Well yesterday didn't go as planned. Got to the gym okay - so that bit got done. Then went to the mail box and got a couple of window envelopes out of there. Good oh, bills or government directives. Right on - a directive that no one in this house has signed on to the electoral register. Sorry buddy, the only Australian in this house is the cat!!! and the Taxation office wants to get to know DS2 better since he hasn't sent in a tax return in the past 5 years. Ring the DS2 - get a tale of woe as he has been called into work - tell him the sad news and he states that he doesn't have all the paperwork. He never took it with him, do I still have it? Back through all the family papers now residing in the attic, covered in cobwebs etc and the there's someone at the door!!!! Down the ladder, go to the door, it's DB2 come to visit complete with broken nose due a fall at work. Don't want a drink, can't stay long and stays for 2 hours during which time I give him lunch and a cuppa. His woes concern his DD not behaving as she might. This is news?, she's 15 nearly 16 and is a very strong and stubborn character.
Back up the ladder, locate the tax folders and eventually find all bar one of the Group Certificates so beloved by the ATO.
Enough already, I'm going out to the garden to weed and dig and pound the ground into submission. The phone rings, DS2 telling me he will be around after work, can he stop for dinner. Yes, yes. Well Tuesday night he popped around to bludge a bottle of wine, why not dinner tonight. More attacking the front garden and more visitors. Two sets of Jehovahs Witnesses who were not about to be side tracked and a young man (of the Indian persuasion and is probably working illegally and his English is okay (only have to ask twice what he just said for each sentence) I am not tremendously impressed) to talk about my telephone system and how he (personally???) will guarantee lower costs, better service and faster internet (probably have to log in at 2am). These were all eventually dispatched with a few well chosen words and I cleared the area under the poinciana tree and put down newspaper and mulched heavily, then took to the weeds beside the verandah and cleared a fair amount there as well, fertilised the pansy patch and the orchids and watered a few more bits and pieces of the garden. Went inside, cooked tuna steaks (DS2's least favourite meal) and chips and veges and made a salad. When DS2 arrived we discussed the ATO stuff, sorted out the things he needs and doesn't need and then argued about his plans for my garden and my plans for my garden. He is feeling a tad depressed and hard done by at the moment. I've advised him to give up the day job and get a life. One can't work 14-16 hours a day for years, try to have a social life, not eat well and still come up smiling all the time. Time for a change in his life I think. He tells me he had a lady friend on the go, but she got her degree and has gone to the States to make her mark!!!!

Oh the trials and tribulations of being Mum and Older Sister. Friend Chris from down the road rang to ask me to go to Banora with her on Saturday morning. I just may go if only to get out of the house. Banora is on the coast right on the border between New South Wales and Queensland and it's about a 90 min drive to get there. I haven't been down there forever it seems. Will mean missing my gym class but hey, I can make that up.

Well I guess that's about it from me. I need to go get started on some work. I have 2 days to start and finish something that someone else has been sitting on for a month. Better get on with it.

Sorry about the litany of woes. I should have spent the money and gone to the show yesterday I think!

Hi girls...
It is a gorgeous day here today again although the weather is supposed to do a dramatic change tomorrow and we are expecting rain over the next few days

Bob rang yesterday morning. Not good news. In the early hours of the morning he had got up feeling rather sick and gone to the bathroom and had a large heamoptosis (throwing up old blood from his stomach) followed by a second bout after which he had passed out in the bathroom, knocking his head on the radiator. His partner got him back upstairs to bed and settled him down but later he did a repeat performance except this time he passed out before he got to the bathroom. They called the doctor but I don't think he was very helpful although he offered to come out but they declined. Bob arrived this morning but I sent him home! He does feel a lot better than he has done so he has gone home to hopefully get an appointment with the Macmillan nurse who was supposed to turn up yesterday afternoon but got held up with an earlier patient. All I can hope is that it isn't a long drawn out illness for him and partner to endure.
I said I would get in touch with him over the weekend.

