Sooo Lucky!

Hi all!
Rob and I had friends over on Saturday afternoon. I'd met Brett once, though Rob has known him for a while. Neither of us had met his wife Jo or their little boy Lachlan (2). She turned out to be a delightful young woman and their son is a joy. Jo is expecting their second child in February.

In our outside entertainment area are two glass top dining tables and chairs, which see quite a bit of use. We sat there eating nibblies and drinking coffee or cold water and chatting for a couple of hours. It was lovely getting to know them better and swapping stories of family etc. Lachlan finally gave in and curled up on his mum's lap and went to sleep.

I moved away from the table to get something and, as I turned around, the table at which we were actually sitting, disintergrated! If you've ever seen a car windscreen shatter, then you should be able to picture it. Everything that was on the table fell through into the gap and a large pitcher of water, the dome of my cheese tray and a couple of other things, smashed too. Needless to say, Lachlan didn't stay asleep! I was pretty glad that Jo wasn't closer to full term too!

Not one of us had a scratch - which was unbelievable. It took us ages to sweep up and dispose of all the glass. Neither Rob nor myself could remember when we purchased the setting, but we knew where it came from. I was begining to think that we would have to go through an insurance claim. Once our friends had left about an hour or so later, I started looking for the purchase docket...I tend to keep receipts ...and I found it!

Now this is the second piece of good luck - Rob gave it to me for my birthday last year and we were two days inside the 12mths warranty period!

We rang the store the next day and they told us to take it back in for a refund. Karl (son) came around with his ute and then we all went to return it. We chose a smaller 4 place setting, in a really nice design, as a replacement...ideal for breakfast or intimate dinners. We also came away with cash in hand for the difference in price.
When we went to the customer service counter, the lass there told us that her manager had instructed them to put the setting out to be trashed! There were six perfectly good chairs and the table frame. She said it was a waste and he said that no one would be bothered replacing the glass. She told him that she would, and she ended up with the set! So, apart from the fright it gave us, we all ended up winning.

Never a dull moment at our place!

Vickie.

In the Navy!

On Sunday, Rob, Brook and myself started out on 'Brook's Big Adventure!'
We were on the road to Townsville (423kms south of Gordonvale) by 10.30am. We stopped for lunch at Cardwell (about the half way mark) and sat at a picnic table right on the edge of the beach. It was lovely just being out of the car for a while. We'd had a going away bbq on Saturday night so there was quite a bit of left over food which we'd packed for lunch. Brook slept most of the way after that, because after the family get together, she'd gone to her girlfriends place. A bunch of their friends from Innisfail (about an hour south of G'vale) had gathered there for a farewell party and they made sure that she didn't get any sleep.

We booked into a hotel in Townsville, which was just a short walk (uphill) from the Recruiting Office, where she had to present on Monday morning. Once we settled in, we went on a very long walk to find somewhere to eat.
Townsville on a Sunday is the most boring place on Earth! We ended up having hot dogs at the Great Australian Ice Creamery. Not even the pubs were open (unlike Cairns). Cafes and restaurants are closed - obviously the misguided tourists who visit there don't get hungry. Apparently there is a strip with eateries, but it was too far for us to walk. Brook ended up sleeping from the time we got back to the hotel (about 5.30pm) until 6.15 the next morning! Rob and I ate at the small restaurant in the hotel. To say that it was forgettable would be an understatement. We were both pretty grateful to get to bed.

After breakfast on Monday, we headed to the Recruitment Office for Brook's induction into the Navy. As I said previously, it was only a short walk, but Brook had been sensible enough to by a large duffle bag with a trolly built in. Just as well, because, even after we had cut her packing to the minimum, it still weighed a ton and she had to pull it up the hill. We were there at 9am and she completed her paper work, had a final blood test and made contact with some of the other enlistees. We then left her there for a briefing. We went for yet another walk. Honestly, we were lucky to find a book shop to occupy us for the next hour. It was a relief when she rang us to say that the ceremony would be starting shortly!

