Chat time

It’s Saturday night, well over here it is. It’s 9:24pm to be precise. We are now in Spring, but we have the heater on as it’s well ‘bloody cold’!

Today 7 hours of prepping and painting the house, haven’t really scratched the surface. Have I mentioned I hate painting?

My week, no Services this week, one next Wednesday though, which I shall write up by Monday hopefully.

K was going through a bad time, as they have to leave the shared  house that they were in for 6 weeks. Borderlines do not do well in shared accommodation, for obvious reasons. Their body language, their mood swings do not sit well with others who don’t know they are Borderlines (and it’s something she isn’t going to advertise).

I have had a very stressful week, not knowing where they would go, but luckily one of the ladies that K does cleaning for has offered a room at her place. They already have a border in one room and K and J will be extra. It amazes me how some people are so genuinely generous. I had met the owner when I first started cleaning, she hadn’t even met K let alone J, but she said she wanted to do what she could to help. So I love her for this, as my ‘baby’ won’t be on the streets.

After the painting today, Mr. S and I went out for dinner, the shortest dinner in history.

We went to a dumpling restaurant. Bringing our bottle of wine, when we asked for glasses, the waitress asked if we would pay $2.00 per glass, their way of saying corkage charge.

The meal apart from the dumplings, was sadly mediocre, Mr. S’s main that he ordered resembling a child’s vomit..I kid you not, vegetables, prawns, seaweed, fungi and uncooked egg thrown over the top..it wasn’t finished. We drove there, ate and back home within the hour.

I have been doing my assessments for the Marriage Celebrancy and on to the last one, where now after writing up a Ceremony, according to instructions given, I have to video myself conducting it. Oh joy, oh bliss!

Tonight, perhaps due to a couple of lovely glasses of wine, I’m feeling a little more like my old self, a sense of humour emerges, been such a long time.

Tomorrow, daughter B (eldest) is taking K to the pictures. This is such a huge thing. They have not spoken for over 18 months. I have been going to therapy with B and she has been learning about Borderlines and what I experience and her sister.

It’s baby steps, but I hope this will be the beginning of them at least being able to talk or be in the same room with each other.

I am then taking K to lunch. Should be interesting,  turquoise hair and all.

So for tonight, the old Jen is back, life seems a little easier, especially that K will have a roof over her head. I won’t jinx it by saying any more.

 

x

My day for those who are bored

Last night I did not write  (I know how very dare I) but there was a reason, for yesterday early evening, I lifted the dog we are minding – a dashund that’s a tad heavy without bending at the knees please! The result… spasms in my mid back up to my shoulder blades.

Today was horse riding day with a girlfriend, so last night I was lying down & stretching to get said back right and bed by 9.

Woke up this morning and felt a slight twinge, but no pain, so it was onward & upward. Now in Australia we are in Summer, someone did NOT tell the weather gods that though.

We arrived at the ‘ranch’ and it started drizzling – decked ourselves out in helmets (extremely attractive) and drizabones (what are they you ask?)

These are them 

oil skin ankle length coats, that are rainproof and warm! (Think Man from Snowy River) We looked a treat.

On we went, rained continuing but not too heavy, the path slushy and muddy and puddles, beneath their feet, well trained and accustomed to the track, single file, head to bum all the way. We had the occasional trot, which my back coped with and first stop a Winery — YAY! Now I use to ride quite a bit in my younger years, the last time was 2 years ago. Because I was trying to be careful of my back when I dismounted, I didn’t judge the distance to the ground right, and yep straight out of the cowboy movies, yours truly landed fair square on her coccyx! Looking up at the tree tops in embarrassment!

More ginger stretches before going into the winery to sample 11 different wines from the region (we are talking 2 teaspoons full per glass here people) but it was enough to dull the pain. Then the heavens opened heavier and we were given the option of staying in and have lunch there or move on to the next winery. What MORE wine! I’m in! Off we went, the occasional trot (when I was just wanting to break out into a gallop) but we were advised too slippery underfoot. 😦

More tasting, then back to the stables. 3 hours in total, 22 tastings in total, 1 sore bottom.
The sun did peek for 4 minutes – thankfully!!

