Give it a Whirl......

Good Morning All!

Monday again; where does the time go? It flies when you've been having fun, or so we're told, so I must have had a great weekend. And I did actually.

The weather on Saturday was just divine; warm and sunny, with a slight breeze to stop things from heating up too much.

The drive to Swansea was uneventful, and GG was even up and out of bed at nanandpops, so that we only had to wait for her to dress before going to the football. The game started off a bit shaky for the Rams. The Swansea Caves Beach Black Swans were a bigger team of boys, and a couple were quite "In-your-face" during and after the tackle, if you know what I mean. One boy actually leaned over the player that he had tackled and was laying on the ground, spread his arms wide, filled and puffed out his chest and growled so loudly at him that we could hear him on the sidelines. Then, when our player stood up to play the ball, the Swanboy repeated the spread-armed growl into his face... Our boy was a bit amazed, but continued to play the ball...What on earth had his coach told him, I wonder? The Swans scored twice before we managed to get some points on the board, but eventually our boys wore them down, and we came away as winners by 4 points, with a score-line of 22 - 18. The Swans scored more tries than we did, but their goal kicker missed the first 2 goal kicks that he attempted. Needless to say, our boys were very pleased with themselves! Lunch at Swansea Maccas followed.

A wander around GoLo at Belmont proved very fruitful for Vegeboy; he scored with a pack of 50 chupachups! He thinks he convinced me to buy them based upon the fact that they are Starburst and made of fruit....... as if...

.

Then GG, Vegegboy and I headed off to Bing Lee to purchase and gift voucher, as requested by Chad and Leah for their engagement gift. The two young'uns had a lovely time trying out some massage chairs; rather noisy in their appreciation, they were... then up to Charlestown Square for some browsing. GG scored an aqua cotton pinafore and Vegeboy a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from JayJays for the grand sum of $20...........

Back to nanandpop's to get ready for the party, then off to collect Tricky from outside the Uni, and off the Chad and Leah's via Liquorland at Waratah... The New-to-the-Big-Smoke-Uni student knew the location of the bottle shop, yes he did.... He couldn't give directions, though.. good thing I knew how to get there, and I even took him down some streets he never knew existed.

Leah and Chad had a lovely time at their party, and are thrilled with their decision to tie the knot. They plan to marry April next year, with a service on the waterfront a Murray's Beach, with the reception following at Leah's family home at Nords Wharf. It will be beautiful. They have been a couple for quite a few years (about 6 years, I think; it may be longer), and it's a standing joke about the length of time that Chad has taken to pop the question. I just wish them happiness and a wonderful journey through life. Tricky and Elly amused themselves with the other young folk and themselves, and Vegeboy kept some girls and himself amused with some self-styled karaoke. He's a funny one, that boy.......

Am I getting old, or is it just that times have changed? Yes, yes, I know...........

When I was a young party goer, you would party most of the night at the party venue, and more than likely, enjoy party left-overs for breakfast the next morning. At the last few parties I've been to, just about all of the 'Young' party go-ers leave before midnight, and head off into "Town"....... most are suitably juiced up on the 'free' or cheaper booze before they leave, but it really doesn't seem to make the night any cheaper. Their inhibitions are all gone by then, along with the insight that says that they are already drunk enough, and don't need to drink anymore. If anything, they drink more...... sounds like I'm getting old, doesn't it? I can't help thinking that it's bad manners towards the party host, almost as if the revellers have received a better offer.

Yes, I'm definitely getting old.

And I'm having a quiet Monday at home. With the washing, housework and groceries that all have to be looked after because I had a lovely weekend away. Fabbo!

Enjoy your day everyone!

<3

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow.....

Good Morning All!

It's Saturday morning, and the day has dawned to a clear and mild day up here in Walnut Grove. It's the biggest day of the year for the locals today; it's the third annual Denman Food and Wine Affair. The main street is closed off to walkers only, with street stalls set up with all manners of foodstuffs and beverages to be tasted. And the pubs do a roaring trade as well. There's a jazz band, singers, and kiddie's amusements as well. But I won't be here to see it. More about that later.

The sunrise was evident, but not all that impressive when viewed from the inside of my car this morning. I had driven Beloved to work, and was waiting for Macdonalds to open so that I could reward myself for being a good wife with a chai tea and a hash brown. I'm definitely not in the shrinkingskinny witches club. It was Beloved's idea. He wanted me to pick him up 10L of his preferred fuel for the bikes while I was in town. I wasn't actually going into town.... his workyard is about 5ks outside of town, on our side... Oh well, I'll suffer a chai tea ....and a hash brown.... I'm like that; such a martyr...... And there was no fuel to be bought anyway.......snicker, snicker.....

It may not be too much longer before I don't have to perform this morning task. I am NOT a morning person. I go to bed too late at night to get up again just 4 to 6 hours later. We need money to pay the draughtsman and to have a few jobs finished on the house before we can approach the bank about re-financing the house for the extensions. After chat to my finace guru this week (who truly must be a finace guru, as she and her hubby have lots of lovely, romantic weekends away, a couple of trip overseas every year, drive flash cars, AND have a corporate box at the Newcastle Knights Stadium. And she has regular hair apoointments, manicures, pedicures, and always looks lovely), it was decided that we would borrow a few more thousand dollars..... hohum..... So I have an appointment with my Finance Wizard (who also looks lovely all of the time) at the credit union, who will lend me some of Her money, to turn it into Our money, so that she can wizard it into even more of Her money, so We can have some more Things! Such as a 1988 t0yota dual cab ute that one of Beloved's workmates is selling for around a grand. It's a bit long in the tooth, but desperately need a second car, and the bikes will fit neatly into the back. It has a 5-speed gearbox, which we need for Jack to learn to drive in a manual car, and the price is right... or near enough. No-one gives cars away, do they?