There were 7 recruits for the Navy and 2 for the Army. We, including the other families, gathered together in a meeting room, complete with a coffee machine, which had a life of it's own. It broke the ice and we got on like a house on fire with lots of laughs. Brook has already palled up with a lass from Mareeba (an hours drive from Gordonvale). This woman is probably in her early 30s and is going in as a Submariner. One other man, also in his 30s, was joining up as a Linguistic Cryptologist and he'd been accepted withing 2months of his application. The other recruits all appeared to be around Brook's age. I was glad that Brook's new friend was a mature woman, she will be able to give her motivation when training gets really tough. For the next 11 weeks we won't be able to have a lot of contact, but the Officers made it clear that Mail Call was really important to the trainees, so I'll be writing regularly.

The Ceremony started and the recruits received laminated certificates of their enlistments, which were for the families. I thought that was a lovely idea. Then the 2 Army recruits were inducted. After that the Navy guys took the oath or affirmation. Once that was over we had a few minutes for photos and then we went down to the front of the building, where the bus was waiting to take them to the airport. We had a few moments for hugs and kisses and then they were off. The Navy recruits flew to Brisbane first and then to Melbourne where they would be transported to HMAS Cerberus which is the training base. The Army recruits were to fly to Sydney and then from there to their base at Kapooka.

Rob and I went back to our hotel to pick up our luggage and the car. We got out of Townsville as fast as we could. Unfortunately there were a lot of road works on the way home, so it took us longer than we would have liked. We left at 12.30pm and reached home at 4.45pm. We have to thank Deena (daughter) for looking after the dogs while we were away. They were really pleased to see us but I suspect they are going to miss Brook, but not more than we will.

It's been lovely having had this last 20mths with Brook, I feel privilaged that she wanted to spend her time here, with us and the rest of the family. We've seen her graduate from high school, work hard at a permenant job and now make a move into the world in a career in the Australian Defence Force. We are proud of her...what ever she does.

Vickie.

Life Goes On!

Hi All!

Time for another update on life in the Far North of Queensland:

Winter here is the best time of the year. We could do with some rain, but I'm not complaining too much.
The garden is going great guns and we have a constant supply of lettuce, tomatoes, button squash, zuchini and, shortly, celery. The beetroot is about ready to pull too.

I made Jaboticaba Jelly (jam) on Sunday. We have a tree in our bush garden and it was loaded with fruit, so rather than keep giving surplus fruit away, I found a recipe and got to work. It's really delicious and makes toast rather special.

My granddaughter Brook is staying with us again. She's still working at the Caltex Service Station across the road and her shifts start at 4am and finish at 1pm. We didn't like the idea of her riding her bike to work at that time in the morning, so she's moved back in. So I'm back cooking and washing for 3 again.

Two weeks ago Gordonvale (where we live) held the annual Great Pyramid Race. Walsh's Pyramid is the largest free standing mountain in the world. It's weird - it just stands there without being part of the surrounding mountain ranges. The race has been held for the last 49yrs and now attracts runners from all over the world, not just locals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walsh's_Pyramid will give you some idea of what the challenge is like.
Here are the winners of the various sections and the times they ran. http://www.pyramidrace.com.au/a_information.htm
I wouldn't even make it 1/2 way...even if I was on all fours!

Brook, on the other hand, climbed the Pyramid at 8am on the morning of the race. She's a member of the State Emergency Service and they volunteer, each year, to man water stops and first aid stations on the mountain. The water barrels are dropped off by helicopter but this year, instead of the chopper picking them up after the race, they had to be carried out on foot. (The chopper had to leave to transport a very sick child to hospital.) On the way down, Brook got a radio message that one of the other women had hurt her ankle. It turned out that it was fractured in two places. It was in an area where the helicopter would have been unable to land, so they had to put into practice what they were trained for and carry her out on a stretcher. The way down is treacherous and in places they had to lower the stretcher with ropes. It was 11pm by the time they made it off the mountain. It must have been an nightmare doing that decent in the dark! I know Brook was footsore the next day - though I might add that some of that may have been due to the fact that ,she and some friends, went clubbing at midnight! Oh to be 19 again!

