Saturday happenings...

By looking at my Friday Fill-Ins, you'd think I would have had an easy day... Far from it!!!

The day started with an early 'wake-up call thanks to a neighbours rooster! And yes, they're NOT allowed in a residential area within my LGA! You are allowed to have up to 20 birds, but zero roosters! But I wasn't going to let it get in the way of what had to be done. So I got up, got ready and got madam (Bronty) into the car to head into the city for the 'Bark in the Park'! However, we didn't stay long as my hay-fever started to hit, so we just headed to the beach for a swim (after a brief bit of spotting).

Bronty Plane Spotting

Once home though, I took an anti-histamine and got stuck into doing the lawns. I got my brushcutter out and did the edges, and then the mower... Fueled her up (she's been on her last legs for some time), primed her, and pulled the chord, and that was it, she didn't start nor will she start again! So it was off to Bunnings, with my gift cards ($170) and I got me a brand spanking new Masport 4-stroke mulch mower! AND, a bag of chook manure!

When I got home, I had to fill with oil, easy as, filled it with fuel and it was the easiest mower I have ever started in my 30 years of green keeping!

Lawns done, I got my Karcher pressure cleaner and then cleaned the back veranda which was in dire need of being done! Not content with just that, I then got to doing the spa house, both concrete and the roof!!! It looks as good as new!!!

And finally, look whats in flower again, it my Dracunculus vulgaris!!!

Dracunculus vulgaris

Hoo roo for now...

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Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins...

1. I said, I would fertilise the lawn (front) and weed the Rose Garden the other weeek... I did, and the lawn is greening up nicely and the Roses have lots of shoots.
2. Coffee is what I'm craving right now, so I may go over to the Pavillion for one!
3. I was thinking about what to do for dinner last night, I really wanted a marinated chicken, but there wasn't any, so I opted for a small Roast Pork - it was YUMM!!
4. I am now (publicly) announcing that I will be going on a diet, and using the the 'change' on saturday as the catlyst, will you?
5. We (Bronty) should have been finished her 'heat' by now, but she is still in season, but is keeping herself very clean, which is grateful indeed!
6. I will be washing Bronty this weekend, and cleaning the car, whether I want to or not!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to see the GP to pick up a script, then to the chemist to pick up the script beofre a fish 'n' chips dinner, tomorrow my plans include a 10.30 appointment at the GP for my vacinations for my upcoming trip to Vietnam, shopping for new pillows (and SO much more). It is also time to put the clocks FORWARD one hour, so HELLO Daylight Savings and Sunday, I want to sit and watch the V8's up at Bathurst, but there are more important things to do! BUT, Sunday night, Channel 10 is showing the movie about Julian Assange, and I'd like to watch that...

Hoo roo for now...

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Friday Fill-Ins

It's Friday Fill-Ins time, so here we go again...

1. Sunshine, and hopefully summer, is coming soon, and  I am so looking forward to it... I love the warmth of summer.
2. Kyle and Jackie O talking on the radio, morning radio is good, and it sets my mood for the day. They were talking about visiting a school, and talking to the kids in kindergarten, when one of the kids said, "I want to be a builder' is the last thing I overheard someone say.
3. I found a recipe for "Beer Can Chicken", where you put a whole bird, and push it onto a can of beer through its, well... you know, right?, and it really tasted good!
4. I'm looking forward to so many things, but more importantly, a rest over this weekend... Perhaps, other than gardening, a day in front of the TV watching movies.
5. Right now I am somewhere I'd rather not be, both physically and mentally! I am at work, shhh, but my head hurts. Maybe a ride this afternoon to clear my head.
6. Bronty makes me smile! She is stupid at times, yet her unconditional love and happiness when I get home, just makes it all better. 
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to fish 'n' chips for dinner, tomorrow my plans include mowing the lawns, throwing out a lot of chook manure out and watered in and Sunday, I want to do NOTHING at all and watch lots of TV! Although, Wisteria Gardens is open, so I may end up down there as it is a beautiful garden, with lots of Spring flowers! 

Hoo roo for now...

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Friday Fill-Ins

Something new, so why not!

