random observations and not so profound thoughts

In case you hadn't noticed, we are rapidly approaching the pointy end of the year, and the silly season. Where did the year go?!

I went to the city early last week. Solo. No kids, no husband. Unfortunately, I did take with me the head cold thing that the kids brought home from school, which I am still dealing with a whole week and a bit later. And while it did take the shine off my trip and made me squint with glazed eyes at my shopping list, I soldiered on. Coka Cola has saved me on many a trip home and this one was no different.

Our old dog Sally is on heat. Thankfully she seems as interested in having another litter of puppies as I am. Our other dog, a teenaged Jack Russell who is still in full ownership of all of his dangly bits, is obsessed (can you imagine it?!!). So much so, that after Sally's morning run, where all she wants to do is complete her ablutions (as you do), she puts herself back into the pen to get away from Wally's constant "attentions". Jack Russells are nothing but determined, and a bit dense, he hasn't worked out from the snarky snarly snaps in his direction that she is just not interested. Highly entertaining.

Its dry. And it busy. And its hot. Combination of which makes for tired, cranky husbands (and wives).

We have a week left of school. Given that we are struggling to even get inside by 7pm, lingering outside to enjoy the coolness of dusk, it can't come sooner - having tea cooked and eaten then having to be in bed on time to get a good nights sleep for school the next day. To be honest, we've struggled with bed time all term. Bring on the summer holidays...

I have yet to start thinking about christmas cards and letters...I love getting them (anything more than a few lines on a card) and I love skimming through the years worth of photos to include on my letter. And honestly, sometimes its only way I manage to remember what happened this year.

This boy lost his second bottom tooth. Tooth fairy finally remembered to visit. They are used to her absent mindedness in these parts.

Santa lists have been written, at least by the two younger ones...I think the biggest one is getting slightly suss about things.

We went to the first Christmas BBQ this week. Hosted by OUR BANK!  As one of the other clients said, he has been waiting 84 years for a bank to give HIM something. We are very happy with our bank and its manager, and we had a lovely evening, eating a lovely meal provided by their caterer, and chatting with friends and neighbours. Bank manager seemed disappointed that his clients did not drink all of the beer provided.

Speaking of BBQ's and christmas cheer, the fridge door is getting quite overloaded with upcoming functions...am already feeling the desire to stay home in my jarmies in front of the tv with a packet of maltesers. Festive aren't I?!!

And finally: when did my kids get so grown up looking? my baby is SO not a squiggly, snuggly little boy any more. Although still has a wicked sense of humour. last night he hid under the bed to scare me, and giggled his little head off when I squealed. (I did know he was there, one thing he does not know how to do is hide successfully!) He was still snickering to himself when I turned the light off.

Righto. Off to find some festive cheer. Ho Ho Ho!

mad mexicans and burning logs

Yes, the look known as the Mad Mexican has returned, briefly I am told.

This time I also believe with quite a bit more of the salt and pepper affect. We won't mention that to him though ;-)

Anyhow, apparently conditions were right for a spot of log burning on Saturday evening, after some 40mm+ of rain just the week before. Yes, starting fires rather than putting them out. My Father in law has been busy on his loader and stick rake, pushing up great piles of logs in the pulled country. And I have to say, riding over the raked country is so much nicer now one doesn't have to bump crawl and climb over the fallen timber.

My husband and brother got the fire crazed look, and went off to light up the stacks of timber, also known as windrows.

At the same time storms were about, the wind fresh and lively, and the kids got their own crazy on (one with a fresh, gently bent collar bone. Don't ask)

I didn't the number of stacks - there were a LOT - and before long they were all alight. The grass around was too short and too green to carry the fire away from the burning timber.

And just on dark, with dark stormy skies and lightning flashing around the edges (the top end of the influence that hit the south east corner of the state with a whammy) the burning logs really were bright against the sky.

And when they had had their fill of lighting logs, and it started to drizzle (not enough to put out the flames) we went home. The End.

(that boy better hurry up and grow some legs, his sisters are towering over him!)     

surprise!

Last Saturday we managed to pull off a surprise baby shower for my dear friend Mel, who I have mentioned here before. Earlier in the year Mel was VERY surprised to find herself pregnant, as this certainly wasn't on her list of plans for the year, nor any time soon. Mel likes to run an organised ship ;-) (I am snickering away to myself at the moment)

Luckily for us, she has been sick with the flu and baby brain has kicked in, as she was completely unaware of our plans despite some strange and often aborted phone calls to her husband in the weeks leading up to the party, organising the hows and whys of getting her to the party. The evening before, there was a flurry of texts and organising new locations, with 40mm of wonderful rain making the road too wet to get to the original venue.

Mel's the one in green, greeting her special group of friends.
 
That is her husband in the blue, who was very chuffed with himself for managing to get her there
We held the party under the golden BER library at school. Decorated and made the place all pretty.

Another friend made and decorated the most gorgeous cake...
And one things for sure, when you ask someone to bring a plate to share out here, no one will go home hungry!

We played games, we drank and ate, and ate some more, talked, chatted and laughed.

And that last one there on the right, that's for Jaki, who now lives in Dalby and just COULDN"T picture Mel with the belly.