Brook and Rob have set up the gym gear, that my son Karl, had left to clutter up our garage. Rob has lost a lot of weight lately, due to the fact that he walks quite a long way from where he parks the car. He also walks at lunch time. Now he needs to tone up. Brook on the other hand, needs to loose about 10kgs, so they have set goals and are trying to work towards them. My challenge at the moment, is to give up smoking...yet again!

Our good friends Cameron and Linda are getting married on Oct. 24th and have invited us to the wedding. It's going to be in Sydney. We can't afford both of us to go, so Rob will be going down for 4days and staying with one of our favourite people, Gavin. Gav's place is close to a railway station and will give Rob easy access go the places he has to go. It will give Rob a chance to see his father too. He's not seen him since we moved here in January 2005.

I'm going to be on the GoldCoast in January next year. I'm going down with my daughter Deena and her partner David, Karl, Jodie and their 2 boys. It's my eldest Granddaughter's 21st birthday and a chance for me to see her and her sister again. I've not seen them since 1998 so I'm looking forward to it. Rob is staying home to babysit the dogs. I bet he spends most of that time playing Halo 3 online!

Time for me to go hang out the laundry!
Catch you next time.

Vickie.

Tightening the Belt.

Hi All!

How are you all travelling with the financial problems that most of our countries are facing?

I don't know about you, but the increase in interest rates have hit us where it hurts. Our repayments have doubled over the last 6mths and on our income, that's not comfortable. I'd absolutely hate to be in the shoes of a new home buyer now. The obvious decline in home buying makes me wonder where people are going to live. Sure there are houses for rent but the cost of renting is horrendous! Average rental for this area, seems to be about $320 pw. Units (apartments) are renting for $250 upwards...depending if you have a view or not...oh and that's unfurnished.

Rob and I might bitch about repayments etc, but I honestly think we are soooo lucky. We may be stuck with the interest on our loan, but, as I said last post, we were able to buy all the materials for our renovations before prices skyrocketed. Speaking of renovations, we have now finished nearly all of ours. The hallway needs repainting and the doors in the lounge + the bathroom ceiling. We also have to finish off the steps from the kitchen to the lounge with a coat of varnish. The makeover on our bedroom is phenominal! It bears no resemblance to the overcrowded, stuffy room it once was. The wallpaper and carpet are gone...Hooray! So are the ugly wall bracket lights, replaced with bedside lamps with wicker shades.

The floor has vinyl tiles and the walls are a very subtle colour called Cocoa Parfait. We used the same colour in the computer room. It looks nice in the computer room but in the bedroom it is just brilliant. It blends perfectly with the quilt and pillow shams which are an odd sort of bronze, edged with chocolate brown. We have a couple of dark purple rugs which bring all the colours together.

Above our bed is a print I picked up in New Mexico. It's a painting of a Native American Indian woman. She is seated on the ground and is wrapped in a blanket which echoes all the colours of the room. The curtains are cream linen- which makes the room much lighter. I get a real buzz everytime I walk in there.

I must add that the curtain hanging was not without incident. Rob was finishing drilling the holes for the rail, when he jumped of the small stepladder...right into the blades of the ceiling fan! He sustained a nasty gash to the top of his head, which bled like hell and needed 6 sutures - 3 internal and 3 external. He must have a thick skull because he never even complained of a headache. The blade of the fan is still a little bent out of shape.

Rob and I both had our Flu shots for the year, but they obviously got the possible strains wrong this year. I managed to catch it from my granddaughter Brook, who had a bad dose and passed it around very generously. It knocked me rotten for nearly three weeks. I am NOT a good patient.