1. I am really REALLY tired today, not necessarily 'physically' tired as I have been sleeping well, more 'mentally' tired looking for these gates.
2. It seems, that now its spring, its time to start renovating the lawn. But first, I need to get me a new mower as the old one 'blew up' last weekend!
3. Bronty really makes me laugh at times, especially when she knows that it may be 'time' to go out, but 'acts' asleep or disinterested!!
4. Did you know that birds often hit planes up in the air, and that more than 3 million people fly EVERY day?
5. I looked more closely and I saw that its often the little things that matter the most.
6. I'm so glad that, in a few hours, I will be heading home, well not straight home as I am going to the next-sister-down (in-law) home for dinner tonight with my nephews! 
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with the family, tomorrow my plans include getting the lawns cut, fertilised and watered in and Sunday, I want to be a great day, surprise filled and lots of fun!

Clivia's are out at the moment, and this is one outside my office (all I had was my iphone sorry)

Hoo roo for now... ------

The weekend that was...

It was a weekend of highs and lows, and in the end, a bit of a blurr actually... It all started friday, which was a simply stunning day weather wise, and in the late afternoon, there was a definate 'spring feel' about it.

Saturday, I was up semi early apart from a neighbourly issue, but that's an aside... The main thing for the day was to get to the SCG and to watch the Swans AFL game. This was to be a high, but alas, in an absolute cracker of a game, it was a last minute loss against Hawthorne. For weeks, I had been looking at getting a guernsey, and tonight I was in luck, as they were having a sale and it was reduced from $90 to $65, yay me!!

Swans Sale

Cheers...

SCG with Grandstand removed

Being part of a group of people and talking and catching up, made it difficult (not to mention the lack of suitable service at the game when a concentration of people demand service) I was quickly running out of phone power. I was delivering score updates to many people at the end of each quarter. It was a real 'nailbiter' of a game! Sitting in the cool, even with suitable clothing, gave me an almighty back ache, so I was glad to get home, heat-pack, and lie flat...

Sunday was another nice warm sunny day, and it was off to catch-up with some friends. Whilst the kids went into the play areas, we sat and chatted and soon we had some lunch. I had a hotdog and wedges... Soon enough, it was time to go, and I was heading to ANZ Stadium for the footy, different code this time - NRL.

However, along the way, increasingly, a headache was gaining momentum, and by the time I got to Silverwater Rd, I turned around and headed home... Soon after, I was being (physically) sick, and ended up sleeping off most of the afternoon...

MM Wedges and Hotdog

So, that was, the weekend that was...

By the time I got back to the car at Central Station

Hoo roo for now...

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Weekend Wrap Up...

Well, it all started (again) on Friday, another bust-up with the ANZ Bank!

You will recall that this is not the first time, Banks... ARGH! being the first, whilst on only Thursday, FML FML BANKS FML FML was the second. However, on Friday afternoon when I got home, another ltter addressed to L was sitting in the letterbox! This one though, was a DOOZY in that it was a final letter of demand for the letter I received the day before!!!

It ended up with a 2.5 hour long call to the ANZ Bank, and the resulting response was that I will get a call today (sometime). My reply was if I do not get a call by 5pm, then come 9am Tuesday, I will be on the phone to the Ombudsman... We'll see! In the end, I had a major headache so I took a couple of pills and had a drink (which was not a good combination by my own admission) but I slept from around 7pm through to 3.15 and then again to around 8am...

Saturday though, I spent driving here and there and back again it seemed trying to get some All Terrain (A/T) tyres for my car. This was proving to be a very difficult exercise as they do NOT have them in the major brands in my size (235 60R 16). The calls I made said that they can get them, but they also wanted a deposit to order. I was not prepared to put a deposit down IF it was not a tread pattern I wanted, so I looked elsewhere. I eventually, 3pm, found a place near home, that the guys across the road mentioned to me about! A LOT cheaper as well, and a pattern I was happy with!

After having them fitted, I got the car detailed at the local Crystal Carwash, they had a special for wash, interior and a polish for just $69! AND, as part of the deal, you get a Coffee AND the daily paper, so added bonus!!

Saturday night, I had dinner up with M, and we sort of watched the footy, Parra lost to the Knights, but that was OK as the Bronco's lost the night before, so we were even! We also looked at the possibility of a holiday later in the year, where to is the question though!