As for me I have an appointment with the pain clinic consultant this afternoon. I am not sure whether it is worth my going as Dr M. has discharged me from the clinic in the past saying he cannot do anything further but last September when I was in hospital the rheumatology team re-referred me back again. I did discuss this with my G.P. last week and he suggested I ring Munglani's secretary and get her to ask him about it all, but the answering machine was on and I left a message but she has failed to get back to me. I know I could have rung back but I really can't afford to keep ringing switchboard and waiting to get put through. It all costs money!!! So I hope he isn't annoyed with me.

I have at last started to go to another church. This one isn't as big although there are usually about 120 people attending in the morning. Lots of the congegation live in the same village as I do. In fact one couple live in the house that my very good friends used to live in..the ones who now live in Battle...what a coincidence!Another plus is that the church is exactly half the distance that my old one is in Bury St. Edmunds....exellant!! I went to the church barbeque on Tuesday evening. I thought it would be good to get to know a few people in a relaxed setting and although I was very nervous arriving by myself and not knowing anyone there, it turned out to be a good evening and I got talking to a few people in depth. I went on my crutches and one particular lady was so helpful and got me a plate of food and kept my drink filled up. I had a long conversation with her and another couple who are holding a picnic in their garden on Sunday. I hope it doesn't rain!!

Ah well I suppose I'd better get on with the afternoon and get organised to get to the hospital on time.
Hello to all. I have just read all the posts...pages and pages of them!! What a lot of chatterboxes! Take care all. Bye for now.

Chatterboxes???? Us? Well, I suppose that IS true

Good morning ladies of the world. Computer woes continue both at work and at home - yesterday the Internet was soooo slow I gave up and instead went and got in a good workout in the pool in the early evening. Later DH helped me on a project for work. Got to watch that tho, don't want to be doing too much of that spending my free time on work stuff.

Shad, I admire your tenacity at crawling in and out of the attic to keep answering the door and the phone. You are a good mom for finding all of DS2's papers. And your Saturday plans sound fun. Perhaps if you can get a good walk in Banora, it will make up for the missed gym class - don't they call that mixing up the routine?

Teel, sorry to hear about your friend Bob. But happy to hear that you had a nice outing at the new church. It's always good to meet new friends. Good luck at the pain clinic.

So you are actually SUPPOSED to talk to your tomato plants? I thought that was only true of house plants tho DH does talk to the butterfly plants in the baskets around the pool. Well I guess that is one of the problems. Will add it to the list for next year's "I'll do better..."

Nothing important to say right now, better get on with the day. Hello to all the chicks. See you later...

Happy and Shad~Not sure whose post was funnier.........You girls had me in stitches cause I had a terrible night! The test did not go well and at one point the nose hose got caught under the wheel of the chair and alarms went off and it said I had apnea! Then I went to the loo and decided to stasrt all over again and forgot to take my robe off so off came the hoses again! I even had to call the emergency # and the respiratory man was not amused at 11pm giving me instructions. and to top it all off it's the gent from the clinic. went to bed feeling unloved and had a terrible sleep. awake every 2 hours.
called this morning at 7:30 and got the same man....now he is acting cranky and I said is this your job or not? and they TOLD me to call well before 8 so I could keep the machine another day and try again. Not sure if he believed me and screw him!
So I will try this again......but this time have everything by the bed and the lamp plugged in that the man unplugged when he was here!!! the machine is noisy but calms down a bit after 20 minutes or so.....wish me luck tonight.

Happy jen told me there was a terrible Windows 200 worm and it shut down quite a few computers including Channel 7's office or something (on the TV) and some other large companies?! I haven't heard anything about it. good luck with the lap top!

Shad~ what is there left to say about your day!!! hope the ds is not burning himself out and he should get away!!! I can't believe all the stuff with the taxes, DB, DS and door knockers!!! I din't know whether to laugh or cry!!! Pray the week ends on a much better note and you take to 90 minute trip and get away from it all!

Teel~ I am so sorry to hear about Bob the Builder and pray it's not to drawn out and painful for him. Sending prayers his way.
I'm glad you got to go out and mingle. It's good for the soul.....especially at a new church! Have fun at the BBQ when you go.