We managed to finish the vege garden and are already eating lettuce and other goodies from it. We also bought a "Biosnakky Mini-Greenhouse" and we are raising trays of alfalfa, wheatgrass and salad shoots to suppliment our diet. Honestly, it was amazing to have alfalfa to eat just 4 days after 'planting'! We are eating less and less meat and my energy level is on the rise again. Not only that, we are also, unconciously eating less.

Our Rosella bush has produced a bumper crop in this, it's first year. On Sunday I made a batch of jam which is delicious. It's a fiddly job but the taste more than compensates. One jar has been earmarked for my daughter Jacqui and will be posted this week. (See Jacqui...I told you I'd make it!)

Rob purchased a new bicycle for me. I've not ridden it yet because, apart from my having the flu...to be quite honest, the damned seat is far too hard for my aging rear.LOL We are going shopping for a much more comfortable seat shortly and then I'll start riding again. I've not ridden a bike for over 30 yrs, so it should prove interesting!

Rob has been doing book reviews for one of the columns at the Cairns Post (the newspaper he works for)...it's not paid work, but he gets to keep the books. He rang me today to say that he picked up a couple of books, one of which is the latest James Patterson novel "Sail" which I've been itching to get my hands on. Gotta love free books!

Anyway, that's just about all the news from the Tropical North, so, until next time, bye!

Vickie.

A New Twig on the Tree.

Hi Everyone!
Easter was an eventful time for the family. We welcomed our newest member in the early hours of Easter Sunday.
His name is Dean Andrew. Dean is the second boy for my son Karl and his wife Jodie...and a little brother for Seth. The picture was taken when he was 36hrs old. This my 10th grandchild (5th grandson). Dean is also the second 'official' grandson for Rob - we've had two born since we were married in 2004.

Now back to the other news from the homestead:
The torrential rain seems to have stopped. The garden is a jungle and the vege patch is a disaster area. Rob is taking 3 weeks of annual leave in April. The intention is to finish the renovations and then spend time getting the garden back into shape. Hopefully we may also find some time to get away from the house and have some time to ourselves. I'm so pleased that we had the forethought to buy enough paint, tiles and timber to finish the house, because, with the rise in interest rates, it would be nearly impossible for us to afford it now. Every week is a challenge, but Rob is pretty good with finances when they need juggling.

We've started shopping at a meat wholesaler. Not only do they supply some really lovely meat - in a huge variety, but they have catering packs of other items - frozen veges, calamari, spring rolls etc and a wide variety of deli goods. I found we can save heaps and eat really well. Until the vege garden gets back into production, we are taking the trip to the markets on a Saturday morning - another way of saving. I buy other items from the supermarket in the largest size I can get and I'm saving there too.

My daughter Deena is giving Rob a lift to work 4 days a week and won't accept any money. Not only is it saving on petrol costs for us, but parking has dropped by about $90 per month. Rob is back doing his shift at the Community Radio Station on Thursday evenings, reading the News for the Print Handicapped and that's the reason it's only 1 day a week that he takes the car.

Our granddaughter Brook went for her initial interview and testing for enlistment in the Navy on Wednesday. So far it looks very good. She's having to wait for some paperwork from Sydney and Melbourne. After that's submitted, she will have her physical exam etc. She has another interview by phone scheduled for Monday. The recruitment officer was keen to get her in the next intake (she wants to do Electronics) in April, but the hold up with the paperwork means that she has to wait until the next one. Fingers crossed for her please, because the Navy is where she wants to be.

Rob, Deena and Brook played in an indoor soccer team for The Cairns Post. The team name was 'Run Forrest, Run'. I'm pleased to report that they won the finals! They beat a team that was previously undefeated. Well Done!