Some people in this world are fabulously good savers, and some people are fabulously good debt-payers; we fall into the latter category. My dad is in the former. We frustrate him enormously. He will wonder where the money came from when we turn up at his house in a few weeks with a "new" dual cab ute. It will give him something different to complain about... I suppose .... I never cease to amaze myself with the idiocy of our actions sometimes......

Vegeboy and I are off to Parbury Park in Swansea to play footie this morning. Game starts at 12.15 if you're interested in dropping in. This match was scheduled for last weekend, but was cancelled to due rain. Usually, post-poned games are played on a Sunday, but The Powers In Charge Of Newcastle Junior Schoolboys Rugby League decided to push all the fixtures back a week. Which buggers all our plans for the next few weeks. Today was supposed to be a home game, which would have been followed by a trip to Mayfield to Leah and Chad's engagement party, then we could have played at Swansea tomorrow. BUT........Beloved has to stay at home instead due to work committments. So does Scorpaboy. But GG and Tricky are coming to Leah and Chad's as well, so it will be fun. It would have been good to be all there as a family....

Oh well, the best laid plans of mice and men.... Now wouldn't it be different if a WOMAN was in charge ........

I've got to go, or we'll never get there.

GO THE MUSWELLBROOKRAMS!!!!!!!!!!

Have a good weekend y'all!!

Love, The Bloggmuggle ;0) xoxoxoxoxox

Out of the Blue...........Thanks to Our Poo

ermmm.... Hello..... I'd better blog......

For some unfathomable reason, anchellblue is nagging me to blog..... It's not easy; there's nothing, yet everythying to say. I've always been more of a listener than an initiator, which is probably why I spend more time reading, then muggling (a term we should also thank the afore-mentioned anchell for) comments on other people's blogs rather than actually writing on by own blogspot. Hmmmmmm............. What's in my head tonight?.......

1. What to call this post????????

In case any of you have noticed, almost all of my titles are song titles, or lyrics. So in keeping with this, today's has been named after the Delta Goodrem song, not in reference to The Poo (Mark Philopoussis), but Our Poo, Arty Farty Mary. (Whoo-hoo; I can see her typing furiously now!)

BTW, Mary; it's still a good name for your exhibition.

2. Should I repeat my previous instructions re the prevention of dehydration, diabetic coma and DVT??????

That's up to you folks. Let's see where this takes us. You can leave anytime you like.

3. What on earth can I talk about???????

Well, try this on;

As you may recall, our lot were participating in the "Relay for Life" last weekend. Vegeboy was a late withdrawal due to a hostile party takeover with his friends. Oh hang on; it wasn't really that hostile...... I dropped him off at midday on Saturday and was glad that I didn't have to worry about what he was up to while we were all camped out......... and walking, walking, walking....

I had been very busy as the usual taxi service, and didn't actually start walking until 4pm. I had to leave again at 6pm to take GG to her night out with the girls, and to pick up Beloved from work. Unfortunately, during the survivors lap and opening ceremony, there was a torrential downpour, and I mean WET WET WET!!!!! I was still at home, so I was very comfy, thank you very much. Unfortunately, quite a few went home. It's understandable really; immuno-compromised folk really shouldn't tempt fate. There were still a lot of folk there; around 550!

Once I returned, the laps around the showground began in earnest for Beloved and me. We had a core of walkers in our team; Ess and Gaz, Sharon and Shane, Beloved and me. Our kids walked as well, but not with the regularity of the rest. It was a huge effort for Sharon in particular, as she is still on a 29 week cycle of chemotherapy. We encouraged her to rest as much as possible, but this woman is truly inspiring. We walked for an hour at a time, around 5-6 laps each, for a distance of 1000m...each lap! Through the wee small hours, we were supposed to walk singly, so that other members could rest/sleep, but I just couldn't sleep, so I continued to partner whomever was walking for most of their turn. I've tried to estimate exactly how far I walked over the course of 16hours, but I just can't really fathom that I walked so far... somewhere between 30 and 50klm's. I wish we'd kept a record; next year we will.

In reality, it was just less painful to walk than it was to stop. I am a sloth by nature. I HATE exercising. But ask me to move around for something with a real purpose, then I'm your girl....... We were dreading the body breakdown on Monday..... Tuesday.... Wednesday...But surprisingly, it hasn't happened. I'm actually less sore than I would have thought, and certainly in less discomfort with my knees and hips than I was in the week leading up to the event. I was dreading the weekend as I had been taking prescription antinflammatories and ibuprofen over the last 2 weeks. But it's all good in that department!

The best part is, it is estimated that probably

One Hundred Thousand Dollars

has been raised for the NSW Cancer Council!!!!!!

It was amazing to be involved in such a positive thing. Being part of a group who are all working towards the same goal was one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. Even though Ess and Gaz will be continuing on their around Australia trip in January, we have decided that we will all do it again next year.

Let's Beat this Beast!!!!!!!!

To this end, we're also hosting "Australia"s Biggest Morning Tea" at work........

