in his hands, it's little lens cap covering it's lens and wondered if I should leave it to rest. I took it and gently placed it in it's box and closed the lid. But my problem wasn't solved, How could I capture all those things a grandma loves to capture?

Ok your going to laugh but because I never considered or wanted a new camera and only partly listened when my friends would tell me to upgrade I had no idea how far advanced they were. OMG they run on hard drives!!! First of all he asked me what I used it for and as soon as I told him he had several out of the display case for me to view. I looked them over one at a time, picked them up to as he suggested get a feel for the weight and almost dropped it expecting it to be a little weighty. That concerned me they didn't feel solid and sturdy like mine did. Anyway to cut a long story short I took a liking to a nice cherry red camera with a 30gb hard drive. The price was amazingly good as well, only $600 ( I paid over $1000 for the old one) and it came with a spare battery, camera case, stand and a remote control so I can operate it from a distance although I am not sure why I would want to, all the computer cables and a cd for the computer.

I liked this and decided to purchase it. He offered me $150 for my old camera which now sits proudly on top of it's box in a display case of antique camera's. Cassie suggested I should have held on to it as it is an antique.
So now I sit here with a JVC Everio 30gb movie camera. As the battery wasnt charged I had to leave it on all night before I could operate it.
So now I have a new camera and absolutely no idea yet how to use it. I will get there though and am looking forward to watching my first lots of DVD's.

Amazing Talent!!