New A/T Tyres

Clean Car after it got detailed

Free Paper & Coffee

Sunday morning, a planned spotting outing was called off as it was dark and grey and rain forecast... So I headed up to the north past Dural to drop off some stuff at a mates place. On the way back, I stopped in at Hargraves Nurseryland as I wanted to get some Camellia's for the fence line behind the spa house. They didn't have the ones I wanted though, and I SHOULD have gotten another variety there, but that was an after thought... Next week though I will be back out there. They have a deal on, that any plant over $14 is 50% off. These are $30 pre-sale, so a bargain! I will need 10, so I will go out on Saturday and get 5, and then again on the Sunday, get the other 5. WHY? because on the bottom of the receipt you get a 10% discount of whats been purchased OFF your next visit! So if I get 5 Camellia's on Saturday at $30 each, that will reduce to 5 x $15 $75... On Sunday it will be $75 - $7.50 bringing it down to $67.50... BARGAIN!!!!!

BUT, I did almost buy this bit of garden sculpture... Maybe on the weekend...

Garden Art that makes me smile

BUT, I will NOT be buying this outdoor setting!

'Nice' Garden Furniture?

Hoo roo for now... ------

This weekend...

Updated below...
This weekend, was a weekend of highs and lows. Saturday, another unseasonal warm day, we were up and out very early... 4am for me, as I was watching the live telecast (Internet) of the delivery ceremony From Airbus of the new A380 to QANTAS. Here is a screen-shot from the ceremony...

VH-OQA Delivery Screen-shot

Source: Airbus LIVE stream video of ceremony (Screen-shot)

After that was done, we were off to the Orange Grove Organic markets for a bit of breakfast, and to try and settle down the morning sickness for L. One of the Turkish Gonzlemes (Spinach & Cheese) did the trick, whilst I had the Egg & Bacon roll, YUMM! It was then off the the Indian Bazaar over at Riverview College, the High School that the BIL went to in his youth. This is an annual event, pilgrimage even, for the family to get together and have a morning tea and try and grab a bargain, with the school raising money for the Missions. A quick call into the MIL (she was off to a School Fundraiser) and down to the Nth Beach's to visit Nan & Pa and give them our news, as they are about to go into a nursing home for some respite care. A quick stop into the BIL home on the way to give him the Orchid we got at the morning Markets for his birthday, and we were home just before dinner! That night, L had a slight spot, and an early night was called for to reduce stress...

Sunday morning saw a return of the headache & morning sickness, but all did not seem ok... But, we kept on with the plans, and off to Holroyd Council's Pet Fest, to visit Jamilla as she was the 'Mascot' for the day...

Pet Fest 2008 Mascot

Pet Fest 2008

L, being incredibly busy at work, had to go off to work to meet up with her colleague and continue on the Annual Report, and I went of to the 'other B's' place for little B's birthday, she is 3...

Birthday Girl with Dad

Birthday Girl with Cake

I had a call from L saying that she was on her way home, and I had just left to go to Petbarn, as Macc's food was on special ($15 off!). When I got there, all of 5 mins before closing the doors, one of the staff was there with a Water Dragon on his shoulder, and an Albino Corn Snake in his hand! I finalised my purchase and put it in the car, grab my camera and returned to grab a couple of photos...

Albino Corn Snake

Albino Corn Snake

However, tonight, was the worst. The slight 'spotting' from yesterday, had turned into a flooding Murray and very bright. I called the Clinic to discuss with the After hours specialist, and unless it eases over night, we will be off to the clinic tomorrow for an assessment. If it gets worse, and I can't see how, then we will be off to the hospital sooner! Needless to say, L is devastated, and so am I!

3.04am (AEST) UPDATE: Ok, at 10.30pm (just after I posted this blog) we were off to the emergency ward at Westmead Hospital. We were seen to fairly quickly and a lot of tests were done. We are just home now, and have to re-attend the 'EPAC' Clinic (Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic) early tomorrow (or is it today, like in 5 hours!)! Cramping has settled, whilst bleeding has subsided significantly. Initial bloodwork is good, a couple of little tid bits, but good all the same, and her hCg is 8,400! Will know more later...

WW #23: - A Country Road Trip

Sorry, but this will need a few words...

Last Sunday, we took a break from bathroom renovations to go for a 'road trip' down to the New South Wales, Southern Highlands town of Berrima.