4. What else;

Unlucky stuff;

• My brother managed to write of my beautiful uncle's faithful ute last Saturday in the wet weather after aquaplaning in the wet. He was doing a favour for Dad's sister (for whom he has little regard for, but he's a good Christian, and a good son). The fence he ran into takes a regular battering, according to it's owner, and the power pole (that Glen managed to miss) had only been replaced during the week after someone took it on and lost.... He and Dad weren't hurt, and you'll be pleased to know that the sofa made it to it's destination on one piece.....
• GG's new Xmas/Graduation Laptop decided to take a career break, and the touchpad feels that it's been abused and would prefer she chased with a mouse instead. Luckily, it's under warranty, so won't cost to repair, but the pace of essays and assignments has picked up at uni this week, and she not only misses her computer; SHE NEEDS IT!
• ScorpaBoy has had his hours at IGA/Thriftylink reduced from 11 hrs to 5hrs this week...and he's NOT HAPPY! The management decided to give another kid 20hrs instead, as he's dropped out of school, and he needs a job....... what the? That'll teach Scorpaboy to stay at school and continue with his education.....

I think that'll do for tonight; it's 12.20am; I'd best be off to bed. I've work tomorrow!

GOODNIGHT, AND DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE!!!

;0) cyndy

oxoxoxoxxoxooxxo

If the rain don't fall too hard, everything shines like a postcard

Hello again!

You'll have to pretend it's tomorrow, as I just couldn't possibly have 2 posts in the same evening.........



You know how wet it's been on the coast? And how wet all the diggers and marchers got on ANZAC Day? Well, up here in Walnut Grove, there's been none. Zip. Nada. Nil. Well, maybe just some slightly thick mist......



But GG....... Well GG needs an ark for her bedroom at nanandpops... No joking. She woke up on Tuesday morning with water views. A bed over the water so to speak. And her window faces the wrong direction by about 180degrees. Actually, there was about 2 inches of water lapping under her bed......... so all the clothes, shoes, socks and papers on her floor are now soaking wet.... Her fab Nan and Pop have done their best to clean it out and dry it up, but the new carpet has what appears to be a waterproofed backing, so that most of the water is underneath the carpet, which was laid straight down over the concrete slab... plurgh.... so I guess, the carpet is floating too.....



GG used to step outside at night to hear the sound of the surf breaking on the beach. I reckon that now, if she turns the ceiling fan on flat out, she could create some fairly sizeable swell in her room.....Fun... Not.......

GG looking for treasures on the floor of her room....I kid you not; that is the colour of her carpet....

So, what has to be done is to remove all the furniture from the room. Then pull the carpet up, take it out and dry it off. If there is some dry and sunny weather, that is. Then try and stop the water coming in. We know where it came in, it's just going to be really hard to stop it. My mum and dad say that it's ground water caused by the bloke next door's love of concrete in his yard. About 40 metres north-east. Beloved and I tend to think that the problem originates from a downpipe on the corner of their house that goes into a clay pipe that is about 5 metres directly uphill from where the water enters GG's room. Given that the house was built about 44 yrs ago on the side of a hill, and trees have come and gone, along with a lot of earth movement, it isn't too much of a stretch to think that the pipe might be cracked or broken, so that in times of torrential rain, such as happened on Tuesday, then the pipe just might fail if it has to cope with all the roof water . If this is the case, which would be the simplest to remedy, then a rainwater tank could be put in place at the back of the house, and the run-off could be collected. Worse case scenario involves digging up large trenches in the front yard and in an existing lean-to (that has a concrete floor) and creating rubble drains...... If it was flooded as a result of excessive run-off from next door, then surely the front of dad's garage would have flooded as well. It has a small drain in front (I know, because we put it there), but if there was THAT much water from next door, then that's where it would have ended up. Bunnings was flooded too dad tells me........


I can't help thinking that if this is the case, then it might be cheaper and easier to find GG another abode. Which she doesn't want. Because as much as her pop is driving her insane, she loves being near her nan. She also has the emotional safety net of still living with family, and probably hasn't felt the wrench of moving out of home as much as some others have.


I feel as if I'm asking too much of my parents to ask them to cope with all this, but there really isn't another option. Beloved and I both have work committments, and we chose to participate in the relay for life in Muswellbrook this weekend as a show of support for Ester and Gaynor, who have both had parents battling cancer over the last year. And Sharon, a team member, who's been waging her own battle for quite some time now. I just don't think it would be the right thing to do to opt out so close to the event. Mum and Dad are coping, but it isn't going to be easy over the next few days, and that's just the clean-up and dry-out. I know the rectifying of the problem is going to cause them no end of grief. Because things like this, which in the big scheme of things really aren't all that bad, really upset their apple cart. Dad can never see a positive. He's a "the glass is half empty and going fast" kind of fella. And mum will pay the price of having to listen to him go on and on and on ....... Hmmmmm... She'll have to find her happy place.....

Yep... I think this picture says it all...

Well, we'll just have to see what happens. It's going to take a while.........

Love, Muggle :0D xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Do you have a little time?

Howdy Y'all!!!

Many apologies for my previous short novel.

• I promise that I will blog more often, and in less wordy manner.

• After all, I can't be held responsible for obesity due to snacking and milo-consumption whilst reading my blog.

• Nor do I want to claim responsibility for the collapse from exhaustion and dehydration for the same reason.

• Or the development of a diabetic coma

• And finally, I hate to think that reading one of my blogs resulted in one of my readers developing deep vein thrombosis

Or perhaps it would be better to check out my blog with a packet of rice crackers, a bottle of water, a few glucose-rich jelly beans or babies, and some TED stockings, making sure to wriggle your toes, lift your knees, and roll you ankles in lazy circles..............