Still on the sport front, my granddaughter Elyse (aged 15) took part in the Queensland State Life Saving Titles in the under 17yrs section. She is now State Champion. Not only did she do well in the teams events and individual races, but she won the Iron Woman section...taking out every event. Now she is off to Perth in April for the Australian Championships. Her mum (Jenny) and her dad will be travelling with her. I'll let you know how she goes. Needless to say, we are all very proud of her.

I think that's all on the newsfront from this neck of the woods, so.....

Catch you all later.
Vickie.

A Brand New Year.

A belated Happy New Year to all of you!

Lot's of news.
Firstly, the young Honey Eaters have left the nest and taken up residence in the Bankok Rose bushes in the dog run.
It's lovely to hear them twittering away, whilst they feed.

Rob, Karl and myself took on the task of renovating the guest room. It's like walking into a whole different room - thank goodness! Next on the agenda, after a break to catch our collective breath, is our bedroom and dressing room. I think it can wait for a while as we are all pretty busy with other things that need doing. Karl, especially, has a lot on his plate. Jodie and Karl are expecting the new addition to the family quite soon and he needs to do a lot of work on their place before he (yes it's another boy) arrives. I can't say enough to thank my son. He's given so much of his time to us and saved us soooooooo much money.

The first guests in our 'new' room arrived on Jan 22nd. Cameron and Linda, good friends from Sydney, came to spend 5 days with us. It was great to have their company ... even if I did have to fight to get a word in edgewise with Cameron. We had a BBQ on the 23rd to celebrate Brook's 19th birthday which gave our friends a chance to 'meet the mob'. It was a nice evening and I think Brook appreciated it.

On Saturday, Australia Day and Cameron and Linda's last evening with us, I got a call from my daughter Deena, informing me that the 'mob' was again decending on us for a BBQ and that they were bringing the food. Karl supplied 5kgs of prawns, which was lovely and most welcome. I was thinking how unusual it was for the kids to give me warning that they were coming, when I had the feeling that they were bringing another guest with them. I told Rob that I thought my daughter Jenny was coming...I 've not seen her for nearly nine years. We don't always see eye to eye, but I've never given up on her and have rung her a few times recently. Sure enough, when Deena pulled up, there was Jenny! She'd come to Cairns for the 21st party of her best friend's daughter and decided it was time to mend fences too. It was a really nice party, with 13 of us all told.

Cameron and Linda left early on Sunday morning. Rob took them into the Cairns Railway Station, while I caught up on some housework. We were sorry they could only spend such a short time with us, but the heat really got to them...especially Cameron. I think he was quite pleased to wave goodbye to the Tropical Far North!

Monday was the Australia Day Holiday and Jenny's last day here too. Her plane left at 5pm, so we were invaded again, for lunch this time. We ate in the dining room, with the air con going full blast. I think it would have taken an army to have moved Jenny from the cool! It was lovely and so good to have most of the family together. It was a pity that they couldn't all have been here. I know Jenny was looking forward to getting home to the GoldCoast and her AirCon and swimming pool.

Rob and I were relaxing last night and I decided to move my lazy self and get the washing in. It was hung in the undercover entertainment area. As I was folding the final towel, I spotted something crawling on the cement floor. I thought, at first, it was a small cane toad. When I took a closer look, I found a really tiny bat! I managed to coax it onto my hand and then onto my shirt. It didn't appear to be injured, just unable to fly. We transfered it into a shoe box. It was less than 2 inches long and black, with a dear little face. Rob rang Wildlife Rescue and a very helpful lady told us that it was probably an insect eating bat. She suggested hanging a shirt on the outside clothes line, encouraging the bat to attach itself and then leave it and check back later. Apparently they can't fly away from a prone position on the ground and fall victim of dogs and cats etc. When we looked later, it had, much to my relief, flown away. I did a search this morning and identified it as a Gould's Wattled Bat, which are quite common in this area. I 've never seen such a tiny bat - I've actually seen moths that are much bigger!

Time for me to go do some work around the place...though I'd much rather read a book...actually I think I might just do that instead.