Ceejay~ you sound so organized and conscientious that they could definitely use you in the office over here!! How is the aunt doing? Hope she's recovered.I must ask a question cause I forget the answer....did you ever get the painting from around Xmas time?! for some reason I thought of it and may have missed the outcome.

Linus~ I tried to make something and it cannot be done. Sigh... alas the shoulders are just not working and the hands cannot crochet. When I was out I saw some yarn and thought I really CAN do this.Well maybe in my head I can but not in real life. I know I said a long time ago that i couldn't do what I wanted to but I really thought I could last week. It is not meant to be. so I am sorry that a package will not be arriving. I wanted so fro Bump to have something homemade.(sniff, sniff)

Holly~ I will send vibes of strength to you so you can make it till school starts!!! i wouldn't mind playing with sand and water either! lol brought back some memories just reading it!!

Well I am supposed to have a "do nothing" day and try the machine again tonite. let us hope the hoses don't wrap themselves around my tires again!!! I have placed them up high and not on the floor like the man did. In the dark I didn't see them! lol I also ran an extension cord for the lamp and put a flashlight by the bed too! I am prepared for round #2!

Mel--Yes the painting arrived but it was like February. He's done an excellent job. A spring sceene featuring a deer at the bottom of a water fall. Unfortunately I am still having a problem on where to hang it. My aunt is also doing very well. Thanks for asking. I'll keep that comment about the job open if I need to relocate.

There is a new worm. I had an alert this morning from McAffee. It causes the computer to start and restart constantly. I need to down load some new McAffee stuff as soon as I'm finished here.

Need to get up from the computer and get started. Was supposed to go to a destrict water meeting today but decided that my headache couldn't deal with the drive. I may have to take another internet course to get in some extra hours.

Going to get out the sewing machine sometime this week end. All of my jeans, pants etc need to be taken up in the crotch. I have a short waist line and even when I buy the petite sizes they still need to altered.

Every one have a good day, especially Shad. Take the trip you need some down time.

Someone mentioned mums,(flowers). Think I'll get some and put in my progressing flower bed. It needs some color.

Hiya, just had a nice afternoon visit with all of. HUGS!!!

mel dont worry hun mum knits and crochets non stop baby has loads of home made stuff but we treasure our tiger from aunty mel much much more,good luck with the errant hoses
hubby has been putting up a loft ladder so we can have access for storage then after the year to fit it out as a bedroom for craig/conner whichever one is still alive by then lol or still at home as the case may be
house is nearly there just have this blooming kitchen to do the problem is the ceiling ...it needs papered and as im the only person who can do this its not getting done hubbys put his foot down and said no you will not ???
right im knackered and a bit queesy so im gonna have a nice hot bath and relax
lots of love
kirsty+bump

Linus I fear my ceiling will also need papering - either that or I get in a professional plasterer in to get it all straight again. At the moment it looks awful. No doubt I will get it right in the end but it sure is a pain in the proverbial. I'm not surprise DH said no you can't get up there and do it!

Holly is going to keep us all in suspense with the visitors she had all of....... (but we're not allowed to know who...)

Ceejay, chrysanthemums - yes they must be about to flower over your way in the next month or so. We get them in late April, May just in time for Mothers Day. I will probably put some into the new garden out the front if I ever get it ready for planting.

Teel - so sorry about Bob the Builder. It is so awful. Lordy I wish there was a cure for that horrible disease. Glad to hear that you have found a new church and that the people sound nice. I wish you luck with that Doctor as well. You had enough problems last time you went - are you sure you want to go back for another round!

Mel - So the sleep apnea kept you awake!!!! How ridiculous to come in and tell you to test it out for yourself. How the h*ll are you supposed to know what it is doing or calculating or measuring??? Yikes medicine - I've just about got to the end of it's rope. Thank heaven I don't need them too much - bangs head on table (my version of touch wood - the table is metal)

Of course you are supposed to talk to plants. Each time I plant one I stand back, admire my handiwork and say "grow you b*gger, grow!" If it is a big plant - it is a big b*gger. I spoke to the large tomato plant this morning. I told it that if it got much bigger it would be splitting it's skin and the darn thing fell off into my hand. So one more giant tomato for sandwiches tomorrow - yahooo. And yes it was ripe. I'll pick up some fresh bread tomorrow and that will be my lunch/ dinner whatever.