Love, The Blogmuggle ;0)

Fool's Overture... or.. You took the words right out of my mouth.....

Hi all!

Since it's been so long, I'll just fill in a few blanks for you all. Get comfy, and help yourself to a drink and a snack; we could be here for a while.

The school holidays have just flown by. GG came home the Thursday evening after my last post, just in time to scam some late birthday drinks from Beloved and I, who were at the local pub's restaurant, belatedly celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary, which was the day before (April 11). A very excited (and a little embarrassed), GG shared with us the newest joy of her life; the "inkage" on her chest. We knew it was happening, and she'd had it done that morning, before she drove up. My camera's out of action; it won't load piccies on the computer, so I had to steal some from GG's Myspace photo album for you to see.





This is what the actual tattoo is based on. It's a dove, which is a logo of GG's favourite band, "Thursday".






As you can see, She has two, placed symmetrically on either side of her chest, just underneath her collarbones. They are plain blue ink. She absolutely adores them.


The other reason I was lax in my blogging was that we had planned a bit of a surprise party for GG's 18th birthday, which we held on on Saturday the 14th. Loose lips sink ships, so I had quite a job to keep it quiet whilst letting her friends know what was going on. And then there was the shopping and food prep. I kept it all very simple, especially given the fact that we only have a BBQ with a hood to cook on; no hotplates, no oven. Her lovely boyfriend, Tricky, and friend Kimmy, were invaluable in the organisation of attendees, but Vegeboy reckons it's still weird that I was SMS-ing and calling her friends. I worked until 1pm on Saturday, took Vegeboy to a friend's for the night, had friends call in on their way back from Mudgee, and the builder call around to discuss the additions, all between work and when the party was due to start, at 7.30....... GG had spent the Friday night with Tricky and his family, and was supposed to be home for dinner at 6.30 for dinner so that she had eaten before it all started, and as an excuse to make her and Tricky come home. She was late a usual. She thought that they were going out after tea. .... but.....

She was surprised when people that turned up a bit later, blowing party horns and popping streamers upon their arrival, screaming out "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLY!!!!!!!". She had been a bit suspicious that our yard and BBQ area were so tidy, with a large bonfire area and log seating area set up in the backyard. She had a great night;






That is 2 Smirnoff "Double Black" vodkas that she is sucking through the pipe. I think she restrained herself for the evening due to our presence. Guests came and went through the course of the evening, and a quite a few were exceptionally merry fairly early in the evening. I think that this is due mainly to;

1. the fact that the drinks that are consumed have a very high alcohol content


2. the drinks go down as quick as soft drink


3. they can consume a large number of drinks in a very short time, and have no idea of pacing themselves so that they can party for a longer period of time


4. they love to play drinking games


5. they can vomit very easily, and get back to the serious business of drinking some more.

There wasn't a lot of late-night partying though; most of the party-goers had left by about midnight, with just a core of 8 left to sleep off the party. It was a good night, with only a couple of tearful girls who needed their hair held back at various times.. The plainative call was heard;

"Have you got a hairband, Mrs K?", "Where do we empty the bucket?"

Beloved went to bed at 11 as he and Scorpaboy were off to Moonbi to ride bikes at 6am. I had a few interesting conversations around the bonfire until about 3am, when I headed off to bed for a couple of hours.

Sunday was quiet, except for a planned drop-in by my brother and his wife in the afternoon. They were meeting Lisa's parent's from Mudgee, who had been wonderful and had enjoyed the company of their grandchildren for a few days. GG, Tricky, and friend, Anthony Brown went to the movies at Singleton. Monday was quiet. Tuesday was Beloved's birthday, and GG went home to Newcastle :o( . I worked Tuesday and Wednesday, then on Wednesday evening, Beloved and I took Scorpaboy to Newcastle so he could have a few days of riding in Sydney with a friend from Warners Bay. It was a bit of an adventure for the two of them, as they didn't have an adult with them, but were under the watchful eyes of the park owner, Dave. Dave and his family has been wonderfully hospitable, and lets the boys stay in a caravan, rent-free. They also feed them breakfast every day. Earlier in the week, we had a few bike-related surprises. The day before Beloved's birthday, Paul, the bike supplier who sponsors Scorpaboy, had sent a "Scorpa" riding jumper for Beloved as a gift. We were very surprised. I kept until his birthday. He loved it. Then on Tuesday, two brand new bike tyres arrived in the post, without any indication of their origin. It took a bit of ringing around, but it turned out that 2 friends who had been very impressed with the way that Scorpaboy had been riding had chipped in together and bought the tyres for him. Amazing, isn't it how generous people can be...... Patto lives in near Tamworth, and he rang the Tarp, who lives at the Central Coast and is a bike supplier for another company, "Montesa", (I'll give them a plug) and organised for Tarp to send them up. Beloved used to ride a Montesa, so we used to buy quite a bit of gear from Tarp, but when the Scorpa sponsorship came up, he sold his Montesa. He's been feeling guilty ever since, and now we are very abashed, but extremely grateful. We were given a few hundred dollars worth of bike gear last week..........

This Scorpaboy and his sponsor, Paul, manager of "The HellTeam", Australia at Pacific Park last year, with Jack's 1st new bike.