Normally this little adventure for two people is $320.00 – this cost $100 (on special) but I would have so liked to gallop or at least get a canter in – so that and landing on my backside the 2 disappointments of the day. Home now to relax 🙂

and me being shoved out the way by my horse Dusty- helmet hair and all 🙂

My weekend – sorry it’s long (drink and patience possibly required)

Where did my weekend go? Zip - disappeared, vanished.
Possibly because when you are busy it flies and the times when you are bored out of your brain (not that that can happen) the time drags.

Friday night we went to dinner Mr. S and I - just the local Chinese and we started with San Chow Bow (lettuce cups with mince and veg) followed by garlic prawns and cantonese beef and special fried rice (as let's face it, no chinese meal is complete without it).

Saturday hmm shopped for my penguins at the Deli for their small goods and then went shopping for nibbles (dang I didn't take a photo of my fantastic nibbly platter) which consisted of prawns, fresh salmon, cheeses, Kabana, dips, watercress, crackers and fetta stuffed baby bell peppers (tiny little red peppers that cost $32.99 a kg! - but so yum)

Two dogs arrived for dog sitting in the morning - 2 extremely obese dogs that I had previously minded 2 years ago. One a Staffy and one a bull-dog. The poor poppets, the bull-dog already has a hard time breathing due to her squashed in nose, but the weight this poor old girl had on her..well it got me angry, because in truth dear readers, this is abuse, just as much as my insane neighbours and how they treated their dog.

I took them for 3 walks each about 20 minutes each. They weren't dragging on the lead in fact the opposite, but when we returned home, the drink bowls were emptied, drooled and dribbled all over the kitchen floor and they sounded like steam trains. I 'gently' told the owner (when she phoned asking how they were) that she was pretty much killing them with kindness. Her reply "I know", said with such a who cares attitude (which shocked me as she seems quite lovely - though possibly a tad ignorant when it comes to 'how much should I feed and walk my pets).

We are due to mind them again in 2 weeks, it will be interesting to see if she cancels. I honestly feel like saying to her, let me have them for a month - Mumsy's boot camp and I shall have them fit again for you! They have chicken and steak for tea a normal portion, but she also gives them breakfast and treats throughout the day and they get walked for 30 mins each morning, but she clearly needs to exercise them more or put them on a stricter diet.

A friend of the owners came to pick them up this morning and he said "yes I have told them to stop feeding them, but I do the same with my dogs". I said why, his reply "well when do you know when they have had enough".

My jaw dropped readers, let me tell you.

Maltese Shitzus, he said that he leaves 2-3 bowls out of food ALL DAY, he also gives them treats, he even takes treats when he takes them out walking!! I simply don't understand, I said "you put one bowl of food down for each, if they haven't eaten it within half an hour, you remove the bowl". I got a dumfounded expression and a "Oh..really, but I feel so bad".

Anyway enough of that, Saturday night we tottered (well drove) to pick up the penguins as we were celebrating Fathers' Day (which technically for us down under is today 1st September) but we were doing the dinner at my brothers as he was working today…I am raving here aren't I? So anywho..the night went well, plenty of wine and food consumed. Speeches for Pop, more food :-( more wine :-) and I walked away with the button of my jeans undone because I ate..then had cake… oh dear mybad.

Today we went over to Mr. S's dads, as it was his first Father's Day since his wife passed (Rose). R.I.P Rose 29.6.2013. We had a BBQ lunch as it is the first day of Spring for us ( I am SOOOO excited) and the temperature was 25degC.

Today was also the day that us ladies (Mr. S's 3 daughters and Mr. S's sis-in-law and I) decided it was time to clear out Rose's wardrobes and cupboards etc. Armed with garbage bags, we all tackled different spots and it took us a good 3 hours to remove everything. What we didn't choose for ourselves, some now 'retro' clothes, make up etc, we have bagged for the Charities.

It was a little surreal, as if we robbing the grave as we held up items and then agreed to keep or to give away. The charity people will be very happy I am sure, as many clothes still had tags on. Rosy loved to shop though wheelchair bound, she had 2 wardrobes full of clothes and shoes and bags, many not even used.

So Rosy I thank you for letting us take your belongings the items that you loved - we shall put them all to good use.

On the way home we called in to see my Pop and mum again to officially wish him Happy Father's Day.