Berrima Country Church

Berrima Autumnal Colour

Vintage Cars

Farm Gate

Pumpkins

wordless wednesday

Where did the weekend go??

We had so much planned for the weekend:

• Gut out the Laundry, to make way for the renovations (2nd Toilet & Shower, re-tile and new cupboards)
• Lawns & Gardening, which have been slightly neglected since going to New Zealand!
• Computer issues, as we needed to install a Wireless Network Card so is it can pick up the new modem/router... (I actually got this done!!)
• Go and visit a Gallery over at Gymea (did this as well, and L will have to blog about her purchase... It is lovely, and in keeping of her 2008 goals)!

Then we had a phone call from the MIL. She was in tears as the FIL was in Hospital. His heart was the issue, again! So, with a friend in tow, we headed from one side of Sydney to the other to get to the hospital. He was on a machine with leads from his chest and apparently, his BP had dropped dramatically and his heart rate went through the roof (190)! Whilst we were there, he seemed to be in good spirits, although I think he looked tired. We left (me in the FIL's car as it was at the hospital and L in our car) to drop the MIL at home. By the time we got home, and made dinner (Spaghetti Bolognaise) it was now 9.30pm!

Sunday was not much better. in saying that we would get over to pick up the MIL at 9am, well were had just woken up, so we were running a little late!!! FIL was insistent that she go to the Antique Markets, a regular event for them, before going into visit him. When we got to the hospital, he was looking much better, his heart had a better rhythm and everything was looking OK. After a couple of hours, we left to go for a Iced Chocolate at Indulgence, when we got the call to come back to the hospital, this time, to collect him as he was being discharged! Home again around 6pm. No gardening done, the laundry was still the same, and after a couple of hours, I finally got the desktop PC to talk to the new modem/router. PHEW!

A weekend of activity!

This last couple of days have been somewhat frantic, so we are sorry we have not been about that much...

Firstly, the Circus came to town, or at least the park that is just around the corner from us. Of course, we took the 'hound' with us as he does love a walk...

Circus is in town

Then, Thursday afternoon I was on the 'table (Doctor's of course) as I was having what's known as a Chordal Epidural. This is for my bad back and is used to, rather than target the nerve root directly to alleviate pain by the sciatic nerve being compromised, it 'floods' the entire lower spinal region with a cortisol treatment, OUCH!

Then, on Friday night, L had offered to her 'next sister down' to come over and sit with the baby, oh and B will cook! The cheek of it all... So cook up a storm I did. We had, Creamy Chicken and Pasta, with an Asian Green Bean salad. Quite simple really, brown off some onions and some chicken (125grm/person), a splash of soy (to taste) and add a small tin of Evaporated milk. For about 3-4 mins, stir through pre-cooked pasta that has been lightly drained, as the remaining starch from it will thicken the milk into a sauce. Then, for the Asian Bean Salad, top and tail some beans, and boil so as they can still, snap. Put into a wok (or frypan) with hot, 4:1 of Peanut oil and Sesame oil and toss quickly. Now here is the twist, toss through whilst cooking, a cut of fresh ginger, finely grated, and about 3-4 tablespoons of soy sauce. Serve and enjoy. Now, I think it is an appropriate time to say, I do NOT eat vegetables, but I am told that this is a great Bean Salad... Needless to say, that L was 'hogging' poor Riley, and he was sleeping like a ... well a baby!

Riley sleeping

Riley BW

Saturday, we were off to the Indian Bazaar, which is a school fete that raises (a lot of) money that goes to the missionaries within India. L's family have been going there for years, in fact, it is at the school that her 'favourite brother' went to! After this prestigious event, we had to duck off to an EVEN bigger event, my god-daughter's 2nd birthday! The day had started out so nice, sunny, but was going to change so the weather bureau told us. And change it did... It turned real bitter, windy and down right NASTY! Her dad made the cake, an Australian Wombat, which unfortunately for him, separated at the neck joint, but it still tasted great!

Breanna's Happy B'day Cake side

Breanna's Cake front

She had such a lovely morning, with lots and lots of presents, but on of the things she loved the most, was her sunnies!

Breanna's Shades

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREANNA!!!

Breanna 2nd B'day

And for all of those who sent well wish's and prayers, L did read them all, and she thanks you. Each and everyone of you, for our recent loss...