Firsts

Unexpectedly, I had my first day back in classroom today. "Unprepared" would be an understatement, and Skye even less so. I had no bottles, no milk expressed and no one organised. Nevertheless, for the first time Skye was given a bottle, ate apple sauce, and tried to hold a rattle. Thanks to everyone who helped us through this day.

Free Range Books

www.BookCrossing.com
I dare you.

Caption This

Kerri James sent this picture and I thought it needed a new caption. Here is the conversation which ensued after I left for SCA tonight, in order of arrival in my mailbox.

Rob: Didn't the guy at the boat shop say to reverse the boat into the water?
Ross: As opposed to reversing the boat OUT of the water!
Michelle: Shouldn't the boat float once we get it in the water?
Michelle: Can't quite remember if we reverse it in or out of the water
Sean:  I _am_ tying it up!
Yep, the bung's still in!
Wrong end in tha watah, Papa!
Luckeeeee you're with AAMI
Cruise boat? What cruise boat?No, rabbit comes out the hole, round the tree then back in the hole. Or is that round the hole then back up the tree? Over the tree and down the hole? Damn, I'll never get this tied up...
Andrew: Wanted: woman who likes boating.  Send photo of boat.
Ross: Wanted: woman who likes swimming. Must have own lifejacket.
Sean: Wanted: woman who likes diving. Must have own insurance
Ross: newsflash – latest pictures of global warming
          really, officer, I’m launching my amphibious ute…

Kelly: Well, they're men, what do you expect?!?!
Ross: Wanted: Woman who owns DUKW, LARK or Schwimmwagen.  Send photo of vehicle.
          OK, I've tied up the boat... funny, the car's engine's flooded.
Sean:  How they launch boats in Atlantis.
Little Jim: He's fallen in the water!

It puts me in mind of Doug's Land Rover sailing adventure (bottom of the page)

The outdoor room

You know how outdoor rooms and pergolas are currently all the rage? Those nice, airy, shady places with designer cushions casually scattered on expensive wicker furniture? Perhaps a Tabachi teppanyaki BBQ and a bronze, nude statue to draw attention towards the fountain playing over the artfully arranged Zen rocks?

Yeah? Well we got a shed. A F$%^&G BIG SHED stuck to the side of the house. Gin Gin is not a pretentious place and people appreciate practical things, possibly because many of them are owner builders. People, some I only know to say hello to, keep stopping me in the street and saying things like,"Hey, I saw the new shed - it looks great!". I'm not sure that Bourke's Backyard would appreciate it but I do. The house is cooler and now we have an outside place to spend our endless Qld summers.

My thanks to Manrex Industries (read: Phil) who designed and built it.

So who's up for  BBQ?

The awning has begun!

Give me a couple more weeks to manicure the yard (?!) then it's BBQ ON!!! So who wants to come???

The Hole

There is a hole the shape of a moth-eaten dog, in my carpet, under the desk, on the lino, in the kennel, on and in the grass. Her presence is so paleable. I understand how we etymologically "miss" someone. We look and our eyes slide past where they should be.

These are a Few of my Favourite Things - For Jo

Swimming at Main Beach and chasing of tennis balls
Licking down icecream and riding shotgun
Sleeping on carpet and runs in the park
These are a few of my favourite things

Ducks for the chasing and Nipper for playing
Going off camping and barking at bovines
Chewing on bones which were buried for months
These are a few of of my favourite things

Swinging on washing and digging up gardens
Rolling in cow dung and the eating up chock-tops
Cuddling up next to the fire
These are a few of of my favourite things

When the thunder cracks, when the rain pours
When I'm feeling scared
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don't feel so bad


Goodbye and thanks for all the licks.

Intriguing

And I leave you with a website I came across recently, Zefrank. 
Project:Young me / me now
Toys:  Spinning,  flowers,   scribbling

Easter Weekend

Is this the face of a baby who poos the equivalent of uranium yellowcake? I swore I would not be one of those mothers who obsessed about what came out of her child's backside BUT SERIOUSLY it looked like metallic yellow enamel paint! I have no idea where the metallic iridescence came from and have trawled the net and checked out all the additives in everything I eat but I simply can not find anything that resembles titanium dioxide paint base (No, I have not been drinking!)

During Easter Nanny & Bernie visited. We spent Saturday at Penny's BBQ, Sunday making curtains & Monday at Bob & Cissy's place at Coonarr.

Gorgeous horse! Pity about the grump on her back.

Brief update

Skye is chewing her fist but no more of the all night crying.
Kirk is well and still enjoying his birthday presents.
Sean's mum and sister are visiting.
Weather is still very wet.
The wine supply is holding up well.