The football season is on again, and twice-weekly training is back! Saturday saw us in Muswellbrook for a home game against Waratah-Mayfield, which the boys won, 32 - 12; go the Rams!!! Then it was off to Newcastle to attend my best friend's younger daughter's 21st birthday. Scorpaboy was dropped off at nanandpop's where we were staying, and then it was off to Nord's Wharf. The parties there are always a fabulous, fun and family night. It felt a little different now that Janina's parent's have both passed away. I'm sure I could feel the Alice (Janina's mum) there though. Beloved was hoping to go for a bike ride, so I went back for Brekkie on the Deckkie on Sunday morning, and arrived back at nanandpop's at lunch time. He didn't get his ride, but GG and I went to Garden City for a haircut while Scorpaboy went to JB HiFi. We met up at his parent's at Elermore Vale, and GG went home ;0( , whilst we travelled back up the New England Highway to arrive home just after dinner time. We ran into some friends who had travelled from Tamworth to "Steamfest" at Maitland at the "Baker's Cottage". A quick catch-up in the carpark followed.

A litttle look at Denman, AKA "Walnut Grove" very early on a Autumn morning about 2 years ago. The Mountains are wrapped in fog. They are more like overgrown hills than mountains....

I don't have to work until THURSDAY!!!!!! I'm looking forward to ANZAC DAY. I love the Dawn Service. It is so emotional and evocative. The Last Post brings me undone every time. I'm frequently known to become teary through the national anthem..... The boys will march with the school in Muswellbrook, then again at Denman. It is right that we preserve these memories. I don't do the pub and club thing, but it is a day that brings people together. I used to travel around Newcastle with the pipe bands and dance in quite a few of the RSL clubs when I was younger. My dad has always been a staunch supporter of the RSL club and Anzac Day, never missing Dawn Service, but oddly, he never asked nor encouraged me to go with him, but practically bludgeoned my brother into going with him. But Dad has always been incredibly old-fashioned and sexist in his approach. When I moved out of home to live on my own the week after I turned 21, he was following me back and forwards to the car, not carrying anything to help, but telling me over and over that "girls can't leave home until they are married" and "good girls stay at home". Bad, un-married girl, was I..............

I am to work Thursday and Friday, and Saturday morning I will drive down to Swansea for football. Beloved will probably work. We have to be home by 2.00pm as we are participating tin the "Relay For Life" at Muswellbrook Showground until 10am on Sunday Morning. The whole family is camping overnight. We are in a team with friends from the caravan park, and another family. GG is travelling up on Friday night (to party of course), and will be in attendance off and on over the course of the proceedings. It should be fun. Beloved has to work again on Sunday as well. Yegods, he will be tired.

The following weekend Vegeboy plays football at home, then we head to Newie again for my Godaughter's long-awaited engagement party. She's sooo excited, and has planned it down to the last detail. She is Janina's elder daughter, and it will be the first party not to be held at Janina's house, as Leah and Chad wanted to have it at their home in Mayfield. Our lovely Lil was born aged 25, I think. She was my first Godchild. Next was Lisa's Joshua, then my cousins' son, Zachary. I have let the boy's down I think; I have been very involved in Leah's life, but then again, we had so much time together before I met Beloved, and Beloved and I moved away from Newcastle. She was a very fetching co-flowergirl (aged 5) at our wedding, accompanied by Beloved's niece and Godaughter, Abby (also aged 5). I have moved in and out of Lisa's life, but I have probably seen more of her as an adult than I have seen my cousin, Ally. Ally and I were raised together as children. As she was an only child, and we practically lived together, I think I was more like an older sister to her than cousin. She had a bit of a hard life, and I think that I was one of the few positive constants. Both Janina and Lisa, together with my mum, minded my babies while I was at work; I couldn't have asked for more wonderful "Mum's" to love and care for my babies when I wasn't there for them.

Goodness; I've become sidetracked, haven't I??????

Another trip to Newcastle for footie on the May12, but only as far as Cessnock on that occassion. The weekend after that on May 19, we will play footie in Muswellbrook on the Saturday, followed by a BBQ at Beloved's workplace, but then we will head down to Canberra for Mototrials on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday. I'm going with the boys on this occassion as we will stay with Beloved's sister (Sis 1) in Canberra. I haven't seen her newly renovated home, and I love the way she makes a home feel. She had a home in Wickham, which she sold for the Canberra move, which was absolutely divine. She just oozes style, but does it in a way that makes me feel comfortable, rather than making me feel insignificant, which Beloved's other sister manages to do. Sis 1 came with us into the labour-room when Scorpaboy was born, which is a measure of our regard for her. She is warm, funny and smart. I love her to death. I think it will help to have 2 drivers on this trip as well.......

Phew! That's as far as the calendar goes... so far... I don't want to look any further ahead...... So, about making/manifesting some time to come to The Cottage girls...........

I think I need a cup of tea...... no, I think I'll have a Milo instead.....

While you're waiting........

Here's some more pictures of the Pete and Nyrie's farm at Moonbi, where we went camping/riding a few weeks ago..........

Our car and trailer; almost sunset.....

A bit later on.........

Believe it or not, this windmill works!

That Milo didn't last long enough. I think I need another one. With a biscuit. Or two.

So I think it's time I said goodnight!

Stay safe, and be happy!

Love, the (now typed-out) Blogmuggle <3,>

Born to be alive.......

Yes Bloggers, I am still alive, but I have been very slack on the posting side of things. It's very late, but I thought that I'd share this little joke with you.

What do you get when you cross a potato with a penis?

A Dictator........

Well, I thought it was funny anyway.....Thanks to Vicki for sharing it with me.

I promise I will post in the morning. I'm off to bed.

Goodnight xoxoxoxo

G'Day, G'Day; How'yre Going.....