So that's why it went zip folks, before my very eyes, thank you if you actually read any of this. So now here comes the question which is a subtle way of saying you have to read to answer - or take the fast way and just scan down to this part - how was your weekend?

You failed to say

“You failed to say” …

that boys could break my heart ~~~ that one day I would fall in love
that I would hurt
that I as your daughter must be careful ~~~ for there are boys who
would toy with my emotions
twist my heart into a knot ~~~ and leave
you should have warned me
that not all boys play fair ~~~ should have let me know
that my gut would ache
that I would fail to sleep fail to eat ~~~ that I would weep with
tears that seemingly had no end
that my voice would scream ~~~ from inside and no one
would hear my pain

I sit looking at the glass ~~~ filled with wine ~~~ tempting
trying to erase ~~~ and understand
why you didn’t tell me ~~~ liquid nectar that helps me ~~~ shut out the world
dilutes my misery ~~~ room swirls ~~~ speech slurred

boys versus wine ~~~the wine has won this day.

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This was written for Picture it & Write

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A reminder with every Post that I do.   Reblogged from Sex, Spirit, Soul Mates and Chocolate….Ivonne’s Journey:

Red Wine and Us

clink glass filled
lingered look eyes to eyes
glass to lips slow
a sip of
liquid redness

read my mind through my eyes
what do I think
lips moist
a taste of blackberry
a hint of cinnamon

slowly grape silkiness
flows over my tongue
you watch me I watch you
cherry plum
warm spice

deep in colour succulent
tannins seduce my mouth
trickle down my throat
fruit that
rouses

warming as it enters me
fruits of berries elegant
dusty earthy tones
perfectly paired
like us

Fuzzy wuzzy was a worm and I’m not talking what’s in Tequila

and fuzzy wuzzy was a worm
or that is how it’s told

does fuzzy mean partake of
wine
sssh I’m not so bold

as to write a piece of
prose based on wine
that I have drunk?

forgive me (hic) is it
that bad? Crap 😦
is it really junk?

yes I’ve had a wine
or two
don’t think bad of me
my dears

tis been a long day that
I have had and it’s
wine not umpteen beers

so fuzzy maybe what has
come for wuzzy has dissolved
or is that wuzzy that has
emerged and fuzzy’s
been dissolved?

Pfft I’m not clear on
what I say, my brain has
turned to mush

and when I wake
and read this again
I am sure I’m bound
to blush

but put your hands up
if your game
to say you have
‘been there’

I’m sure you have
it’s not unheard
I’m sure you’ll want
to share…..

I can never look a bottle of Barcadi Rum in the face again…or is that bottle… or…

What have you drunk …but never will again?

Credit pic http://www.abc.net.au/science

Moments of happiness

It’s 10:45pm Saturday night, I have been out to dinner with friends and of course the gorgeous Mr. S.

I now sit at the desk, with a desk lamp giving the only glow in the room and I am playing Romanza by Andrea Bocelli. I love this CD.

There is a party next door and as it’s a warm night they are outside with their music, so it’s a bit of a battle of the volumes at present. I think I’m winning.

I have had a couple of wines (glasses) not bottles and feeling in one of my more aaaah moods.

You get them too, I know you must, when you have fuzzy warm inners, listening to beautiful music. God his voice is so spine tingling to me.

I am going to write this without previous thought and see what becomes of it…

Amore on wisteria vines mauve hues against a
back drop of green, palms outstretched to the sun

in the voice of the one you love, the people you love
rejoicing in their laughter, comforting in their grief

climbing a hilltop to view the valleys in the suns morning
light, flaxen glow dusting the surface on the dirt below

the waves that roll towards you that wet your feet and make
you run back to the sand like a child giggling

listening to music, butterflies in your stomach
eyes closed breathing in the tones, the words

candle lit rooms giving off a soft romantic glow,
fragrant oil burner mingling

warm bubble bath sinking in after a weary day
water to soothe your body and your mind

 

Amore to all who read

they are some of my ahh moments tonight that I wanted to share.

To write or not to Write…Reposted..from my 1st blog.. interesting to see where it lead

Yes writers the stamp of approval that we have been acknowledged, someone who doesn’t know us from a bar of soap appreciates our work and likes what we have written. With manuscripts I have forwarded, my letterbox strolls (to find acceptance) have come to nought.