Not much else to report today - except that IT IS FRIDAY - so 2 days free after 4pm tonight. YAHOO.

Better go, run some reports. See you.

LOL!! with all of...YOU!!!

Pooped again. 9:34 pm and I am of to read and sleep. My sweet hubby cleaned the kitchen! Yawn!!

Hi chicks...coo I have got in two days in a row!!

Its absolutely pouring with rain here today just as it was supposed to do!! and I got very wet going from the supermarket with bags of shopping to the car...then unloading the car at the other end...yuk yuk yuk!!
Its so nice to get in on a wet day and throw the wet things off and get into nice dry, warm clothes Even the dog went out into the garden and did the quickest pee in the history of the hound

Well as you can probably guess going to the pain clinic was a complete and utter waste of time I walked in and Dr M. said "what are we going to do with you?" and after I had told him about the anti-inflammatory saga and the ensuing pains in my ankles that I have never had before, he agreed that it was best that I stayed on the current dose of Morphine Sulphate and he wasn't able to suggest any other course of action...except to refer me to the "pain management course" which apparently is held in Ipswich (about a 40 minute drive away). At the time I agreed but when I got home I thought how stupid of me...I have trouble driving for over 20 minutes now. Ah well we shall wait and see. There is undoubtedly a very long waiting list to start with...

Shad the tomato plants sound (or should that be taste?) a resounding success. I love the little cherry tomatoes..in half with a good shake of the salt stuff. I can eat then like anyone else reaches for the biscuit tin!!

Linus...count down has really started now!!

Happy how are you doing? Nearly the weekend and you can stop thinking about laptops and 10 floors in the lift in a thunderstirm.... and start talking to your dear little tomatoes!!!

Mel...what on earth are you up to getting all tangled up in the apnea wires all night long?? Better luck for a smoother run tonight! The help-line man doesn't sound terribly nice or helpful for that matter...

ooops phone is ringing....better go...see you later....

Only 6 kids today and 3 go home by 1!!!!!!!!
DS was beyond grouchy this morning as was a baby. ARG! right back at them.
SS meeting last night was irritating..... but we accomplished a lot. My co superintendent has been a lifelong church member. The troll that doesn’t like me has been there for years. They talk about things and people us newer folk don’t know. Rude. Then they make all kinds of suggestions and criticism and do NOTHING to change things. Where as another Mom and I do back-flips all year long and get put down by the troll. The minister and the entire congregation think the other Mom and I walk on water and are openly thankful.That means a lot to me/us.
Today I will type and email the minutes and “offer” up their big ideas with a request for leadership. giggle
We have decided to make up a nursery class of 2 and under kids. I volunteered to do it!! No more teaching lessons and no more coexisting with the troll.Woohoo!!! Can you say relieved!!!!!!
It is muggy and rainy so far today.
Food yesterday was good and I was tired and went to bed instead of munching!!
Tomorrow we have DH’s family corn-roast at the farm. Always a good time.
Love to all!

THE DREADED MACHINE IS GONE. JUDY IN THE OFFICE BROUGHT HIM UP AS THE BUS WAS READY TO GO FOOD SHOPPING AND I WASN'T ABOUT TO MISS IT!!! I DID MY BEST BUT DON'T THINK THERE ARE 4 HOURS IN A ROW. (SIGH) SCREW IT! IT'S OVER WITH AND THE FIRST ONE THAT CALLS AND SAYS I NEED A RE-TEST WILL HEAR ALL THE BLUE STREAKS! I HAD A GREAT DAY THOUGH. SHOPPED, WORKED A BIT, WENT OUTSIDE, HAD MY FRAPPUCCINO OUTSIDE TOO AND THEN CAME UP AND FLYLADY'D THE HOUSE SO I HAVE NOTHING TO DO EXCEPT DUST AND VACUUM. I CAN GET ANYTHING ELSE I WANT DONE!
JIMMY IN MAINTENANCE WILL SHAMPOO MY CARPETS FOR FREE IN SEPT OR OCT. THEY NEED IT! MONDAY IS MALL DAY AND I PUT MY NAME ON THE LIST. I AM A BIT TIRED SO I WON'T DO INDIVIDUAL HELLOS.....BUT HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. OUR SHAD IS ALREADY WELL ON HER WAY INTO SATURDAY! WISH I WAS THERE TOO! TAKE CARE ALL AND SEE YA OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN I RECOUP A BIT!