Until next time I have some news,
Take care and have a great 2008!

Vickie

Time to take a Breather!

Hi Everyone!
No sooner do I seem to get through one Christmas, than another one appears from nowhere. I think my resolution for the New Year, is going to be "start Christmas Shopping in February." At least it won't be able to sneak up on me, next time.

It's been a pretty good year for us. Most of the renovations are finished. Those that aren't are really only waiting on my son Karl, to have time. He's a very busy man, so they could be a while yet. Our health has been good, over all, so no real complaints there. I've had some very expensive dental work done, so no longer feel worried about smiling. I really have to thank my darling Rob, for insisting I go ahead with it.

Rob has the entire week off, after New Years Eve, so he and I, will be getting stuck in to renovating the spare bedroom...seeing as it will actually be empty during that time. I'm hoping it's going to be a little bit cooler while we are doing it.

Our youngest grandson Seth is thriving and now 18 months old. He's a real little charmer and a motor bike nut to boot! In March (I think) he will have a new little brother to terrorize. The family is expanding without me having to do a thing.

This year we've had our granddaughter Brook stay with us. We had visits from her Mum, Gemma, and her little sister Christine. Then my daughter Jacqui and our granddaughter Kate came from Melbourne for Rob's 30th birthday. It was lovely to see them all again.

My daughter Deena has a new job. She's an accountant and has taken over as manager for a new accountancy practice. She let the villa she was renting go. It was too far to travel. She moved in with us for a while, but now she and Brook are renting a house in the same street that Karl and his family live in. That means that Deena can get her daily "fix" of Seth!

Brook finished her secondary schooling this year and we all went to the Graduation Formal. Deena made her dress and she looked stunning. Hopefully I can manage to post a pic before long.

Christmas itself, was hectic, as usual. It seemed to be a constant round of cooking and clearing up afterwards. I had some really nice presents...I love all of them.

We, here, all had a wonderful late Christmas present...it absolutely poured with rain last night! It cooled the place down no end. Hopefully it will continue today, otherwise it will be very steamy.

I must tell you about a very special thing that's going on. Outside our back dorr into the entertainment area and garden, we have a collection of windchimes and temple bells. Not long ago, I started to notice leaf litter on the ground. I didn't think too much about it and then my daughter spotted what was going on. A male Sunbird had started to make a nest on a string of bells! He was very smart...using a bell as a protective hood over the top of his nest. Over the days it rapidly took shape. I got Rob to loop the string up higher, out of the dog's reach. These little birds love nesting close to human habitat and are wonderful to watch. There is now a female in residence and, hopefully, in the new year, we will be hearing the cheeping of babies.

The Peewees (Magpie Larks) have already hatched their young and there are mother birds around, followed by their hungry youngsters. It's lovely to watch them running after mum with their mouths open, chirping demandingly.

Today I have to attack the fridges. So much food left over! Now I have to go through it and see what is salvagable. There's an entire ham that's not been touched. I'm going to have to slice it and freeze it. We should have ham sandwiches for the next 3months! I'll also be making huge pots of chicken and vege soup and some curries. Next Christmas will be much easier, because we are going to my son and daughter-in-law's place. All I have to do then, is ask what they need us to take. Still, there is one thing, after today, all I'll have to do, is reach into the freezer for dinner!

Deena and Brook are driving to Melbourne on New Years Day. They are taking down Deena's car for her son Rhys. She has his car here but it needs some work on doing to it. It has a towbar and she needs one for towing her sailboat. They will spend a week there and fly back on the 10th of January. It's a very long drive but they are going the inland route, so it should only take them 2 1/2 days...allowing for overnight stops. Rhys is paying all their running expenses and has had a GPS fitted for them. It should be quite an adventure for the two of them.

I hope you guys all had a wonderful Christmas and that 2008 is kind to you and yours. I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that it's a kinder year for the entire World.

Love to all of you,
Vickie.