I was mowing the lawns this afternoon (l know you wont find that mind-boggling) & I wanted to write, I moved onto weeding, I still wanted to write. Started to replant a gardenia bush, still wanted to write. It ‘the writing obsession’ wouldn’t leave me alone. In fact it hasn’t for some weeks now. It’s a calling, something unknown with long arms & sinewy fingers that grab hold of me & lure me into the study to turn on my Mac & say, “Now write”. (Maybe not long arms and sinewy fingers, perhaps a bit of over-kill there, but then that’s the writer in me). I try to resist (as I really wanted to get the gardenia bush planted whilst we are in Autumn) but it was no use denying it any further. So I sat at my desk and stared at the blank document page and prayed for inspiration (not literally).

Perhaps I should write just about me, my thoughts (I can see you all cringing, please don’t it shouldn’t be that bad).  Would anyone be interested in reading my dribble or would they find it amusing? Thought provoking? Would they relate to what I have written and me?

Who knows, I can’t be the judge only the person who is reading this can be. I know when I have read a book & if the author’s style is down to earth and open, I relate to it, it  draws me in even further.

I simply like that style of writing. Writing does require talent, imagination and creativity. Can we say that because l am an ‘unknown’ (apart from to my friends and family of course) that people wouldn’t enjoy or want to read what l have written? This is the uncertainty.

It’s all getting a tad in depth now isn’t it? Maybe I should refrain from over analysing and just do what I came in here to do and write. Sometimes I shall do that, I have the intention of writing something light hearted & before I know it the million words that consume my head space want to say something deep and meaningful…let’s see where it ends…

81 more sleeps …..21 easy steps….

Yes that’s right my friends. 81 more sleeps till the jolly slightly ’rounded’ man in his red suit awkwardly alights onto the suspension robe hanging from the slay to jump onto our roof, stealthily making his way across the tiles or tin & jumps feet first down our chimneys (for those that have a chimney that is).

For those of us who don’t, well sshhh we have to pretend.

It’s Christmas at my place this year, the family takes turns (well individuals do within said family) which got me thinking….

How does everyone’s Christmas Day pan out…how does it start? How does it end?

I already have beads of perspiration on my forehead just thinking about it. This is how mine goes.

 

Whoever has the blessed event at their home does the “Mains”, then one is usually in charge of sweets and the entree . The veg is distributed to whoever puts their hands up.

1. Lists that have been written a month or so prior are finally disposed of.

2. Either time has been taken off work to shop (usually 2-3 days before the big ’25’) with the hoards of other totally maniacal Christmassy folk in the Supermarkets, grocers, butchers trying to get their hands on whatever is on said lists (yours truly included) or I leave EVERYTHING to the last minute and panic ensues.

3.  Everything purchased (don’t be silly of course you need double or triple the amount you actually end up eating!) and as for the alcohol list (being the most important) half the bottle shop is purchased. Then it’s onto the table setting – do I buy nice linen serviettes this year? Or stick to the bright coloured paper jobs (yep they’re cheaper and only used for wiping grubby mouths on anyway). There are the obligatory bon-bons, again the cheap version where you are lucky if they actually to pop when pulled apart and you may get a nice poem or something not too nasty inside (or the cheaper ones where you get the ridiculous paper party hat, plastic toy and jokes (yep you guessed it the party hats win).

4. Do I have enough wine glasses, champagne glasses, beer glasses? Do I have the full set of white crockery (heaven knows you can’t serve Christmas lunch on a patterned plate!) Did any of these break during the year and forgot to replace?

(More beads of perspiration)

Twas the night before Christmas…

5. The table is set, table cloth pristine & ironed, serviettes, glasses, Clean SS cutlery (without left over dried food) bon-bons, candle Christmas centre pieces. Stand back admire, move fork to the right a bit, towel dry the water marks of any glasses. Nods head…smiles.

The big day…..

6. Ah yes up at the crack of dawn, nerves already kicking in, hoping that I time the cooking of turkey, chicken, pork correctly. Usually turkey done in the BBQ (turns out a treat it does by the way).

Is it too early for a drink?? … 6.30 am yep possibly.