Holy Cow! It's been quite a while since my last post. I must have been overwhelmed.......


Not really. Just busy, and probably not feeling creative. I must have expended all my blogging energy on GG....... By the way, thank you to all for the lovely comments. GG has certainly been investing a lot of time and money in her newly legal adult status, enjoying the ambience of many of the watering holes in the Newcastle area. And has finally discovered the joys of the public transport system. Well, you can't drink and drive, can you????



We had lunch with family at Cardiff RSL for GG's birthday; quite a feed, I can tell you. I can recommend this place to all. There's plenty even for the non-carnivores among us.



That evening, an incredibly sore neck and head decended upon me. I had very little sleep that night, and didn't go to work on Tuesday. It must have been a virus; I slept off and on all day, and had a mild fever as well. Back to life as usual on Wednesday.




Easter was good. My brother and his family arrived on Good Friday, and we went off picniccing and motorbiking (of course). They travelled off to Mudgee to my sister-in-law's parents in Mudgee on Saturday. It was wonderful to spend some unhurried time with them, and the kids are soooo lovely.



Sunday and Monday were "Work in the Yard" days. Finally, the yard looks less like its been abandoned. The GINORMOUS cactus that I had tried removing is gone, but it will be an on-going battle to remove the babies that will pop up.



Lucky me worked on Monday evening, and again all day yesterday. I'm off to work again, so I'd best be off. More later....... yes, I know..... It's ever so exciting..... yawn......



Love, Muggle :0)

My Eloise is like the stars that please the night, the sun that makes the day......

For my GG.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

You are 18.

An Adult.

The World is Yours.

Catch it and hold it in your hand.

Dreams your dreams and follow them.

Be Strong.

Be Brave.

Be Joyous.

Be Kind and Compassionate.

Be Courageous.

Be Honest.

Sing.

Laugh.

Be Happy.

Cry.

Be Sad.

Love.

Be Loved.

Choose.

Be ...whatever you want.........

Yourself.

Live your life.

<3>

Have a wonderful day my lovely.

All my love always,

Mum

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I love you just the way you are......

Hi All,

This came to me as an email. As I don't have email addresses for many of you, I thought I'd pass it along this way. I suppose that it's a cheater's way of blogging, but I just wanted to share the sentiment with as many as possible!

Imperfections---

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course , the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house".
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house. Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding".
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
And send this to any or all of your Cracked Pot friends... don't forget the Cracked Pot that sent it to you!

Love to all,

Blogmuggle ;0)

What is......campdrafting???

I'm a city slicker who lives in the country, so when someone asks me about rural and country past-times, hobbies and sport, I have to fess up and and say...I really don't know too much. Especially about horses. I was asked about campdrafting, so I thoughty I'd expand on my own knowledge, so I googled it, and this is what I found.....


Where and when campdrafting started in Australia seems unclear. The more research I do the less clear it becomes. It appears that the time was between 1880 and 1890. One thing we know for sure is this great horse sport was made in Australia. Horses, drovers and stockmen played a huge part in the opening up of this young country and the inevitable competition over who had the best horse and who was the best rider would have been the reason for a more serious and formal contest to evolve.
The very basic idea of campdrafting is when one mounted rider moves into a small yard, called a camp, and selects one beast from a small mob of cattle. He or she then proceeds to move the beast towards the camp opening - which is blocked by either men on horses or two gates with men holding them shut. The mounted rider blocks and turns his beast several times across the face of the camp (the single beast tries his hardest to get past the rider and back into the mob). When the rider feels he has shown the Judge enough of his horse's ability to hold the beast clear of the mob, he calls for the gates to be opened so he can take his beast out into a much larger area to complete a course. The course consists of two pegs (usually small trees) set apart, one on the left and one on the right, directly out from the front of the camp. Some distance out from the two pegs are two more - but this time they are set much closer together and represent the gate. The judge declares at the beginning of the contest if the course is left hand or right hand. If a right hand course is set it means you must complete a circle around the peg on the right hand side first, changeover in the middle and complete a circle around the left peg, then drive the beast out behind the gate - and push it through the gap. This represents a full course.
In early times there were no yards and no pegs. As the sport evolved and more and more horsemen and women participated more rules were needed to clarify different situations. Each competitor is allowed the same time in which to attempt to complete his/her run. The scoring is out of 100 points. The camp section carries a maximum of 26 points, the course, a maximum of 4 points and a further 70 points can be allocated for horsework. The competitor with the highest score wins the contest.

I hope this makes it clearer. Now I know as well!

Love, Muggle. ;0)

High on a hill was a lonely goatherd,Yodel-ay-ee, Yodel-ay-ee, Yodel--oo

Merry Tuesday to all!

It is cool, and overcast here today. Absolutely lovely. I am actually wearing trackpants and a jumper, which is a complete contrast to the hot and steamy conditions we endured on Friday and Saturday. Hooray!!

Get comfortable, and come for a ride with me............

The regional show was, as expected, a disappointment, and waste of money. It was $20 to walk through the gate, look at all the rides in sideshow alley, and a small number of entries in the art and craft show. There was a guy who drove around the arena a couple of times in his very loud 1965 Ford Mustang racer, creating a lot of dust and disturbing the horses penned in the centre. There was no campdrafting or events in the arena, no rodeo. The promised circus act must have finished before we arrived, and the Battle of the Bands was on it's last legs. At least the crowds were thin. The rides were expensive; one was $15 a turn, but hey, if you could have a second go for another $10! We payed $3 each for a bottle of water that you could buy at the supermarket for about $2. There were some rather impressive fireworks; very ooh and ahh. And kids were supplied with 3-D glasses to watch for FREE!..... Ahem......