Quick note. My latest side effect with the new med is eye twitches so I can't read. I think I've stolen Mellie's eyes. And you can't make me give them back.

Holly, that is great news that you are taking on the cutie pie nursery crowd at church. That should be a lot of fun with the bonus of getting away from the troll. I'm going to be the coordinator for Habitat for Humanity for our church. We'll be joining 11 other small churches for a house. We'll be starting in December so I'll have time for planning.

More after I learn to focus~ This new med takes care of the pain so I'd really like to adjust!!

Baked salmon with dill and lemon for dinner tonight, along with some new potatoes and fresh corn on the cob :slurp: The kids are in the pool with hubby and I am still wet around the ears from my dip. I am gearing up to take another stab at exercise, thinking about walking around the neighbourhood, maybe. I don't say definetly any more because I will just disappoint myself, it is the single step that starts the trek of a thousand miles. I'm off to the big city this weekend to help my sister move in with my other sister catch you all next week

Mel-Congratulations on getting the machine gone, I'm sorry it was such a pain. Wasn't it supposed to help you get a better sleep? Maybe 4 hours will be enough to tell and they will have some suggestions at the doctors office. I hope you will have a relaxing weekend without any stress

Shad-you are truly a wonder mom. Do your children realize how above and beyond it was for you to dig out their papers and what is with the other one trying to plot out YOUR garden, hmmm? Are you taking off to Banora? Break free from the phone and the drop in visitors and kick up your heels

Linus-How are you feeling? Has the queeziness subsided and you are enjoying the day? I hope you will stay off the ladder for a LONG while and allow the ceiling to just be. You need to take good care.

Happy-Are you getting any swimming in? How are the computer hiccups? My butterfly bush is putting out a new set of blooms as I remembered to cut off the old ones Fingers crossed for next year. I am hoping to get a New Dawn pink climbing rose for my arbor and a yellow Clematis called lemondrop to attract a few of the little flutterbys

Holly-Nice one! You have successfully eliminated the grumpy madam of the church and will have the adorable goo goos to coo over instead. What a wonderful notion. I hope it is totally fun for you. Have a blast at the farm!

Tig-first a cane and now eye twitches... what have you been running in? Sounds like some sort of chemical poisoning, watch out for those toxic clouds I'm so sorry you are suffering these things, at least you are fitter than me

Teel-What a bummer with the pain medication, although a morphine sulphate does sound like good drugs but if it isn't cutting it for you. Maybe you need to yell louder, perhaps you are being too stoic... scream bloody murder, roll around on the floor, wail like a banshee... that might give them the message to give you something stronger. Piss on appearances, this is your body!!

Ceejay-did you get the mums? are you gardening this weekend? How did the computer stuff go? did you eradicate the worm's entrance to your system? I have such an old one, windows98 it wouldn't even bother with me

TIG DEAR FRIEND I SEND YOU EYE HUGS!!! SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE MEDS AND HOPE IT WORKS OUT. GOOD LUCK. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU HIT WITH THE CANE NOW? AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU LEFT IT SOMEWHERE?! IN SHOPPING CARTS? HOW ARE ALL THE KIDS?

MEADOW~ HOW IS THE EXERCISING? MAKING ANY HEADWAY? HOPE YOU TOOK THE FIRST STEP!! THE POOL SOUNDED NICE. AND THE FISH TOO AND I AM NOT A FISH EATER. I FIGURE IF GOD HAD MEANT ME TO EAT FISH HE WOULD HAVE MADE ME A SHARK! THIS MACHINE WAS JUST FOR TESTING NOT HELPING!

I AM GOING TO FIND SOMETHING NOT TO PHYSICAL TO DO! LOL
ENJOY THE DAY AND WEEKEND!