7. Prepare the rum egg nog (they did so like it last time) though note to self careful about how much I consume before meal is actually served.(Of course I have to do the taste test – something to calm the nerves).

Pacing….I do a lot of that I pace, I re-check, I pace.

8. Ok so all should be good, veg is being brought, salad too and sweets. All I have to do is put the meats on and dish up the nibblies.

Sounds easy??  Pace ..pace another try of the egg nog (just to make sure).

9. Ok nibblies now out – checks the time I do that a lot also checking the time and pacing.

10. Meats in, chicken in the oven, turkey in the BBQ (you did remember to fill the gas cylinder honey??)

11. Ham glazed wrapped & in the fridge.

 

The moment arrives….

12. Hi Hi, yes yes Merry Christmas my other half greets at the door. My family knows I’m a stress head, so I hear them cautiously walk into the kitchen. Hi Hi Merry Christmas, yes yes kiss on cheeks, hugs, yep same to you (how’s the turkey going?)

13. Egg Nog anyone? (Don’t mind if I do)

14. Right good the gangs all here (the day has begun). Champagne and strawberry time (yee-ha I say). “Please go sit in the lounge get comfy” (in other words PLEASE get the hell out of my kitchen why I have my panic attacks).

15. Pace – go out to BBQ, lift lid, cooking nicely. Inside check oven yep yep chicken doing well. Take ham out to get room temperature (champagne gulped). 5 minutes? I have that..into lounge so how is everyone etc, my look at all the pressies under the tree (our tradition is to open after mains). Then there’s the weather talk in Australia we can have 40 deg C or we can have rain and hail..(be prepared for either).

16. Right entree time (can relax for another 5). Yum yum, fresh salmon or trout or antipasto platter or prawns whatever head Entree Chef prepared.

Back to kitchen pace pace timing it’s all in the timing.

17. “Won’t be long I yell” (another champagne gulp). Meat retrieved from BBQ, looking crispy and golden and delicious. Chicken from oven also looking yum. Veg have been re-heated or crisped, gravy made. Other half checks in on me and does a U turn seeing my expression.

18. Sit down (wait for the compliments of how beautiful everything looks) ..what come on..someone has to say it??

Ah there we are, thank you- thank you it was nothing (bloody hell it wasn’t nothing do you know what time I’ve been up?)

19. Onto the presents – the giving out by the selected party, the unwrapping, the oooh and the aahhs and the you shouldn’t have (no REALLY you shouldn’t have).

20. Then a small break (more alcohol consumed) before the sweets. Usually consisting of a huge bowl of fresh berries in season or pavlova or christmas pudding or all 3 (do not think of your waist line Jen.. not today).

21. The day comes a close. Our bellies sated our chatter drawn to a close. Another Christmas passed.

IF we are lucky there will be no family tiffs or tempers or words raised (usually due to the nog and other drinks). We shall talk about whose turn is it next year, what the weather will bring and slowly one by one (after I’ve had helped cleaning and washing up that is) each family member will bid their goodbyes.

aaah yes Christmas in our household …it’s a day full of prior panic..it’s a day of nerves, time checking and pacing, a day full of hoping all goes well, a day when all said and done passes with smiles and laughter and maybe some tears…

How’s yours???

PS: Sorry for the length of this post – I swear I was stone cold sober when writing it 🙂

Look out world I’ve leant how to use the Scanner! If only the photos would stay on the post & I could get the alignment right!!!

Ok so this is going to cause trouble because now that I have finally learnt (yes tech savvy I’m not) to operate my printer/fax/scanner thingy-ma-bob I probably have 2000 photos to share….oi!! stop running away and sit back down, I’m kidding…possibly…

Wedding Day Mum and Dad 1951-Melbourne

 

So even though I am wildly excited as I know you will be to show my thousands of photos… what ? I hear you’re not???? Hmmm maybe I should title the blogs “Another Photo” that way when you see it come up you can grab a glass of wine, read another blog, go do the dishes, walk the dog or switch the computer off… and I may even share some rather hideous photos of yours truly if you ask me nicely. 🙂 but of course you won’t see them if you switch your computer off now will you… ok enough rambling… BELOW LEFT IS MUM  & ON THE RIGHT IS DAD…’cos mum is wearing the dress…