The weekend away almost didn't happen. Beloved had given me a trailer tyre that had gone down to take into the repairer on Friday. Well, I forgot, didn't I. At least until I opened the boot at 4pm.... Zoom...Off to the tyre shop with an extremely apologetic demeanour.... "I need it today, sorry"........ "No worries. What name?". I picked up Beloved, then we picked up the tyre at 5pm, shopped, then zoomed home to pack before The Show. Beloved installed(?) the repaired tyre. 5am Saturday, Beloved and I arose to finish packing, then head off. Except the 'repaired' tyre was flat. As a tack. Completely. Deep breaths...The boys had another hours sleep......breakfast at home. Saved us about $30 I suppose..... The tyre shop opened at 7.30, and we were there as they opened the doors. Half an hour later we were off!!!!

There has been rain in our part of the world. Everything is surprisingly green. It's been dusty and brown/yellow for so long. The New England Tablelands actually looks like.............. New England!

Two and a half hours after leaving Muswellbrook..........................

Here's a view..............

I just wanted to break into a chorus of "Edelweiss" when drove out of the bushy drive and into this open valley.........

Here are some locals.....As well as these there were some geese, 2 turkeys, a peacock and two peahens(lucky fella), mother hen and her 11 chickens, 2 roosters, boer goats and demarra sheep, who decided that there was gold in them thar hills, and probably some peace and quiet too.... 5 dogs in total; Old black pigging dog, Banjo; stumpy-tail red cattle dog, Bundy; Wolfhounds, Cloudy and Lucy, and last but not least, Great Dane, Rosy......Phew.....and.....

Rodney, the only resident in the former piggery... slept for just about the entire weekend........what a big, smelly boy he is!!!!!!!..............

Here's Pap, the trotting professional who was too good, and ended up with a trotting rig in the belly from a fierce "competitor". He must be in trotter-nirvana now...........

A horse's eye view of the old piggery...... there used be 400 residents.......

Banjo; this girl is a retired champion barrel horse (retired..can you see a pattern here?). She has loads of attutide, and was quite happy to be in my face......... In the background are Susie, the black mare, who is 30years young, and Bianca, aka the white mare, who is overdue to foal, but refused to let us in on the act.........

Beloved and the wolfhounds, Cloudy and Lucy; the most gentle and sensitive dogs imaginable..... Our Clover loved the farm, but was very protective of us..and the piggery...and the barbeque..I think it's because she's still a bit insecure... everwhere she goes is her home, as long as she's with us. She thought nothing of taking on these enormous dogs, especially Rosy, the great dane, and even had a stoush with a visiting labrador... She had them bluffed; they all walked around her. It's an unusual trait in a boxer. We'll really have to be careful with her now that we know this.

Surprise!..... Civilisation at a Mototrials event! Believe me, people; this is a rare sighting indeed! Catering for this weekend was fabulous. Nyrie and Pete and amazing hosts.........

Quite a few riders turned up for the weekend, but it's a male-dominated past-time. It's so good to see so many fathers and sons, and a few daughters as well, have a great time together. Even though I whinge about it, it's a good, healthy sport for a family to be involved in, and most of the people you meet are good souls...... some can be more......interesting........ than others........but you get that everywhere.

Wives and mothers fall into two categories;

the always onlookers, who are passionately supportive and encouraging (add as obsessive as their husbands/sons here), running around with drinks and nourishment in the bush all day, cheering every section,

or like me, grudgingly attentive when necessary. This means that you do your own thing, read, bush walk when wanting to, chatting when and with whom one desires, and occassionally finding where the riders are, and watching a few sections. That's not to say I'm not appreciative of the skill involved in the sport; I get quite impressed at times, but I've just been involved too long, since my own childhood, actually, and as I've said before, I'm the queen of apathy.

One dad bought along a guitar, and spent a few hours with the boys on Saturday night, playing tunes and giving advice.

Thankfully, it rained on Saturday night, so Sunday was a lot cooler, and it started to blow a gale on Sunday evening; the wind just whistled up the valley! Everyone had a good time, and it was with regret that the packing up had to be done on Sunday afternoon. Such regret in fact, that Beloved called work and requested a flexiday for Monday...the boys happily missed a day of school.... I wasn't rostered on anyway.....

A lot of folk camped or slept in the newly-civilised and re-furbished piggery, but Beloved and I slept in the house in a lovely bedroom with a lovely bed, and the boys slept in the original cottage. We were more comfy than most, I'd say. Hot showers, a real toilet, running water, good tea and coffee... it's almost enough to make me keen again....almost.... I know that this weekend was a dream event, really..........

And the highlight of the weekend? Pete assembling his massage table after we'd cleaned up on Monday....... He and Nyrie are regulars on the rodeo circuit, with their table and coffee van, easing away the aches and pain of the cowboys...... First, He worked on Nyrie, and then had Rhys on the table. That was funny; he's rather loud, my vegeboy......Nyrie is a Reiki master, and then Pete favoured me with some Shiatsu...... or somethjing along those lines. He started wityh my calves, and worked his way up. Aha, no pain there..... feeling good... into the sacral area and buttocks...sore, but not too bad... then.....HELP...my neck and shoulders... You know thaty song by the Divynils "THERE'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN PLEASURE AND PAIN"............ Oh, Yeah...... Holy cow...... but it feels soooooo much better now....... I can move so much more freely..... even in my hips and groin, and I needed to arrange some Bowen Therapy for this. But not just yet, now. Crunch, crunch, crunch, goes my back..........and then.."that's enough", says Pete.... Aww Geee....says me........

Homeward bound, we were after that.......

Unpacked the car, started the washing machine, cooked some tea. Read some blogs in between hanging out loads of washing. Then I showered (it was cold!!!! Brrrrr!) and headed off to bed. Today, the clothesline is full, I've run out of pegs, and there's still a load or two to go... Gee; I'm so pleased that I washed on Thursday......Plurgh......

Today, I have been working off and on on this post; the photos have been difficult and tiresome to load; blogger just doesn't seem to love me today, never going where I want them too, and have houseworked in between. I really have to go. Reluctantly. Centrelink calls, as do groceries, parent teacher interviews for Vegeboy, and football training. So, I guess I'd better finish. I'll post more piccies later...including some motorbike shots so you know that I really was there.......

Just one more thing........

How can I get Pete and Nyrie to run EVERY TRIAL?????????

Hooroo for Now!

xoxoxoxoxoxox

It's good news week.......

HERE'S A QUICK ROUND-UP OF THE BLOGMUGGLE WEEK

• SUNDAY; Beloved, Scorpaboy, Vegeboy and I travel to Newcastle, sns motobikes for a change, to help celebrate Uncle's 70th birthday lunch. The boys travel home after wards while I stay with GG to bring her car home for Beloved to fix this week. GG and I see not 1, but 2 movies at Glendale on Sunday night; "Razzle Dazzle" and "Music and Lyrics". We had a fun, chiccy night out.
• MONDAY; GG and I go to Uni. While She attends lectures, I enquire about re-enrolling for my Bachelor of Nursing later this year, then visit Boyfreind Tricky, who lives in a nice little unit (with 4 others) on campus. We drive back to Gateshead to pick up parts for her car, then head up to Charlestown Square to eat and peruse things we can't afford. We drop-in on the lovely Lisa, who is always gracious when we drop in, then GG headed back to lectures, and I headed up the highway, grocery shopped at Muswellbrook, then arrived home in time to cook tea at about 6.30pm.
• TUESDAY; Work as usual, then into the Brook for VB's footy training. The numbers have swelled to 17, so the guys are off and running...literally. "Oh, and by the way, mums and dads; bring all the boots and stuff to training on Thursday, as the representative selectors will be here. First game is against Scone at 5.15"....... These kids have never played together...and VB's boots are too small...by Thursday afternoon...puhleeeease.....
• WEDNESDAY; Start work early and work through lunch so I can leave work at 3 to pick up VB from school, drive to Maitland to buy some footy boots and meet GG who is being driven up by the Grandies after work. It was a good plan....until...... a massive storm hit halfway between Muswellbrook and Singleton. Cars were lined up all along the roadside until there was a break in the weather. I didn't get too much farther along until I had to pull over again. Waiting....Waiting..... It cleared again, so away we went..... until the car started to aquaplane a little too often for my comfort. So we stopped again. It was becoming obvious that we wouldn't make the shops at Maitland. VB suggested that we shop at Singleton instead. Clever boy. It took us about 50 minutes for what is usually a 30 minute drive. And I purchased a great pair of boots for $49.95! I had time, so I called in on a friend ( yes, I am a serial dropper-inner) at Louth Park that I hadn't seen in a while, and we chatted solid for the 40minutes that I had........ It was an unexpected bonus! I met with GG and the Grandies at Macca's East Maitland,and then headed off home, via Hungry Jacks for what was loosely described as dinner (YUK!!!), then into Muswellbrook so GG could catch up with her friend who was celebrating her 18th birthday. Salutations and gift were/was exchanged in a dark RSL carpark..... Home by about 9.30pm...bed by 11.30, I think.
• THURSDAY; The day started with a nice little drive to take Beloved to work. Plurgh on GG for going home in HER car today..... Work, (another no-luncher) then into town; bank, no mobile phone battery, buy drinks and cakes so that I had change to use a public phone (why else...), then met Beloved and we did the absentee vote thing for Saturday. Then it was off the watch the rep footy trials. Our boys were hammered in two games... absolutely.... They'll need to pull their socks up on the 31st..... VB's new boots lookes pretty schmick, though. Home just before 8pm... a stunning dinner of 2 minute noodles for all..... and then 4 laods of washing... There was a dang tissue..in the darks... of course....
• TODAY... FRIDAY; I started with a lovely drive into town at 5.45am.... read some blogs.. now I'm blogging. I have to hang more washing out, have a shower and then head off to work. This evening is the Upper Hunter Regional Show on Muswellbrook..I hate these boring events... They're a waste of my hard earned money. I'd rather buy 10l of "Blue Ridge" paint for the outside of the house.... But the boys want to go. Then it's home to pack, as we're heading off for a "family weekend" of motorbiking in the foothills of the Moonbi's, up the road from Tamworth tomorrrow. Beloved is determined that we will all spend time together; it just always seems to be that we do it with a couple of them on motorbikes while the others wander around the bush, occasionally seeing the ones on wheels...... There are some lovely people hosting this trip; Pete and Nyrie have been desperate for me to come up and see there spread... I'm just over the motorbike thing. I'll go, and will probably have a good time anyway. If the return to uni happens, then I won't be going anywhere too often.

Is all this why I'm as tired as everyone else?????

Anyway all, I've got to go. Have a good weekend. I'm GOING to....

Love, Muggle ;)